Benjamin. For a
poor boy, like him, it was a great honor, and very pleasing.

When he arrived in Philadelphia he gave to Governor Keith the letter
which his father had written.

The governor was not very well pleased. He said:

"Your father is too careful. There is a great difference in persons.
Young men can sometimes be trusted with great undertakings as well as if
they were older."

He then said that he would set Franklin up in business without his
father's help.

"Give me a list of everything needed in a first-class printing-office. I
will see that you are properly fitted out."

Franklin was delighted. He thought that Governor Keith was one of the
best men in the world.

In a few days he laid before the governor a list of the things needed in
a little printing-office.

The cost of the outfit would be about five hundred dollars.

The governor was pleased with the list. There were no type-foundries in
America at that time. There was no place where printing-presses were
made. Everything had to be bought in England.

The governor said, "Don't you think it would be better if you could go
to England and choose the types for yourself, and see that everything is
just as you would like to have it?"

"Yes, sir," said Franklin, "I think that would be a great advantage."

"Well, then," said the governor, "get yourself ready to go on the next
regular ship to London. It shall be at my expense."

At that time there was only one ship that made regular trips from
Philadelphia to England, and it sailed but once each year.

The name of this ship was the _Annis_. It would not be ready to sail
again for several months.

And so young Franklin, while he was getting ready for the voyage, kept
on working in Mr. Keimer's little printing-office.

He laid up money enough to pay for his passage. He did not want to be
dependent upon Governor Keith for everything; and it was well that he
did not.

* * * * *

X.--THE FIRST VISIT TO ENGLAND.

At last the _Annis_ was ready to sail.

Governor Keith had promised to give to young Franklin letters of
introduction to some of his friends in England.

He had also promised to give him money to buy his presses and type.

But when Franklin called at the governor's house to bid him good-bye,
and to get the letters, the governor was too busy to see him. He said
that he would send the letters and the money to him on shipboard.

The ship sailed.

B