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 circ.u.mstance 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. 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. Many small capitalists, in going into a new neighbourhood, have been bitterly disappointed in their expectations of making a good connexion. It is really a fact, that the first shops established in a new place generally fail. 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 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. Let your customers see that it is a pleasure for you to oblige, and that it is not done with a view only of selfish greed or gain. Should you require advice at any future time, I shall be very glad indeed to give you any information you may require.
I will close my letter with one more word of counsel, which is this--do not get into debt. Wishing you every success,
Believe me,
Your sincere friend,
_From a Merchant abroad to his Brother, forwarding Goods for Sale, and requesting others._
Leghorn, May 4th, 187--
DEAR FRED,
According to promise by last mail, I send you by first steamer twelve bales of raw silk, marked R. N. I need not tell you to dispose of them to the best advantage; they are in first-rate condition, warranted good; I examined each bale myself before shipping. I enclose an order for several different articles of British manufacture, to be sent at an early date; let them be as good and as _cheap_ as you can possibly procure. That cla.s.s of goods is in great demand at present.
Your affectionate brother,
J. T.
_Brother answering his Brother or Friend, relative to receipt of Goods._
London, May 16th, 187--
DEAR JOHN,
Yours of the 4th was duly received, and the goods therein mentioned have since been delivered at the Custom-house. I immediately advertised them for sale in twelve different lots, but they were all bought up by one of the princ.i.p.al manufacturers in Spitalfields for a good sum, which I have lodged in the bank to your credit. I forwarded last week, by the _Orion_, the different articles you ordered. There are twenty bales, marked "A. X." I am told, by judges in the trade, that they are the best and cheapest that can be had. I shall be glad to hear they have realized your expectations.
Your affectionate brother,
FRED.
_A Gentleman in the Corn Trade to another._
Petersfield, January 31st, 187--
DEAR ----,
We had a tolerable supply of wheat at market to-day; there was rather a limited attendance, however, and business on the whole proceeded slowly. Most of the samples exhibited were in poor condition; and this, coupled with the sluggish demand, caused prices to give way from one to two shillings per quarter. Foreign wheat had but a dull inquiry. In the flour market there was a moderate consumptive business done, at about late terms; best descriptions of malting and grinding barleys were held for rather higher terms, with a quiet demand. I shall be in your neighbourhood on Sunday, and will give you a call.
Yours very truly,
J----N D----R.
_From a Friend at Bradford to his Friend in London, on Business (Wool)._
Bradford, January 17th, 187--
DEAR ----,
We are looking up, as there is a very good tone prevailing in the wool market, and a very fair amount of business has been done during the past week. The late advancing rates, consequent upon the high prices of country dealers, tend to check operations, which are quite of a consumptive character. Very good wethers continue in demand.
Hogs are rather more in favour. Skin wool is also in fair request; pieces are very stiff. Hughes" sale the other day fully sustained the tendency of the market, both as respects demands and quotations.
I will not lose an opportunity, believe me.
I remain,
Yours sincerely,
JAMES BOLTON.