which in the end might prove fatal to themselves. Such is the state of affairs at present in this once happy country; I shall therefore, being tired with the subject, imitate your example, and put an end to this letter. Hoping to see you soon, I am yours sincerely.

LETTER 153.

From a young Merchant, to an aged Gentleman, formerly of the same profession, but now retired from business.

HONORED SIR,

Your generosity in sending me instructions during my apprenticeship, will ever remain a lasting proof of that innate goodness for which you have been so justly celebrated; and likewise encourages me to trouble you for advice how to conduct myself, so as to support my credit in the world, now I am entered upon business. Your long and extensive knowledge of mercantile affairs, gives a sanction to every thing you say, and your goodness of heart encourages the inexperienced to address themselves to you with cheerfulness. I have been now about two years in business, and although my success has been equal to my expectations, yet there are such a variety of failures daily in this city, that I am every day thinking that my own name may be that week in the Gazette.I should not be much surprised were all to become bankrupts who are abandoned characters, as 1 do not see how any thing less can be expected. You know, sir, that assiduity and regularity are qualifications indispensably necessary to the merchant; so that it must appear morally impossible for the man to prosper in trade whose time is spent in dissipation and idleness; if not, which too often happens, in debauchery. When I hear of such failing in their payments, I am no ways surprised; but when great numbers of those, apparently in affluent circumstances, and the fairest characters, daily fail, I am justly alarmed, and my fears continue to increase in proportion to their numbers.

I would not choose to judge rashly, much less uncharitably of any man; although I must confess I am very much shocked to hear that a commission of bankruptcy is awarded against one supposed worth-thousands, and not sufficient left to pay five shillings in the pound. I am filled with horror on account of my own situation, and led to believe there is a latent curse attending mercantile affairs, which the greatest prudence can neither foresee nor prevent. I am sensible that the person to whom I am writing knows the above to be true. Your long acquaintance with the fluctuating state of merchandize procures respect, and gives a sanction to every thing you say. But, as far as I am able to learn, those failings in the mercantile world are more frequent now than when you was engaged in trade. I am not ambitious of acquiring riches. My whole desire is to obtain peaceable possession of the comforts of life, to do justice to every one with whom I have any dealings, and to live and die an honest man. Such, sir, is the plan I have laid down for my future conduct in life. But, alas! it will require the assistance of all my friends to enable me to execute it with a becoming propriety. Let me therefore beg your advice on an affair of so much importance, and whatever you dictate shall be the invariable rule of my conduct, whilst the thanks of a grateful heart shall be continually returned for so benevolent an action. I am, sir, &c.

SIR,

LETTER 154.

The Answer.

If I can form any judgment of the integrity of your actions, and the purity of your intentions from the contents of the letter now before me, I should not hesitate one moment in declaring, that it is almost impossiole your name should ever appear in the Gazette under the disagreeable circumstances you have mentioned. For how is it possible to suppose, that the man who keeps a regular account of his proceedings, his loss and gain, should not know whether his circumstances are affluent or distressed? And whatever you may think of those merchants who have often failed, although reputed affluent, yet if you had attended to their examination before the commissioners I believe you would have great reason to alter your opinion. I speak concerning bankruptcies in general; for there are some unforeseen accidents which even the greatest prudence cannot prevent. But these are extraordinary cases, and seldom happen. If you examine minutely into the nature of those causes which generally occasion bankruptcies, you will find them arising from something with which you are still unacquainted. I shall endeavor to point out a few, and submit to your own judgment whether I am mistaken or not. And the first is generally a careless attention to business, the not keeping regular accounts, and a more earnest desire after public entertainments than assiduity to business on the exchange. Mercantile affairs require a clear and solid judgment, and it is morally impossible for that man to prosper in trade whose mind is continually engaged in the pursuit of things foreign to, and wholly unconnected with, that station in which Providence has placed him. It is a contradiction in terms. Assiduity always procures respect, and generally insures success. Another cause of the many failures in the mercantile world, is the vanity of those in trade living above their circumstances. This vice is at present so predominant among the citizens, and its consequences so fatal, that one would almost imagine the people were laboring under some penal infatuation. Formerly the citizens of London were distinguished in a peculiar manner for their gravity; the exchange and the custom house were the only places they frequented when they went from home. But now the face of affairs is changed, and those places where their predecessors acquired fortunes are considered as too low and vulgar for them to be seen at. Nay, so far have they carried their extravagance, that all distinctions are in a manner confounded, and the wife of a tradesman is hardly known from the lady of a peer. Dissipation, extravagance, and debauchery have taken the place of activity, prudence, and frugality; and many instead of acquiring independent fortunes, and retiring from business with credit and honor, we first see their names in the Gazette, and the remainder of their lives is either spent in prison, or they have to struggle through the world without credit under the odious appellation of a bankrupt. The last cause I would mention is naturally the effect of others; I mean a desperate attempt to repair a broken fortune by engaging too deeply at gaming in the stocks. This practice has been attended with such pernicious consequences, that the

children unborn will become real sufferers through the madness of their infatuated parents. When those who have wasted their substance in riotous living are awakened by a feeling sense of their approaching shame and misery, they generally muster up all they can procure, and at one stroke venture it all in the stocks, where, if one is successful, most commonly twenty are ruined. What I have now told you is the result of long experience, and I doubt not but you will find too glaring proofs of it. It now remains that I should, in compliance with your request, point out some rules to be observed, in order to carry on business both with credit, honor and profit. But I know of no method more proper than to act diametrically opposite to the conduct of those already mentioned.

Learn to be wise by others' harm,

And you shall do full well.

Never leave that undone till to-morrow that can be performed to-day. Never trust that to either a friend or a servant which can be done by yourself.

Keep an account of every day's expense, and once at least every week, compare your debt with your credit.

Be not over anxious in acquiring riches. Trade is solid, but slow; and experience has long since convinced me, that those who are over hasty in acquiring riches, most commonly fail in their attempts, and soon find themselves real beggars. But, above all, remember, that " in vain do we rise soon, or sit up late, unless our labors are crowned with divine blessings." I leave these things to your consideration, and am, with great sincerity, Your sincere well wisher.

LETTER 155.

From a Gentleman in decayed circumstances in the country, to another lately returned from the East Indies, recommending his Son to his protection.

I was greatly pleased to hear of your arrival, but much more so that you had acquired an ample fortune. You knew me when my circumstances were not only easy, but likewise affluent; and you also know that at that time I was glad of every opportunity of assisting my friends. But, alas! I am now in quite a different situation. By the loss of a ship from Jamaica, I was obliged to stop payment, and give up all to my creditors, who have generously allowed me a small annuity for my subsistence. When that fatal event took place, I retired into the country with my wife and children, and my time since has been spent in superintending their education. The bearer, my eldest son, is just twenty, and is very desirous of going to the East Indies; but my circumstances are such that it is not in my power to give him any assistance, nor indeed do I know in what manner to proceed in an affair of so much importance. The friendship which subsisted betwixt us before you left England, gives me some encouragement to hope, that your elevation and grandeur will not make any alteration in your sentiments concerning benevolence, notwithstanding the depressed situation to

which I am reduced. I rather think that my present distressed circumstances will plead more powerfully in favor of the youth, than if he were supported even by the recommendation of the whole body of directors. I have given him an education, perhaps beyond my circumstances, and suitable, I hope, to any situation in the mercantile world. His morals, so far as I know, are pure, and I doubt not his conduct will give satisfaction. If, therefore, you will be pleased either to take him under your own direction, or instruct me in what manner to proceed in order to promote his interest, you will thereby confer a lasting obligation on an indulgent, though afflicted parent, and it shall be acknowledged with gratitude to the latest period of my existence. I am, sir, your very humble servant.

When I read your affecting letter, I scarcely knew whether I was more grieved to hear of your distressed circumstances, or filled with shame that I had been three months in England, and never inquired for one who had not only treated me with humanity, but even assisted me in making my first voyage to the Indies. Your house was an asylum to me when I was utterly destitute, and I should consider myself as an object of the utmost abhorrence, if I hesitated one moment in complying with your request, relating to the amiable youth who brought me the letter. But, in what light must I consider myself were my gratitude to the best of men confined to such a favor as would cost me nothing, or what I would grant even to a stranger! No, sir, I am sensible of benefits received, and should consider myself as a mean, abject wretch, if I did not acknowledge them with gratitude. I have just been with your son to the directors, and he is engaged as a writer at Bengal. If the climate agrees with his constitution there is no great fear but he will soon acquire a considerable fortune. For which purpose I have deposited in the hands of the supercargo five hundred pounds for his use, which you know is more than I had when I first embarked for that part of the world. But still, I should consider myself as acting very partially, if whilst I am making provision for the son I should forget his aged parents. The ships for India do not sail till next March; so that your son will have at least three months to remain with you before he embarks. He sets off with the coach to-morrow, and I have intrusted him with something for your immediate use. I intend calling to spend a few days with you next month, and be assured that nothing in my power shall be wanting to make your life as agreeable as possible. I have not so far forgot the principles of a virtuous education as to look with indifference on the various dispensations of Providenc. How true is that saying of the wise man, "The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong!" As human wisdom cannot discern the progress to earthly grandeur, so man's prudence is not always able to guard against calamitous events. I am determined, therefore, not to place too much confidence in riches, and shall only consider myself-as the steward of that all bountiful God from whom I have received them. This is my

Axed resolution, and I hope no allurement whatever will tempt me to deviate from it I am, dear sir, your affectionate friend.

LETTER 157.

On Marriage—from a Lady in town to her Friend in the country. DEAR MADAM,

Marriage is despised by some, and by others too much coveted. The first sin against the law of nature and divine ordination; the last, too often, against their own peace and happiness. For those who are in extraordinary haste for a settlement do commonly extend their expecta tions beyond what they have possessed in a single life, and often the imaginary heaven proves a hell. Though your changing your condition had an extraordinary prospect, yet I hear my last letter, which was to wish you joy, found you in sorrow; but I know you are too well principled not to remember the time will come when the wicked shall cease from troubling, and the weary will be at rest. For if your husband continues so industrious to torment you, as the world represents him, I believe you can have but little rest till that time is come; unless it is by the inward peace of a good conscience, which none can take from you. This is a consolation which clamorous wives always lose, and which can never be recompensed by any point they gain, however apparently for their advantage.

Since the laws of God and nature have given men the supreme authority in marriage, we ought not first to accept them on these terms, and then mutiny upon all occasions. For though some men are so kind as to make our yoke light upon us, yet we take them "for better or for worse," and experience shows us that the odds are on the worse side. All this we should consider before we engage ourselves in those strict ties, which oblige us to deny our own inclinations, and comply with those of our husbands. Indeed, human policy ought to teach us this lesson; for if we make a man's home less agreeable to him than any other place, we furnish him with a good excuse for going abroad, which can never be to our mutual advantage. Those men whom business does not call out to get money, are generally on the spend; and he that is driven from home by a wife's ill humor, is always more extravagant abroad, and even thinks he has a better pretence to be so, while he sacrifices his body and soul, as well as his estate to his revenge.

Some women, indeed, will divert themselves and not seem to mind it; and instead of endeavoring to win their husbands by complaisance, turn as extravagant as they; or, as the old proverb says, "they light the candle at both ends;" though they know it must at last burn their own fingers. However, they seldom fail of suffering by their rashness; and the further they run out, the sooner they find a check upon their expenses; beside, if they should preserve their honesty, they undergo the certain loss of their reputation, which is infinitely more valuable to them than any thing else in the world; and although by such conduct they may think to reclaim the men, yet they "ought not to do evil that good may come."

But, most of all, I wonder at some of our acquaintace who seem to be sober women, and yet recommend it as the best way to deal with a

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