blesome and expensive.

The members of the "JUNTO" derived so much benefit from the plan of
bringing their books together, that Franklin conceived the idea of
establishing a library, and formed his plan, which was successful. He
found fifty persons in town, mostly young tradesmen, who were willing
to pay down forty shillings each, and ten shillings per annum; and
with these the library was commenced. This was the first library ever
established in this country, and it now numbers more than sixty
thousand volumes. Since that day libraries have multiplied rapidly.

The following are some of the questions for the "JUNTO," and they show
that it was really a thorough and valuable organization.

"Have you met with anything, in the author you last read, remarkable,
or suitable to be communicated to the Junto? particularly in history,
morality, poetry, physics, travels, mechanic arts, or other parts of
knowledge."

"Hath any citizen failed in business, and what have you heard of the
cause?"

"Have you lately heard of any citizen's thriving well, and by what
means?"

"Do you know of a fellow-citizen who has lately done a worthy action,
deserving praise and imitation; or who has lately committed an error,
proper for us to be warned against and avoid?"

"What unhappy effects of intemperance have you lately observed or
heard?--of imprudence?--of passion?--or of any other vice or folly?"

"What happy effects of temperance?--of prudence?--of moderation?--or
of any other virtue?"

"Do you think of anything at present in which the Junto may be
serviceable to _mankind_, to their country, to their friends, or to
themselves?"

"Hath any deserving stranger arrived in town since last meeting, that
you have heard of?--and what have you heard or observed of his
character or merits?--and whether, think you, it lies in the power of
the Junto to oblige him, or encourage him as he deserves?"

"Do you know of any deserving young beginner lately set up, whom it
lies in the power of the Junto any way to encourage?"

"Have you lately observed any defect in the laws of your country, of
which it would be proper to move the Legislature for an amendment? or
do you know of any beneficial law that is wanting?"

"Is there any man whose friendship you want, and which the Junto, or
any of them, can procure for you?"

This is a sample of the questions asked at their meetings, and
answered. It is not difficult to see the mind of Franklin in the