answerable to nobody by the right of Magna Charta: except in cases of
treason, felony, and that. But as to a beggar, it's quite another
thing; he comes and asks me for money; but what has he to shew for it?
what does he bring me in exchange? why a long story that he i'n't worth
a penny! what's that to me? nothing at all. Let every man have his own;
that's my way of arguing."

"Ungentle mortals!" cried Albany, "in wealth exulting; even in
inhumanity! think you these wretched outcasts have less sensibility
than yourselves? think you, in cold and hunger, they lose those
feelings which even in voluptuous prosperity from time to time disturb
you? you say they are all cheats? 'tis but the niggard cant of avarice,
to lure away remorse from obduracy. Think you the naked wanderer begs
from choice? give him your wealth and try."

"Give him a whip!" cried Briggs, "sha'n't have a souse! send him to
Bridewell! nothing but a pauper; hate 'em; hate 'em all! full of
tricks; break their own legs, put out their arms, cut off their
fingers, snap their own ancles,--all for what? to get at the chink! to
chouse us of cash! ought to be well flogged; have 'em all sent to the
Thames; worse than the Convicts."

"Poor subterfuge of callous cruelty! you cheat yourselves, to shun the
fraud of others! and yet, how better do you use the wealth so guarded?
what nobler purpose can it answer to you, than even a chance to snatch
some wretch from sinking? think less how _much_ ye save, and more for
_what_; and then consider how thy full coffers may hereafter make
reparation, for the empty catalogue of thy virtues."

"Anan!" said Mr Briggs, again lost in perplexity and wonder.