One of the Yorkshire actuaries of the Penny Bank tells the following anecdote as conveying a lesson of perseverance and encouragement to branch managers.  “Mr. Smith was one of our first managers, but after attending two or three times he left us, saying it was ‘childish work.’  My answer was, ‘It is with children we have to do.’  A short time after, I met him, and in the course of conversation I observed that I sometimes got down in the mouth, and did not know whether we were doing any good, and felt disposed to give up the bank; on which he warmly replied, ’For God’s sake, you must not let such an idea get into your head; you little know the good you are doing; we have not a man about our place but either himself or some members of his family are depositors.’” The actuary adds, “If Colonel Akroyd ever despairs, I give him the above answer.”

Savings banks have thus been the means of doing an immense amount of good.  They have brought peace, happiness, and comfort into many thousands of families.  The example of Mr. Akroyd should be largely imitated, and there ought not to be a county in the kingdom without its organized system of Penny Banks.

CHAPTER XI.

THE CROSSLEYS—­MASTERS AND MEN (CONTINUED).

“The sense to enjoy riches, with the art
 T’ enjoy them, and the virtue to impart.”—­Pope.

“My ventures are not in one bottom trusted,
 Nor to one place; nor is my whole estate
 Upon the fortune o’ this present year.”—­Shakespeare.

“The roughest road often leads to the smoothest fortune.”—­Franklin.

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.  The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil....  She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands....  She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.  She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy....  Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come....  Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”—­Proverbs of Solomon.

There are several large employers who have endeavoured to combine the principle of co-operation with the business of manufacturing; and to furnish to the men who have contributed to their past prosperity the opportunity of sharing in their future profits.  The object of these masters has been to obviate the antagonism between capital and labour, and to spread the spirit of contentment among the operatives.  Workmen who have saved their earnings, and stored them in savings banks, are in this manner enabled to become partners in the concerns in which they have formerly employed their labour.

The two principal manufacturing concerns of Halifax, those of James Akroyd and Son, and John Crossley and Sons, have thus become converted into joint stock companies.  They have been so converted with the primary design of receiving the co-operation of the managers, workmen, and others associated with them; and with that view the directors have in all cases given them the priority in the allotment of the shares.