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When you receive a sum of money, divide it among them according to your debts. Do not be ashamed of paying a small sum, because you owe a greater. Money, more or less, is always welcome, and your creditor would rather be at the trouble of receiving ten pounds, voluntarily brought him, though at different times or payments, than be obliged to go ten different times to demand it, before he can receive it in a lump. It shows that you are mindful of what you owe, it makes you appear a careful, as well as an honest man, and that still increases your credit.

Beware of thinking all your own that you possess, and of living accordingly. It is a mistake that many people who have credit fall into. To prevent this, keep an exact account, for some time, of both your expenses and incomes. If you take the pains at first to mention particulars, it will have this good effect, you will discover how wonderfully small trifling expences amount up to large sums, and will discern what might have been, and may, for the future be saved, without occasioning any great inconvenience.

In short, the way to wealth, if you desire it, is as plain as the way to market. It depends on two words, industry and frugality; i. e. waste neither your time nor money, but make the best use of both. He that gets all he can, and saves all he gets, (necessary expences excepted,) will certainly become rich; if that Being, who governs the world, in whom all should look for a blessing on their honest endeavours, doth not in his wise providence otherwise determine.

PRO BONO PUBLICO.

A NEW WAY

OF

Paying Old Debts.

The following Letter was received by the Editor of the LEEDS MERCURY, from a Tradesman in Huddersfield.

Why should excuse be born, or ere begot?"

SHAKESPEARE

MR. EDITOR,

A Correspondent of yours, in the Mercury of last week, has taken some pains to instruct your readers in their CHRISTMAS RELIGIOUS DUTIES; permit me to make the same experiment upon the CHRISMAS MORAL DUTIES, not of your readers only, for my philantropy is more extensive; and, on the ground of Punctuality, I wish to be the reformer of the world.

There is no talent, Sir, in the application of which some gentlemen more excel, than that of excusing; and, when I tell you that I am a tradesman, obliged, from the nature of my business, to give credit, I hope you will not doubt that experience has qualified me to speak upon this subject, and to speak feelingly.

There are two kinds of debtors-those who cannot pay, and those who will not pay. The first have excuses ready made-the latter are

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obliged to make excuses. The first may be sometimes dishonest-the latter are never very honest. The first destroy hope at one blowthe latter protract its torments till it expires from weakness. The first is an acute distemper, that kills in a few hours-the latter is a chronic distemper, worse than death. In a word, Sir, inability is tolerable, because, they cannot cure it-unwillingness is painful, because I cannot shorten it.

In forming excuses, according to the common practice, the following rules are observed: 1st. That the same excuse shall be as seldom repeated as possible.

2nd. That the excuses be as various and plausible as possible.

3rd. By way of maxim-every kind and degree of excuse deserves to be tried, because there is much less inconvenience in postponing a debt than in paying it; and the advantages of giving words and parting with money, are on the side of the former.

To exemplify these rules, Mr. Editor, permit me to state the case of a bill which I sent to one of my customers, (for last new year, to be candid, the approach of that season has tempted me to trouble you on the present occasion.) Now mark the excuses in succession. Jan. 1. O! this is Mr. L- -'s bill. Call again any day next week.

Jan. 9. " Not at home."-" When will he be at home ?"" Any time to-morrow."

Jan. 10. "Has a gentleman with him," waits an hour-"Oh! ah! this is the billay—hum ?. -look in on Tuesday." "Not at home-gone to the

Tuesday. Cloth Hall."

Thursday. look it over."

"Leave the bill, and I will

20. "There seems to be a mistake in the bill; I never had this article-take it back to your master, and tell him to examine his books."

24. "Just gone out.”

29. "I am busy now: tell your master I'll call on him as I go into the town."

Feb. 16. "Bless me? I quite forgot to call. This bill is not discharged-bring me a receipt any time to-morrow, or next day."

17. "Gone to London, and won't be at home till next month."

March 12: "What! did not I pay that bill before I went out of town?-Are you going farther?"—" Yes."—" Very well; call as you come back, and I'll settle."-Calls, and he is gone to dinner at Holmfirth.

16. "Plague of this bill!-"I don't believe I have so much cash in the house-Can you give me change for £100 note ?"-"No." "Then call in as you pass, to-morrow."

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25. Appoint a day!" Pray what does your master mean? Tell him I'll call upon him, to know what he means by such a message."

Sir,

April 14. "What! no discount!". it has been due these two years.". "There's your money then."-" These notes won't pay."" Then you must call again; I have no loose cash in the house."

And here ends the payment of £9. 14s. 6d. with three doubtful notes.

But these are only a sample, after all, of the many excuses I must receive; and the most mortifying part of the business is, that such

debtors are really those who can pay, but, by various delays, obtain the use of the money, and in some cases, tire out the patience of the creditor, I must say, indeed, that they are remarkably civil; they give me the prettiest words; they send their compliments and kind love to Mrs. Land the dear little ones' -but,'plague on them, they won't send the money.

As my fellow tradesmen labour under the same hardships, in these respects as myself, I hope you will not refuse this humble statement of our case; and, if it produce the payment of any one bill, which I should have to hunt after, you will merit the hearty thanks of, Mr. Editor, Your humble Servant, JOHN L

Huddersfield. Christmas-Day.

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