“If any one intends to improve his condition,” said the late William Felkin, Mayor of Nottingham, himself originally a working man, “he must earn all he can, spend as little as he can, and make what he does spend, bring him and his family all the real enjoyment he can.  The first saving which a working man makes out of his earnings is the first step,—­and because it is the first, the most important step towards true independence.  Now independence is as practicable in the case of an industrious and economic, though originally poor, workman, as in that of the tradesman or merchant,—­and is as great and estimable a blessing.  The same process must be attended to,—­that is, the entire expenditure being kept below the clear income, all contingent claims being carefully considered and provided for, and the surplus held sacred, to be employed for those purposes, and those only, which duty or conscience may point out as important or desirable.  This requires a course of laborious exertion and strict economy, a little foresight, and possibly some privation.  But this is only what is common to all desirable objects.  And inasmuch as I know what it is to labour with the hands long hours, and for small wages, as well as any workman to whom I address myself, and to practise self-denial withal, I am emboldened to declare from experience that the gain of independence, or rather self-dependence, for which I plead, is worth infinitely more than all the cost of its attainment; and, moreover, that to attain it in a greater or less degree, according to circumstances, is within the power of by far the greater number of skilled workmen engaged in our manufactories.”

CHAPTER V.

EXAMPLES OF THRIFT.

“Examples demonstrate the possibility of success.”—­Cotton.

"The force of his own merit, makes his way.”—­Shakespeare._

“Reader, attend, whether thy soul
Soars Fancy’s flight beyond the Pole,
Or darkling grubs this earthly hole
                       In low pursuit—­
Know, prudent, cautious self-control,
                       Is wisdom’s root.”—­Burns.

“In the family, as in the State, the best source of wealth is Economy.”—­Cicero.

“Right action is the result of right faith; but a true and right faith cannot be sustained, deepened, extended, save in a course of right action.”—­M’Combie.

Thrift is the spirit of order applied to domestic management and organization.  Its object is to manage frugally the resources of the family; to prevent waste; and avoid useless expenditure.  Thrift is under the influence of reason and forethought, and never works by chance or by fits.  It endeavours to make the most and the best of everything.  It does not save money for saving’s sake.  It makes cheerful sacrifices for the present benefit of others; or it submits to voluntary privation for some future good.