MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
that we were not to judge, or to know of their Tricks and Cozenage, and, that it was no Matter to us if they did cheat their Creditors, provided we could buy their Wares at a Bargain, and beſides, if we did not, others would. So going by Ragge, Rip, & Co., their Eſtabliſhment, as they do call their Shop, ſhe would needs flop in Front of it to look in, and, I knew, confider what among the Things there, ſhe could find to want: which did trouble me. I to read the Porters in the Window, which were the worſt and moſt pitiful of any, and by their mowing Mr. Ragge, and Mr. Rip, and their Co. were going all together to the Dogs. My Wife did preſently, as I expected, find ſomewhat ſhe had a Mind to: a Muſlin ſhe did ſay was Dirt-cheap, and I knew was Dirt-worth. I plainly refuſed to let her buy it, or anything elſe at Ragge and Rip's, who have been, to my Knowledge, making a Tremendous Sacrifice any Time the laſt two Years; but the Simpletons their Cuſtomers the only Victims. But I do not pity ſuch Gudgeons a Whit as are caught by theſe Tricks of the Drapery Trade; and methinks they are rigidy ſerved by being cheated in ſeeking to profit, as they think, by Fraud and diſhoneft Bankruptcy. I told my Wife that Ragge and Rip do fell off at a Loss to none but thoſe that deal with them, and were like at that Moment, inſtead of being Bankrupts, to be making merry at the Expenſe of their Dupes. But ſhe being ſullen at my Denial of her Muſlin, I did quiet her by the Promiſe of a better Piece at Faircloth and Pryce's, who do carry on Buſineſs without roguiſh Puffery, and after the old Faſhion of Engliſh Traders, according to the Maxim, that "Good Wine needs no Buſh," which my Wife, poor ſilly Wretch, not underſtanding, I explained to her did mean, that Stuffs worth the buying, to find a Sale, do ſtand in no Need of Haberdaſhers' trickiſh Advertiſements.
