THE SHOPKEEPER'S GUIDE. DESIGNED TO GIVE STABILITY TO THE INTERESTS OF THE AND ALSO TO GUIDE PERSONS WHO, FROM ILL HEALTH, OR FROM REVERSE OF TO CERTAIN SUCCESS. LONDON: AND ALL BOOKSELLERS. 1853. PREFACE. DURING the four years that I edited THE FAMILY FRIEND, I received an extraordinary number of communications from readers of that popular work, who seemed to have much confidence in the knowledge and discretion of its Editor. Of this correspondence a very large proportion emanated from the following classes of persons: 1st. Those who, already embarked in business, were involved in difficulties from which they sought to escape. 2nd. Those who, having possession of a small capital, wished to turn it to profitable account in an industrial occupation. 3rd. Those who, being reduced from affluence to poverty, were anxious to do something to obtain a livelihood, having scarcely any means to commence, and no practical knowledge to guide them in any experiment they might be advised to make. The appeals made in many of these communications, especially of the latter class, were so earnest and touching, that I often felt extremely grieved at finding myself utterly unable to give beneficial advice. I did, however, in many instances, render friendly aid by private correspondence; and I find pleasure in knowing that, in these instances, the practical adoption of my suggestions led to most satisfactory results. Finding it impossible to answer all applications upon these matters, either by correspondence or in the pages of The Family Friend, and feeling the subject to be one of considerable importance, I resolved to publish a pamphlet which should, as far as possible, meet the wants of my numerous correspondents. I had searched everywhere for a work of this kind, but could find nothing answering the purpose. |