21 MAY 1881, Page 25

Thrift Lessons : Familiar Letters. By John T. Walters, M.A.

(Hodder and Stoughton.)—Mr. Walters has it for his object to tell his readers how they may "thrive," for he points out that " thrift " is something much wider than the " saving" which is commonly supposed to be the whole meaning of the word. Saving is no small matter, and of all lessons, perhaps, the one most necessary to English people ; but it is but one out of many, and as Mr. Walters well remarks, a man may save and not thrive, in the best sense of the word. "Godliness and cleanliness" may be said to be the main subjects of the writer's most excellent and useful lessons, godliness being taken to begin with tho fear of God, and to come down to right-doing in all a man's rela- tions and duties, political, social, and personal ; and cleanliness taking in all the details of wholesome living. This is an excellent book, which cannot have too wide a circulation.