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For the Literary Magazine.

dr. franklin's junto.

THE following set of rules, form-
ed by Dr. Franklin, for a club,
founded by himself, may probably

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not be yet entirely worn out of the
memory and affections of some men
still living.

The club was held in Philadel-
phia, and composed of men consi-
derable for their influence and dis-
cretion. Though the chief mea-
sures of Pennsylvania usually re-
ceived their first formation in this
club, it existed for thirty years,
without the nature of its institution
being publicly known.


Previous Question, to be answered
at every meeting
.


Have you read over these queries
this morning, in order to consider
what you might have to offer the
junto, touching any one of them?
viz.:

1. Have you met with any thing
in the author you last read, remark-
able, or suitable to be communicated
to the junto, particularly in history,
morality, poetry, physic, travels,
mechanic arts, or other parts of
knowledge?

2. What new story have you lately
heard, agreeable for telling in con-
versation?

3. Hath any citizen in your know-
ledge failed in his business lately,
and what have you heard of the
cause?

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

5. Have you lately heard how any
present rich man, here or elsewhere,
got his estate?

6. Do you know of any fellow-ci-
tizen, who has lately done a worthy
action, deserving praise and imita-
tion? or who has committed an er-
ror proper for us to be warned
against and avoid?

7. What unhappy effects of in-
temperance have you lately observed
or heard? of imprudence? of pas-
sion? or of any other vice or folly?

8. What happy effects of temper-
ance? of prudence? of moderation?
or of any other virtue?

9. Have you or any of your ac-
quaintance been lately sick or
wounded? If so, what remedies

were used, and what were their
effects?

10. Who do you know that are
shortly going voyages or journies,
if one should have occasion to send
by them?

11. Do you think of any thing at
present, in which the junto may be
serviceable to mankind, to their
country, to their friends, or to them-
selves?

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

13. Do you know of any deserv-
ing young beginner lately set up,
whom it lies in the power of the
junto any way to encourage?

14. 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?

15. Have you lately observed any
encroachment on the just liberties
of the people?

16. Hath any body attacked your
reputation lately? and what can the
junto do towards securing it?

17. Is there any man whose friend-
ship you want, and which the junto,
or any of them, can procure for
you?

18. Have you lately heard any
member's character attacked, and
how have you defended it?

19. Hath any man injured you,
from whom it is in the power of the
junto to procure redress?

20. In what manner can the junto,
or any of them, assist you in any of
your honourable designs?

21. Have you any weighty affair
in hand, in which you think the ad-
vice of the junto may be of service?

22. What benefits have you lately
received form any man not present?

23. Is there any difficulty in mat-
ters of opinion, of justice, and injus-
tice, which you would gladly have
discussed at this time?



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24. Do you see any thing amiss in
the present customs or proceedings
of the junto, which might be amend-
ed?

Any person to be qualified, to
stand up, and lay his hand on his
breast, and be asked these questions,
viz.:

1. Have you any particular disres-
pect to any present members? —An-
swer. I have not.

2. Do you sincerely declare that
you love mankind in general, of what
profession or religion soever? —An-
swer. I do.

3. Do you think any person ought
to be harmed in his body, name, or
goods, for mere speculative opinions,
or his external way of worship?—
Answer. No.

4. Do you love truth for truth's
sake, and will you endeavour impar-
tially to find and receive it yourself,
and communicate it to others? —An-
swer. Yes.


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