Hard Treatment of the Poor.
"But what adds an indelible stain to the character of Austerus, is that he is hard-hearted to the poor, and unfeeling to the sons of distress. It is a painful truth, that his cane has been lifted up over the head of poverty, as it approached his lordly door to beg a pittance. What! O hardened Austerus! were riches given thee to indulge thy pampered carcase, and to steel thy heart against thy poorer brethren? for the shivering beggar at the gate is still thy brother!
Distressed Family.
"This I have frequently witnessed with a poor old woman, who travels round the country with laces and other little things, and asks the boon of the wealthy, to enable her to exist; while his children, who dare not, with his knowledge, assist her, let down trifles from their chamber window, to relieve this poor old creature, bent with the winters that have past over her head.
"Besides the poor, Sir, the afflicted, who are tossed on the bed of sickness, implore his assistance in vain. Pity is even denied them.
"I ventured once to recommend to him a peasant's family, in the neighbourhood, on whom affliction's rod had suddenly fallen, by sad accident. As they were boiling their frugal meal of potatoes, the vessel upset, and scalded the father and one of the children most dreadfully.
"While I related these circumstances to him, a tear, some how or other, had forced its way down my cheek.
Hard Heartedness.
"He heard me with a shocking indifference; said he would think of it, and turned away rudely from me, though I assured him (what was too true, and aggravated his shame) that they resided in a corner of his own estate, and that their situation admitted of no delay. As he retired, I could perceive that he was indignant at my freedom."