Vol.1 of the Harvard Classics  Edited by Charles W. Eliot, LL.D

Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
The Journal Of John Woolman
Fruits of Solitude by William Penn


Who was this Charles W. Eliot? Another question for another day.

I read the introduction to the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin and have gotten through a couple of pages. (i.e. 1-9) It's not as gripping as a bodice ripping romance set in the same time period but the rather boring green and gold-leaf hardcover tome with its Veritas crest is rather effective at conveying a sense of importance. It is rather sensual in it's own rights, the romance of picking up knowledge and enlightenment.

I can only sigh and marvel at how much I am deluding myself. I really hope this gets easier. I have digested about three other books today which were much more like Meyer's Twilight than Dante's Inferno.

Anyway in the first nine pages I was really struck by one theme in particular. Franklin's discussion about Vanity

Herby, too, I shall indulge the inclination so natural to old men, to be talking of themselves and their own past actions; and I shall indulge it without being tiresome to others, who through respect to age, might conceive themselves obliged to give me a hearing, since this maybe read or not as anyone pleases. And, lastly (I may as well confess it, since my denial of it will be believed by nobody), perhaps I shall a good deal gratify my own vanity. Indeed, I scarce ever heard or saw the introductory words, "Without Vanity I may say," &tc, but some vain thing immediately followed. 

Albeit it's pretty vain that I deign to write my observations about a historical figure whose import makes my existence seem a little insignificant (though to my point our whole existence is an unlikely and insignificant event when considering the whole of space and time). Anyway, whenever I write I can't seem to get beyond myself. I will also admit my writings seem aware and slightly apologetic of this, leading me to believe that my offerings are slightly milquetoast at best.

Franklin acknowledges this vanity, gives a pretty funny apology about it and quickly gets down to the business of writing the tale of his life.

Also pretty awesome that several contemporary humorists (I'm thinking garden variety stand-up comedian, can't remember who exactly) use this very familiar device of "Why is it whenever someone says 'I don't mean to be [rude, racist, sexist, homophobic, etc.]' then the most [rude, racist, etc.] statement follows. I'd like to think that these humorists are very aware of this lineage. I wonder how far back this device goes?

Just goes to show you Benjamin Franklin was pretty great at innovation.