the first in America.

He invented a copper-plate press, and printed the first paper money of
New Jersey.

He also invented the iron fireplace, which is called the Franklin stove,
and is still used where wood is plentiful and cheap.

After an absence of ten years, he paid a visit to his old home in
Boston. Everybody was glad to see him now,--even his brother James, the
printer.

When he returned to Philadelphia, he was elected clerk of the colonial
assembly.

Not long after that, he was chosen to be postmaster of the city. But his
duties in this capacity did not require very much labor in those times.

He did not handle as much mail in a whole year as passes now through the
Philadelphia post-office in a single hour.

[Illustration: BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.]

* * * * *

XII.--FRANKLIN'S RULES OF LIFE.


Here are some of the rules of life which Franklin made for himself when
he was a very young man: