Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/230

214 saw with grief, in the Times newspaper a dispute between a Mr. Hre of Bishopsgate and Mr. Ss, of the house of P. and S., as to some expressions used by the former respecting the stability of the latter. The slander was rebutted, and the utterer swallowed his words. But the house stopped soon after!

At Guildhall, an action for words spoken, so as to hurt the character of Messrs. Wd and Co., was brought against Mr., and a verdict obtained with commensurate damages. These were scarcely paid, however, when that house offered a composition and paid it.

We repeat it, these instances are adduced in order to illustrate our subject, in the same manner as diamonds are best seen in the dark, which they almost render visible, or at least make us know its existence.

No man feels the want of character so much as the Swindler; or laments its absence in his speculations when foiled, or is more waspish in defence of its latent particles, as they fly off in the prosecution of his negotiations. The man of sterling credit, on the contrary, upon finding the least let or hindrance to the completion of a bargain, relinquishes the purchase with silent