Another from an Apprentice, where the Master is too remiss in his own Affairs.

Honoured Sir and Madam,

You desire to know how I go on in my Business. I must needs say, Very well in the main; for my Master leaves every thing, in a manner, to me. I wish he did not, for his own sake. For tho’ I hope he will never suffer on the Account of any wilful Remissness or Negligence, much less want of Fidelity, in me, yet his Affairs do not go on so well as if he was more in them, and less at the Tavern. But it becomes not me to reflect upon my Master, especially as what I may write or say on this Head, will rather expose his Failings, than do him Service; for as it must be his Equals that should reprove him, so all a Servant can observe to others will do more Harm than Good to him. One Thing is at present in my own Power; and that is, to double my Diligence, that his Family suffer as little as possible by his Remissness: And another, I hope, by God's Grace, will be; and that is, to avoid in myself, when my Time comes, those Failings which I see so blameable in him. And as this will be benefiting properly by the Example (for that Bee must be worse than a Drone,that cannot draw Honey from a bitter as well as a sweet Flower) so it will give you the Pleasure of knowing that your good Instructions are not thrown away upon me; and that I am, and ever will be,

Your dutiful Son.