called in again, and had his suit granted. And Mr. Lovelace privately
followed him out, and gave him two guineas, for present relief; the
man having declared, that, at the time, he had not five shilling in
the world.

On this occasion, he told my uncle (but without any airs of
ostentation), that he had once observed an old tenant and his wife in
a very mean habit at church; and questioning them about it the next
day, as he knew they had no hard bargain in their farm, the man said,
he had done some very foolish things with a good intention, which had
put him behind-hand, and he could not have paid his rent, and appear
better. He asked him how long it would take him to retrieve the
foolish step he acknowledged he had made. He said, Perhaps two or
three years. Well then, said he, I will abate you five pounds a year
for seven years, provided you will lay it upon your wife and self, that
you may make a Sunday-appearance like MY tenants. Mean time,
take this (putting his hand in his pocket, and giving him five
guineas), to put yourselves in present plight; and let me see you next
Sunday at church, hand in hand, like an honest and loving couple; and
I bespeak you to dine with me afterwards.

Although this pleased me when I heard it, as giving an instance of
generosity and prudence at the same time, not lessening (as my uncle
took notice) the yearly value of the farm, yet, my dear, I had no
throbs, no glows upon it!--Upon my word, I had not. Nevertheless I
own to you, that I could not help saying to myself on the occasion,
'Were it ever to be my lot to have this man, he would not hinder me
from pursuing the methods I so much delight to take'--With 'A pity,
that such a man were not uniformly good!'