Anonymous

“ Every one will shun you, as they will always suspect that you are trying to deceive them; even when you are acting rightly they will look upon you with suspicion.
Have you forgotten that Truth is the point of honour in a gentleman, and that no one can tell a falsehood and retain the character of one? ”

“ Should you not reject me—if I am ever so happy as to call you my wife—the tenderest and most affectionate devotion shall be yours, and the principal and only study of my future days shall be to render your life as happy as you deservedly merit it should be. Your reply is most impatiently awaited by one whose life is wrapped up in yours. ”

“ The man who contracts debts which he is unable to pay, more especially for articles of useless luxury, is much more culpable than the poor creature who, distracted by all the miseries of his starving family at home, rushes into the first shop he sees and steals something to relieve their necessities.
When men find themselves encumbered with debts which they are unable to pay, mean subterfuges are resorted to; applications for delay of payment are made—and granted, without any good result ”

“ Do not grieve too long and bitterly, my child, for your dearly loved mother; imitate her in every action of her life; and when Time has slightly moderated your poor father's sorrow, and you are in charge of his home and your own, things may be brighter and more cheerful again. ”

“ That, dear boy, will be your reward if you study constantly and patiently; but if you neglect the opportunities offered to you now, your future life will be nothing but disquietude, and you will grow up ignorant, and be despised. ”

“ Reply to Young Man intending to go into Business.
Tarnham, May 4th, 187—
Dear Mr. Thomas,
I was glad to receive your letter, and glad to find you have confided in your father's old friend for advice, under the circumstance of your starting in business. You do not tell me the amount of your capital; but whether large or small, the same rule should be adopted;—you must be very careful in the matter of investing your money, for without great precaution and judgment you may be a considerable loser. ”

“ The void caused by your dear mother's death can never be refilled; my home is truly desolate. It would have been wrong to keep you at home to share my grief, and thus uselessly add bitterness to your younger years. ”

“ Do not lay in too large a stock. Should trade prove slack, the rent and taxes of your premises must be paid; the stock lies idle and deteriorates in value; and when once you dip into your capital there will be little prospect of your recovering yourself again.
With regard to a locality, you must be guided very much by the number of the inhabitants, the nature of the neighbourhood, the requirements and the customs of the resident population; and if possible you should ascertain whether there is any one in the same business who may already have obtained the best connexion. ”

“ Having lately been engaged in the office of S—— and Co., auctioneers and surveyors in B——, and wishing to remove to London, where I have some very influential friends, I write to ascertain if you have a vacancy in your office. The whole control of the business here was left in my hands. I am an experienced surveyor, and can prepare particulars of sale, plans, reports, catalogues, advertisements, &c.; and am able to conduct the routine of business, both in and out of doors. I can refer you to persons in the City should you favour me with a reply. ”

“ Now this is a matter in which you must observe the very greatest caution and discrimination; a mistake made in selecting a friend and acting up to his advice, is a fatal one, and no one can for a moment form an [17] idea of the consequences which may arise from it. In the first place, do not seek the friendship of the "fast young man" whose sole thought is to gratify himself in the enjoyment of this world's pleasures, without any regard to the misery or disgrace his conduct may be entailing on a happy, innocent family. ”

“ If you wish to add some little portion of comfort to the last years of a father's life, which your headstrong passions have already greatly embittered, you will immediately relinquish it. Remember you are the only representative of our family. ”

“ A Letter to a Gentleman who has been making inquiries about a Lady's Horse.
Hithrun, March 26th, 187—
Dear Marden,
Mr. Somes, of B——, has requested me to tell you that he will sell his mare for thirty-five guineas. She is aged about eight or nine; has been as you know regularly hunted for the last two or more seasons, and is a safe and beautiful hack, and goes well in harness. I need not say more than to observe that he is perfectly indifferent about selling her, though much obliged to you for recommending her. I think she is well worth fifty pounds. ”

“ Dearest Julia,
I can scarcely compose myself to write, for this very morning, at mid-day parade, a telegram was received by our commanding officer directing the regiment to hold itself under orders for immediate foreign service; so that of course I shall be prevented seeing you before our departure, as all leave is stopped for officers as well as for the non-commissioned officers and men. Where our future destination may be no one can at present conjecture, but we think it may be Canada. How blighted now are our hopes! ”

“ Should your neighbourhood be a poor one, guard against laying in a supply of luxuries. Necessaries will be certain to sell. Being agent to one of the large wine firms that supply grocers is a great advantage, as many a customer coming for wine is induced to purchase another article. There is one thing necessary to success in business, and that is [54] civility, an amount of which in stock will cost nothing. And by treating all your customers, rich and poor, with due deference but not servility, you will find your custom very much increase. ”

“ However, now, dear sir, you know the whole of my circumstances, and exactly the position in which I find myself, through no fault of my own. I shall anxiously await your reply. With many thanks for past undeserved kindness,
I remain,
Dear Sir,
Yours most respectfully,
H. S. F.
Reply to Young Tradesman's Letter, relative to Difficulties.
St. Mary Axe, London, June 19th, 187—
Dear Sir,
Having admired you for your upright dealings ever since you commenced business, I am sorry to hear of your present difficulties. There are but two courses open to you—bankruptcy or composition. ”

“ I presume I must be cautious, in starting in business, not to sink too much of my funds in a large stock at first, as there may be a doubt that the return would not be sufficiently speedy to cover my outlay, and consequently I should be obliged to draw upon my capital for household expenses. There is another point on which I wish your advice, and that is as to the locality in which I should take a business. Do you recommend a new neighbourhood, or not? Will you also give me some hints as to the sort of connexion I should endeavour to obtain? ”

“ If you cannot reconcile yourself to do so in your youth you will be unable to do so as you grow older, and you will become incapable of achieving anything great. Application may be difficult at first, but when once you have accustomed yourself to it you will find study pleasant, easy, and agreeable, and in years to come you will be well repaid for the toil and trouble you now undergo. What can be pleasanter than to find yourself at the head of your school, leaving all competitors behind? ”

“ Answer from a Landlord in reply to a Tenant, relative to Non-payment of Rent.
Lansdowne Place, April 14th, 187—
Sir,
As you assume, I have heard reports of your distressing disappointments. I think you have known me long enough to be sure I would not willingly distress any one, more especially a tenant who up to this time has been so punctual in his payments. When you can conveniently pay the last half-year's rent, do so; I shall not—rest assured—make any demand upon you for it. Trusting that your difficulties will soon be satisfactorily arranged,
I remain,
Yours faithfully,
John Savage. ”

“ I beg to inform you that for some years I have been engaged in iron ship-building, and I am prepared to take a partner, active or otherwise. The business in which I am at present engaged is connected with an extensive graving dock, now in formation; attached to which will be marine engine and boiler works, so that we may be able to attend, not only to the lengthening and requisite repairs of the hulls, but be able to uphold and renovate their engines, boilers, &c. &c., a combination which is now specially demanded by the greatly increased employment of steam vessels. ”

“ As we are about to go abroad, we wish to let our house quickly, and for this purpose have consented to reduce our terms from —— guineas to —— guineas, furnished. We are quite convinced this is a very cheap rental for the style and accommodation of the place, which we think you will be pleased with, if you will favour it with a visit. The scenery is beautiful; the parish church is close at hand, as also the station; [60] the neighbourhood is excellent. There is a good market town within easy reach. ”

“ Reply to a Gentleman recommending a young Man for Employment as a Porter.
Hitchin, June 12th, 18—
Sir,
I have received your communication relative [44] to John ——. From the accounts you give of his general good conduct, his honesty, and the respectability of his family, I think he will be just the person I require to take the place of the porter I have lately lost by death. If the young man will call to-morrow, he can commence his duties. ”

“ Your Ronald will be true to his promise and his love, and in faith that his Julia will bear up bravely, as a soldier's destined wife should do, he obeys his country's call in anguish but not in despair. ”

“ Compound with your creditors, as the best and only means of showing your honesty of purpose, and also because it will save them the expenses caused by bankruptcy. I will do all in my power to arrange matters for you. My own claim I will not at present press, and very possibly when everything is settled you may find yourself in a much less distressing position than you at [52] present imagine. Let me see you as soon as you can. Keep nothing back from me.
Yours truly,
H. T. G.
From a Man with a small Capital intending to go into Business, asking for Advice. ”

“ Make friends of those who, by their actions, have raised themselves in the estimation of their superiors, and are regarded with eyes of jealous admiration by their equals. Remember the old proverb, "Tell who are your friends, and I will tell you what you are." ”

“ It was fortunate for you that you were not laid up during the best part of the hunting season, as I am afraid your patient spirit would have utterly rebelled against your privation from one of the only things you really enjoy. We are very snug indeed here, and are made a great deal of. We need never be at home unless we choose. ”

“ I need not give you much advice as to obedience, for you have always been, both to your mother and myself, a most obedient and dutiful child. Your mistress is very kind in showing you how to perform your duties. Be attentive, and grateful to her for such kindness.
Do not make acquaintances too hurriedly; never stay out later than the hour appointed for you to be at home ”

“ From one Gentleman to another, relative to a Dog.
Rochester, March 6th, 187—
Dear Fellowes,
As you are well up in everything relating to diseases in dogs, I wish for your advice about my puppy. Some people tell me that by vaccinating him I shall ward off the distemper. Do you think it would prove efficacious? I should be sorry to lose him. Perhaps you will drop me a line when you have time. You are generally so occupied that it is scarcely fair to trouble you, but I think you will in this case excuse your old friend. ”

“ London, May 23rd.
Dear Bob,
It is awfully unlucky, but I am obliged to go to Chester on the Derby day, and can't do as I desire. I wish you a pleasant trip.
I am ever, yours truly, ______
[10]
Love-letter from a Gentleman to a Lady.
The Temple, June 4th.
Dearest,
Days have passed by now since we have had the pleasure of a few moments' conversation even; how these hours have dragged their slow pace along you and I alone can tell. It is only when we are left to the peaceful enjoyment of our own society that time flies. It may be that to-morrow at Mrs. E.'s we shall have a little time alone. ”

“ Never can I forget the attention and kindness shown me. I shall be very glad to see you when you come home. Have you had much civility shown you at P——? It used to be a very nice place when I lived there.
Believe me,
Yours very sincerely,
James Turner.
Gentleman in reply.
Preston, May 6th, 187—
Dear James,
I am sorry to hear you have had such a severe attack. Nothing is so trying to a man of active habits, like yourself, as confinement to the house. ”