32 CHAPTER II. TO YOUNG MEN. "A man's wisdom is his best friend; folly his worst enemy."-SIR W. Temple. WILL now suppose that the youth has passed through his novitiate, and having duly qualified himself, is placed in some department in his house of business, where a distinct set of duties devolves upon him to perform. In the first place I would recommend young men to endeavour to stay a reasonable time in every situation they undertake, and not be continually changing. "A rolling stone never gathers any moss," says the old proverb; and a little consideration will show them the actual money loss they sustain, as well that of character-short references, indicating, at least, want of stability, but are generally ascribed to something worse. It is always better too, to remain in the house where the knowledge of one's profession or business has been acquired, when possible; because, during the period of articles, employers and employed have got accustomed to one another, and during a long AVOID FREQUENT CHANGES. 33 period of acquaintanceship, the sharp angles of dissimilarity of disposition get gradually worn away, and things go on more pleasantly than when striking differences exist, either of temperament between the respective parties, or different business plans and arrangements; to which each are accustomed. Generally speaking, too, an employer upon the first introduction has acquired some knowledge of the youth's friends, and of the circumstances of his commencement in life, in which it is but human nature to cause him to take a more friendly interest than in those of a stranger, with whom he bargains to give a certain amount of salary for a certain amount of service; while, on the other hand, the young man will find his work easier than when serving a new master, for he has acquired all the ways. of the place, and understands both the character of his employer, and what duties are expected of him. In after life, many people, that in a different set of circumstances would have been mutually serviceable to each other, part for want of a friendly appreciation of one another's qualities, which, of course, a stranger cannot appreciate like a familiar acquaintance; while the youth who has been articled, or served an apprenticeship, when he is out of his time, is much more valuable to his employer than any stranger could be. But, as I said before, those who are in the habit of changing their situations frequently will experience a D great money loss, that they do not generally take into calculation; for a young man filling a situation for nine months, and out of employment for three; spends during those months he is unemployed, for his living, at the very lowest estimate, as much as he could earn in the same time: thus, if we say his salary is only forty pounds per annum, at the end of nine months he will receive thirty pounds, but during the remaining three months of the year he spends ten pounds; ergo, his year's clear earnings are but twenty pounds! Here you see one advantage gained by those who adhere to their engagements. I will be bound that, in the long run, steady young men, of but indifferent talents, who receive small salaries, make more money in the end than those possessed of greater abilities, accustomed to high stipends, but who change more frequently. Will not this account for such remarks as are often heard, as,—“I cannot make it out how So-and-so always has plenty of money by him, while I, who get twice the salary he does, never have a halfpenny to bless myself with?" Now we are speaking of money, I may here remark, how careless many are of the smaller sums which pass under the name of " change." A year soon slips away, and the daily pence which are next door to thrown away in that time amount to a considerable sum. If you want a quick way of reckoning up your daily disbursements, keep this method in your me 66 TAKE CARE OF THE PENCE." 35 mory. There are 240 pence in a pound, and 365 days in a year: 120 is the half of 240, which, added together, amount to 360, or within five of the number of the days contained in a year; consequently, if you add to any given number of pence the half of that number, it will give you the product in pounds, less five days. For example: twopence per day, add the half of the number, which is one, equal to three; thus, we say, twopence per day is three pounds per annum, and tenpence more for the five days we have not included, shows us that twopence per day is three pounds and tenpence per year. An expense of fourpence that is daily incurred will make six pounds one shilling and eightpence per year ; an expense of sixpence per day is nine pounds two shillings and sixpence per annum. Some do not consider themselves very extravant, whose expenditure averages one shilling per diem, or eighteen pounds five shillings per annum, and are surprised to find, at the end of the year, that their salary has dwindled away, they scarcely know how; they have nothing to show for it, and cannot be said to have had their money's-worth in the shape of enjoyment, having frittered away the earnings of the year. It is this which causes many young men to wear shabby coats; surely these careless ones will, upon a little reflection, prefer adding to their wardrobe, so as to appear respectable, than indulge in momentary gratifications ? A TABLE Showing how Sums increase by the Week, Month, 66 d. £ s. d. 13 4000536 362 £ s. d. 40012 49 40124274 14000 +00 I I 11360796 II 'Neglect of small things," says a modern writer, "is the rock on which the great majority of the human race have split. Human life consists of a succession of small events, each of which is comparatively unimportant; and yet the happiness and success of every man depends upon the manner in which these small affairs are dealt with; character is built upon little things-little things well and honourably transacted. The success of a man in business depends on his attention to little things. The comfort of a household is the result of small things well arranged and duly provided for. The good government of the greatest people can only be accomplished in the same way, by well-regulated provisions for the doing of little things. A penny is a very little thing, and the spending of many pennies is an easy matter, but on the spending of pennies well, how much of |