Sir,

LETTER VII.-The Answer.

I ACKNOWLEDGE with gratitude the lenity you have at all times shown, and my being obliged to disappoint you so often has given me much uneasiness. I do assure you, Sir, that I am not so ungrateful as my conduct has given you reason to believe. From the state of my accounts, you will find that the greatest part of my property is in the hands of country dealers, who, although they seldom fail, yet their times of payment are very precarious and uncertain. However, to convince you of my integrity, I have sent by this day's post an order for 200 dollars, and next week you shall receive one much larger. The remainder shall be sent in a short time. I am determined, for the future, to make the rules laid down in your excellent letter a guide, in my dealings with those people, whose delays in the making good their payments to me, obliged me to disappoint you; and to convince you further of my integrity, the goods which I order, until the old account be paid off, shall be for ready money. I doubt not but you will continue to treat me with the same good usage as formerly, and believe me to be unfeignedly,

Your obliged humble servant.

LETTER VIII.-From a Young Person in trade to a Wholesale Dealer, who had suddenly made a demand on him.

Sir,

YOUR demand coming very unexpectedly, I must confess I am not prepared to answer it. I know the stated credit on this article used to be only four months; but, as it has been a custom to allow a moderate time beyond this, and as this is only the day of the old time, I had not yet prepared myself. Sir, I beg you will not suppose it is any deficiency more than for the present, that occasions my desiring a little time of you and I shall not ask any more than is usual among the trade. If you will be pleased to let your servant call for one half of the sum this day three weeks, and the remainder a fortnight afterwards, it shall be ready. However, in the mean time, I beg of you not to let any word slip of this, because a very little hurts a young beginner. you may take my word, with the greatest safety, that I will pay you as I have mentioned; and if you have any particu lar cause for insisting on it sooner, be pleased to let me know that I must pay it, and I will endeavor to borrow the monev,

Sir,

for if I want credit with you, I cannot suppose that I have Lost it with every one else, not knowing what it is that can nave given you these distrustful thoughts concerning Your humble servant.

LETTER IX.—From a Tradesman to a Correspondent requesting the payment of a sum of money.

Sir

A VERY unexpected demand having been made on me for money, which I was in hopes of keeping longer in my trade, obliges me to apply for your assistance of the balance of the account between us, or as much of it as you can spare. When I have an opportunity to inform you of the nature of this demand, and the necessity of my discharging it, yon will readi ly excuse the freedom I now take with you; and as it is an affair of such consequence to my family, I know the friendship you bear me will induce you to serve me effectually. I am, Sir,

Sir,

Your most obedient servant, &c.

LETTER X.-The Answer

It gives me singular satisfaction that I have it in my power to answer your demand, and am able to serve a man I so much esteem. The balance of the account is four hundred dollars; for half of which I have procured two bank-notes, and for security divided them, and sent one half by the return of the post, as you desired, and have here inclosed the other. Wishing that you may surmount this, and every other diffi culty, I am, Sir, Yours, &c.

LETTER XI.-From a Young person just out of his Ap prenticeship to a Relation, requesting the loan of a sum of money.

Dear Sir,

I CAN remember nothing but kindness from you to our unhappy family ever since my infancy; and I flatter myself that I have not been guilty of any thing that ought to exclude me in particular from your favor, provided you retain the same kind thoughts towards me.

I have at present before me the prospect of either being a ,ourneyman for a small salary, and just getting bread, or the

of being a master in a very advantageous trade; and this 19 the time of fixing myself in one of these situations. I am sensible, Sir, you will see the design of this letter, because the becoming a master cannot be done without money, and I have nowhere to apply for such assistance but to your favor.-A moderate sum, Sir, will answer the purpose; and I think I am so well acquainted with the trade, as to be able soon to repay it; at least I am sure I can take care that the value of it shall be always kept in stock, so that there may be no risk of losing any part of it. I have made the computation, and with 300 dollars, carefully laid out, I can make all the show that is necessary, and have sufficient conveniences about me. If you will be so generous, Sir, as to complete the goodness you have already begun, by lending me this sum, there is nothing shall tempt me to endanger your losing any part of it; nor shall any thing ever make me forget the obligation. I am, Sir, your most obliged, and

most obedient humble servant.

LETTER XII.-From a Young Man, who had an opportu nity to set up in business, but destitute of money, to a Gentleman of reputed benevolence.

Honored Sir,

WHEN you look at the subscription, you will remember my serving you with goods when I was an apprentice to Mr. Hopkins, grocer, in Water Street. I have been a little above two years out of my time, which has been spent in Mr. Hopkins's service, and the greatest part of my wages have been given to support an aged mother, confined to a sick bed. Mr. Hopkins died about ten days ago, and having no family, his executors, who are almost strangers to me, are going to let the shop. My worthy master has left me one hundred pounds in his will, but that is no way sufficient to purchase the stock in trade; nor will they give any longer credit than twelve months. Being well acquainted with the trade, as also the customers, and having such a fair prospect of settling in business, I have presumed to lay it before you. I have often heard of your willingness to serve those under difficulties, especially young people beginning the world. If you approve of this, and will advance so much on my bond, payable in a limited time, it shall be safe as if in the hands of your banker. I shall be as frugal and industrious as possible, and the whole of my time shall be employed in the closest attention to the duties of my station, and, I shall acknowledge your kindness

with gratitude, as long as I live. I hope this will not give any offence; and, if you give me leave, I will wait on you along with one of the executors, that you may hear their proposals. My character as to honesty and fidelity will bear the strictest nquiry, as is testified in my late master's will, and also by all with whom I have had any dealings.

I am, honored and worthy Sir,

Your obedient humble servant.

LETTER XIII.-The Gentleman's Answer.

Sit, I HAVE just received yours, and although I am much indisposed with the gout, yet could not hesitate one moment in sending an answer. There is such an appearance of honesty, ogether with such an unaffected simplicity, running through the whole of your letter, that I am strongly in lined to comply with your request, and happy shall I think myself if your honest endeavors are attended with the desired success. You need not give yourself the trouble of calling on me, lest it should interfere with your business. I will either call on you to-morrow, or send a friend to inquire into the particulars. In the mean time it gives me the greatest pleasure to hear that you have not been wanting in filial duty to an aged parent; and while you continue to act consistently with the principles, and regulate your conduct by the practice of virtue, you will have great reason to expect the Divine blessing on whatever you undertake. Trade is of a very precarious nature, and if not attended to with assiduity and regularity, generally involves those engaged in it in the greatest difficulty, if not ruin Let me beg, therefore, when you become a master, you will avoid mixing in company with those who spend their time and substance in the fashionable follies of the present age. Such practices are inconsistent with the business of tradesmen · and I am afraid that it is greatly owing to such, that we see the Gazettes so often filled with the names of bankrupts, who, if they had attended with assiduity to the duties of that station in which Providence had placed them, might have been a comfort to their families, and an honor to their different profes sions. But although I have no fears concerning your integ rity, yet the best of men cannot be too often reminded of their duty.

I am, Sir,

Your sincere well-wisher.

LETTER XIV.-To an Acquaintance, to borrow a sum of money for a little time.

Dear Sir,

Ir it be quite convenient and agreeable to you, I would beg the favor of you to lend me 250 dollars for the space of three months precisely: any security that you shall require, and I can give, you may freely ask. A less time would not suit me; a longer, you may depend on it, I shall not desire. Your answer will oblige, Sir,

Your very humble servant.

LETTER XV.-An Answer to the foregoing.

Dear Sir,

ANY thing in my power is always at your service; the sum you mention, I have now by me, and can very conveniently spare 1. for the time you fix, and you are most heartily welcome to it. Any hour that you shall appoint to-morrow I will be ready and am with the greatest sincerity, Your affectionate friend and humble servant,

LETTER XVI. From a Tradesman in distressed circumstances, desiring a Letter of License.

Sir,

Ir is now about ten years since I first had dealings with you, and during that time you well know that I always paid you regularly: but at present am sorry that my affairs are so perplexed, that it is not in my power to comply with the just demands of my creditors, nor even to pay them any thing until my affairs are settled. For that reason, Sir, I have sent to you, desiring a letter of license for only twelve months, in which time I hope to be able to settle my affairs to their satisfaction; but if they will not comply with this, I am utterly ruined. Your answer is impatiently expected by

Sir,

Your obedient humble servant.

LETTER XVII.-The Answer.

YOURS I received, and am extremely sorry to hear that your circumstances are so distressed. In order to comply with your request, I have called a meeting of the creditors, and I doubt not but they will agree to a proposal so fair and reasonable, of which I shall give you notice.

I am, Sir, your real friend.