LONDON,May 17,O.S.1750
MY DEAR FRIEND:Your apprenticeship is near out,and you are soon to set up for yourself;that approaching moment is a critical one for you,and an anxious one for me.A tradesman who would succeed in his way,must begin by establishing a character of integrity and good manners;without the former,nobody will go to his shop at all;without the latter,nobody will go there twice.This rule does not exclude the fair arts of trade.
He may sell his goods at the best price he can,within certain bounds.
