The post-boy rob'd of his mail, or, The pacquet broke open consisting of five hundred letters to persons of several qualities and conditions, with observations upon each letter / publish'd by a gentleman concern'd in the frolick.

LETTER CXIX.

Containing Instructions how to drive a good Trade. 'Twas directed to Mr. Soper, at his House in Brumly, Kent.

Honour'd Sir,

I Deem it a Debt of mine to impart to your Worship every thing that concerns my Prefer∣ment, assuring my self that it will be very accept∣able news to your Worship to hear of the fortunate Progresses of your Servant. The Wife of a cer∣tain rich Merchant in this City, having buried her Husband some Months since, sent to me t'other day some of her Friends to treat with me about joyn∣ing my Stock with hers. She is not willing to mar∣ry again, but desires only that our Interests may go hand in hand. I accepted of the Offer, consi∣dering

the advantageous Conditions that were pro∣pos'd. I surrender'd to her all my Stock, with a Covenant however that it was only barely lent, and that I might call it in again at my pleasure, without any loss or diminution: On the other side she allow'd me the use of her Ware-house, of which I was to keep the Keys my self; nevertheless with Condition that I was to lock it and unlock it, when¦ever she requir'd me. In the business and trouble of Trade we have both an equal share, and they that best manage it, enjoy the Fruits of their La∣bour without being oblig'd to complain that ei∣ther took pains in vain. She keeps the Money in the Shop, that is paid to and fro in driving the Trade, very careful in keeping it and giving me my proportion from time to time. There arose a difference between us, because I pretended by my Contracts to the keeping the Key of a Press, that stood behind the Shop, and where lay the Wares of greatest value. Hitherto she has refus'd to com∣ply with me. Nevertheless I hope that in time and by fair means and good words I shall obtain the good Fortune which I so earnestly thirst after. I assure you, Sir, I never tasted so much Felicity as now I enjoy, being rais'd from my low Condition to the unexpected Possession of so fair a Shop, and no less wealthy; since Widows, after the Death of their Husbands, growing more reserv'd in their Expences, and abstaining from their wonted Feasting and Jollity, lay up Money apace; and therefore well fare the Man that is so lucky as to share in their frugality.

I protest that I never penetrated the Rules of driving a good Trade, before I came to practise with this Partner of mine. I have learnt the way of true Commerce, which must be carry'd on with strict Covenants at first, to procure the ad∣vantage

to your self. Ceremonies are convenient at the beginning, with some limits of Civility which I know not how to express. Then again the Merchandize requires, that when the Contract is in a good Posture, that the Trade be pusht for∣ward with all the Sedulity imaginable, never mind∣ing whither the other Party complain or no, as not being content with the Bargain. Let the Trader have always good Witnesses, to the end there may be no failure in the Covenants. It behoves him always to know the Disposition of the Person with whom he Trades, and whither she be slow or vi∣gorous, he must be conformable. For then the Business is likely to have a good Issue, when it comes to be concluded by both Parties at the same time. Otherwise their Interests languish, when the one growing cool, refuses to encourage the Resolutions of the other, with the Fomentations of recipro∣cal Heat. There is no need of trading by dumb Signs, nor to exceed in idle Twittle-twattle. Both Words and Deeds are requir'd in this sort of Com∣merce; and indeed 'tis a great Point gain'd to be able to make use of the Lips and the Tongue. The Advantage of a Trader, chiefly consists in not be∣ing contented with a small gain, by stopping and dealing only in one particular Commodity. Let him always be turning and winding, and winding and turning his Stock, for that great profit arises by keeping his Cash in such perpetual Motion. I have chiefly learnt, that 'tis the part of a good Trader, not to be squeamish or nice in any manner of way, for the defiling a Man's Hands is no detriment, when the gain that comes of it is worth the while. Let him that will trade lay aside all Scruples; since they frequently become Bankrupt, that make not the best of their Opportunities. Sometimes it would not be amiss to make his Correspondent in

Trade a little drunk; for that in point of Trade a Man is to turn and transform himself into every shape: And then a little Wine turns to a great profit, if you can get the Party to Seal new Co∣venants at the same time. When the Contract is made let the Knot of Co-partnership be maintain'd entire and firm. As to what remains, there is a way to preserve your Friendship for Profit, by Dissimulation, Caresses and several other laudable Artifices and Deceits. Above all things let a Trader beware, that he never leave in any other Trade except his own, any more then the Money which is usually expended in the Management of such Affairs. These Documents I have learnt from this Woman, who has sworn to me, that she will ne∣ver admit any Trader to enter her Shop, who trades after any other manner: For which reason they stoop their heads under the door it self, and the more Money they offer the more she refuses to sell 'em her Wares, prosessing to prize the true Rules of Commerce, above the Dictates of a greedy A∣varice. Others must of necessity count their gains upon their Fingers; for that not knowing how to trade, they are excluded out of her Shop. I am endeavouring to meet her Genius, that I may be able to deliver my self as well from the one as the other inconvenience, that I may be Master of the Shop at my own pleasure. If this same change of my Condition may empowre me to serve your Worship, I shall acknowledge a greater Obligati∣on to that good Fortune which enables me: And so concluding most affectionately I kiss your hands.

In good faith, (said Chappel) this same Spark, by his trading with women, may chance at length to be stript to his Skin: I know he shall have Wares in ex∣change, but not much to his satisfaction. You say very true, (reply'd River) for Womens Shops are a sort of Traps, into which he that enters, comes out again with little advantage. They are so wide (re∣ply'd I) that there is a way for a man to come off without a wound, if he make a good defence. Oh, (said Grave) there is that Fire and Fury within, so that there is no 'scaping some scurvy Impression or other. You understand the Trade I see, (reply'd Chappel) and therefore of necessity you must have more than once have been a dealer in this sort of Merchandice. But no more of this, lest we have the Women and their Merchants about our Ears. Vpon which they fell a reading the following Epistle.