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.

    435/508 (page 419)
    OBSERVATIONS. t We are now arrived, by a' gradually progressive series of Practical Estimates, at that state of Income Which will afford to a man with a wife and three children, an ample sufficiency of all the necessaries of life, but without any superfluity. We consider this Estimate of much impor- tance, inasmuch as it exhibits the precise quantity, pre- sent price, and total expense of every article that can be required in such a family, if economically and regularly conducted ; and beyond the amount of which they need not spend one shilling per iveek, whatever may be their income. We cannot better illustrate this Estimate, than by giving a slight sketch of the economical arrangements of the family of the gentleman who furnished us with the principal particulars of this account ; on the correctness and accuracy of which, and its consequent practicability, we have the utmost reliance, and do, therefore, recom- mend it with confidence. He possesses a permanent income of 1251. a year; and he rents a neat little house, of six rooms, in the vicinity of London, the rent of which, with the (axes, &c. costs him about 351. 1 Os. a year ; out of which he receives SOZ. a year for the first floor, and the occasional use of the kitchen ; he consequently stands at about 15Z. 10s. a year, or 6s. a week, for rent. His wife, knowing that a small income will not admit of irregularity or inadver- tency, purchases all the unperishable articles of necessary consumption, in quantities, at wholesale prices, and as she knows how long they ought to last, she manages them accordingly. Candles and soap are laid in, for the year, in the summer time, when cheapest; and these articles, when kept in a dry place, become hard, fitter for use, and go farther. By getting a neighbour to join in the purchase of coals, they lay in their year's stock, consist- ing of a room, or five chaldrons, about August, when they are cheapest; and thus they get the ingrain, or three sacks over, upon that quantity. Half a ton of potatoes