The fact is, I give what I give almost in an opposite way to yours.

I think there are many people who will relieve hopeless distress for one who will help at a hopeful pinch; and when I have the choice I nearly always give where I think the money will be fruitful rather than merely helpful.

I would lecture for a school when I would _not_ for a distressed author; and would have helped De Marvy to perfect his invention, but not--unless I had no other object--his widow after he was gone.

In a word, I like to prop the falling more than to feed the fallen." [Footnote 8: Louis Marvy, an engraver, and political refugee after the French Revolution of 1848.

He produced the plates, and Thackeray the text, of "Landscape Painters of England, in a series of steel engravings, with short Notices."] The winter passed without any great undertaking.