Page:Advice to the Indian Aristocracy.djvu/118

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paper, though you get for it only a small interest. Don't look to the interest, but look more to security. It is not advisable to keep much money in the Banks and with Mercantile Houses. Don't put any money in rotten companies. I prefer the first three ways of investment to buying Government paper or so forth; because, though you yourself may be very careful in your savings, your successor may not be a careful man. If he becomes extravagant, he will spend in no time all the money you have so carefully saved, if it is in the shape of cash or Government paper, in fixed deposits in Banks and in Mercantile Houses. Therefore the best way of improving wealth is to spend it on agricultural improvements in your estate, in buying lands and villages, and in lending money on the mortgage of lands and villages. Then your successor, though he may be extravagant, cannot easily squander away such savings.