Palladium Of Virginia And The Pacific Monitor

Rules to make a good tradesman.

1st. Endeavour to be perfect in the calling you are engaged in and be assiduous in every part thereof—industry being the natural means of acquiring wealth, honour and reputation—as idleness is of poverty, shame and disgrace.

2d. Lay a good foundation, with regard to principle. Be sure not, wilfully, to overreach or deceive your neighbour; but keep always in your eye the golden rule, of doing to others as you would they should do unto you.

3d. Be strict in discharging all legal debts. Do not evade your creditors, by any shuffling arts, in giving your notes of hand, only to defer the payment. But if you have it in your power, discharge all debts, when they become due. Above all; when you are strained for want of money, be cautious of taking it up at high interest. This has been the ruin of many. Therefore endeavour to avoid it.

4th. Endeavour to be as much in your shop warehouse, or in whatever place your business properly lies, as possibly you can. Leave it not to servants to transact, for customers will not regard them, as they would you. Sell, they generally think they shall not be so well served, besides mistakes may arise by the negligence or inexperience of servants, and therefore, your presence will probably prevent the loss of a good customer.

5th. Be complaisant to the meanest as well as to the greatest, you are as much obliged to use good manners, for a farthing, as for a pound; the one demands it from you, as well as the other.

6th. Be not too talkative, but speak as much as is necessary to recommend your goods, and always keep within the rules of decency. If customers slight your goods and undervalue them endeavour to convince them of their mistake, if you can but do not affront them. Do not be pert in your answers, but "with patience hear, and with meekness answer," for if you affront in a small matter it may probably hinder you from a future good customer. They may think you are dear in the article they want, but by going to another they may find it is not so, and probably pay return again, but if you behave rudely, and affront them, there is no hope either of their returning or of their future custom.

7th. Take care to keep your accounts well, enter every thing necessary in your books, with neatness and exactness; often state your accounts, and examine, whether you gain, or lose and carefully survey your stock, and inspect into every particular of your affairs.

8th. Take care, as much as you can whom you trust, neither take nor give long credit, but at farthest, settle your accounts annually. Deal at the fountain head, for as many articles as you can, and if it lies in your power, for ready money; this method you will find to be the most profitable in the end. Endeavour to keep a proper assortment in your way, but do not over stock yourself. Aim not at making a great figure in your shop, in unnecessary ornaments, but let it be neat and convenient. Too great an appearance may rather prevent, than engage, customers.

9th. To all these things, and above all add a serious and conscientious regard to the practice of all the duties of the christian religion. They have a natural tendency to promote your present, as well as future felicity, and besides by such a practice, you will infallibly secure the blessing of providence, which is better than every earthly blessing.