Imprimis, his accounts at the Temple were L10 deficient. Now I don't
mean that Nash was not as great a liar as most of his craft, but the
truth of this tale rests on the authority of the 'Spectator,' though
Nash took delight in repeating it.
'Come hither, young man,' said the Benchers, coolly: 'Whereunto this
deficit?'
'Pri'thee, good masters,' quoth Nash, 'that L10 was spent on making a
man happy.'
'A man happy, young sir, pri'thee explain.'
'Odds donners,' quoth Nash, 'the fellow said in my hearing that his wife
and bairns were starving, and L10 would make him the happiest man _sub
sole_, and on such an occasion as His Majesty's accession, could I
refuse it him?'
Nash was, proverbially more generous than just. He would not pay a debt
if he could help it, but would give the very amount to the first friend
that begged it. There was much ostentation in this, but then my friend
Nash _was_ ostentatious. One friend bothered him day and night for L20
that was owing to him, and he could not get it. Knowing his debtor's
character, he hit, at last, on a happy expedient, and sent a friend to
_borrow_ the money, 'to relieve his urgent necessities.' Out came the
bank note, before the story of distress was finished.
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