The Complete English Tradesman (1839 ed.)

"The Complete English Tradesman" by Daniel Defoe is a handbook from the 1700s, offering advice to young people starting out in business. It's like a how-to guide, teaching them what they need to know to do well in the world of trade. The book covers many important topics, like what to do as an apprentice, how to write good business letters, and how to create a successful style in trading. The beginning of the book explains why this kind of guide is important, especially for people who don't have much experience. Defoe talks about how many young business people struggle because they don't have the knowledge they need. He writes about how important it is to learn about goods, make good decisions in trade, and get along with customers. Later, the book gives clear advice to apprentices, encouraging them to focus on the important skills and really understand their trade so they can be successful when they're on their own.