LETTER XXXV. WILLIAM _to_ EMILIA. Your brother went yesterday to visit the painter I mentioned to you, and Edward to read the newspaper in a neighbouring coffee-house; I stayed at home to transact some business for my mother. Charles returned first, and was scarcely seated, when Edward ran in with great haste.—I am glad, said he, to find you at home, I met at the coffee-house, by chance, a poor Englishman. Will you assist me to relieve a countryman, for they seem to have the first claim to our benevolence? CHARLES. I do not think so; I should not ask, when I saw a man in distress, what countryman he was, whether he was a Dutchman, Englishman or Frenchman; I should feel compassion. But where is your Englishman? let me see him. Come with us, William. We all three went to the door, and found a young man who seemed about four and twenty, who had an appearance of extreme poverty. Your brother Charles expressed some astonishment; I suppose he had prepared himself to meet an old man, for I have often heard him say that healthy young ones, except in particular circumstances, need never want, and that their distress is generally a proof of their idleness. CHARLES. You have applied to my brother for assistance, my friend; we will do something for you. Who are you? ENGLISHMAN. My father was a reputable shoemaker; but he died suddenly, and left my mother in great distress with two sons; my brother went to service, and I endeavoured to get some employment in London; but after having been often disappointed, I determined to try my fortune in foreign parts. CHARLES. Whom did your brother live with? ENGLISHMAN. With a Sir Charles Grandison. CHARLES. Was his name Harry? ENGLISHMAN. Yes, Sir; did you know him? CHARLES. I certainly knew him, and am very sorry to find you are his unworthy brother. So it was you who lived on your poor mother, when she was a widow and in great distress; it was you who used to borrow money of your brother to buy liquor with; and when you left your drunken companions, you went home and abused your aged unfortunate parent. ENGLISHMAN. Oh, Sir! pray hear me out; I have done all I could to get work here; and have severely smarted for my folly. CHARLES.