Although it would be preposterous to follow a recent example of attempting to remove the stains on Henry the Eighth's character--stains which throw all common crimes into the shade--it would be no less absurd to deny him the common merit of having a few redeeming traits in his disposition. Besides the instances which have been alluded to of his taste for architecture, music, painting, and literature, we frequently find payments which must have originated in the best feelings of the human heart; and of which it will be sufficient to cite, gifts "to an old poor man by the king's charitable alms that laboured to obtain a bill to be signed;" to a footman, "to relieve him in his sickness;" to a French fletcher, "towards his surgery;" to the almoner, "for two sick men at Waltham;" to a "sick priest at Hampton Court;" to "a poor man that had thirteen children, for their relief;" to "little Guilliam, in way of reward, because he was sick in London;" to "three sick women at Greenwich;" to "a poor woman in Chertsey, to purchase out the great seal;" to "a blind woman, being a harper;" "to a poor woman for to redeem her husband out of prison;" to "a poor woman, to obtain her husbands freedom, and hers in London;" to "a frantick man;" to "Great William, for his surgery, when he was sick at London," &c. These could only have emanated from momentary emotions of benevolence; and they prove that, like even greater monsters, Henry's heart was not entirely shut to the wants and sufferings of his fellow creatures. It is true that pity was a stranger to his breast when either his pride, or safety, or lust, or revenge was in question; but he was undoubtedly compassionate upon less selfish occasions.