When all present resources failed, and the exchequer was quite out, there still remained Torrijos.

Torrijos has to find new resources for his destitute patriots, find loans, find Spanish lessons for them among his English friends: in all which charitable operations, it need not be said, John Sterling was his foremost man; zealous to empty his own purse for the object; impetuous in rushing hither or thither to enlist the aid of others, and find lessons or something that would do.

His friends, of course, had to assist; the Bartons, among others, were wont to assist;--and I have heard that the fair Susan, stirring up her indolent enthusiasm into practicality, was very successful in finding Spanish lessons, and the like, for these distressed men.

Sterling and his friends were yet new in this business; but Torrijos and the others were getting old in it ?--and doubtless weary and almost desperate of it.

They had now been seven years in it, many of them; and were asking, When will the end be?
Torrijos is described as a man of excellent discernment: who knows how long he had repressed the unreasonable schemes of his followers, and turned a deaf ear to the temptings of fallacious hope?
But there comes at length a sum-total of oppressive burdens which is intolerable, which tempts the wisest towards fallacies for relief.