Curiosity, to see the Marble Temple.  And that, which is yet more ridiculous, I was told there, that there is an Endowment of three thousand Ducats a Year for keeping the Monastery in Repair.  And there are some that think that it is Sacrilege, to convert a Penny of that Money to any other pious Uses, contrary to the Intention of the Testator; they had rather pull down, that they may rebuild, than not go on with building.  I thought meet to mention these, being something more remarkable than ordinary; tho’ we have a World of Instances of this Kind up and down in our Churches.  This, in my Opinion, is rather Ambition than Charity.  Rich Men now-a-Days will have their Monuments in Churches, whereas in Times past they could hardly get Room for the Saints there:  They must have their Images there, and their Pictures, forsooth, with their Names at length, their Titles, and the Inscription of their Donation; and this takes up a considerable Part of the Church; and I believe in Time they’ll be for having their Corpse laid even in the very Altars themselves.  But perhaps, some will say, would you have their Munificence be discourag’d?  I say no, by no Means, provided what they offer to the Temple of God be worthy of it.  But if I were a Priest or a Bishop, I would put it into the Heads of those thick-scull’d Courtiers or Merchants, that if they would atone for their Sins to Almighty God, they should privately bestow their Liberality upon the Relief of the Poor.  But they reckon all as lost, that goes out so by Piece-meal, and is privily distributed toward the Succour of the Needy, that the next Age shall have no Memorial of the Bounty.  But I think no Money can be better bestow’d, than that which Christ himself would have put to his Account, and makes himself Debtor for.

Ti. Don’t you take that Bounty to be well plac’d that is bestow’d upon Monasteries?

Eu. Yes, and I would be a Benefactor myself, if I had an Estate that would allow it; but it should be such a Provision for Necessaries, as should not reach to Luxury.  And I would give something too, wheresoever I found a religious Man that wanted it.

Ti. Many are of Opinion, that what is given to common Beggars, is not well bestowed.

Eu. I would do something that Way too; but with Discretion:  But in my Opinion, it were better if every City were to maintain their own Poor; and Vagabonds and sturdy Beggars were not suffer’d to strole about, who want Work more than Money.

Ti. To whom then would you in an especial Manner give?  How much?  And to what Purposes?

Eu. It is a hard Matter for me to answer to all these Points exactly:  First of all, there should be an Inclination to be helpful to all, and after that, the Proportion must be according to my Ability, as Opportunity should offer; and especially to those whom I know to be poor and honest; and when my own Purse fail’d me, I would exhort others to Charity.