This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1834 Excerpt: ...pounds to begin the world with, some may think that he might have taken more commodious premises; but rents were becoming high in Manchester, --many a great merchant has begun business in a cellar, --and Reuben, quoting the words of poor Richard, said--"Vessel" lnrp mny venture more, But httle bunts should keep near ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1834 Excerpt: ...pounds to begin the world with, some may think that he might have taken more commodious premises; but rents were becoming high in Manchester, --many a great merchant has begun business in a cellar, --and Reuben, quoting the words of poor Richard, said--"Vessel" lnrp mny venture more, But httle bunts should keep near shore." and he farther said, " I am but serving my time yet, we must creep before we walk." Never was any man who prospered in the affairs of this world more diligent in business than Reuben Purves, and in Priscilla he found an admirable help-mate. She soon learned the name, the price, and the quality of every description of goods, and when he was necessarily absent, she could attend to the orders of customers as promptly as himself. The reader unacquainted with the Manchester mode of business, is not to suppose that Reuben, although his stock was wedged up in a cellar, was a retail draper or haberdasher. Its magnitude considered, there are fewer such in Manchester than in any other town in the kingdom; but Reuben commenced as a wholesale merchant--one who supplies the country dealers. He always went to the markets to purchase with tie money in his hand, as Joseph the patriarch's brethren came to him to buy com--and pity it is that the good old custom has too much fallen into disuse. He made his purchases chiefly from the small manufacturers, to whom ready money was an object of importance, and consequently bought his goods to much advantage to himself. During his extensive perambulations on the Borders also, he had become generally acquainted with the drapers in all the towns upon his circuit; and at the seasons when they generally visit Manches ter, he might have been seen rapidly passmg along what is now called Piccadil...
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