I I

of thrift and steady habits. But the preaching has no appreciable effect. The trouble seems to be of the ' nature of habit rather than of reasoned conviction. | Other causes may partially explain this improvidence, but the inquiry is at least pertinent how far the absence of property and thrift among them may be traceable to the relative absence of pecuniary training and to the presence of a discipline which is at variance with habits of thrift. 1 Mere exemption from pecuniary training is not competent alone to explain the patent thriftlessness of modern workmen ; the more so since this exemption is but partial and relative. Also, the thriftless classes commonly have an envious appreciation of pecuniary advantages. It is rather the composite effect of exemption from pecuniary training and certain positive requirements of modem life. Among these positive requirements is what has been called the canon of conspicuous waste. Under modern conditions a free expenditure in consumable goods is a condition requisite to good repute.' This conduces to immediate consumption rather than to saving. What is perhaps ' Cf. Theory of the Leiiure Clatt, especially cb. IV. and V.