A public benefactor 

OSTENTATION may be sayd to be, a vanting or setting out of some good things which are not present. A vanter or forth-putter is he, that boasts upon the Exchange that he hath store of bank-money: and this he tells to strangers; and is not daunted to discover all his usuring Trade, shewing how high he is grown in gain. As he travels, if he get a companion, he will tell you he served under Alexander in that noble expedition; and what a number of jewelled drinking pots he brought away. Hee will maintain, though others dissent, That the Artificers of Asia, are better than these of Europe: then, that Arts and Letters came from Antipater; who (they say) ran into Macedonia, scantly accompanied with two more. He, when there was granted a free exportation, when the courtesy was offered him, refused it, because he would shun all manner of obloquy. The same man in the dearth of corn, gave more than five talents to the poor. But if he sit by those which know him not, he entreateth them to cast accompt and reckon the number of those to whom he hath given: the which if they fall out to be six hundred, his accompt doubled, and their names being added to every one, it will easily be effected; so that anon ten talents will be gathered, the which he affirmeth that hee gave to the relief of the poor: And yet in this accompt, I reckon not the Gallies that I did command my self; and the other services which I undertook for the good of the Common-wealth. The same man coming to those which sell Barbs, Jennets and other horses of price he bears them in hand he would buy them in the Fair ad Tentoria. Of those which expose their wares to sale, he calleth to see a garment of two talents price, and chideth his boy extremely, that he dare follow him without gold. Lastly, dwelling in an hired house, if he have speech with any that knows it not, he will tell him the house was his Father's; but because it is not of receipt for his train, and entertainment of his friends, he hath an intention to make it away.

A great man