1

The Great Brassey Keeps his Word

By Samuel Smiles

Once railway engineer Thomas Brassey made a promise he kept it — even if he wasn’t aware that he’d made one.

2

Not Worth a Shilling

By Samuel Smiles

Jack Curran’s career as a defender of victims of political prejudice got off to a stuttering start.

3

Inordinate Saving

By Samuel Smiles

Samuel Smiles warned that taking care of the pennies should not come before taking care of living.

4

An Unpopular Popular Reform

By Samuel Smiles

Statesmen promise to make the country a better place, but they never mention the one thing that would do some good.

5

A Rush to Judgment

By Samuel Smiles

As a young man, surveyor Thomas Telford was a red-hot political activist who yearned for revolution, but admittedly he had read just one book on the matter.

6

A False Economy

By Samuel Smiles

Thomas Telford told the parish council of St Chad’s Church in Shrewsbury that their leaky roof was the last thing they should worry about.