Works of the late Doctor Benjamin Franklin/A Petition of the Left Hand
A PETITION
THOSE WHO HAVE THE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION.
I ADDRESS myſelf to all the friends of youth, and conjure them to direct their compaſſionate regard to my unhappy fate, in order to remove the prejudices of which I am the victim. There are twin ſiſters of us: and the two eyes of man do not more reſemble, nor are capable of being upon better terms with each other, than my ſiſter and myſelf, were it not for the partiality of our parents, who make the moſt injurious diſtinctions between us. From my infancy, I have been led to conſider my ſiſter as a being of a more elevated rank. I was ſuffered to grow up without the leaſt inſtruction, while nothing was ſpared in her education. She had maſters to teach her writing, drawing, muſic, and other accompliſhments; but if by chance I touched a pencil, a pen, or a needle, I was bitterly rebuked and more than once I have been beaten for being aukward, and wanting a graceful manner. It is true, my ſiſter aſſociated me with her upon ſome occasions; but ſhe always made a point of taking the lead, calling upon me only from neceſſity, or to figure by her ſide.
But conceive not, Sirs, that my complaints are inſtigated merely by vanity—No; my uneaſineſs is occaſioned by an object much more ſerious. It is the practice in our family, that the whole buſineſs of providing for its ſubſiſtence falls upon my ſiſter and myſelf. It any indiſpoſition ſhould attack my ſiſter—and I mention it in confidence, upon this occaſion, that ſhe is ſubject to the gout, the rheumatiſm, and cramp, without making mention of other accidents—what would be the fate of our poor family? Muſt not the regret of our parents be exceſſive, at having placed ſo great a difference between ſiſters who are ſo perfectly equal? Alas! we muſt periſh from diſtreſs: for it would not be in my power to ſcrawl a ſuppliant petition for relief, having been obliged to employ the hand of another in tranſcribing the requeſt which I have now the honour to prefer to you.
Condeſcend, Sirs, to make my parents ſenſible of the injuſtice of an excluſive tenderneſs, and of the neceſſity of diſtributing their care and affection among all their children equally.
I am, with a profound reſpect,
Sirs,
Your obedient ſervant,