And stretch'd th' unpalsied hand: the scaman felt And his small boon with cheerful frankness dealt; "Young Frederic Thompson, to a chandler's shop "By harlots ordered, and afraid to stop!"What our good merchant's favourite, to be seen "In state so loathsome and in dress so mean?" So thought the seaman as he bade adieu, And, when in port, related all he knew. But time was lost, inquiry came too late, And there he found it: he had left the town, There on the remnant of a beggar's vest, LETTER XIII. THE ALMS-HOUSE AND TRUSTEES. Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame. There are a sort of men whose visages Do cream and mantle like a standing pool, And do a wilful stillness entertain: With purpose to be drest in an opinion, Merchant of Venice. Sum felix; quis enim neget? felixque manebo; S THE ALMS-HOUSE AND TRUSTEES. The frugal merchant.-Rivalship in modes of frugality.-Private exceptions to the general manners.—Alms-house built.—Its description-Founder dies.--Six trustees.-Sir Denys Brand, a principal. His eulogium in the chronicles of the day.-Truth reckoned invidious on these occasions.-An explanation of the magnanimity and wisdom of sir Denys.-His kinds of moderation and humility.-Laughton, his successor, a planning, ambitious, wealthy man.-Advancement in life his perpetual object, and all things made the means of it.-His idea of falsehood. His resentment dangerous: how removed.-Success produces love of flattery: his daily gratification. -His merits and acts of kindness —His proper choice of almsmen.—In this respect meritorious. His predecessor not so cautious. |