Economy is generally despised as a low virtue, tending to make people ungenerous and selfish.  This is true of avarice; but it is not so of economy.  The man who is economical, is laying up for himself the permanent power of being useful and generous.  He who thoughtlessly gives away ten dollars, when he owes a hundred more than he can pay, deserves no praise,—­he obeys a sudden impulse, more like instinct than reason:  it would be real charity to check this feeling; because the good he does maybe doubtful, while the injury he does his family and creditors is certain.  True economy is a careful treasurer in the service of benevolence; and where they are united respectability, prosperity and peace will follow.

* * * * *

ODD SCRAPS FOR THE ECONOMICAL.

If you would avoid waste in your family, attend to the following rules, and do not despise them because they appear so unimportant:  ‘many a little makes a mickle.’

Look frequently to the pails, to see that nothing is thrown to the pigs which should have been in the grease-pot.

Look to the grease-pot, and see that nothing is there which might have served to nourish your own family, or a poorer one.

See that the beef and pork are always under brine; and that the brine is sweet and clean.

Count towels, sheets, spoons, &c. occasionally; that those who use them may not become careless.

See that the vegetables are neither sprouting nor decaying:  if they are so, remove them to a drier place, and spread them.

Examine preserves, to see that they are not contracting mould; and your pickles, to see that they are not growing soft and tasteless.

As far as it is possible, have bits of bread eaten up before they become hard.  Spread those that are not eaten, and let them dry, to be pounded for puddings, or soaked for brewis.  Brewis is made of crusts and dry pieces of bread, soaked a good while in hot milk, mashed up, and salted, and buttered like toast.  Above all, do not let crusts accumulate in such quantities that they cannot be used.  With proper care, there is no need of losing a particle of bread, even in the hottest weather.

Attend to all the mending in the house, once a week, if possible.  Never put out sewing.  If it be impossible to do it in your own family, hire some one into the house, and work with them.

Make your own bread and cake.  Some people think it is just as cheap to buy of the baker and confectioner; but it is not half as cheap.  True, it is more convenient; and therefore the rich are justifiable in employing them; but those who are under the necessity of being economical, should make convenience a secondary object.  In the first place, confectioners make their cake richer than people of moderate income can afford to make it; in the next place, your domestic, or yourself, may just as well employ your own time, as to pay them for theirs.