The poor loved him for his charities, but laughed at him as a weak sort of man, easily taken in.

Yet the squires and farmers found that, in their own matters of rural business, he had always a fund of curious information to impart; and whoever, young or old, gentle or simple, learned or ignorant, asked his advice, it was given with not more humility than wisdom.

In the common affairs of life he seemed incapable of acting for himself; he left all to my mother; or, if taken unawares, was pretty sure to be the dupe.

But in those very affairs, if another consulted him, his eye brightened, his brow cleared, the desire of serving made him a new being,--cautious, profound, practical.

Too lazy or too languid where only his own interests were at stake, touch his benevolence, and all the wheels of the clock-work felt the impetus of the master-spring.