TEXT E From a child I was fond of
reading, and all the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in
books. Pleased with the PILGRIM’s PROGRESS, my first collection was of John
Bunyan’s works, in separate little volumes. I afterwards sold them to enable me
to buy R. Burton’s Historical Collections they were small chapmen’s books and
cheap, 40 or 50 in all. My father’s little library consisted chiefly of books in
polemic divinity, most of which I read, and have since often regretted that, at
a time when I had such a thirst for knowledge; more proper books had not fallen
in my way, since it was now resolv’d I should not be a clergyman. Plutarch’s
Lives there was, in which I read abundantly, and I still think that time spent
to great advantage. There was also a book of Defoe’s, called AN ESSAY ON
PROJECTS, and another of Dr. Mather’s called ESSAYS TO DO GOOD which perhaps
gave me a turn of thinking that had an influence on some of the principal future
events of my life. This bookish inclination at length determin’d
my father to make me a printer, tho’ he had already one son (James) of that
profession. In 1717 my brother James return’d from England with a press and
letters to set up his business in Boston. I lik’d it much’ better than that of
my father, but still have a hankering for the sea. To prevent the apprehended
effect of such an inclination, my father was impatient to have me bound to my
brother. I stood out some time but at last was persuaded, and signed the
indentures, when I was yet but 12 years old... I was to serve as an apprentice
till I was 21 years of age, only I was to be allow’d journeyman’s wages during
the last year. In a little time I made great proficiency in the business,
and became a useful hand to my brother. I now had access to better books.
An acquaintance with the apprentices of booksellers, enabled me sometimes
to borrow a small one, which I was careful to return soon and clean. Often I sat
up in my room reading the greatest part of the night, when the book was borrow’d
in the evening and to be return’d early in the morning, lest it should be miss’d
or wanted. And after some time an ingenious tradesman Mr. Matthew Adams who had
a pretty collection of books’ and who frequented our printing house took notice
of me, invited me to his library, and very kindly lent me such books as I choose
to read.
(From Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin ) After reading the passage, we may have such an impression that _____.
A．the second child in a family usually became a clergyman B．it was not easy to get books, especially those one liked to read C．an apprentice might live happily D．children were given money to buy books they liked