Economy is generally despised as a low virtue, tending to make people
ungenerous and selfish. This is true of avarice; but it is not so
of economy. The man who is economical, is laying up for himself the
permanent power of being useful and generous. He who thoughtlessly
gives away ten dollars, when he owes a hundred more than he can pay,
deserves no praise,--he obeys a sudden impulse, more like instinct
than reason: it would be real charity to check this feeling; because
the good he does maybe doubtful, while the injury he does his family
and creditors is certain. True economy is a careful treasurer in the
service of benevolence; and where they are united respectability,
prosperity and peace will follow.
* * * * *
ODD SCRAPS FOR THE ECONOMICAL.
If you would avoid waste in your family, attend to the following
rules, and do not despise them because they appear so unimportant:
'many a little makes a mickle.'
Look frequently to the pails, to see that nothing is thrown to the
pigs which should have been in the grease-pot.
Look to the grease-pot, and see that nothing is there which might have
served to nourish your own family, or a poorer one.
See that the beef and pork are always _under_ brine; and that the
brine is sweet and clean.
Count towels, sheets, spoons, &c. occasionally; that those who use
them may not become careless.
See that the vegetables are neither sprouting nor decaying: if they
are so, remove them to a drier place, and spread them.
Examine preserves, to see that they are not contracting mould; and
your pickles, to see that they are not growing soft and tasteless.
As far as it is possible, have bits of bread eaten up before they
become hard. Spread those that are not eaten, and let them dry, to be
pounded for puddings, or soaked for brewis. Brewis is made of crusts
and dry pieces of bread, soaked a good while in hot milk, mashed up,
and salted, and buttered like toast. Above all, do not let crusts
accumulate in such quantities that they cannot be used. With proper
care, there is no need of losing a particle of bread, even in the
hottest weather.
Attend to all the mending in the house, once a week, if possible.
Never put out sewing. If it be impossible to do it in your own family,
hire some one into the house, and work with them.
Make your own bread and cake. Some people think it is just as cheap
to buy of the baker and confectioner; but it is not half as cheap.
True, it is more convenient; and therefore the rich are justifiable
in employing them; but those who are under the necessity of being
economical, should make convenience a secondary object. In the first
place, confectioners make their cake richer than people of moderate
income can afford to make it; in the next place, your domestic, or
yourself, may just as well employ your own time, as to pay them for
theirs.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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