LETTER XIII.

_THE ALMS-HOUSE AND TRUSTEES._

Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame.

[_Pope, Epilogue to the Satires_, Dialogue I., v. 136.]

There are a sort of men whose visages Do cream and mantle like a standing [pond,] And do a wilful stillness entertain, With purpose to be dress'd in an opinion[...] As who should say, "I am Sir Oracle, And when I ope my lips, let no dog bark!"

_Merchant of Venice_ [Act I. Sc. 1. vv. 88-94].

Sum felix; quis enim neget? felixque manebo; Hoc quoque quis dubitet? Tutum me copia fecit.

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 Alms-Men--In this Respect meritorious--His Predecessor not so cautious.