Advice in Reading.
Craven Street, May 16,
1760.
I send my good girl the books I mentioned to her last night.
I beg her to accept of them as a small mark of my esteem and friendship. They
are written in the familiar easy manner for which the French are so remarkable;
and afford a good deal of philosophic and practical knowledge unembarrassed
with the dry mathematics, used by more exact reasoners, but which is apt to
discourage young beginners.
I would advise you to read with a pen in your hand, and
enter in a little book short hints of what you find that is curious, or that
may be useful; for this will be the best method of imprinting such particulars
in your memory, where they will be ready, either for practice on some future
occasion, if they are matters of utility; or at least to adorn and improve your
conversation, if they are rather points of curiosity. And as many of the terms
of science are such as you cannot have met with in your common reading, and may
therefore be unacquainted with, I think it would be well for you to have a good
dictionary at hand, to consult immediately when you meet with a word you do not
comprehend the precise meaning of. This may at first seem troublesome and
interrupting; but it is a trouble that will daily diminish, as you will daily
find less and less occasion for your dictionary as you become more acquainted
with the terms; and in the mean time you will read with more satisfaction,
because with more understanding. When any point occurs, in which you would be
glad to have farther information than your book affords you, I beg you would
not in the least apprehend, that I should think it a trouble to receive and
answer your questions. It will be a pleasure, and no trouble. For though I may
not be able, out of my own little stock of knowledge, to afford you what you
require, I can easily direct you to the books, where it may most readily be
found. Adieu, and believe me ever, my dear friend,
Your's
affectionately,
B. Franklin.
SOURCE: William Temple Franklin, The Private Correspondence
of Benjamin Franklin, Volume 1, p. 4-5
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