The Following, in this dull Time, may serve for Amusement, as well as for a Specimen of the Author's epistolary Abilities.
To Mr. B ----, Razor Grinder in Williamsburg, with seven Razors to be ground.
By Colonel P ---- J ---- I have send you hereby Seven of my Razors which I desire you to grind thin and right good and well, and afterwards to set them on your Hone, to take the rough Edge off, that they may shave me well.
You'll see I have marked all my seven Razors with my Name (that is, C---- M-----, Richmond Town) so that it will be impossible for you to make a Mistake, or send other Razors back to me but my own.
And when my Razors are finished pray either carry them yourself, or else send your Man with the Razors to Colonel P---- J----, and he will pay you for the grinding and setting of them, and he will afterwards convey them to me.
The Reason why I so particularly desire you that you shall set my Razors very well upon your Hone, after they are ground, is this: Because Mr. S---- D----, a Gentleman in whose Family I live as a Schoolmaster, not so long ago did send three of his Razors to you to be ground, and they was ground, but you did not set them at all upon your Hone, so that he could not shave himself with them, and neither he nor I could not get possibly a good Edge upon them. But I am in Hopes you will take better Care with these my Razors.
When they are done wipe them over with Oil, that they may not rust; and wrap them carefully in the same brown Paper as you found them, and tie them close together in the Linen Bag; and give them into Colonel J----'s own Hands, and he will pay you for the grinding, etc.
You see the Direction for me is already upon the Cloth. Take Care don't let them be too long in your Shop, but when they are done carry them directly to Colonel J----.
I am, Sir, Your most humble Servant,
C---- M----
P.S. When you take out these Razors then put the brown Paper where they was wrapped into, and also the Strings, all into this Bag, that you may readily find them when you pack them up again.
N.B. Be sure to tie them close up into the Bag, when you sent them to me, that they may not rattle together or get Harm.
When you have packed up the Razors pray get your Wife or any Body able, to sew the Bag up again.