Thrift

Front matter

Cornell University Library

The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library.

There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text.

Preface

THIS book is intended as a sequel to "Self-help" and " Chai-acter." It might, indeed, have appeared as an introduction to these volumes; for Thrift is the basis of Self-help, and the foundation of much that is excellent in Character.

The author has already referred to the Use and Abuse of Money ; but the lesson is worthy of being repeated and enforced. As he has already observed, some of the finest qualities of human nature are intimately related to the right use of money — such as generosity, honesty, justice, and self- denial — as well as the practical virtues of economy and providence. On the other hand, there are their counterparts of avarice, fraud, injustice, and selfishness, as displayed by the inordinate lovers of gain ; and the vices of thoughtlessness, extravagance, and improvidence on the part of those who misuse and abuse the means intrusted to them.

Sir Henry Taylor has observed that " industry must take an interest in its own fruits, and God has appointed that the mass of mankind shall be moved by this interest, and have their daily labor sweetened by it." The eai-nings and savings of industry should be intelligent for a purpose beyond mere earnings and savings. We do not work and strive for ourselves alone, but for the benefit of those who are dependent upon us. Industry must know how to earn, how to spend, and how to save. The man who knows, like St. Paul, how to spare and how to abound has a great knowledge.

6 Preface.

Every man is bound to do what he can to elevate his social state, and to secure his indeiDcndence. For this purpose he must spare from his means in order to be independent in his condition. Industry enables men to earn their living; it should also enable them to learn to live. Independence can only be established by the exercise of forethought, prudence, frugality, and self-denial. To be just as well as generous, men must deny themselves. The essence of generosity is self-sacrifice.-

The object of this book is to induce men to employ their means for worthy purposes, and not to waste them upon selfish indulgences. Many enemies have to be encountered in accomplishing this object. There are idleness, thoughtlessness, vanity, vice, intemperance. The last is the worst enemy of all. Numerous cases are cited in the course of the following book, which show that one of the best methods of abating the curse of Drink is to induce old and young to practice the virtue of Thrift.

Much of this book was written, and some of it published, years ago ; but an attack of paralysis, which compelled the author to give up writing for some time, has delayed its publication until now. For minch of the information recently received he is indebted to Edward Ci'ossley, Esq., Mayor of Halifax ; Edward Akroyd, Esq., Halifax ; George Chetwynd, Esq., General Post-office; S. A. Nichols, Esq., Over Darwen ; Jeremiah Head, Esq., Middlesborough ; Charles W. Sikes, Esq., Huddersfield ; and numerous other correspondents in Durham, Renfrewshire, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Staffordshire, and South Wales.

The author trusts that the book will prove useful and helpful toward the purpose for which it is intended.

London, November, 1875.

CHAPTER I. INDnSTKY

Private Economy. — Useful Labors.— Our Birthright. — Results of Labor. — Necessity for Labor. — Industry and Intellect. — Thrift and Civilization. — Thrifty Industry. — Thrifty Economy Page 13

CHAPTER II. HABITS OF IHRiri

Workmen and Capital. — Habits of Economy. — Self-indulgence. — Results of Thriftlessness. — Uses of Saved Money. — ^Extravagant Living. — Bargain-buying. — Thrift and Unthrift. — Johnson on Economy. — Self- I'espect. — Self- help. — Uncertainty of Life. — Laws of Mortality. — Will Nobody Help Us? — Prosperous Times the Least Prosperous. — National Prosperity. — Moral Independence 23

CHAPTER in.

IMPKOVIDENOE.

Misery and Wealth.— The Uncivilized.— The East End.— Edward Denison. — Thrift in Guernsey.— Improvidepce and Misery. — Social Degradation. — Fatalism of Improvidence.— Self -taxation. — Slowness of Progress. — A Gratifying Contrast.... 43

Chapter IV. Means Of Saving

Earnings of Operatives. — Colliers and Iron-workers. — Earnings of Colliers.— The Revelers.— Lord Elcho and the Colliers.- High Wages and Heavy Losses. — High Wages and Drink. — Sensual Indulgence. — Indifference to Well-being. ^Hugh Miller's Experience. — Mr. Roebuck's Advice.— "Survival of Slavery. — Extinction of Slavery. — Power Unexercised. — ^Earnings and Character. — Igno-

Gonienis.

ranee is Power. — Eesults of Ignorance. — Increase of Knowledge. — Educatjou not Enough. — Words of Sir Arthur Helps. — Divine Uses of Knowledge. — Public -school Education. — Words of William Pelkin,— Self-dependence Page 55

CHAPTER V. EXAMPLES OF THEin

Spirit of Ordei-.^ — Examples of Economy. — David Hume. — Eev. Eobert Walkei'. — Self-application.— Distinguished Miners. — G«orge Stephenson. — James Watt. — Working for Independence. — ^Working for Higher Things. — Work and Culture. — Bichardson and Gregory. — Besults of Application. — Distinguished Artists. — Canova and liough. — Lough's Success. — Words of Lord Derby. — James Nasmytb. — ^Bridgewater Foundry. — ^Advice to Young Men 80

CHAPTER VL

METHODS OP ECONOMY.

Keeping Regular Accounts. — Generosity and Forethought. — Prudent Economy. — A Dignity in Saving. — Self-improvement. — Causes of Failure. — The Price of Success. — Power of Combining. — Principle of Association. — Savings of Capital. — Loss by Strikes. — Money Thrown Away. — Industrial Societies. — Co-operative Companies. — Equitable Pioneers. — News and Beading Rooms. — Danven Co-operatives. — Spread of Co-operation; — Thrift Conservative. — Uses of Investments. — Building Societies.. 105

CHAPTER VII. ECONOMY IN LIFE-ASSmiANCE

Co-operation in Assurance. — Improvidence Cruel. — Compensation of Assurance. —Benefit Societies.— French and Belgian Thrift. — Workmen's Societies. — Manchester Unity. — Diity and Dinners. — Low Rates of Contribution.— failure of Friendly Societies.— Improvement by Experience. — Defects will Disappear 127

Chapter VIII. Savings-banks

Direct Saving. —Uses of Saved Money.— Beginnings of Savings-banks. —Dr. Duncan of Ruthwell.— Establishment of Savings-banks. — Classes of Depositors.— Magic of Drill.— Militaiy Savings-banks.—

Contents.

Savings of Soldiers. — Soldiers Abroad. — Deposits in Savings-banks. — Savings at Bilston. — Savings ofWorking-men. — Penny Banks. — Charles W. Sikes. — Mechanics' Institute Banks. — The Poor Man's Purse. — Depositors in Penny Banks.— Influence of Penny Banks. — Bradford Savings-bank. — Influence of Women. — Early Lessons in Thrift. — Belgian Schools. — Pacilities for Saving. — Extension of Savings-banks. — Money-order Offices. — Post-office Savings-banks. — Thriftlessness of the Masses. — Formation of Penny Savings-banks. — Mechanics' Savings-banks. — Savings of Artisans. — Savings in Preston Page 140

CHAPTEK IX.

LITTLE THINGS.

Luck and Labor. — Neglect of Little Things. — ^^" It will Do ! " — Spending of Pennies. — The Thrifty Woman. — A Helpful Wife. — A Man's Daily Life. — The Two Workmen. — Eights and Habits. — Influence of the Wife. — ^A Penny a Day. — The Power of a Penny. — Eoads and Railways. — Joseph Baxendale. — Business Maxims 177

Chapter X Masters And Men

Want of Sympathy. — Masters and Servants. — Christian Sympathy. — Competition. — What Capital Represents. — Workmen and Employ^ ers. — The Ashworths. — New Eagley Mills. — Improved Work-people. — Public Spirit of Manufacturers. -^Mr. Lister, of Bradford. — Mr. Forster's Speech. — Great Men Wise Savers. — Sir Titns Salt. — Saltaire. — Its Institutions. — Music and Sobriety. — Other Generous Employers. — Mr. Akroyd, Halifax. — Yorkshire Penny Bank. —

■ Origin of the Bank. — How to Help the Poor. — Saving Helps Sobriety.— Drunkenness Put Down.— "Childish Work" 197

CHAPTER XL

THE CKOSSLETS — MASTERS AND MEN (CONTINUED).

John Crossley. — Martha Crossley. — A Courtship Begun. — A Courtship Concluded. — John Crossley Begins Business. — Dean Clough Mill. — The Crossley Family. — Sir Francis Crossley. — Martha Crossley's Vow. — People's Park, Halifax. — Martha's Vow Fulfilled. — Co-operation of Colliers. — Partnership of Industry. — Other Co-operative Schemes. — Jeremiah Head. — Newport Rolling-mills. — Bonuses to Workmen. — Mr. Carlyle's Letter. — A Contrast. — ^A

10 Contents.

Hundred Years Ago. — Popular Amusements. — Improvement of Manners. — English Mechanics and Workmen. — English Engineers and Miners. — Swiftness of Machinery. — Foreign Workmen. — Provident Habits of Foreigners Page 223

CHAPTEE XII.

LIVING BETOND THE MEANS.

Hypocrisy and Debt. — Conventionalism. — Keeping up Appearances. — Exclusive Circles. — Women and Exclusiveness. — Women and Extravagance. — Running into Debt. — The Temptation of Shop-keepers. — Temptations to Crime. — How Crime is Committed. — Love of Dress. — "Gentlemen." — Reckless Expenditure. — Knowledge of Arithmetic. — Marriage. — Happy Tempers. — Responsibilities of Marriage. — Marriage Not a Lottery. — The Man who couldn't Say "No."— The Courage to Say " No. "—" Respectable " Funerals. — Funeral Extravagance. — John Wesley's Will. — Funeral Reform 252

CHAPTER XIII.

GKEAT DEETOnS.

Greatness and Debt. — Seedy Side of Debt. — Running up Bills. — Loan Clubs. — Genius and Debt. — Fox and Sheridan. — Sheridan's Debts. ^ — Lamartine. — Debts of Men of Science. — Debts of Artists. — Italian Artists. — Haydon. — The Old Poets. — Savage and Johnson. — Sterne. — Steele. — Goldsmith's Debts. — Byron. — Byron's Debts. — The Burden of Debt. — Sydney Smith. — De Foe and Sonthey. — Sir Walter Scott. — Scott's Debts and Labors. — Great Poor Men. — Johnson's Advice. — Genius and Debts. — Literary Men 27S

CHAPTER XIV.

KICHES AND CHAKITT.

Helping the Helpless. — Dr. Donne. — Rich People. — Love of Gold. — Eagerness to be Rich. — Riches and Poverty. — Riches in Old Age. — Riches no Claim to Distinction. — Democrats and Riches. — Saladin the Great. — Don Jos^ de Salamanca. — Compensations of Poverty. — ^Risks of Richness. — Honest Poverty. — Poverty and Happiness. — Charity. — Evils of Money-giving. — Philanthropy and Charity. — How to help the Poor. — ^Rioh People's Wills.^Stephen Girard. — Girard and Helm. — The Girard College. — ^Thomas Guy.

Contents. 11

— Educational Charities. — Benefactors of the Poor. — The Navvy's Home Page 30G

CHAPTEE XV.

HEALTHY HOMES.

Healthy Existence. — Necessity for Pure Air. — The Fever Tax. — The Arcadians. — The Rural Poor. — Healthy Homes. — Influence of the Home. — Intelligence of Women. — Unhealthy Homes. — Health and Drunkenness. — Wholesome dwellings. • — Edwin Chadwick. — Expectancy of Life. — The Poor-laws. — The Sanitary Idea. — Fever in Whitechapel. — The Sanitary Inquiry. — Sanitary Commission. — Sanitary Science. — Results of Uncleanness. — "Irish Pever." — That Terrible Nobody! — Somebody is to Blame. — ^Wholesome Homes Necessary. — Home Reform. — Domestic Improvement. — Dirt and Immorality. — ' ' Dangerous Classes. " — Worship in Washing. — Common Things at Home. — Knowledge of Physiology — ^Domestic Economy. — English Cookery. — Worthlessness of 111 -managing Wives. — ^Foreign Inns. — Morals and Cookery. — Work for Ladies. — Joseph Corbet's Story. — Instruction of Women 335

CHAPTER XVT.

THE AKT OP LIVING!.

Art of Living Exemplified. — Taste an Economist. — Contrasts in Cottage Life. — Difference in Workmen. — Living at Home. — Home and Comfort. — Comfortable People. — Beneficence of House Thrift. — Organization and Method. — Industry and Punctuality. — Management of Temper. — Good Manners. — Habitual Politeness. — French Manners. — Happiness in Good Manners. — Amusement. — Recreation. — Influence of Music. — Household Elegance. — Elegance of Flowers. — Common Enjoyments. — The Beauty of Art. — Portraits of Great Men. — ^Art at Home. — Final Art of Living..... 375

Index 401

THRIFT.

Chapter I. Industet

"Not what I have, but what I do, is my kingdom." — Carltlb.

"Productive industry is the only capital which enriches a people, and spreads national prosperity and well-being. In all labor there is profit, says Solomon. What is the science of Political Economy but a dull sermon on this text f " — Samuel Laing.

"God provides the good things of the world to seiTe the needs of nature, by the labors of the plowman, the skill and pains of the artisan,

and the dangers and trafiBc of the merchant The idle person is

like one that is dead, unconcerned in the changes and necessities of the world ; and he only lives to spend his time, and eat the fruits of the earth : like a vermin or a wolf, when their time comes they die and pedsh, and in the mean time do no good." — Jeremy Taylor. "I'or the structure that we raise Time is with materials filled ; Our to-days and yestei'days Are the blocks with which we build." — Longfellow.

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 ob-

14: Private Economy. [CHAP. I.

ject of Political Economy to create and increase the wealth of nations.

Private and public wealth have the same origin. Wealth is obtained by labor; it is preserved by savings and accumulations; and it is increased by diligence and persevei-ance.

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. Every body 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.

Economy is not a natural instinct, but the growth of experience, example, and forethought. It is also the result of education and intelligence. It is only when men become wise and thoughtful that they become frugal. Hence the best means of making men and women provident is to make them wise.

Prodigality is much more natural to man than thrift. The savage is the greatest of spendthrifts, for he has no forethought, no to-morrow. The prehistoric man saved nothing. He lived in eaves, or in hollows of the ground covered with branches. He subsisted on shellfish which he picked up on the sea-shore, or upon hips and haws which he gathered in the woods. He killed animals with stones. He lay in wait for them, or ran

CHAP. I.] Useful Labors. 15

them down on foot. Then he learned to use stones as tools; making stone arrow-heads and spear-points, thereby utilizing his labor, and killing birds and animals more quickly.

The original savage knew nothing of agriculture. It was only in comparatively recent times that men gathered seeds for food, and saved a portion of them for next year's crop. When minerals were discovered, and fire was applied to them, and the minerals became smelted into metal, man made an immense stride. He could then fabricate hard tools, chisel stone, build houses, and proceed by unwearying industry to devise the manifold means and agencies of civilization.

The dweller by the ocean burned a hollow in a felled tree, launched it, went to sea in it, and fished for food. The hollowed tree became a boat, held together with iron nails. The boat became a galley, a ship, a paddleboat, a screw steamer, and the world was opened up for colonization and civilization.

Man would have continued a savage, but for the results of the useful labors of those who preceded him. The soil was reclaimed by them, and made to grow food for human uses. They invented tools and fabrics, and we reap the useful results. They discovered art and science, and we succeed to the useful effects of their labors..

All nature teaches that no good thing which has once been done passes utterly away. The living are ever reminded of the buried millions who have worked and won before them. The handicraft and skill displayed in the buildings and sculptures of the long-lost cities of Nineveh, Babylon, and Troy, have descended to the present time. In nature's economy no human labor is altogether lost. Some remnant of useful effect continues to reward the race, if not the individual.

The mere material wealth bequeathed to us by our

16 Our Birthright. [CHAP. I.

forefathers forms but an insignificant item in the sum of our inheritance. Our hirthright is made up of something far more imperishable. It consists of the sum of the useful efiects of human skill and labor. These effects were not transmitted. by learning, but by teaching and example. One generation taught another, and thus art and handicraft, the knowledge of mechanical appliances and materials, continues to be preserved. The labors and efforts of former generations were thus transmitted by father to son ; and they continue to ,form the natural heiitage of the human race — one of the most important instruments of civilization.

Our birthright, therefore, consists in the useful effects of the labors of our forefathers ; but we can not enjoy them unless we ourselves take part in the work. All must labor, either with hand or head. Without work, life is worthless; it becomes a mere state of moral coma. We do not mean merely physical work. There is a great deal of higher work — the work of action and endurance, of trial and patience, of enterprise and philanthropy, of spreading truth and civilization, of diminishing suffering and relieving the poor, of helping the weak, and enabling them to help themselves.

"A noble heart," says Barrow, " will disdain to subsist, like a drone, upon others' labors ; like a vermin, to filch its food out of the public granary ; or, like a shark, to prey upon the lesser fry ; but it will rather outdo his private obligations to other men's care and toil, by considerable service and beneficence to the public ; for there is no calling of any sort, from the sceptre to the spade, the management whereof, with any -good success, any credit, any satisfaction, doth not demand much work of the head, or of the hands, or of both."

Labor is not only a necessity, but it is also a pleasui-e. What would otherwise be a curse, by the consti-

CHAP. I.] Eesulis of Lahor. 17

tution of our physical system becomes a blessing. Our life is a conflict with nature in some respects, but it is also a co-operation with nature in others. The sun, the air, and the earth are constantly abstracting from us our vital forces. Hence we eat and drink for nourishment, and clothe ourselves for warmth.

Nature works with us. She provides the earth which we furrow ; she grows and ripens the seeds that we sow and gather. She furnishes, with the help of human labor, the wool that we spin and the food that we eat. And it ought never to be forgotten that, however rich or poor we may be, all that we eat, all that we are clothed with, all that shelters us, from the palace to the cottage, is the result of labor.

Men co-operate with each other for the mutual sustenance of all. The husbandman tills the ground and provides food ; the manufacturer weaves tissues, which the tailor and a seamstress make into clothes ; the mason and the brick -layer build the houses in which we enjoy household life. Numbers of workmen thus contribute and help to create the general result.

Labor and skill applied to the vulgarest things invest them at once with precious value. Labor is indeed the life of humanity ; take it away, banish it, and the race of Adam were at once stricken with death. "He that will not work," said St. Paul, " neither shall he eat;", and the apostle glorified himself in that he had labored with his own hands, and had not been chargeable to any man.

There is a well-known story of an old farmer calling his three idle sons around him when on his death-bed, to_ impart to them- an important secret. "My sons," said he, "a great treasure lies hid in the estate which I am about to leave to you." The old man gasped. " Where is it hid ?" exclaimed the sons in a iDreath. " I am about to tell you," said the old man ; " you will •

18 Necessity for Labor. [CHAP. I.

have- to dig for it — " But his breath failed him before he could impart the weighty secret, and he died. Forthwith the sons set to work with spade and mattock upon the long-neglected fields, and they turned up every sod and clod upon the estate. They discovered no treasure, but tliey learned to work; and when the fields were sown, and the harvest came, lo ! the yield was prodigious, in consequence of the thorough tillage which they had undergone. Then it was that they discovered the treasure concealed in the estate, of which their wise old father had advised them.

Labor is at once a burden, a chastisement, an honor, and a pleasure. It may be identified with poverty, but there is also glory in it. It bears witness, at the same time, to our natural wants and to our manifold needs. What were man, what were life, what were civilization, without labor ? All that is great in man comes of labor — greatness in art, in literature, in science. Knowledge — " the wing wherewith we fly to heaven" — is only acquired through labor. Genius is but a capability of laboring intensely : it is the power of making great and sustained efibrts. Labor may be a chastisement, but it is indeed a glorious one. It is worship, duty, praise, and immoi'tality — for those who labor with the highest aims and for the purest purposes.

There are many who murmur and complain at the law of labor under which we live, without reflecting that obedience to it is not only in conformity with the Divine will, but also necessary for the development of intelligence, and for the thorough, enjoyment of our common nature. Of all wretched men, surely the idle are the most so — those whose life is barren of utility, Avho have nothing to do except to gratify their senses. Are not such men the most querulous, miserable, and

CHAP. I.] Industry and Intellect. 19

dissatisfied of all, constantly in a state of etinui, alike useless to themselves and to others — mere cumberers of the earth, who, when removed, are missed by none, and whom none regret? Most wretched and ignoble lot, indeed, is the lot of the idlers.

Who have helped the world onward so much as the workers ; men who have had to work from necessity or from choice ? All that we call progress — civilization, well-being, and prosperity ^depends upon industry, diligently applied — from the culture of a barley-stalk to the construction of a steamship ; from the stitching of a collar to the sculpturing of " the statue that enchants the world."

All useful and beautiful thoughts, iu like manner, are the issue of labor, of study, of observation, of research, of diligent elaboration. The noblest poem can not be elaborated, and send down its iindying strains into the future, without steady and painstaking labor. No great work has ever been done "at a heat." It is the result of repeated efforts, and often of many failures. One generation , begins, and another continues — the present co-operating with the past. Thtis, the Parthenon began with a mud-hut; the "Last Judgment" with a few scratches on the sand. It is the same with individuals of the race : they begin with abortive efforts, which, by means of perseverance, lead to successful issues.

The history of industry is uniform iu the character of its illustrations. Industry enables the poorest man to achieve honor, if not distinction. The greatest names in the history of art, literature, and science are those of laboring men. A working instrument-maker, gave us the steam-engine ; a barber, the spinning-machine ; a weaver, the mule ; a pitman perfected the locomotive; and working-men of all grades have, one after another, added to the triumphs of mechanical skill.

20 Thrift and Civilization. [CHAP. I.

By the working-man we do not mean merely the man who labors with his muscles and sinews. A horse can do this. But he is pre-eminently the working-man who works with his brain also, and whose whole physical system is under the influence of his higher faculties. The man who paints a picture, who writes a book, who makes a law, who creates a poem, is a working-man of the highest oi'der; not so necessary to the physical sustainment of the community as the plowman or the shepherd, but not less important as providing for society its highest intellectual nourishment.

Having said so much of the importance and the necessity of industry, let lis see what uses are made of the advantages deiivable from it. It is clear that man would have continued a savage but for the accumulations of savings made by our forefathers — the savings of skill, of art, of invention, and of intellectual culture.

It is the savings of the world that have made the civilization of the world. Savings are the result of labor; and it is only when laborers begin to save that the results of civilization accumulate. We have said that thrift began with civilization : we might almost have said that thrift produced civilization. Thrift produces capital, and capital is the conserved result of labor. The capitalist is merely a man who does not spend all that is earned by work.

But thrift is not a natural instinct. It is an acquired principle of conduct. It involves self-denial — the denial of present enjoyment for future good — the subor-- dination of animal appetite to reason, forethought, and prudence. It works for to-day, but also provides for to-morrow. It invests the capital it has saved, and makes pi'ovision for the future.

" Man's right of seeing the future," sayp Mr. Edward Denison, " which is conferred on him by reason, has attached to it the duty of providing for that future ; and

CHAP. I. J Thrifty Industi-y. 21

our language bears witness to this truth by using, as expressive of active precaution against future want, a word which in its radical meaning implies only a passive foreknowledge of the same. Whenever we speak of the virtue of providence,vfe assume that forewarned is fore-armed. To know the future is no virtue, but it is the greatest of virtues to prepare for it."*

But a large proportion of men do not provide for the future. They do not remember the past. They think only of the present. They preserve nothing. They spend all that they earn. They do not provide for themselves; they do not provide for their families. They may make high wages, but eat and drink the whole of what they earn. Such people are constantly poor, and hanging on the verge of destitution.

It is the same with nations. The nations which consume all that they produce, without leavinga storefor future production, have no capital. Like thriftless individuals, they live from hand to mouth, and are always poor and miserable. Nations that have no capital have no commerce. They have no accumulations to dispose of; hence they have no ships, no sailors, no docks, no harbors, no canals, and no railways. Thrifty industry lies at the root of the civilization of the world.

Look at Spain. There, the richest soil is the least productive. Along the banks of the Guadalquivir, where once twelve thousand villages existed, there are now not eight hundred ; and they are full of beggars. A Spanish proverb says, "El cielo y suelo es bueno, el entresuelo malo " — " The sky is good, the earth is good ; that only is bad which lies between the sky and the earth." Continuous effort, or patient labor, is for the Spaniard an insupportable thing. Half through indolence, half through pride, he can not bend to work.

* "Letters of the late Edward Denison," p. 240.

22 Thrifty Economy. [CHAP. I.

A Spaniard will blush to work; he will not blush to beg !*

It is in this way that society mainly consists of two classes — the savers and the wasters, the provident and the improvident, the thrifty and the thriftless, the Haves and the Have-nots.

The men who economize by means of labor become the owners of capital which sets other labor in motion. Capital accumulates in their hands, and they employ other laborers to work for them. Thus trade and commerce begin.

The thrifty build houses, warehouses, and mills. They fit manufactories with tools and machines. They build ships, and send them to various parts of the world. They put their capital together, and build railroads, harbors, and docks. They open up mines of coal, iron, and copper ; and erect pumping-engines to keep them clear of water. They employ laborers to work the mines, and thus give rise to an immense amount of employment.