Chapter 10

MONEY—ITS USE AND ABUSE. The right use of money a test of wisdom—The virtue of 290–313 self-denial—Self-imposed taxes—Economy necessary to independence—Helplessness of the improvident—Frugality an important public question—Counsels of Richard Cobden and John Bright—The bondage of the improvident—Independence attainable by working men—Francis Horner’s advice from his father—Robert Burns—Living within the means—Bacon’s maxim—Wasters—Running into debt—Haydon’s debts—Fichte—Dr. Johnson on debt—John Locke—The Duke of Wellington on debt—Washington—Earl St. Vincent: his protested bill—Joseph Hume on living too high—Ambition after gentility—Napier’s order to his officers in India—Resistance to temptation—Hugh Miller’s case—High standard of life necessary—Proverbs on money-making and thrift—Thomas Wright and the reclamation of criminals—Mere money-making—John Foster—Riches no proof of worth—All honest industry honourable—The power of money over-estimated—Joseph Brotherton—True Respectability—Lord Collingwood