BOOK KEEPING Is a critical and curious art by itself; and ought to be studied as a distinct science and separately from all other professional employments: Then, through the occurrences of life, it may be blended with any business which shall require its aid. As many country merchants, tradesmen, mechanics, and farmers, have not an opportunity to learn bookkeeping in a full and formal manner, it may not be amiss to insert a few sketches applicable to their business. But, when a young man means to be an accomplished accountant, he must have recourse to some instructer who is able to teach him the art of keeping accounts in all the various useful forms. Description and form of a set of books, for a country merchant, or for a mechanic who has occasion to make many entries in a day. First, let him have an Invoice book, in which if he please, he may enter an inventory of his estate ;' and afterwards enter or copy bills of goods and the names of the persons from whom purchases are made, the time when interest commences, when payable, &c. Second, prepare a Blotter, in which may be inserted all commercial business occurring throughout the day. This may be written in form of a Day-book, but more expeditiously. Third, where Potash is manufactured let there be an Ash-book, in which set the day of the month, the names of persons delivering ashes, and the number of bushels delivered: also credit those ashes to the reSpective owners in the blotter. Fourth, procure a Day-book, and transcribe the Blotter every night into the Day-book in a neat fair hand writing; or, where considerable business is done, let the Blotter be made in daily parts, and given over to a clerk for transcription and to be attached to the former ones.-Save these blotters for an evidence of the first entries in case of dispute. Fifth, have a Ledger, into which must be posted all accounts of debt and credit on such pages as are noted in the alphabet; and the figures of reference in the margin of the Day-book must be post-marked with a double inclining dash. A cash account may be in the Ledger. Sixth, a Receipt-book, in which take receipts for all money paid out; this will save much time in thumb ing over bundles of papers. : |