But what was got from him, was only obtained from his want of knowledge--by knowledge that was superior; and knaves and sharpers might have lived upon him, while poverty and honesty would have starved. When this inordinate passion for saving did not interfere, there are upon record some kind offices, and very active services, undertaken by Mr. Elwes. He would go far and long to serve those who applied to him: and give--however strange the word from him--give himself great trouble to be of use. These instances are gratifying to select--it is plucking the sweet-briar and the rose from the weeds that overspread the garden. Mr. Elwes, at this period, was passing--among his horses and hounds, some rural occupations, and his country neighbours--the happiest hours of his life--where he forgot, for a time, at least, that strange anxiety and continued irritation about his money, which might be called the _insanity of saving_! But as his wealth was accumulating, many were kind enough to _make_ applications to employ it for him. Some very obligingly would trouble him with nothing more than their _simple bond_: others offered him a scheme of great advantage, with "a small risk and a certain profit," which as certainly turned out to the reverse; and others proposed "tracts of land in America, and plans that were sure of success." But amidst these _kind offers_, the fruits of which Mr. Elwes long felt, and had to lament, some pecuniary accommodations, at a moderate interest, were not bestowed amiss, and enabled the borrowers to pursue industry into fortune, and form a settlement for life. Mr. Elwes, from Mr. Meggot, his father, had inherited some property in London in houses; particularly about the Haymarket, not far from which old Mr. Elwes drew his first breath; being born in St. James's parish. To this property he began now to add, by engagements with one of the Adam's about building, which he increased from year to year to a very large extent. Great part of Marybone soon called him her founder. Portman Place, and Portman Square, the riding-houses and stables of the second troop of life-guards, and buildings too numerous to name, all rose out of his pocket; and had not the fatal American war kindly put a stop to his rage of raising houses, much of the property he then possessed would have been laid out in bricks and mortar. The extent of his property in this way soon grew so great, that he became, from judicious calculation, his _own insurer_: and he stood to all his losses by conflagrations. He soon therefore became a _philosopher_ upon fire: and, on a public-house belonging to him being consumed, he said, with great composure, "well, well, there is no great harm done. The _tenant_ never paid me, and I should not have got quit of him so quickly in any other way."