you of your husband, you find your self oftentimes
setled in a way of Trading, which you can manage your self, and set
forward with reputation. Nay though you might happen to have
children, you have the opportunity your self to bring them up in the
same way, and so get a due, faithfull and carefull assistance from
them, which will not so well be done by Men and Maid-servants, and
over whom there is seldom so much command, as over ones own children.
And if your husband continue in health, and find that Trading grows
quick, he perceives that by the assistance of his wife, something else
may be taken by the hand that is also profitable, and then he will
alwaies exercise some sort of Merchandise that is secure and
advantagious.
It is most certain, sweet Woman, you will be the more tied to your
housekeeping, and cannot so often go to visit and take your pleasure
with your Gossips as you formerly did, in Coaches or by Water; as if
your husband had taken any sort of Merchandice in hand; because that a
Woman who is married to a Shopkeeper, is as it were also wedded to the
Counter, by reason you dare not trust your Shop to old, much less to
new men or Maid-servants, because they do not perfectly understand the
Trade, and thereby also find occasion to make one bed serve for both
and junket together; which makes no small confusion in the family; but
little regard must be taken about that, for the importantest must
alwaies be taken care of.
And be assured, if the desire of gain, small Trading, and bad paiment,
begin once to take possession of you, the thoughts of all the former
pleasures will remove, and you will exchange them for those that are
more noble and becoming, _viz._ in the well governing of your Men and
Maid-servants in the Shop and House, and taking inspection that they
be obedient unto you; the Family must be wel taken care of; going to
Market with the Maid to buy that which is good, and let her dress it
to your mind; and every Market day precisely, with the Maid neatly
drest, and following you with a hand-basket, go to take a view of
Newgate, Cheapside, and the Poultry Markets; and afterwards, when your
got a little farther, then to have your Baby carried by you, neatly
and finically drest up; and in hearing of it, whilest it is in the
standing stool, calling in its own language so prettily Daddy and
Mammy. O that is such an extraordinary pleasure, that where ever you
go, what soever you delight in, all your del
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