In what I have written; I begin first with my self (as we all ought to do when we intend to amend,) and give an account of the greatest _Knaveries_ which I know, or can at present call to mind, there are or have been committed in two trades; the one a Scrivener, in which I was bred, and the other a Book-seller, in which I have been now above twelve years, on and off, a professed Practitioner. When I was a child I was intended to be a _Church-man_ in profession, as well as name; but the time proving unhappy, and no encouragement for that profession, and my Father aiming at some imployment that might be profitable, and knowing the trade of a Scrivener to be so, was for that cause enduced to place me with a Master of that quality, (though my inclination led me rather to the Book-selling Employ.) Being thus placed out, I not only endeavoured to learn my calling; but also at all spare times plyed my Book; and though I had a very great employment under my Master, yet I made a shift not only to read much, and learn the _French_ and other Languages, but to write somewhat for the Press. And now I am speaking of my Master (in regard in part of this Book, I give an account of the _Knaveries_ of the Scriveners trade) it will be convenient to say somewhat to clear him from any guilt therein, or else it may be supposed that I mean him: But they that think so are much mistaken, for he then was, and still is a solid, honest, sober Citizen; and not in the least as I know of, guilty of any misdemeanour in his practice: and it was my folly, and not his fault to leave him: for after about five years service with him, I went to another, and from thence forward it was that I gained the first experience of the _Knavery_ of that profession; and since then, not only by keeping company with some of them, but also by my own experience and practice, (though not as the Cheater, but _Cheated_,) I can truly write a _Probatum est_ to what I have written of that Profession, and if occasion were, give a _Clavis_ or _Key_, to discover most, if not all of those several pieces of _Knavery_ I have here discoursed of: And thus much for the Scrivener.