The poor man may retain honour, but not the vicious; poverty may cast a cloud over nobility, but cannot hide it altogether; and as virtue of itself sheds a certain light, even though it be through the straits and chinks of penury, it wins the esteem of lofty and noble spirits, and in consequence their protection.

Beauty by itself attracts the desires of all who behold it, and the royal eagles and birds of towering flight stoop on it as on a dainty lure; but if beauty be accompanied by want and penury, then the ravens and the kites and other birds of prey assail it, and she who stands firm against such attacks well deserves to be called the crown of her husband.

Ross was saved from penury by a trust fund.

He was survived, in penury, by his wife and six children, none of whom took up a musical career.

He was satirized for his penury and subservience in "The Chequer Inn", a poem written in connection with the impeachment of Danby who was making financial gains from his position as MP.