SIR Walter Neville was one of the richest knights that lived in the reign of Edward IV. His character might be truly said to be a compound of contrarieties. Parsimony and generosity held their divided sway over a mind that, difficult to be developed, was yet possessed of much sincerity and great goodness. He had wedded a charming woman for love alone, unportioned, except in charms and virtues, in which nature appeared to have been truly bountiful towards her; yet he / ever seemed to hold it forth, as an invariable maxim, that no man should marry, except he regarded fortune as the chief good in a matrimonial union.

This extraordinary man has been known to count the dished over to himself, which he beheld on the tables of his friends, and express his sentiments afterwards, that he wondered not at the ruin of several noble families, when their extravagance was so great; though perhaps œconomy had blended itself with gentility, in the happy art of making a frugal meal appear elegant. He would appear shocked at the splendid dress of his niece, the beautiful Matilda, while for his own wife he thought no outward ornament too costly or expensive; and while the citizens of London would attach their velvet garments round their wrists with strings of pearl, or cordons of gold, he has taken a / piece of pack-thread, and, totally regardless of form of shew, tied it round his sleeves, and, in that guise, entered the assemblies of his noble relations, which have been composed of all that grandeur or beauty could combine to render them brilliant.

Presents in that age were seldom made, except at Christmas; and then they were, if the donors were wealthy, of the utmost magnificence. Sir Walter would give to his poor tenants, in private, with a strict charge not to say a word to any one, money, food, and firing, with the utmost profusion, and made them truly comfortable at that rejoicing, though dreary, time of the year.