COMMERCE.

THERE cannot be more important requisites to suc cessful trade, than order and method. Regularity diminishes the labour, and proportionably increases the profit of business. It brings the most multifarious employments readily and easily within the compass of our time, and that without any burden to the mind. It reduces to a narrow and practical compass, avocations of the most extended nature, and enables us at all times to have a perfect and an immediate knowledge of our affairs.

The method which is desirable, is a quiet, steady, orderly system, fixed in its arrangements, and firm in its conduct. Bustle is rarely consistent with actual business. The bustling man has generally a confused mind. He may stir much, but he can finish very little, and that little badly.

Never defer till to-morrow what can be done to-day. You will thus have your business at all times in advance, and many events might happen to make you regret a postponement.

Place no confidence in your memory, however retentive you may consider it. A written memorandum is much to be preferred, and can give no trouble; it is a security, and keeps the mind easy. Indeed the most secure method is immediately to effect what you

intend, as you cannot then suffer from negligence or forgetfulness.

I am no advocate for that over-earnest and exclusive attention, which identifies a man with the commodities of his trade, and renders him unfit for any other scene than that of traffic. No pecuniary returns, however they may enrich the purse, can be really profitable, if they impoverish the man.

Be not seduced by idleness of mind, or bad example, to relinquish the manners of a gentleman, and assume those of a menial. No circumstance can require, and none can justify this.

On the other hand, I deem it indispensable, that in the actual exercise of business, you should assume any change of person which may be necessary for the perfect knowledge and superintendence of it; and I would have you at all times personally to assist and direct in every branch. You cannot have any rational hope of success without so doing; and he who disdains it does not deserve to succeed.

and

In fine, let your conversation in company be general, your pleasurable pursuits such as will enable you to take a part in discourse on all topics. The last subject on which you should be eager to speak, is your own peculiar occupation, yet, when introduced by another, do not fastidiously decline it; but be careful, even then, not to press the subject farther than the occasion may require.-Hussey.

POOR RICHARD'S MAXIMS (continued).

"So much for industry, my friends, and attention to one's own business; but to these we must add frugality, if we would make our industry more certainly successful. 'If you would be wealthy, think of saving, as well as of getting.'

"Away then with your expensive follies, and you will not then have so much cause to complain of hard times, heavy taxes, and chargeable families.

"Here you are all got together to this sale of fineries and nick-nacks. You call them goods; but if you do not take care, they will prove evils to some of you. You expect they will be sold cheap, and perhaps they may for less than they cost; but, if you have no occasion for them, they must be dear to you. Remember what Poor Richard says, 'Buy what thou hast no need of, and ere long thou shalt sell thy necessaries.' And again, At a great pennyworth pause a while;' he means, that perhaps the cheapness is apparent only, and not real; or the bargain, by straitening thee in thy business, may do thee more harm than good. For in another place he says, 'Many have been ruined by buying good pennyworths.'

"But what madness it must be to run in debt for these superfluities! We are offered by the terms of this sale, six months' credit; and that, perhaps, has induced some of us to attend it, because we cannot

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spare the ready money, and hope now to be fine without it. But, ah! think what you do when you run in debt; you give to another power over your liberty. If you cannot pay at the time, you will be ashamed to see your creditor; you will be in fear when you speak to him; you will make poor pitiful sneaking excuses, and, by degrees, come to lose your veracity, and sink inte base downright lying; for 'The second vice is lying, the first is running in debt,' as Poor Richard says; and again, to the same purpose, 'Lying rides upon debt's back;' whereas a free-born Englishman ought not to be ashamed nor afraid to see or speak to any man living.

"Poverty often deprives a man of all spirit and virtue. It is hard for an empty bag to stand upright.' What would you think of that prince, or of that government, who should issue an edict forbidding. you to dress like a gentleman or gentlewoman, on pain of imprisonment or servitude? Would you not say that you were free, have a right to dress as you please, and that such an edict would be a breach of your privileges, and such a government tyrannical? and yet you are about to put yourself under that tyranny, when you run in debt for such dress When you have got your bargain, you may, perhaps, think little of payment; but, as Poor Richard says, 'Creditors have better memories than debtors; creditors are a superstitious sect, great observers of days and times.' The day comes round before you are aware, and the demand is made before

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you are prepared to satisfy it; or, if you bear your debt in mind, the term, which at first seemed so long. will, as it lessens, appear extremely short: Time will seem to have added wings to his heels as well as his shoulders. Those have a short Lent, who owe money to be paid at Easter.'

"At present, perhaps, you may think yourselves in thriving circumstances, and that you can bear a little extravagance without injury; but

'For age and want save while you may,

No morning sun lasts a whole day.'

"Gain may be temporary and uncertain; but ever, while you live, expense is constant and certain; and 'It is easier to build two chimneys than to keep one in fuel,' as Poor Richard says: so, 'Rather go to bed supperless than rise in debt.'

'Get what you can, and what you get hold,

'Tis the stone that will turn all your lead into gold. And, when you have got the philosopher's stone, sure you will no longer complain of bad times, or the dif ficulty of paying taxes.

"This doctrine, my friends, is reason and wisdom; but, after all, do not depend too much upon your own industry, and frugality, and prudence, though excellent things; for they may all be blasted without the blessing of Heaven; and, therefore, ask that blessing humbly, and be not uncharitable to those that at present seem to want it, but comfort and help them. Remember, Job suffered, and was afterwards pros. perous."