Fix this text
COLONIAL
Fix this textLITERARY JOURNAL
Fix this textAND
Fix this textWeekly Miscellany of Useful Information.
Fix this text“ NON TUA TE MOVEANT, SED PUBLICA VOTA.”
Fix this textVol. I. No. 26.]
Fix this textSYDNEY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1844.
Fix this text[Price 4d.
Fix this textA TOO-SEVERE ECONOMY;
Fix this textUNNECESSARY AND INJURIOUS IN ITS- RESULTS.
Fix this textExcessive devotion to any sub-luna'ry objec,t4s to be
Fix this textavoided, as incompatible with the end and purpose of
Fix this textour being. One pursuit in which the above may be
Fix this textexemplified, is the endeavour after wealth, where it is
Fix this textallowed to degenerate into avarice and parsimony—too
Fix this textoften the result of a misguided and sordid economy.
Fix this textWhatever may be the virtue of saving, however valu-
Fix this textable may be the admonitions to husband our pecuniary
Fix this textresources, it will be evident, on reflection, that we
Fix this textmay commit a most egregious error by adhering too
Fix this textscrupulously to a fixed plan of general or universal
Fix this texteconomy. In entering upon the scene of life with a
Fix this textprudential forethought, it equally behoves us to be-
Fix this textware of falling into discreditable habits of meanness
Fix this textand avarice, as of waste and profligacy. Money is
Fix this textnot the great good, not that which we should livb
Fix this textalone for. Human life has, indeed, far more noble
Fix this textand interesting objects presented for attainment. The
Fix this textfact, that money is but a means, and often a very im-
Fix this textperfect means, to an end, should never be forgotten ;
Fix this textand, if this fact were but universally acted upon, what
Fix this texta profitable and pleasing change would take place in
Fix this textthe condition, mental and physical, of society. What
Fix this textsignifies the acquisition of opulence, if, in the mean-
Fix this textwhile, we have allowed all the comforts and rational
Fix this textenjoyments of existence to pass away untasted ? What
Fix this textcomparison can be instituted between the possession
Fix this textof mere wealth, and the delights enjoyed in the con-
Fix this texttemplation of a useful and well-spent life ? What
Fix this textcompensation can there be found for the agreeable
Fix this textsolace of the family circle and the social assembly ?
Fix this textCan the realization of any stated sum of money afford
Fix this textthis solace ? Life, alas, is to many but a bitter drop,
Fix this textand, unless modified by something superior to the
Fix this textpossession of gross lucre alone—by solacements and
Fix this texthopes in which the virtuous and reflecting may safely
Fix this textindulge would not constitute the boon which it may
Fix this textand should become even to the most wretched.
Fix this textAt present, the almost universal persuasion of
Fix this textcivilized man,” it is remarked by Combe, in his Con-
Fix this textstitution of Man, “ is, that happiness consists in the
Fix this textpossession of wealth, power, and external splendour;
Fix this textobjects related to the animal faculties and intellect
Fix this textmuch more than to the moral sentiments. In con-
Fix this textsequence, each individual sets out in the pursuit of
Fix this textthese as the chief business of life ; and in the ardour
Fix this textof the chase, he recognises no limitations to the means
Fix this texthe may employ, except those imposed by the muni-
Fix this textcipal law. He does not perceive or acknowledge the
Fix this textexistence of natural laws, determining not only the
Fix this textsources of his happiness, but the steps by which it
Fix this textmay be attained.” Money is, truly, considered by not
Fix this texta few to be the “ great good”—the ultimate object of
Fix this textpossession; not the means, but the end : and it is
Fix this textundeniable that there are many persons v/hose whole
Fix this textlife presents but a series of anxious struggles to save
Fix this texta penny. But these are, generally speaking, a short-
Fix this textsighted race, and often prove entirely wrong in their
Fix this textcalculations. In order to follow out their plans of
Fix this textsaving, and rather than risk the smallest sum in any-
Fix this textthing like adventure or speculation, they will fre-
Fix this textquently pass by a decided advantage. They do not
Fix this textcomprehend that what may seem to their present
Fix this textadvantage, may eventually prove a serious loss. They
Fix this textdo not perceive the judiciousness rather of adopting
Fix this textsuch measures as shall secure a saving in the long
Fix this textrun, and hence they are continually casting away
Fix this textexcellent prospects of well-doing, rather than swerve
Fix this textfrom the rigid regulations laid down for their own
Fix this textgovernance. Doubtless, these infatuated beings, who
Fix this textare by this course of action, b 6 it remembered, re-
Fix this textjecting most of the comforts and conveniences of life,
Fix this textmay really attain to the opulence they aimed at, after
Fix this textincalculable plodding and privation ; but could they
Fix this textnot have realized their washes much more easily, and
Fix this textperhaps more honourably, by the exercise of a sounder
Fix this textjudgment and a nobler spirit? They have doubtless
Fix this textobtained the share they sought for of the good things
Fix this textof this life, but what mind have they left to enjoy it ?
Fix this textwhere are the fresh feelings of former days ? ’ They
Fix this texthave long since lost all relish for the bounteous gifts
Fix this textshowered upon mankind for their benefit and enjoy-
Fix this textment ; the companions of their youth have vanished
Fix this textfrom their society ; friendship is to them an empty
Fix this textsound ; they are surrounded by plenty, but those they
Fix this textcall to partake of it are strangers; and their death is
Fix this textanxiously desired by distant relatives, w r ho long to
Fix this textapportion among themselves the wealth accumulated
Fix this textby a life of toil and privation.
Fix this textIf the fate of the successful and penurious saver, as
Fix this textsketched above, be recognised as anything like reality r ,
Fix this texthow shall we describe the condition of him who has
Fix this textthrough a long life of misdirected efforts, struggled
Fix this texthard to accumulate, yet in the end finds his endeavours
Fix this textfruitless and himself poor? Instances of this class
Fix this textwill be familiar to most of our readers. Despised for
Fix this texttheir meanness shewn in every action, loathed for
Fix this texttheir generally repulsive habits, devoid of a particle
Fix this textof generous sentiment, or even desire of refinement,
Fix this textevery effort directed on the principle of saving a little
Fix this textIt's easy and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail!
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Reading, James & Sandoe, Francis. (1844). Colonial literary journal and weekly miscellany of useful information Retrieved August 14, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2029393909
Reading, James and Sandoe, Francis. Colonial literary journal and weekly miscellany of useful information Sydney: Printed and published by James Reading and Francis Sandoe, at the General Printing Office, 1844. Web. 14 August 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2029393909>
Reading, James & Sandoe, Francis. 1844, Colonial literary journal and weekly miscellany of useful information Printed and published by James Reading and Francis Sandoe, at the General Printing Office, Sydney viewed 14 August 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2029393909
{{Citation
| author1=Reading, James.
| author2=Sandoe, Francis.
| title=Colonial literary journal and weekly miscellany of useful information.
| year=1844
| section=2 volumes ; 29 cm.
| issn=1327-6638
| issue=Vol. 1 No. 26 (19 December 1844)
| location=Sydney
| publisher=Printed and published by James Reading and Francis Sandoe, at the General Printing Office
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2029393909
| id=nla.obj-2029393909
| access-date=14 August 2025
| via=Trove
}}
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