Well, gentlemen, Mr.
Bassett is a poor man, by no fault of his; but if he is poor, he is proud and honorable.

He has met the frowns of fortune like a gentleman--like a man.

He has not solicited government for a place.

He has not whined nor lamented.

He has dignified unmerited poverty by prudence and self-denial; and, unable to forget that he is a Bassett, he has put by a little money every year, and bought a small estate or two, and had even applied to the Lord-Lieutenant to make him a justice of the peace, when a most severe and unexpected blow fell upon him.
Among those large proprietors who respected him in spite of his humbler circumstances was Mr.Hardwicke, one of the county members.