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Franklin, Benjamin

"Philadelphia 1726-1757"

They do it not for Sake of Reward of
Money or Fame: There is no Provision of either made for them. But
they have a Reward in themselves, and they love one another. If it
were prudent to mention Names, and could Virtue be prais'd without
Danger of Envy and Calumny rising against her, I should rejoyce to
know a skilful Pen employ'd, to distinguish, in lively Expressions
and significant Language, Men so deserving.

This poor Paper shall praise them altogether; and while neither
its Author nor they are nam'd, Virtue will be its own Reward, and
Envy and Calumny have no Body to point at. Ye Men of Courage,
Industry, and Goodness, continue thus in well doing; and if you grow
not ostentatious, it will be thought by every good Man who sees your
Performances; here are brave Men, Men of Spirit and Humanity, good
Citizens, or Neighbours, capable and worthy of civil Society, and the
Enjoyment of a happy Government. We see where these Men are, and
what they are busy about; they are not snoring in their Beds after a
De bauch; they are not employ'd in any Crimes for Concealment whereof
the Vicious chuse the Night Season, nor do they prefer their own Ease
at Home to the Safety of other Peoples Fortunes or Lives. See there
a gallant Man who has rescu'd Children from the Flames! -- Another
receives in his Arms a poor scorch'd Creature escaping out at a
Window! -- Another is loaded with Papers and the best Furniture, and
secures them for the Owner.


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