The Merry Past 



on the table by him, and desired to know the purport 

 of the gentleman's visit. The visitor in question 

 proved to be the famous Vulture Hopkins, immor- 

 talised by Pope in the lines : 



When Hopkins dies, a thousand lights attend 

 The wretch, that living, sav'd a candle's end. 



" I have been told," said Hopkins, " that you, sir, 

 are better versed in the prudent and necessary art 

 of saving than any man now living, and I therefore 

 wait upon you for a lesson of frugality — an art in 

 which I used to think I excelled, but am told by all 

 who know you, that you are greatly my superior." 

 " And is that all you come about ? " said Guy. 

 " Why, then, we can talk this matter over in the 

 dark." So saying, he with great deliberation ex- 

 tinguished his new-lighted farthing candle. Struck 

 with this instance of economy, Hopkins rose up, 

 acknowledged himself convinced of the" other's 

 superior thrift, and took his leave. 



Sir Hans Sloane was also excessively parsimonious, 

 his usual dinner being a boiled tg^. Sir Hans was 

 once told by Doctor Mortimer, when he complained 

 of being deserted by his friends, that people were 

 probably rather disappointed to go all the way to 

 Chelsea to find such slight refreshment as his house 

 offered. 



The old baronet flew into a rage at this, and ex- 

 claimed : " Keep a table ! Invite people to dinner ! 

 Would you have me ruin myself ? Public credit 

 totters already, and if, as has been presaged, there 

 should be a national bankruptcy, or a sponge to wipe 



248 



