Thrift

Thrift began with civilization. It began when men found it necessary to provide for to-morrow, as well as for to-day. It began long before money was invented. Thrift means private economy. It includes domestic economy, as well as the order and management of a family. While it is the object of Private Economy to create and promote the well-being of individuals, it is the object of Political Economy to create and increase the wealth of nations. Private and public wealth have the same origin. Wealth is obtained by labour; it is preserved by savings and accumulations; and it is increased by diligence and perseverance. It is the savings of individuals which compose the wealth--in other words, the well-being--of every nation. On the other hand, it is the wastefulness of individuals which occasions the impoverishment of states. So that every thrifty person may be regarded as a public benefactor, and every thriftless person as a public enemy. There is no dispute as to the necessity for Private Economy. Everybody admits it, and recommends it. But with respect to Political Economy, there are numerous discussions,--for instance, as to the distribution of capital, the accumulations of property, the incidence of taxation, the Poor Laws, and other subjects,--into which we do not propose to enter. The subject of Private Economy, of Thrift, is quite sufficient by itself to occupy the pages of this book. CONTENTS CHAPTER I. INDUSTRY. CHAPTER II. HABITS OF THRIFT. CHAPTER III. IMPROVIDENCE. CHAPTER IV. MEANS OF SAVING. CHAPTER V. EXAMPLES OF THRIFT. CHAPTER VI. METHODS OF ECONOMY. CHAPTER VII. ECONOMY IN LIFE ASSURANCE. CHAPTER VIII. SAVINGS BANKS. CHAPTER IX. LITTLE THINGS. CHAPTER X. MASTERS AND MEN. CHAPTER XI. THE CROSSLEYS--MASTERS AND MEN (CONTINUED). CHAPTER XII. LIVING BEYOND THE MEANS. CHAPTER XIII. GREAT DEBTORS. CHAPTER XIV. RICHES AND CHARITY. CHAPTER XV. HEALTHY HOMES. CHAPTER XVI. THE ART OF LIVING.