never had recourse to him in vain; that
neither the pecuniary embarrassments of his youth, nor the slender
merits of the applicants, nor any of the pretexts so convenient to weak
or hypocritical[36] liberality, ever could become a reason with him to
refuse those who stretched out their hand to him. The claim of
adversity, as adversity, was a sufficient and sacred one to him, and to
relieve it an imperious impulse.

An appeal was once made to Lord Byron's generosity by an individual
whose bad repute alone might have justified a harsh rebuff. But Lord
Byron, whose charity was of a higher order, looked upon it otherwise.

"Why," said Murray, "should you give L150 to this bad writer, to whom
nobody would give a penny?" "Precisely because nobody is willing to give
him any thing is he the more in need that I should help him," answered
Lord Byron.

A certain Mr. Ashe superintended the publication of a paper called "The
Book," the readers of which were attracted rather by its ill-nature and
scandal, and the revelations it made in lifting the veil that had so far
concealed the most delicate mysteries, than by the talent of the author.
In a fit of repentance this man wrote to Lord Byron, alleging his great
poverty as an apology for having thus prostituted his pen, and imploring
from Lord Byron a gift to enable him to live more honorably in future.
Lord Byron's answer to this letter is so remarkable for its good sense,
kindness, and high tone of honor, that we can not refrain from
reproducing it.

"SIR,--I leave town for a few days to-morrow; on my return I will
answer your letter more at length. Whatever may be your situation,
I can not but commend your resolution to abjure and abandon the
publication and composition of works such as those to which you
have alluded. Depend upon it they amuse few, disgrace both reader
and writer, and benefit none. It will be my wish to assist you, as
far as my limited means will admit, to break such a bondage. In
your answer inform me what sum you think would enable you to
extricate yourself from the hands of your employers, and to regain,
at least, temporary independence, and I shall be glad to contribute
my mite toward it. At present, I must conclude. Your name is not
unknown to me, and I regret, for my own sake, that you have ever
lent it to the works you mention. In saying this, I merely repeat
your own words in your le