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 practise 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 appearance until now. For much of the information recently received, he is indebted to Edward Crossley, 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 towards the purpose for which it is intended. London, _November,_ 1875. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. INDUSTRY. Private economy--Useful labours--Our birthright--Results of labour--Necessity for labour--Industry and intellect--Thrift and civilization--Thrifty industry--Thrifty economy. Pages 1--10 CHAPTER II. HABITS OF THRIFT. 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-respect--Self-help--Uncertainty of life--Laws of mortality--Will nobody help us?--Prosperous times the least prosperous--National prosperity--Moral independence. Pages 11--29 CHAPTER III. IMPROVIDENCE. Misery and wealth--The uncivilized--The East End--Edward Denison--Thrift in Guernsey--Improvidence and misery--Social Degradation--Fatalism of improvidence--Self-taxation--Slowness of progress. Pages 30--40 CHAPTER IV. MEANS OF SAVING. Earnings of operatives--Colliers and iron-workers--Earnings of colliers--The revellers--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--Ignorance is power--Results of ignorance--Increase of knowledge--Education not enough--Words of Sir Arthur Helps--Divine uses of knowledge--Public school education--Words of William Felkin. Pages 41--64 CHAPTER V. EXAMPLES OF THRIFT.