LETTER CXXVI.

Recommending a Man-Servant.

Sir,-The bearer has served me with integrity and fidelity these three years, but having a desire to settle in London, he left my house about a week ago, and by a letter received from him this day, I find you are willing to employ him on my recommendation, and it is with the greatest pleasure I comply with this request. His behaviour, while with me, was strictly honest, sober, and diligent, and I doubt not but it will be the same with you. I have sent this enclosed in one to himself, and if you employ him, I hope he will give satisfaction.

I am, Sir, your humble servant.

LETTER CXXVII.

The Answer.

Sir, I received your obliging letter in recommendation of the young man, and in consequence of that have taken him into my family. I doubt not, from what you say, of his giving satisfaction, and you may be assured of his being treated with humanity, and rewarded according to his merit.

I am your humble servant.

LETTER CXXVIII.

From a Country Shopkeeper to his Friend in London, desiring him to send some Goods.

Sir, That friendship which we contracted in our youth is not yet, I hope, abated, although Providence has placed us many miles distant from each other. I have heard of your success in London, and it is with pleasure I can assure you, that I am comfortably settled here. But you know that our returns are slow, and profits small, and therefore, however willing, I am not in circumstances sufficient to defray the expense of a

journey to London, in order to purchase goods at the best hand; which has been attended with some loss, besides a considerable expense. Relying, therefore, on your former friendship, I have presumed to solicit your assistance, to purchase, from time to time, what goods I may happen to want from London, for which an order shall be remitted on delivery. At present I have only sent for a few articles, as you will see by the enclosed. I doubt not of your getting them as good and cheap as possible; and if there is any thing I can do to serve you in this part of the country, you may depend on its being executed with the utmost fidelity and despatch.

I am, Sir, your sincere friend.

LETTER CXXIX.

The Answer.

Sir,-Yours I received, and am extremely glad to hear of your being so comfortably settled. There is a pleasure in looking back to those youthful days we spent together in harmless amusement, and it gives me great pleasure to think that I have it in my power to be any way of service to my friend. The goods you ordered are sent in the Litchfield waggon, directed to you. They are good, and as cheap as any to be had in London, and I hope you will be a considerable gainer. With respect to your kind proffer of service, I heartily thank you, and shall, as occasion requires, trouble you with something of that nature. In the mean time, be sure to command me in every thing wherein I can serve you, as it will give the greatest pleasure to your sincere friend.

LETTER OXXX.

From a Country Shopkeeper to a Dealer in London, complaining of the badness of his Goods.

Six-When I first began to correspond with you, it was my fixed resolution to act with integrity and he

nour, expecting the same in return. I must, indeed, confess that the goods you sent for me some time, were as good as any I could purchase from another, and so far I had not any reason to complain. But now the case is quite different: the two last parcels you sent me are so bad that I dare not offer them to my customers. From what, sir, does this proceed? have I ever been deficient in my payments? no, you dare not accuse me with any thing of that nature. However, I am obliged to tell you, that unless you send me others in their room, I must either withdraw my correspondence, or shut up my shop. You may choose which you please, and let me beg to have your answer by return of post, as I am in immediate want of these goods, and in danger of losing my customers by a delay.

In so doing you will oblige, &c.

LETTER CXXXI.

The Answer.

Sir, I received yours, and am extremely sorry to hear the goods sent you were so bad. By some mistake my servants have inadvertently sent some goods I had in my warehouse, not intended for any of my customers, for which I am extremely sorry; but, in order to make you amends, I sent, by this day's waggon, those which I had originally intended for you, at my own expense. I hope you will excuse this, and be assured you shall never be served in such a manner for the future.

I am, Sir, your humble servant.

LETTER CXXXII.

From a Tradesman in Distressed Circumstances, desiring a Letter of Licence.

Sir, It is now above ten years since I first had dealings with you, and during that time you well know that my payments were regular; but at present, I 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 licence 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, Your obedient humble servant.

LETTER CXXXIII.

The Answer.

Sir,-Yours I received, and am extremely sorry to hear that your circumstances are so distressed. In order to comply with your request, I 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.