own situation, and led to believe that 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 merchandise 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 a 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. LETTER LXXXIV. The Answer. Sir,-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 impossible your name will 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 exami nation 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 endeavour 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 in business. 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. Dissipation, extravagance, and even debauchery, have taken place of activity, prudence, and frugality; thus, instead of acquiring independent fortunes, and retiring from business, with credit and honour, in their advanced years, we first see their names in the gazette, and the remainder of their lives is either spent in a prison, or they are left 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 the others; I mean a desperate attempt to repair a broken fortune, by engaging too deeply in rash speculation. This practice has been attended with such pernicious consequences, that the children unborn will become real sufferers through the madness of their infatuated parents. What 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, honour, 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 other's 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 debit 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 labours are crowned with divine blessings. I leave these things to your consideration, and am, With great sincerity, your sincere well-wisher. LETTER LXXXV. From a Gentleman of decayed circumstances, in the Country, to another lately returned from the East Indies, recommending his Son to his protection. Sir,-I was greatly pleased to hear of your arrival, know, that, at that time, I was glad of every opportunity of assisting my friends. But alas! I am now in a quite 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 event took place, I retired into the country with my wife and children, and my time has since 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 to affluence 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 favour of the youth, than if he was 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 conduct has been correct, and I trust that his future conduct will give satisfaction. If therefore you will be pleased, either to take him under your own protection, or instruct me in what manner to proceed, in order to promote his interest, you will thereby confer a lasting obligation on a fond, though afflicted parent, which shall be acknowledged with gratitude to the latest period of my existence. I am, Sir, your very humble servant. LETTER LXXXVI. Dear Sir,-When I read your affecting letter, I scarce 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 deserving of contempt, 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 favour 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 |