Page:Memoirs of the Lady Hester Stanhope.djvu/70

 they, as great city men, would be the losers; whereas, by a few thousand pounds given away handsomely, if they got him to take an active part in the government, they would in turn put vast riches into their own purses, and make a handsome profit out of their patriotism." She added, "There are no public philanthropists in the city."

"I recollect once a hackney-coach drawing up to the door, out of which got four men: doctor, they had a gold box with them as big as that" (and she held her hands nearly a foot apart to show the size of it), "containing £100,000 in bank-notes. They had found out the time when he was alone, and made him an offer of it. It was all interest that guided them, but they pretended it was patriotism:—rich merchants, who were to get a pretty penny by the job. He very politely thanked them, and returned the present.

"I was once in the city at an Irish linen warehouse—very rich people, but such a nasty place—so dark! You know those narrow streets. They offered to buy Hollwood for him, pay his debts, and make him independent of the king, if he would contrive to take office; for he was out at the time. I mentioned it to him, as I thought it my duty to do so; but he would not listen to any such proposal.

"When I think of the ingratitude of the English nation to Mr. Pitt, for all his personal sacrifices and