32

These lines are not Pope's, but Lord Roscommon's, slightly modified.

33

"The New England Courant was the fourth newspaper that appeared in America. The first number of the Boston News-Letter was published April 24, 1704. This was the first newspaper in America. The Boston Gazette commenced Dec. 21, 1719; the American Weekly Mercury, at Philadelphia, Dec. 22, 1719; the New England Courant, Aug. 21, 1721. Dr. Franklin's error of memory probably originated in the circumstance of his brother having been the printer of the Boston Gazette when it was first established. This was the second newspaper published in America." – Sparks.

34

Told.

35

Lowered; put down. [n]

36

The legislature.

37

Errors; mistakes.

38

Kill von Kull, the strait between Staten Island and New Jersey.

39

That is, John Bunyan, the author of the book.

40

In New Jersey.

41

Learning.

42

English penny pieces. The coin money used by the colonists was at this time of foreign make.

43

This market stood on the southwest corner of Second and Market Streets.

44

A composing stick is a small tray which the compositor holds in his left hand and in which he arranges the type that he picks out of the cases with his right hand.

45

A false reasoner, and hence a deceiver.

46

The name of a kind of type.

47

Manuscript or printing of original matter.

48

Boarded.

49

The Camisards, who broke away from the state religion of France, and suffered persecution at the hands of Louis XIV. They showed their spiritual zeal by the prophetic mania and by working miracles, as well as by a stout attachment to their creed.

50

"Both governments," i.e., both Pennsylvania and Delaware.

51

Peep show.

52

"Piece of eight," i.e., the Spanish dollar, containing eight reals. The present value of a real is about five cents.

53

The seats across the boat on which the oarsmen sit.

54

For Governor Keith's character and popularity, see p. 58.

55

Captain Annis, commander of the ship, is here referred to.

56

Entrapped.

57

Lev. xix. 27.

58

An agent or commission merchant.

59

In 1728 Alexander Pope published his Dunciad, and in Book III. lines 165, 166, he refers to Ralph, who was then living in London:

Later, his History of England during the Reigns of King William, Queen Anne, and King George I. was highly praised (see pp. 177, 178).

60

Responsible for the payment of a note.

61

The owners or proprietors of Pennsylvania, which Charles II. had given William Penn, were Penn's sons. They lived in England.

62

A street in London.

63

A pistole was a Spanish gold coin worth about four dollars.

64

A comedian of some note.

65

A hackney writer, or hack writer, is one employed to write according to direction.

66

Inns of Court in London, occupied by lawyers.

67

Setting type.