away, and has every letter, invoice, &c., belonging to his business,
titled, classed, and put away.

xii. He never suffers his desk to be confused by many papers lying
upon it.

xiii. He is always at the head of his business, well knowing that if
he leaves it, it will leave him.

xiv. He holds it as a maxim that he whose credit is suspected is not
one to be trusted.

xv. He is constantly examining his books, and sees through all his
affairs as far as care and attention will enable him.

xvi. He balances regularly at stated times, and then makes out and
transmits all his accounts current to his customers, both at home
and abroad.

xvii. He avoids as much as possible all sorts of accommodation in
money matters, and lawsuits where there is the least hazard.

xviii. He is economical in his expenditure, always living within his
income.

xix. He keeps a memorandum-book in his pocket, in which he notes
every particular relative to appointments, addresses, and petty cash
matters.

xx. He is cautious how he becomes security for any person; and is
generous when urged by motives of humanity.

Let a man act strictly to these habits--ever remembering that he hath
no profits by his pains whom Providence doth not prosper--and success
will attend his efforts.

2598. Taking a Shop or Place of Business.

If you are about to take a place of business, you will do well to
consider the following remarks:

2599. Small Capitalists.

Let us take the case of a person who has no intimate knowledge of any
particular trade, but having a very small capital, is about to embark
it in the exchange of commodities for cash, in order to obtain an
honest livelihood thereby. It is clear, that unless such a person
starts with proper precaution and judgment, the capital will be
expended without adequate results; rent and taxes will accumulate, the
stock will lie dead or become deteriorated, and loss and ruin must
follow. For the last absorption acting upon a small capital will soon
dry up its source; and we need not picture the trouble that will arise
when the mainspring of a tradesman's success abides by him no more.

2600. Larger Capitalists.

The case of the larger capitalist can scarcely be considered an
exception to the same rule. For it is probable that the larger
capitalist, upon commencing a business, would