Thus a good beginning is often made, and a habit initiated, which, if persevered in, very shortly exercises a most salutary influence on the entire domestic condition of the family.  The observant mother is quick to observe the effects of this new practice upon the happiness of the home, and in course of time, as the younger children grow up and earn money, she encourages them to follow the elder boy’s example.  She herself takes them by the hand, leads them to the Penny Bank, and accustoms them to invest their savings there.  Women have even more influence in such matters than men, and where they do exercise it, the beneficial effects are much more lasting.

One evening a strong, muscular mechanic appeared at the Bradford savings bank in his working dress, bringing with him three children, one of them in his arms.  He placed on the counter their deposit books, which his wife had previously been accustomed to present, together with ten shillings, to be equally apportioned amongst the three.  Pressing to his bosom the child in his arms, the man said, “Poor things! they have lost their mother since they were here last; but I must do the best I can for them.”  And he continued the good lesson to his children which his wife had begun, bringing them with him each time to see their little deposits made.

There is an old English proverb which says, “He that would thrive must first ask his wife;” but the wife must not only let her husband thrive, but help him, otherwise she is not the “help meet” which is as needful for the domestic comfort and satisfaction of the working man, as of every other man who undertakes the responsibility of a family.  Women form the moral atmosphere in which we grow when children, and they have a great deal to do with the life we lead when we become men.  It is true that the men may hold the reins; but it is generally the women who tell them which way to drive.  What Rousseau said is very near the truth—­“Men will always be what women make them.”

Not long ago, Mr. Sikes encountered, in a second-class carriage, a well-dressed workman travelling from Sheffield to Glasgow, during holiday times, to see his mother.  “I am glad,” said Mr. Sikes, “to find a workman travelling so great a distance, for a purpose like that.”  “Yes,” said the man, “and I am glad to say that I can afford to do it.”  “And do many of the workmen employed in your workshop save money?” asked Mr. Sikes.  “No,” said the other, “not more than about two in the hundred.  The spare earnings of the others go, not to the savings banks, but to the drink-shops.”  “And when did you begin to save?” “When I was no bigger than that,” indicating the height of a little boy:  “the first money I saved was in a Penny Bank, and I have gone on saving ever since.”

Such being the influence of early practice and example, we are glad to find that Economy is now being taught at public schools.  The Rev. Mr. Crallan, of the Sussex County Asylum, has long taught lessons of thrift to poor boys and girls.  He urges the establishment of Penny Banks in connection with Savings Banks, in all elementary schools.  He wisely contends that simple lessons on money, its nature, its value, and its uses, together with the various duties of giving, spending, and saving, would have a vast influence on the rising generation.