PART III

A GREAT PROJECT

Franklin returns home to Philadelphia and resumes his writing in August of 1788. Unfortunately, he learns that all his personal papers have been lost in the war.

Upon his return home, Franklin plans a great project. He decides to bring all the virtuous young men together to form a "united party for virtue". It is to be based upon the basic belief that virtue is rewarded and vice is punished. The young men must practice Franklin's list of thirteen virtues for a period of thirteen weeks and help one another in accomplishing their goals. They must also believe in the immortality of the soul and the oneness of God. Franklin calls this party the Society for Free and Easy. He is also sure about the project's success if his plans are executed properly. Because of his ill health and lack of time, he keeps delaying the project. In the end, it never comes into being.

Notes

In this section, Franklin's spirit of altruism is portrayed. He wants to help the young men of Philadelphia lead moral lives. He plans to start a society called Free and Easy, where virtuous young men come together to practice Franklin's list of virtues and to help one another become more virtuous. In spite of his good intentions, Franklin never forms the society due to his ill health and lack of time.

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