t may be found in Sparks' "Works of
Franklin," Vol. ii, p. 253.]

It has been suggested that Franklin might have been unconsciously
influenced in his views, by the fact that he had been very successful
in printing paper money, and that he anticipated still more
employment in that line. It is certain that Franklin's pamphlet
exerted a powerful influence at the time, and a new issue of paper
currency was ordered. Franklin thought that the effect was highly
conducive to the prosperity of the province, and he never swerved from
the views which he had so earnestly and successfully urged in his
pamphlet.

Franklin's sun was rapidly rising. Keimer's was as rapidly sinking.
After publishing thirty-nine numbers of the "Universal Instructor" and
the subscription list having dwindled to ninety, he gladly sold the
paper for a trifle to Franklin and Meredith. The genius of Franklin
was immediately displayed in the improved literary character of the
paper, and in its mechanical execution. The name was changed to the
"Pennsylvania Gazette." The first number issued by him was on Oct. 2,
1729.

The subject of religion was almost entirely ignored. Franklin seems to
have become weary of the darkness and the fogs through which his
unillumined mind had been so long painfully floundering, without
coming to any results upon which he could place reliance. Christianity
he generally treated with respect, though he could not refrain from
occasionally giving a sly thrust at those imperfections of Christians
which were so palpable to his observant mind. And though he never
assailed that which was not inherently bad, it cannot be denied that
occasionally his keen sarcasms brought Christianity itself into
reproach, as if it were a religion which produced no better fruits,
perhaps not so good, as no religion at all.

The business of this young firm of Franklin and Meredith, viewed in
the light of the grand printing enterprises of the present day, was
indeed trivial. The two young men did all the work themselves without
even a boy to help them. In fact Meredith, who at the best was a poor
workman, and who fell into intemperate habits, neglected his business,
frequented the ale-houses, and left all responsibility resting upon
the efficient shoulders of his partner.

Franklin, who endeavored to be perfect in every thing he undertook,
printed his paper so admirably that it is said that there is probably
not a journal now in Philadelphia which is is