A new system of practical domestic economy.

Date:
1828
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A new system of practical domestic economy. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    425/508 (page 409)
    OBSERVATIONS. ^Tliis is another practical illustration of the correctness of our data, as it shews how the artificers and others of the metropolis^ whose income is 5s. 6d. per day, might and ought to live so as to enjoy the greatest portion of comfort that can be derived from that Income. This we consider as a very useful Estimate, as it is applicable to the condition of a great number of individuals of the most valuable and industrious class of the community. Of two or three accounts given us last year, by persons of this description, but one of them was a regular weekly account, the others affording only averages, or varying in their weekly amount, according as the respective Incomes per week had been regular or not; neither of the parties having been provident enough to make any reserve, as a provision for loss of time, or any other contingency; but having lived, as is the common phrase, “ from hand to mouth.” This is a radical evil, the consequences of which will be continually felt by all persons who act thus. But, on the contrary, if out of such an income, one-twelfth, or one penny in a shilling, cannot be saved, as we recommend, would they save a half-penny only, or, at all events, make a point of saving some given sum, the good effects thereof would ere long become obvious and salutary. It is evident that though the wages of an assistant or journeyman-tradesman be nominally 5s. 6d. a day or 33s. a week, yet he must, from a variety of causes, lose some time; and, therefore, we recommend that, if he reckon on an average loss of half-a day in a week, (2s. 9d.), he will regulate his expenditure by the fourth Estimate, or 30s. per week income ; and if he lose a day, or nearly a day in a week on an average, he should live according to the third Estimate ; and so on. The man who values his present happiness, or looks forward to a better condition in life, will follow this advice. A clerk or other person, with such a family, having an income of eighty guineas a year, by acquiring a habit of living regularly, might live comfortably.