Letter. Richard Chippindall (London) to John Hodges (Soho).

"Observations in regard to the placing of his son with the Plate Company."

London, 15 June 1808.
Dear Sir,
In answer to yours of the 13th, I am rather at a loss how to point out my expectations in regard to my son being placed in your manufactory, and much rather wish to be inform'd by you on what terms you have taken youths of his description-for instance Garland or Chamberlain, one of whom had board at his mother's table, the other at yours-the difficulties respecting which, as far as respects Charles, I shou'd be extreamly fearful of, as it wou'd not do for a youth like him to be in a family where he was the only guardian of his own conduct in the house, when out of business.
I do not recollect whether the young men were articled for five or seven years, but must own I am not friendly to so long a term as seven years before a youth can be encouraged in the hope of earning a trifle towards his own subsistance.
In respect to his department, it is not for me to choose; you are the best judge of where there is the most vacancy for him, and such a vacancy as wou'd be most serviceable both to his employers and to himself.
I must own I have long observed the great want you have had of some person to second you at the desk. You may remember having been often importuned by me to have a compleat experienced clerk or bookkeeper who wou'd take off your hands every book and account except your cash book, etc., by which you wou'd be left compleatly at liberty to look round the manufactory, and not only over the workmen but even over some of the masters of workmen. Perhaps you have objections to such a clerk, and, if so, what think you of bringing up a youth to the desk?
I do not mean by that that Charles shou'd be exclusively so confin'd (a situation of that nature being easy to be obtain'd here without articles), but to begin by assisting Mr. Gill in making entries and copying out invoices, and from thence come to your desk, so as to take some part of your books, and so as to take charge of the whole, when capable, if needful; alternate drawing and sketching and attention to any part of the manufactory might be introduced, so as to prevent a constant attendance to figures becoming irksome.
Being quite ignorant as to the room you may have for a youth, I can only observe that in all manufactories of importance I believe it is consider'd of some consequence to have more than one person in every principal department so brought forwards as that illness or accident may not occasion any material impediment to the whole.
It has given me some uneasiness in understanding from Mr. Lawson that Mr. Phillp's health is in such a precarious state; the loss of such a pencil as his wou'd be felt and not easily be replaced. Those at Soho feel not its effects perhaps so immediately as myself; and I can easily see how adviseable it wou'd be for some youth to have the advantage of his instruction, and can only lament the difficulty and delicacy in such a matter, which I foresee have obstacles not easily to be surmounted.
All these are hasty and momentary suggestions, but which, cou'd they be directed to the advantage and cordiality of all parties, wou'd be particularly gratifying to, dear sir,
Very sincerely yours,
R. Chippindall
PS. For the last two years I have paid to Mr. Glynn a salary of £150 per annum-that is, from myself £100, and Plate Company £50-and a Christmass present of 5. 5. 0. The consideration of advance I must leave entirely to your decision, but the sooner it is so settled the better.
[Edited transcript.]