Another singular instance of his tender consciousness for charity was, at the age of forty, when he entertained some thoughts of changing his condition, he paid his addresses to a lady; but being very timorous, lest he should be hindered in his pious and charitable designs, he was determined to make a Christian trial of her temper and disposition, and therefore one morning filled his pockets full of gold and silver, in order that if any object presented itself in the course of their tour over London-bridge, he might satisfy his intentions.

While they were walking near St. Agnes church, a woman in extreme misery, with twins in her lap, sat begging; and, as he and his intended lady were arm in arm, he beheld the wretched object put his hand in his pocket, and took out a handful of gold and silver, casting it into the poor woman's lap. The lady, being greatly alarmed at such profuse generosity, coloured prodigiously; so that, when they were gone a little farther toward the Bridge foot, she turned to him, and said Sir, do you know what you did a few minutes ago? Madam, replied Mr. Colson, I never let my right-hand know, what my lefthand doth...