Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1853-05-14
The True Merchant.

| Inc lOiiOWiHp sage COunSe!, WhlCn VIII Dc
| equally curious and useful, is extracted from
an ancient Norwegian book, entitled the Roy
al Mirror-a Danish version of which was pub
lished in Copenhagen in 1868. The original
Norwegian work in question is traced to Pc
riod near the year 1900, andlis supposed to have
! been prepared under the auspices of the then
reigning king of Norway.
| 1t is pleasing to perceive in the precepts re-
| ferred to, evident traces of that sound common
sense-reference of laws and justce-modera-
| tion and fondness for substantial comfort, by
| which our own Anglo-Saxon ancestors, branch
es of the same stock, have ever been character.
| terized.
For the following extract from the work
above mentioned, we are indebted to the Fora
eign Quarterly Review of 1872
you must well understand the distinction
bstween the true merchant and the self-styled
merchants, who carry on dishonest practices
both in buying and selling. The true merchant
is one who exposes himself to many dangers
now on the sea, now in heathenish lands--and
almost always among unknown people. He
must seriously consider whittier he ought to d.
rect his thoughts, in order that his affairs may
be prosperous The ocean should witness his
doce prompttude and perseverng gentleness
wherever he tarrles in commercial towns es-
pecially, he should exhibit modesty and meek
ness, and win the kind affections of all people.
He must have. no noisy or troublesome COM
panions--he must rise eary--he must attend
the morning mass at church, and seek the favor
of heaven by psalms and prayers. After thy
nights repose, 60 forth TO thy business. If
the place is new, then is thy special providence
needful TO thee, and thou must study the man.
ners and habits of the merchants-those who
have the most honorable name. Take care of
thy wares, whether thou buy or sell, be honest
and undamaged, and thorough be thy examina-
tion before thy bargains are closed Seek wit
nesses to all thy contracts--dscreet and hon-
orabe witnesses. Settle thy bargains, if it may
be, before the morning or midday meal, and
having settled them, prepare thy board with
white linen, wholesome food, and comfortable
drink. Keep good table ifthou art able, and
when thy meal is over, take short rest or pleas
ant walk, in order to keep thy spirits cheerful.
Inform thyself as to the business other mer-
chants are doing-w hat new merchandises have
arrived, that thou mayest be desirious of buy
ing. Returned home, examine and take charge
of thy purchases, and see that they are not ex-
posed to loss or damage while under thy roof
II thy wares get injured, and it is necessary for
thee to get rid of them, show the defects OPEN
ly and honestly, and make the best bargain
thou art able, else thou wilt be esteemed
chest. Set fair price upon thy goods, not
higher than is just, and thou wilt not be DEEM
ed higgler, and let not thy wares remain long
on hand as it is merchant-like to be active in
selling and buying, and in making many profits,
and devote thy hours of leisure to study
Learn knowledge from books. In these inform
thysef thorough ghly-especially in the CONNER
cal and maratime code. For when thou art
we'll acquainted with the laws not only wilt
thou protect thyself against injustice from 9TH
ers, but secure thyself against illegal dealings
towards them. But though thou art called up
on especially to study the laws of other coun-
tries, thou must not forget to become acquain-
ted with their manners and usages, and espe.
cially in the places which thou makest thy
abode.
Accustom thyself to busy and wakeful life,
but not so as to injure health by oyer-exertion.
Keep aloof from sadness--for sadness is sick
ness of soul: Be kind and gay equitable and
not changeable. Avoid evil speaking--and give
good counsel to him who will accept it. Seek
the company of the best men, Keep thy tongue
carefully. 1t may honor, it may also condemn
thee. If thou wax angry speak little and that
not vehemently. Men would give gold some-
times to buy back passionate word, and,
know nothing that 80 destroys unity, as the ex-
change of evil language, especially in the mo-
ment of strife; and there is no higher power
than by which man can keep his own tongue
from cursing sandering, and other foolish prate.
There are other things to be avoided as the
fend himself, as gaming, dice wages, licentious-
ness, and other excesses. These are the roots
of many more evils, and unless care is taken,
will hand thee over to great shame and sin.
'When thy capital amounts to a considerable
sum, divide it into three parts. Invest one
third with honest and able merchants, who
abide in the best trading places, stocks in the
days of our author were probably not much in
vogue, the other two thirds divide in different
plans, and employ in commercial journeys, for
thus it is not likely that in any case all thy for
tune should be sacrificed. But if thou has
amassed great wealth, employ two thirds of it
IN the purchase of land, the safest of all possess
sions, for thyself and thy family, and thus if it
please thee, thou canst employ the other third
n thy wonsed trade. But when thou hast seen
he manners of foreign lands, and undertaken
many voyages and trading journeys, thou mayst
withdraw. Yet remember all thou hast seen,
10Th of good and evil--the evil that thou mayst
void it, the good to profit by it, not alone for
hy own benefit, but for the benefit Of all who
will be counseIled by thee
Marr;ed--On Tuesday evening the 26th