Will Write for Readers

In the introduction to Poor Richard's Almanack for the year 1733, the author writes, in an attempt to explain why he is writing the Almanack:

"...and my Wife, good Woman, is, I tell her, excessive proud; she cannot bear, she says, to sit spinning in her Shift of Tow, while I do nothing but gaze at the Stars..."

My own husband seems to agree with Benjamin Franklin's Wife-- that I have the ability and the instruments with which to write a daily journal of my Doings, and therefore I ought to. He was sorely disappointed when I stopped, and I would do almost anything for him. Except take out the garbage.

In the introduction to the year 1736, Mr. Franklin writes:

"Loving Readers, Your kind Acceptance of my former Labours, has encouraged me to continue writing, tho' the general Approbation you have been so good as to favour me with, has excited the Envy of some, and drawn upon me the Malice of others."

I was astonished to read this, and heartened as well. If this kind of thing was going on nearly 300 years ago, why would I think it would have stopped? People, as a whole and as a rule, do not change.

And so I am back, a little sobered by my experiences but cheered by so many good wishes. No subscriptions are necessary. I will simply take this very good piece of advice that was thoughtfully provided to me and carry on:

"It is none of your business what others think of you."

I should have it embossed on a plaque and hung around my neck.

Today I just have one picture for you.

What it will eventually be attached to, I haven't decided yet. At first, it was a swatch. Then it was a scarf. Suddenly it metamorphised into a collar. That's right, people, I did not buy tickets to the Planet in Advance. I will be just as curious as you may be to see how it all works out. It is a little of the Old School with a little of the New School, and I am making it up by degrees. More about that the next time I come out of reclusivity.

"A rich rogue, is like a fat hog, who never does good til
as dead as a log." --Benjamin Franklin

Posted by Sheila at September 29, 2004 03:48 PM Posted to Family | Introspection | TrackBack