s even ingenious in contriving the most
delicate methods of relieving modest indigence, and, by his industrious
benevolence, often anticipated the requests of misery.

"I could relate a number of examples to illustrate my assertions, in
some of which you would perceive the most disinterested generosity;
but such a detail would trespass too much upon your time, and I do not
pretend to dwell upon every minute circumstance of his conduct. Let it
suffice to say, that, upon the declaration of war in Spain, he gave up
all his commercial schemes, and called in his money from all quarters,
with a view of sitting down, for the rest of his life, contented with
what he had got, and restraining his liberalities to what he could spare
from his yearly income. This was a very prudential resolution, could
he have kept it; but, upon the breaking out of the war, he could not
without concern see many gentlemen of merit, who had been recommended
to him, disappointed of commissions, merely for want of money to satisfy
the expectations of the commission-brokers of that time; and therefore
launched out considerable sums for them on their bare notes, great part
whereof was lost by the death of some in the unfortunate expedition
to the West Indies. He at length, after many other actions of the like
nature, from motives of pure humanity, love of justice, and abhorrence
of oppression, embarked in a cause, every way the most important that
ever came under the discussion of the courts of law in these kingdoms;
whether it be considered in relation to the extraordinary nature of the
case, or the immense property of no less than fifty thousand pounds a
year, and three peerages that depended upon it.

"In the year 1740, the brave admiral who at that time commanded his
majesty's fleet in the West Indies, among the other transactions of his
squadron transmitted to the duke of Newcastle, mentioned a young man,
who, though in the capacity of a common sailor on board one of the ships
under his command, laid claim to the estate and titles of the earl of
A--. These pretensions were no sooner communicated in the public papers,
than they became the subject of conversation in all companies; and the
person whom they chiefly affected, being alarmed at the appearance of a
competitor, though at such a distance, began to put himself in motion,
and take all the precautions which he thought necessary to defeat
the endeavour of the young upstart. Indeed, the early intel