me a prey to the oppressive insolence of proud prosperity.--It is that only which can inflict a wound on the ingenuous mind.--These are the stings of poverty! Misfortunes never create respect: dependence of course meets with many slights--On such occasions, some show their _malice_, and are witty on our _misfortunes_; others their judgment, by sage reflections on our conduct; but few their charity.--They alone have a right to censure, who have hearts to assist: the rest is cruelty, not justice[28]. I found that my father's collection of curiosities, for which he had expended all his fortune, did no more than pay his debts. On this occasion all my acquaintances forsook me. A rich aunt was the only person who recollected such a being existed (my lover excepted). She afforded me help, but more as if she had been giving _alms_ to a _stranger_, than _relief_ to a relation. How few are acquainted with the art of conferring favors in that happy manner that doubles the value of the obligation! If in doing good, people consulted the circumstances and inclinations of those they oblige--if, instead of shocking their self-love, (inherent in us all) they knew how to take advantage of it, with as much address as the flatterer employs to gain his ends, the empire of morality would long ago have extended its bounds, and the numbers of its adherents would have greatly increased.--This is the more easily done, as the _distressed_ think any mark of attention shown them by the _wealthy_, _a real favor_--But _neglect_ in general is the _portion_ of the _necessitous_--and _outrage alone_ employed to recover _the guilty_. Lord Ogilby could not help here, with some warmth, asking where Sir Harry Bingley was all this time. Miss Harris bowed, and resumed her story. "Alas!" said she, "the Marquis of M---- his uncle, on whom he had considerable expectations, insisted on his marrying Lady Ann Frivolité--and though he absolutely declined this overture, he thought in prudence, he ought to defer for some time entering into another engagement until he could bring his uncle to hearken to it."