The history of Tom Jones: a foundling. In three volumes. ... By Henry Fielding, Esq;. [pt.1]

THE HISTORY OF A FOUNDLING.

BOOK III.

Containing the most memorable Transactions which pas∣sed in the Family of Mr. Allworthy, from the Time when Tommy Jones arrived at the Age of Four∣teen, till he attained the Age of Seventeen. In this Book the Reader may pick up some Hints concerning the Education of Children.

CHAP. I.

Containing little or nothing.

THE Reader will be well pleased to remember, that at the Beginning of the Second Book of this History, we gave him a Hint of our Intention to pass over several large Periods of Time, in which nothing happened worthy of being recorded in a Chro∣nicle of this Kind.

In so doing, we do not only consult our own Dig∣nity and Ease; but the Good and Advantage of the Reader: For besides, that by these Means we prevent him from throwing away his Time in reading with∣out either Pleasure or Emolument, we gave him at

all such Seasons an Opportunity of employing that wonderful Sagacity, of which he is Master, by filling up these vacant Spaces of Time with his own Con∣jectures; for which Purpose, we have taken care to qualify him in the preceding Pages.

For Instance, what Reader but knows that Mr. Allworthy felt at first for the Loss of his Friend, those Emotions of Grief, which on such Occasions enter into all Men whose Hearts are not composed of Flint, or their Heads of as solid Materials? Again, what Reader doth not know that Philosophy and Religion, in time, moderated, and at last extinguished this Grief? The former of these, teaching the Folly and Vanity of it, and the latter, correcting it, as un∣lawful, and at the same time assuaging it by raising future Hopes and Assurances which enable a strong and religious Mind to take leave of a Friend on his Death-bed with little less indifference than if he was preparing for a long Journey; and indeed with little less Hope of seeing him again.

Nor can the judicious Reader be at a greater Loss on Account of Mrs. Bridget Blifil, who, he may be assured, conducted herself through the whole Season in which Grief is to make its Appearance on the out∣side of the Body, with the strictest Regard to all the Rules of Custom and Decency, suiting the Alterations of her Countenance to the several Alterations of her Habit: For as this changed from Weeds to Black, from Black to Grey, from Grey to White, so did her Counte∣nance change from Dismal to Sorrowful, from Sorrow∣ful to Sad, and from Sad to Serious, till the Day came in which she was allowed to return to her former Se∣renity.

We have mentioned these two as Examples only of the Task which may be imposed on Readers of the lowest Class. Much higher and harder Exercises of Judgment and Penetration may reasonably be ex∣pected from the upper Graduates in Criticism. Ma∣by

notable Discoveries will, I doubt not, be made by such, of the Transactions which happened in the Family of our worthy Man, during all the Years which we have thought proper to pass over: For tho' nothing worthy of a Place in this History occurred within that Period; yet did several Incidents happen, of equal Importance with those reported by the daily and Weekly Historians of the Age, in reading which, great Numbers of Persons consume a considerable Part of their Time, very little, I am afraid, to their Emolument. Now, in the Conjectures here pro∣posed, some of the most excellent Faculties of the Mind may be employed to much Advantage, since it is a more useful Capacity to be able to foretel the Actions of Men in any Circumstance from their Cha∣racters; than to judge of their Characters from their Actions. The former, I own, requires the greater Penetration; but may be accomplished by true Sa∣gacity, with no less certainty than the latter.

As we are sensible that much the greatest Part of our Readers are very eminently possessed of this Qua∣lity, we have left them a Space of twelve Years to exert it in; and shall now bring forth our Hero, at about fourteen Years of Age, not questioning that many have been long impatient to be introduced to his Acquaintance.

CHAP. II.

The Hero of this great History appears with very bad Omens. A little Tale, of so LOW a Kind, that some may think it not worth their Notice. A Word or two concerning a Squire, and more relating to a Game-keeper and a Schoolmaster.

AS we determined when we first sat down to write this History, to flatter no Man; but to guide our Pen throughout by the Directions of Truth, we are obliged to bring our Hero on the Stage in a much more disadvantageous Manner than we could wish;

and to declare honestly, even at his first Appearance, that it was the universal Opinion of all Mr. Allwor∣thy's Family, that he was certainly born to be hanged.

Indeed, I am sorry to say, there was too much Reason for this Conjecture. The Lad having, from his earliest Years, discovered a Propensity to many Vices, and especially to one, which hath as direct a Tendency as any other to that Fate, which we have just now observed to have been prophetically de∣nounced against him. He had been already convicted of three Robberies, viz. of robbing an Orchard, of stealing a Duck out of a Farmer's Yard, and of pick∣ing Master Blifil's Pocket of a Ball.

The Vices of this young Man were moreover heightened by the disadvantageous Light in which they appeared, when opposed to the Virtues of Master Bli∣fil, his Companion: A Youth of so different a Cast from little Jones, that not only the Family, but all the Neighbourhood resounded his Praises. He was indeed a Lad of a remarkable Disposition; sober, dis∣creet, and pious beyond his Age. Qualities, which gained him the Love of every one who knew him, while Tom Jones was universally disliked, and many expressed their Wonder that Mr. Allworthy would suf∣fer such a Lad to be educated with his Nephew, lest the Morals of the latter should be corrupted by his Example.

An Incident which happened about this Time, will set the Characters of these two Lads, more fairly be∣fore the discerning Reader, than is in the Power of the longest Dissertation.

Tom Jones, who, bad as he is, must serve for the Heroe of this History, had only one Friend among all the Servants of the Family; for, as to Mrs. Wilkins, she had long since given him up, and was perfectly reconciled to her Mistress. This Friend was the Game-keeper, a Fellow of a loose kind of Disposition and who was thought not to entertain much strict••••

Notions concerning the Difference of meum and tuum, than the young Gentleman himself. And hence, this Friendship gave Occasion to many sarcastical Re∣marks among the Domestics, most of which were either Proverbs before, or at least are become so now; and indeed, the Wit of them all may be comprised in that short I atin Proverb, "Noscitur a socio," which I think, is thus expressed in English, "You may know him by the Company he keeps."

To say the Truth, some of that atrocious Wicked∣ness in Jones, of which we have just mentioned three Examples, might perhaps be derived from the Encou∣ragement he had received from this Fellow, who, in two or three Instances, had been what the Law calls an Accessary after the Fact. For the whole Duck, and great Part of the Apples were converted to the Use of the Game-keeper and his Family. Tho' as Jones alone was discovered, the poor Lad bore not only the whole Smart, but the whole Blame; both which fell again to his Lot, on the following Occasion. Contiguous to Mr. Allworthy's Estate, was the Ma∣nor of one of those Gentlemen, who are called Pre∣servers of the Game. This Species of Men, from the great Severity with which they revenge the Death of a Hare or a Partridge, might be thought to culti∣vate the same Superstition with the Bannians in India; many of whom, we are told, dedicate their whole Lives to the Preservation and Protection of certain Animals, was it not that our English Bannians, while they preserve them from other Enemies, will most unmercifully slaughter whole Horse-loads themselves, so that they stand clearly acquitted of any such heathen∣ish Superstition.

I have indeed, a much better Opinion of this Kind of Men than is entertained by some, as I take them to answer the Order of Nature, and the good Pur∣poses for which they were ordained in a more ample

Manner than many others. Now, as Horace tells us, that there are a set of human Beings,

'Fruges consumere nati

'Born to consume the Fruits of the Earth.' So, I make no manner of Doubt but that there are others

'Feras consumere nati.

'Born to consume the Beasts of the Field,' or, as it is commonly called, the Game; and none I believe, will deny, but that those Squires fulfil this End of their Creation.

Little Jones went one Day a shooting with the Game-keeper; when, happening to spring a Covey of Partridges, near the Border of that Manor, over which Fortune, to fulfil the wise Purposes of Nature, had planted one of the Game-Consumers, the Birds flew into it, and were marked (as it is called) by the two Sportsmen, in some Furze Bushes, about two or three hundred Paces beyond Mr. Allworthy's Domi∣nions.

Mr. Allworthy had given the Fellow strict Orders, on Pain of forfeiting his Place, never to trespass on any of his Neighbours, no more on those who were less rigid in this Matter, than on the Lord of this Manor. With regard to others, indeed, these Or∣ders had not been always very scrupulously kept; but as the Disposition of the Gentleman with whom the Partridges had taken sauctuary, was well known, the Game-keeper had never yet attempted to invade his Territories. Nor had he done it now, had not the younger Sportsman, who was so excessively eager to pursue the flying Game, over-persuaded him; but Jones being very importunate, the other, who was himself keen enough after the Sport, yielded to his Persuasions, entered the Manor, and shot one of the Partridges.

The Gentleman himself was at that time on horse∣back, at a little Distance from them; and hearing the Gun go off, he immediately made towards the Place,

and discovered poor Tom: For the Game-keeper had leapt into the thickest Part of the Furze-brake, where he had happily concealed himself.

The Gentleman having searched the Lad, and found the Partridge upon him, denounced great Vengeance, swearing he would acquaint Mr. Allworthy. He was as good as his Word, for he rode immediately to his House, and complained of the Trespass on his Manor, in as high Terms, and as bitter Language, as if his House had been broken open, and the most valuable Furniture stole out of it. He added, that some other Person was in his Company, tho' he could not discover him: for that two Guns had been discharged almost in the same Instant. And, says he, 'we have found only this Partridge, but the Lord knows what Mischief they have done.'

At his Return home, Tom was presently convened before Mr. Allworthy. He owned the Fact, and al∣ledged no other Excuse but what was really true, viz. that the Covey was originally sprung in Mr. Allworthy's own Manor.

Tom was then interrogated who was with him, which Mr. Allworthy declared he was resolved to know, acquainting the Culprit with the Circumstance of the two Guns, which had been deposed by the Squire and both his Servants; but Tom stoutly persisted in as∣serting that he was alone; yet, to say the Truth, he hesitated a little at first, which would have confirmed Mr. Allworthy's Belief, had what the Squire and his Servants said, wanted any further Confirmation.

The Game-keeper being a suspected Person, was now sent for, and the Question put to him; but he, relying on the Promise which Tom had made him, to take all upon himself, very resolutely denied being in Company with the young Gentleman, or indeed hav∣ing seen him the whole Afternoon.

Mr. Allworthy then turned towards Tom, with more than usual Anger in his Countenance, and ad∣vised

him to confess who was with him; repeating, that he was resolved to know. The Lad, however, still maintained his Resolution, and was dismissed with much Wrath by Mr. Allworthy, who told him, he should have to the next Morning to consider of it, when he should be questioned by another Person and in another Manner.

Poor Jones spent a very melancholy Night, and the more so, as he was without his usual Companion: for Master Blifil was gone abroad on a visit with his Mother. Fear of the Punishment he was to suffer was on this Occasion his least Evil; his chief Anxi∣ety being, lest his Constancy should fail him, and he should be brought to betray the Game-keeper, whose Ruin he knew must now be the Consequence.

Nor did the Game-keeper pass his Time much bet∣ter. He had the same Apprehensions with the Youth; for whose Honour he had likewise a much tenderer Regard than for his Skin.

In the Morning, when Tom attended the Reverend Mr. Thwackum, the Person to whom Mr. Allworthy had committed the Instruction of the two Boys, he had the same Questions put to him by that Gentleman, which he had been asked the Evening before, to which he returned the same Answers. The Conse∣quence of this was, so severe a Whipping, that it possibly fell little short of the Torture with which Con∣fessions are in some Countries extorted from Criminals.

Tom bore his Punishment with great Resolution; and tho' his Master asked him between every Stroke, whether he would not confess, he was contented to be flead rather than betray his Friend, or break the Promise he had made.

The Game-keeper was now relieved from his Anx∣iety, and Mr. Allworthy himself began to be concern∣ed at Tom's Sufferings: For, besides that Mr. Thwac∣kum, being highly enraged that he was not able to make the Boy say what he himself pleased, had car∣ried

his Severity much beyond the good Man's Inten∣tion, this latter began now to suspect that the Squire had been mistaken; which his Extreme Eagerness and Anger seemed to make probable; and as for what the Servants had said in Confirmation of their Master's Account, he laid no great Stress upon that. Now, as Cruelty and Injustice were two Ideas, of which Mr. Allworthy could by no Means support the Con∣sciousness a single Moment, he sent for Tom, and af∣ter many kind and Friendly Exhortations, said, 'I am convinced, my dear Child, that my Suspicions have wronged you; I am sorry that you have been so severely punished on this Account.'—And at last gave him a little Horse to make him amends; again repeating his Sorrow for what had past.

Tom's Guilt now flew in his Face more than any Severity could make it. He could more easily bear the Lashes of Thwackum, than the Generosity of Allworthy. The Tears burst from his Eyes, and he fell upon his Knees, crying, 'Oh! Sir, you are too good to me. Indeed, you are. Indeed, I don't deserve it.' And at that very Instant, from the Fullness of his Heart, had almost betrayed the Secret; but the good Genius of the Game-keeper suggested to him what might be the Consequence to the poor Fel∣low, and this Consideration sealed his Lips.

Thwackum did all he could to dissuade Allworthy from shewing any Compassion or Kindness to the Boy, saying, 'He had persisted in an Untruth;' and gave some Hints, that a second Whipping might pro∣bably bring the Matter to Light.

But Mr. Allworthy absolutely refused to consent to the Experiment. He said, the Boy had suffered enough already, for concealing the Truth, even if he was guilty, seeing that he could have no Motive but a mistaken Point of Honour for so doing.

Honour! cry'd Thwackum, with some Warmth, mere Stubborness and Obstinacy! Can Honour teach

any one to tell a Lie, or can any Honour exist inde∣pendent of Religion?

This Discourse happened at Table when Dinner was just ended; and there were present Mr. Allworthy, Mr. Thwackum, and a third Gentleman who entered into the Debate, and whom, before we proceed any farther, we shall briefly introduce to our Reader's Acquaintance.

CHAP. III.

The Character of Mr. Square the Philosopher, and of Mr. Thwackum the Divine; with a Dispute con∣cerning—

THE Name of this Gentleman who had then resided some time at Mr. Allworthy's House, was Mr. Square. His natural Parts were not of the first Rate, but he had greatly improved them by a learn Education. He was deeply read in the An∣tients, and a profest Master of all the Works of Plato and Aristotle. Upon which great Models he had prin∣cipally form'd himself, sometimes according with the Opinion of the one, and sometimes with that of the other. In Morals he was a profest Platonist, and in Religion he inclined to be an Aristotelian.

But tho' he had, as we have said, formed his Mo∣rals on the Platonic Model, yet he perfectly agreed with the Opinion of Aristotle, in considering that great Man rather in the Quality of a Philosopher or a Speculatist, than as a Legislator. This Sentiment he carried a great way; indeed, so far, as to regard all Virtue as Matter of Theory only. This, it is true, he never affirmed, as I have heard, to any one; and yet upon the least attention to his Conduct, I can∣not help thinking, it was his real Opinion, as it will perfectly reconcile some Contradictions which might otherwise appear in his Character.

This Gentleman and Mr. Thwackum scarce ever met without a Disputation; for their Tenets were, indeed, diametrically opposite to each other. Square held human Nature to be the Perfection of all Virtue, and that Vice was a Deviation from our Nature in the same Manner as Deformity of Body is. Thwackum, on the contrary, maintained that the human Mind, since the fall, was nothing but a Sink of Iniquity, till purified and redeemed by Grace. In one Point only they agreed, which was, in all their Discourses on Morality never to mention the Word Goodness. The favourite Phrase of the former, was the natural Beau∣ty of Virtue; that of the latter, was the divine Power of Grace. The former measured all Actions by the unalterable Rule of Right, and the eternal Fitness of Things; the latter decided all Matters by Authority; but, in doing this, he always used the Scriptures and their Commentators, as the Lawyer doth his Coke upon Lyt∣tleton, where the Comment is of equal Authority with the Text.

After this short Introduction, the Reader will be pleased to remember, that the Parson had concluded his Speech with a triumphant Question, to which he had apprehended no Answer; viz. Can any Honour exist independent on Religion?

To this Square answered, that it was impossible to discourse philosophically concerning Words, till their Meaning was first established; that there were scarce any two Words of a more vague and incertain Signi∣fication, than the two he had mentioned: For that there were almost as many different Opinions concern∣ing Honour as concerning Religion. 'But, says he, if by Honour you mean the true natural Beauty of Vir∣tue, I will maintain it may exist independent of any Religion whatever. Nay (added he) you yourself will allow it may exist independent of all but one; so will a Mahometan, a Jew, and all the Maintainers of all the different Sects in the World.'

Thwackum replied, This was arguing with the usual Malice of all the Enemies to the true Church. He said, he doubted not but that all the Infidels and Hereticks in the World would, if they could, con∣fine Honour to their own absurd Errors, and dam∣nable Deceptions; 'But Honour, says he, is not therefore manifold, because there are many absurd Opinions about it; nor is Religion manifold, because there are various Sects and Heresies in the World. When I mention Religion, I mean the Christian Religion; and not only the Christian Re∣ligion, but the Protestant Religion; and not only the Protestant Religion, but the Church of England. And, when I mention Honour, I mean that Mode of divine Grace which is not only consistent with, but dependent upon, this Religion; and is consistent with, and dependent upon, no other. Now to say that the Honour I here mean, and which was, I thought, all the Honour I could be supposed to mean, will uphold, much less dictate, an Untruth, is to assert an Absurdity too shocking to be conceived.'

'I purposely avoided,' says Square, 'drawing a Con∣clusion which I thought evident from what I have said; but if you perceived it, I am sure you have not attempted to answer it. However, to drop the Article of Religion, I think it is plain, from what you have said, that we have different Ideas of Hon∣our; or why do we not agree in the same Terms of its Explanation? I have asserted, that true Honour and true Virtue are almost synonimous Terms, and they are both founded on the unalter∣able Rule of Right, and the eternal Fitness of Things; to which an Untruth being absolutely re∣pugnant and contrary, it is certain that true Ho∣nour cannot support an Untruth. In this, therefore, I think we are agreed; but that this Honour, can be said to be founded on Religion, to which it is an∣tecedent, if by Religion be meant any positive Law—

'I agree,' answered Thwackum, with great 'Warmth, 'with a Man who asserts Honour to be antecedent to Religion!—Mr. Allworthy, did I a∣gree—?

He was proceeding, when Mr. Allworthy inter∣posed, telling them very coldly, they had both mistaken his Meaning; for that he had said nothing of true Honour.—It is possible, however, he would not have easily quieted the Disputants, who were growing e∣qually warm, had not another Matter now fallen out, which put a final End to the Conversation at present.

CHAP. IV.

Containing a necessary Apology for the Author; and a childish Incident, which perhaps requires an Apology likewise.

BEFORE I proceed farther, I shall beg leave to obviate some Misconstructions, into which the Zeal of some few Readers may lead them; for I would not willingly give Offence to any, especially to Men who are warm in the Cause of Virtue or Re∣ligion.

I hope, therefore, no Man will, by the grossest Misunderstanding, or Perversion, of my Meaning, misrepresent me, as endeavouring to cast any Ridicule on the greatest Perfections of Human Nature; and which do, indeed, alone purify and ennoble the Heart of Man, and raise him above the Brute Creation. This, Reader, I will venture to say, (and by how much the better Man you are yourself, by so much the more will you be inclined to believe me) that I would ra∣ther have buried the Sentiments of these two Persons in eternal Oblivion, than have done any Injury to either of these glorious Causes.

On the contrary, it is with a View to their Service that I have taken upon me to record the Lives and Actions of two of their false and pretended Champions.

A treacherous Friend is the most dangerous Enemy; and I will say boldly, that both Religion and Virtue have received more real Discredit from Hypocrites, than the wittiest Profligates or Infidels could ever cast upon them: Nay farther, as these two, in their Purity, are rightly called the Bands of civil Society, and are indeed the greatest of Blessings; so when poisoned and corrupted with Fraud, Pretence and Affection, they have become the worst of civil Curses, and have enabled Men to perpetrate the most cruel Mischiefs to their own Species.

Indeed, I doubt not but this Ridicule will in gene∣ral be allowed; my chief Apprehensions is, as many true and just Sentiments often came from the Mouths of these Persons, lest the whole should be taken to∣gether, and I should be conceived to ridicule all alike. Now the Reader will be pleased to consider, that as neither of these Men were Fools, they could not be supposed to have holden none but wrong Principles, and to have uttered nothing but Absurdities; what Injustice, therefore, must I have done to their Cha∣racters, had I selected only what was bad, and how horridly wretched and maimed must their Arguments have appeared!

Upon the whole, it is not Religion or Virtue, but the Want of them which is here exposed. Had not Thwackum too much neglected Virtue, and Square Religion, in the Composition of their several Systems; and had not both utterly discarded all natural Goodness of Heart, they had never been represented as the Ob∣jects of Derision in this History; in which we will now proceed.

This Matter, then, which put an end to the Debate mentioned in the last Chapter, was no other than a Quarrel between Master Blifil and Tom Jones, the Consequence of which had been a Bloody Nose to the former; for though Master Blifil, notwithstanding he was the younger, was in Size above the other's

Match, yet Tom was much his Superior at the noble Art of Boxing.

Tom, however, cautiously avoided all Engagements with that Youth: For besides that Tommy Jones was an inoffensive Lad amidst all his Roguery, and really loved Blifil; Mr. Thwackum being always the Se∣cond of the latter, would have been sufficient to deter him.

But well says a certain Author, No Man is wise at all Hours; it is therefore no Wonder that a Boy is not so. A Difference arising at Play between the two Lads, Master Blifil called Tom a Beggarly Bastard. Upon which the lattter, who was somewhat passionate in his Disposition, immediately caused that Phaenome∣non in the Face of the former, which we have above remembered.

Master Blifil now, with his Blood running from his Nose, and the Tears galloping after from his Eyes, appeared before his Uncle, and the tremendous Thwackum. In which Court an Indictment of As∣sault, Batterry, and wounding, was instantly preser∣red against Tom; who in his Excuse only pleaded the Provocation, which was indeed all the Matter that Master Blifil had omitted.

It is indeed possible, that this Circumstances might have escaped his Memory; for, in his Reply, he po∣sitively insisted, that he made Use of no such Appella∣tion; adding, 'Heaven forbid such naughty Words should ever come out of his Mouth.'

Tom, though against all Form of Law, rejoined in Affirmance of the Words. Upon which Master Bli∣fil said, 'It is no Wonder. Those who will tell one Fib, will hardly stick at another. If I had told my Master such a wicked Fib as you have done, I should be ashamed to shew my Face.'

'What Fib, Child,' cries Thwackum pretty ea∣gerly?

'Why he told you that Nobody was with him a

shooting when he killed the Partridge; but he knows, (here he burst into a Flood of Tears) yes, he knows; for he confessed it to me, that Black Jack the Game-keeper was there. Nay, he said,—Yes you did,—deny it if you can, That you would not have con∣fest the Truth, though Master had cut you to Pieces.'

At this the Fire flashed from Thwackum's Eyes; and he cried out in Triumph: 'Oh ho! This is your mistaken Notion of Honour! This is the Boy who was not to be whipped again!' But Mr. Allworthy, with a more gentle Aspect, turned towards the Lad, and said, 'Is this true, Child? How came you to persist so obstinately in a Falshood?'

Tom said, 'He scorned a Lie as much as any one; but he thought his Honour engaged him to act as he did; for he had promised the poor Fellow to conceal him; which,' he said, 'he thought him∣self farther obliged to, as the Game-keeper had begged him not to go into the Gentleman's Manor, and had at last gone himself in Compliance with his Persuasions.' He said, this was the whole Truth of the Matter, and he would take his Oath of it; and concluded with very passionately begging Mr. Allworthy, 'to have Compassion on the poor Fellow's Family, especially as he himself had been only guil∣ty, and the other had been very difficultly prevailed on to what he did.' 'Indeed Sir,' said he, 'it could hardly be called a Lie that I told; for the poor Fellow was entirely innocent of the whole Matter. I should have gone alone after the Birds; nay, I did go at first, and he only followed me to prevent more Mischief. Do, pray, Sir, let me be punished, take my little Horse away again; but pray, Sir, forgive poor George.'

Mr. Allworthy hesitated a few Moments, and then dismissed the Boys, advising them to live more friend∣ly and peaceably together.

CHAP. V.

The Opinion of the Divine and the Philosopher con∣cerning the two Boys; with some Reasons for their Opinions, and other Matters.

IT is probable, that by disclosing this Secret, which had been communicated in the utmost Confidence to him, young Blifil preserved his Companion from a good Lashing: For the Offence of the bloody Nose would have been of itself sufficient Cause for Thwack∣um to have proceeded to Correction; but now this was totally absorbed, in the Consideration of the o∣ther Matter; and with Regard to this, Mr. Allwor∣thy declared privately, he thought the Boy deserved Reward rather than Punishment; so that Thwackum's Hand was withheld by a general Pardon.

Thwackum, whose Meditations were full of Birch, exclaimed against this weak, and, as he said he would venture to call it, wicked Lenity. To remit the Punishment of such Crimes was, he said, to encou∣rage them. He enlarged much on the Correcti∣on of Children, and quoted many Texts from Solomon, and others; which being to be found in so many other Books, shall not be found here. He then applied himself to the Vice of Lying, on which Head he was altogether as learned as he had been on the o∣ther.

Square said, he had been endeavouring to reconcile the Behaviour of Tom with his Idea of perfect Virtue; but could not. He owned there was something which at first Sight appeared like Fortitude in the Ac∣tion, but as Fortitude was a Virtue, and Falshood a Vice, they could by no means agree or unite together. He added, that as this was in some measure to confound Virtue and Vice, it might be worth Mr. Thwackum's Considerations, whether a larger Castigation might not be laid on, upon that Account.

As both these learned Men concurred in censuring Jones, so were they no less unanimous in applauding Master Blifil. To bring Truth to light, was by the Parson asserted to be the Duty of every religious Man; and by the Philosopher this was declared to be highly conformable with the Rule of Right, and the eternal and unalterable Fitness of Things.

All this, however, weighed very little with Mr. Allworthy. He could not be prevailed on to sign the Warrant for the Execution of Jones. There was something within his own Breast with which the in∣vincible Fidelity which that Youth had preserved, corresponded much better than it had done with the Religion of Thwackum, or with the Virtue of Square. He therefore strictly ordered the former of these Gen∣tlemen to abstain from laying violent Hands on Tom for what had past. The Pedagogue was obliged to obey those Orders; but not without great Reluctance, and frequent Mutterings, that the Boy would be cer∣tainly spoiled.

Towards the Game-keeper the good Man behaved with more Severity. He presently summoned that poor Fellow before him, and after many bitter Re∣monstrances, paid him his Wages, and dismist him from his Service; for Mr. Allworthy rightly observed that there was great Difference between being guilty of a Falsehood to excuse yourself, and to excuse a∣nother. He likewise urged, as the principal Motive to his inflexible Severity against this Man, that he had basely suffered Tom Jones to undergo so heavy a Punishment for his Sake, whereas he ought to have prevented it by making the Discovery himself.

When this Story became public, many people differ∣ed from Square and Thwackum, in judging the Conduct of the two Lads on the Occasion. Master Blifil was generally called a sneaking Rascal, a poor-spirited Wretch; with other Epithets of the like Kind; whilst Tom was honoured with the Appellations of a

brave Lad, a Jolly Dog, and an honest Fellow. In∣deed his Behaviour to Black George much ingratiated him with all the Servants; for though that Fellow was before universally disliked, yet he was no sooner turn∣ed away than he was as universally pitied; and the Friendship and Gallantry of Tom Jones was celebrated by them all with the highest Applause; and they con∣demned Master Blifil, as openly as they durst, with∣out incurring the Danger of offending his Mother. For all this, however, poor Tom smarted in the Flesh; for though Thwackum had been inhibited to exercise his Arm on the foregoing Account; yet, as the Pro∣verb says, It is easy to find a Stick, &c. So was it easy to find a Rod; and, indeed, the not being able to find one was the only thing which could have kept Thwackum any long Time from chastising poor Jones.

Had the bare Delight in the Sport been the only Inducement to the Pedagogue, it is probable, Mas∣ter Blifil would likewise have had his Share; but though Mr. Allworthy had given him frequent Orders to make no Difference between the Lads, yet was Thwackum altogether as kind and gentle to this Youth, as he was harsh, nay even barbarous, to the other. To say the Truth, Blifil had greatly gained his Ma∣ster's Affections; partly by the profound Respect he always shewed his Person, but much more by the decent Reverence with which he received his Doc∣trine; for he had got by Heart, and frequently re∣peated his Phrases, and maintained all his Master's religious Principles with a Zeal which was surprising in one so young, and which greatly endeared him to the worthy Preceptor.

Tom Jones, on the other hand, was not only de∣ficient in outward Tokens of Respect, often forget∣ting to pull off his Hat, or to bow at his Master's Approach; but was altogether as unmindful both of his Master's Precepts and Example. He was indeed

a thoughtless, giddy Youth, with little Sobriety in his Manners, and less in his Countenance; and would often very impudently and indecently laugh at his Companion for his serious Behaviour.

Mr. Square had the same Reason for his Preference of the former Lad; for Tom Jones shewed no more Regard to the learned Discourses which this Gentle∣man would sometimes throw away upon him, than to those of Thwackum. He once ventured to make a Jest of the Rule of Right; and at another Time said, He believed there was no Rule in the World capable of making such a Man as his Father, (for so Mr. All∣worthy suffered himself to be called.)

Master Blifil, on the contrary, had Address enough at sixteen to recommend himself at one and the same Time to both these Opposites. With one he was all Religion, with the other he was all Virtue. And when both were present, he was profoundly silent, which both interpreted in his Favour and their own.

Nor was Blifil contented with flattering both these Gentlemen to their Faces; he took frequent Occa∣sions of praising them behind their Backs to Allwor∣thy; before whom, when they were alone together, and when his Uncle commended any religious or vir∣tuous Sentiment (for many such came constantly from him) he seldom failed to ascribe it to the good In∣structions he had received from either Thwackum or Square: For he knew his Uncle repeated all such Com∣pliments to the Persons for whose Use they were meant; and he found by Experience the great Im∣pressions which they made on the Philosopher, as well as on the Divine: For, to say the Truth, there is no kind of Flattery so irresistible as this, at second Hand.

The young Gentleman, moreover, soon perceived how extremely grateful all those Panegyricks on his Instructors were to Mr. Allworthy himself, as they so loudly resounded the Praise of that singular Plan of

Education which he had laid down: For this worthy Man having observed the imperfect Institution of our public Schools, and the many Vices which Boys were there liable to learn, had resolved to educate his Ne∣phew, as well as the other Lad, whom he had in a Manner adopted, in his own House; where he thought their Morals would escape all that Danger of being corrupted, to which they would be unavoidably ex∣posed in any public School or University.

Having therefore determined to commit these Boys to the Tuition of a private Tutor, Mr. Thwackum was recommended to him for that Office, by a very particular Friend, of whose Understanding Mr. All∣worthy had a great Opinion, and in whose Integrity he placed much Confidence. This Thwackum was Fellow of a College, where he almost entirely resid∣ed; and had a great Ruputation for Learning, Re∣ligion and Sobriety of Manners. And these were doubtless the Qualifications by which Mr. Allwor∣thy's Friend had been induced to recommend him; tho' indeed this Friend had some Obligations to Thwackum's Family, who were the most considerable Persons in a Borough which that Gentleman repre∣sented in Parliament.

Thwackum, at his first Arrival, was extremely a∣greeable to Allworthy; and indeed he perfectly an∣swered the Character which had been given of him. Upon longer Acquaintance, however, and more inti∣mate Conversation, this worthy Man saw Infirmities in the Tutor, which he could have wished him to have been without; tho' as those seemed greatly over∣ballanced by his good Qualities, they did not incline Mr. Allworthy to part with him; nor would they indeed have justified such a Proceeding: For the Rea∣der is greatly mistaken, if he conceives that Thwack∣um appeared to Mr. Allworthy in the same Light as he doth to him in this History; and he is as much de∣ceived, if he imagines, that the most intimate Ac∣quaintenance

which he himself could have had with that Divine, would have informed him of those Things which we, from our Inspiration, are enabled to open and discover. Of Readers who from such Conceits as these, condemn the Wisdom or Penetration of Mr. Allworthy, I shall not scruple to say, that they make a very bad and ungrateful Use of that Know∣ledge which we have communicated to them.

These apparent Errors in the Doctrine of Thwack∣um, served greatly to palliate the contrary Errors in that of Square, which our good Man no less saw and condemned. He thought indeed that the diffe∣rent Exuberancies of these Gentlemen, would correct their different Imperfections; and that from both, especially with his Assistance, the two Lads would derive sufficient Precepts of true Religion and Virtue. If the Event happened contrary to his Expectations, this possibly proceeded from some Fault in the Plan itself; which the Reader hath my Leave to discover, if he can. For we do not pretend to introduce any in∣fallible Characters into this History; where we hope nothing will be found which never hath yet been seen in human Nature.

To return therefore; the Reader will not, I think, wonder that the different Behaviour of the two Lads above commemorated, produced the different Effects, of which he hath already seen some Instance; and be∣sides this, there was another Reason for the Conduct of the Philosopher and the Pedagogue; but this being Matter of great Importance, we shall reveal it in the next Chapter.

CHAP. VI.

Containing a better Reason still for the before-mention∣ed Opinions.

IT is to be known then, that those two learned Per∣sonages, who have lately made a considerable Fi∣gure

on the Theatre of this History, had from their ••••rst Arrival at Mr. Allworthy's House, taken so great ••n Affection, the one to his Virtue, the other to his Religion, that they had meditated the closest Alliance with him.

For this Purpose they had cast their Eyes on that ••air Widow, whom, tho' we have not for some Time made any mention of her, the Reader, we trust, hath not forgot. Mrs. Blifil was indeed the Object to which they both aspired.

It may seem remarkable that of four Persons whom we have commemorated at Mr. Allworthy's House; three of them should fix their Inclinations on a La∣dy who was never greatly celebrated for her Beauty, and who was, moreover, now a little descended in∣to the Vale of Years; but in reality, Bosom Friends, and intimate Acquaintance, have a kind of natural Pro∣pensity to particular Females at the House of a Friend; viz. to his Grand-mother, Mother, Sister, Daugh∣ter, Aunt, Neice and Cousin, when they are rich, and to his Wife, Sister, Daughter, Neice, Cousin, Mistress or Servant Maid, if they should be hand∣some.

We would not, however, have our Reader ima∣gine, that Persons of such Characters as were support∣ed by Thwackum and Square, would undertake a Matter of this Kind, which hath been a little censured by some rigid Moralists, before they had thoroughly examined it, and considered whether it was (as Shakespear phrases it) 'Stuff, o' th' Conscience' or no. Thwackum was encouraged to the Undertaking, by reflecting, that to court your Neighbour's Sister is no where forbidden, and he knew it was a Rule in the Construction of all Laws, that "Expressum facit cessare Tacitum," the Sense of which is, 'When a Law-giver sets down plainly his whole Meaning, we are prevent∣ed from making him mean what we please our∣selves.' As some Instances of Women, there∣fore,

are mentioned in the divine Law, which for∣bids us to covet our Neighbours Goods, and that of a Sister omitted, he concluded it to be lawful. And as to Square, who was in his Person what is called a jolly Fellow, or a Widow's Man, he easily recon∣ciled his Choice to the eternal Fitness of Things.

Now, as both these Gentlemen were industrious in taking every Opportunity of recommending them∣selves to the Widow, they apprehended one certain Method was, by giving her Son the constant Prefe∣rence to the other Lad; and as they conceived the Kindness and Affection which Mr. Allworthy shewed the latter, must be highly disagreeable to her, they doubted not but the laying hold on all Occasions to degrade and villify him, would be highly pleasing to her; who, as she hated the Boy, must love all those who did him any hurt. In this Thwackum had the Advantage; for while Square could only scarify the poor Lad's Reputation, he could flea his Skin; and indeed he considered every Lash he gave him as a Compliment paid to his Mistress; so that he could with the utmost Propriety repeat this old flogging Line, "Castigo te non quod odio habeam, sed quod AMEM; I chastise thee not out of Hatred, but out of Love." And this indeed he often had in his Mouth, or rather, according to the old Phrase, never more properly applied, at his Fingers Ends.

For this Reason principally, the two Gentlemen concurred, as we have seen above, in their Opinion concerning the two Lads; this being indeed almost the only Instance of their concurring on any Point: For besides the Difference of their Principles, they had both long ago strongly suspected each others De∣sign, and hated one another with no little Degree of Inveteracy.

This mutual Animosity was a good deal increased by their alternate Successes: For Mrs. Blifil knew what they would be at long before they imagined it;

or indeed intended she should: For they proceeded with great Caution lest she should be offended, and ac∣quaint Mr. Allworthy; but they had no Reason for any such Fear. She was well enough pleased with a Passion of which she intended none should have any Fruits but herself. And the only Fruits she designed for herself were Flattery and Courtship; for which Purpose, she soothed them by Turns, and a long Time equally. She was indeed rather inclined to favour the Parson's Principles; but Square's Person was more agreeable to her Eye; for he was a comely Man; whereas the Pedagogue did in Countenance very nearly resemble that Gentleman, who in the Harlot's Progress is seen correcting the Ladies in Bridewel.

Whether Mrs. Blifil had been surfeited with the Sweets of Marriage, or disgusted by its Bitters, or from what other Cause it proceeded, I will not de∣termine; but she could never be brought to listen to any second Proposals. However, she at last convers∣ed with Square, with such a Degree of Intimacy, that malicious Tongues began to whisper Things of her, to which, as well for the Sake of the Lady, as that they were highly disagreeable to the Rule of Right, and the Fitness of Things, we will give no Credit; and therefore shall not blot our Paper with them. The Pedagogue, 'tis certain, whipt on without get∣ting a Step nearer to his Journey's End.

Indeed he had committed a great Error, and that Square discovered much sooner than himself. Mrs. Blifl (as perhaps the Readers may have formerly guess'd) was not over and above pleased with the Be∣haviour of her Husband; nay to be honest, she abso∣lutely hated him, till his Death at last a little reconciled him to her Affections. It will not be therefore great∣ly wondered at, if she had not the most violent Re∣gard to the Offspring she had by him. And, in fact, he had so little of this Regard, that in his Infancy she

seldom saw her Son, or took any Notice of him; and hence she acquiesced, after a little Reluctance, in all the Favours which Mr. Allworthy showered on the Foundling; whom the good Man called his own Boy, and in all Things put on an intire Equality with Master Blifil. This Acquiescence in Mrs. Blifil was considered by the Neighbours, and by the Family, as a Mark of her Condescension to her Brother's Hu∣mour, and she was imagined by all others, as well as Thwackum and Square, to hate the Foundling in her Heart; nay, the more Civility she shewed him, the more they conceived she detested him, and the surer Schemes she was laying for his Ruin: For as they thought it her Interest to hate him, it was very diffi∣cul for her to perswade them she did not.

Thwackum was the more confirmed in his Opinion, as she had more than once caused him to whip Tom Jones, when Mr. Allworthy, who was an Enemy to this Exercise, was abroad; whereas she had never given any such Orders concerning young Blifil. And this had likewise imposed upon Square. In reality, though she certainly hated her own Son; of which, however monstrous it appears, I am assured she is not a singular Instance, she appeared, notwithstand∣ing all her outward Compliance, to be in her Heart sufficiently displeased with all the Favour shewn by Mr. Allworthy to the Foundling. She frequently com∣plained of this behind her Brother's Back, and very sharply censured him for it, both to Thwackum and Square; nay, she would throw it in the Teeth of Allworthy himself, when a little Quarrel or Miff, as it is vulgarly called, arose between them.

However, when Tom grew up, and gave Tokens of that Gallantry of Temper which greatly recom∣mends Men to Women, this Disinclination which she had discovered to him when a Child, by Degrees abated, and at last she so evidently demonstrated her Affection to him to be much stronger than what she

bore her own Son, that it was impossible to mistake her any longer. She was so desirous of often seeing him, and discovered such Satisfaction and Delight in his Company, that before he was eighteen Years old, he was become a Rival to both Square and Thwackum; and what is worse, the whole Country began to talk as loudly of her Inclination to Tom, as they had be∣fore done of that which she had shewn to Square; on which Account the Philosopher conceived the most ••mplacable Hatred for our poor Hero.

CHAP. VII.

In which the Author himself makes his Appearance on the Stage.

THO' Mr. Allworthy was not of himself hasty to see Things in a Disadvantageous Light, and was a Stranger to the public Voice, which seldom reaches to a Brother or a Husband, tho' it rings in the Ears of all the Neighbourhood; yet was this Af∣fection of Mrs. Blifil to Tom, and the Preference which she too visibly gave him to her own Son, of the utmost Disadvantage to that Youth.

For such was the Compassion which inhabited Mr. Allworthy's Mind, that nothing but the Steel of Jus∣tice could ever subdue it. To be unfortunate in any Respect was sufficient, if there was no Demerit to counterpoise it, to turn the Scale of that good Man's Pity, and to engage his Friendship, and his Benefac∣tion.

When therefore he plainly saw Master Blifil was ab∣solutely detested (for that he was) by his own Mother, he began, on that Account only, to look with an Eye of Compassion upon him; and what the Effects of Compassion are in good and benevolent Minds, I need not here explain to most of my Readers.

Henceforward, he saw every Appearance of Vir∣tue in the Youth thro' the magnifying End, and view∣ed

all his Faults with the Glass inverted, so that they became scarce perceptible. And this perhaps the a∣miable Temper of Pity may make commendable; but the next Step the Weakness of human Nature a∣lone must excuse: For he no sooner perceived that Preference which Mrs. Blifil gave to Tom, than that poor Youth, (however innocent) began to sink in his Affections as he rose in hers. This, it is true, would of itself alone never have been able to eradicate Jones from his Bosom; but it was greatly injurious to him, and prepared Mr. Allworthy's Mind, for those Im∣pressions, which afterwards produced the mighty E∣vent, that will be contained hereafter in this History; and to which, it must be confest, the unfortunate Lad, by his own Wantonness, Wildness, and want of Caution, too much contributed.

In recording some Instances of these, we shall, if rightly understood, afford a very useful Lesson to those well-disposed Youths, who shall hereafter be our Readers: For they may here find that Goodness of Heart, and Openness of Temper, tho' these may give them great Comfort within, and administer to an honest Pride in their own Minds, will by no Means, alas! do their Business in the World. Prudence and Circumspection are necessary even to the best of Men. They are indeed as it were a Guard to Virtue, without which she can never be safe. It is not enough tha•• your Designs, nay that your Actions are intrinsically good, you must take Care they shall appear so. If you•• Inside be never so beautiful, you must preserve a fai•• Outside also. This must be constantly looked to, o•• Malice and Envy will take Care to blacken it so, tha•• the Sagacity and Goodness of an Allworthy will not be able to see through it, and to discern the Beauties within. Let this, my younger Readers, be you•• constant Maxim, That no Man can be good enough to enable him to neglect the Rules of Prudence; not will Virtue herself look beautiful, unless she be be+

decked with the outward Ornaments of Decency and Decorum. And this Precept, my worthy Disciples, if you read with due Attention, you will, I hope, find sufficiently enforced by Examples in the follow∣ing Pages.

I ask Pardon for this short Appearance, by way of Chorus on the Stage. It is in Reality for my own Sake, that while I am discovering the Rocks on which Innocence and Goodness often split, I may not be misunderstood to recommend the very Means to my worthy Readers, by which I intend to shew them they will be undone. And this as I could not prevail on any of my Actors to speak, I was obliged to declare my self.

CHAP. VIII.

A childish Incident, in which, however, is seen a good natur'd Disposition in Tom Jones.

THE Reader may remember, that Mr. Allworthy gave Tom Jones a little Horse, as a kind of smart Money for the Punishment, which he imagined he had suffered innocently.

This Horse Tom kept above half a Year, and then rode him to a neighbouring Fair, and sold him.

At his Return, being questioned by Thwackum, what he had done with the Money for which the Horse was sold, he frankly declared he would not tell him.

Oho! says Thwackum, you will not! then I will have it out of your Br—h; that being the Place to which he always applied for Information, on every doubtful Occasion.

Tom was now mounted on the Back of a Footman, and every Thing prepared for Execution, when Mr. Allworthy entering the Room, gave the Criminal a Reprieve, and took him with him into another Apart∣ment; where Mr. Allworthy being only present with Tom, he put the same Question to him which Thwack∣um had before asked him.

Tom answered, He could in Duty refuse him no∣thing; but as for that tyrannical Rascal, he would ne∣ver make him any other Answer than with a Cudgel, with which he hoped soon to be able to pay him for all his Barbarities.

Mr. Allworthy very severely reprimanded the Lad, for his indecent and disrespectful Expressions concern∣ing his Master; but much more for his avowing an Intention of Revenge. He threatened him with the entire Loss of his Favour, if he ever heard such ano∣ther Word from his Mouth; for he said, he would never support or befriend a Reprobate. By these and the like Declarations, he extorted some Compunction from Tom, in which that Youth was not over sincere: For he really meditated some Return for all the smart∣ing Favours he had received at the Hands of the Peda∣gogue. He was, however, brought by Mr. Allworthy to express a Concern for his Resentment against Thwackum; and then the good Man, after some wholesome Admonition, permitted him to proceed, which he did, as follows.

'Indeed, my dear Sir, I love and honour you more than all the World; I know the great Obligati∣ons I have to you, and should detest myself, if I thought my Heart was capable of Ingratitude. Could the little Horse you gave me speak, I am sure he could tell you how fond I was of your Pre∣sent: For I had more Pleasure in feeding him, than in riding him. Indeed, Sir, it went to my Heart to part with him; nor would I have sold him upon any other Account in the World than what I did. You yourself, Sir, I am convinced in my Case, would have done the same: For none ever so sensibly felt the Misfortunes of others. What would you feel, dear Sir, if you thought yourself the Occasion of them?—Indeed, Sir, there was never any Misery like theirs.—Like whose, Child," says Allworthy, what do you mean? Oh, Sir,' answered Tom,

your poor Game-keeper, with all his large Family, ever since your discarding him, have been perishing with all the Miseries of Cold and Hunger. I could not bear to see these poor Wretches naked and starv∣ing, and at the same Time know myself to have been the Occasion of all their Sufferings.—I could not bear it, Sir, upon my Soul, I could not." (here the Tears run down his Cheeks, and he thus proceeded) 'It was to save them from absolute De∣struction, I parted with your dear Present, notwith∣standing all the Value I had for it.—I sold the Horse for them, and they have every Farthing of the Money.'

Mr. Allworthy now stood silent for some Moments, and before he spoke, the Tears started from his Eyes. He at length dismissed Tom with a gentle Rebuke, ad∣vising him for the future to apply to him in Cases of Distress, rather than to use extraordinary Means of relieving them himself.

This Affair was afterwards the Subject of much Debate between Thwackum and Square. Thwackum held, that this was flying in Mr. Allworthy's Face, who had intended to punish the Fellow for his Diso¦bedience. He said, in some Instances, what the World called Charity appeared to him to be opposing the Will of the Almighty, which had marked some particular Persons for Destruction; and that this was in like manner acting in Opposition to Mr. Allworthy; concluding, as usual, with a hearty Recommendation of Birch.

Square argued strongly, on the other Side, in Oppo∣sition perhaps to Thwackum, or in Compliance with Mr. Allworthy, who seemed very much to approve what Jones had done. As to what he urged on this Oc∣casion, as I am convinced most of my Readers will be much abler Advocates for poor Jones, it would be im∣pertinent to relate it. Indeed it was not difficult to re∣concile to the Rule of Right, an Action which it would have been impossible to deduce from the Rule of Wrong.

CHAP. IX.

Containing an Incident of a more heinous Kind, with the Comments of Thwackum and Square.

IT hath been observed by some Man of much grea∣ter Reputation for Wisdom than myself, that Mis∣fortunes seldom come single. An Instance of this may, I believe, be seen in those Gentlemen who have the Misfortune to have any of their Rogueries detect∣ed: For here Discovery seldom stops till the whole is come out. Thus it happened to poor Tom; who was no sooner pardoned for selling the Horse, than he was discovered to have some time before sold a fine Bible which Mr. Allworthy gave him, the Money arising from which Sale he had disposed in the same Manner. This Bible Master Blifil had purchased, though he had already such another of his own, partly out of respect for the Book, and partly out of Friend∣ship to Tom, being unwilling that the Bible should be sold out of the Family at half Price. He therefore deposited the said half Price himself; for he was a very prudent Lad, and so careful of his Money, that he had laid up almost every Penny which he had re∣ceived from Mr. Allworthy.

Some People have been noted to be able to read in no Book but their own. On the contrary, from the Time when Master Blifil was first possessed of this Bible, he never used any other. Nay, he was seen reading in it much oftner than he had before been in his own. Now, as he frequently asked Thwackum to explain difficult Passages to him, that Gentleman unfortunately took Notice of Tom's Name, which was written in many Parts of the Book. This brought on an Enquiry, which obliged Master Blifil to disco∣ver the whole Matter.

Thwackum was resolved, a Crime of this Kind, which he called Sacrilege, should not go unpunished.

He therefore proceeded immediately to Castigation; and not contented with that, he acquainted Mr. All∣worthy, at their next Meeting, with this monstrous Crime, as it appeared to him; inveighing against Tom in the most bitter Terms, and likening him to the Buyers and Sellers who were driven out of the Temple.

Square saw this Matter in a very different Light. He said, He could not perceive any higher Crime in selling one Book, than in selling another. That to sell Bibles was strictly lawful by all Laws both di∣vine and human, and consequently there was no Un∣fitness in it. He told Thwackum that his great Con∣cern on this Occasion brought to his Mind the Story of a very devout Woman, who out of pure Regard to Religion, stole Tillotson's Sermons from a Lady of her Acquaintance.

This Story caused a vast Quantity of Blood to rush into the Parson's Face, which of itself was none of the palest; and he was going to reply with great Warmth and Anger, had not Mrs. Blifil, who was present at this Debate, interposed. That Lady de∣clared herself absolutely of Mr. Square's Side. She argued, indeed, very learnedly in Support of his Opinion; and concluded with saying, If Tom had been guilty of any Fault, she must confess her own Son appeared to be equally culpable; for that she could see no Difference between the Buyer and the Seller; both of whom were alike to be driven out of the Temple.

Mrs. Blifil having declared her Opinion, put an End to the Debate. Square's Triumph would almost have stopt his Words, had he needed them; and Thwackum, besides that, for Reasons before-men∣tioned, he durst not venture at disobliging the Lady, was almost choaked with Indignation. As to Mr. Allworthy, he said, Since the Boy had been already punished, he would not deliver his Sentiments on the

Occasion; and whether he was, or was not angry with the Lad, I must leave to the Reader's own Conjecture.

Soon after this, an Action was brought against the Game-keeper by 'Squire Western (the Gentleman in whose Manor the Partridge was killed) for De∣predations of the like Kind. This was a most unfor∣tunate Circumstance for the Fellow, as it not only of itself threatened his Ruin, but actually prevented Mr. Allworthy from restoring him to his Favour: For as that Gentleman was walking out one Evening with Master Blifil and young Jones, the latter slily drew him to the Habitation of Black George; where the Family of that poor Wretch, namely, his Wife and Children, were found in all the Misery with which Cold, Hunger, and Nakedness, can affect human Creatures: For as to the Money they had received from Jones, former Debts had consumed almost the whole.

Such a Scene as this could not fail of affecting the Heart of Mr. Allworthy. He immediately gave the Mother a couple of Guineas, with which he bid her cloath her Children. The poor Woman burst into Tears at this Goodness, and while she was thanking him, could not refrain from expressing her Gratitude to Tom; who had, she said, long preserved both her and hers from starving. We have not, says she, had a Morsel to eat, nor have these poor Children had a Rag to put on, but what his Goodness hath bestowed on us: For indeed, besides the Horse and the Bible, Tom had sacrificed a Night-gown and other Things to the Use of this distressed Family.

On their Return home, Tom made use of all his Eloquence to display the Wretchedness of these Peo∣ple, and the Penitence of Black George himself, and in this he succeeded so well, that Mr. Allworthy said He thought the Man had suffered enough for what was past; that he would forgive him, and think of some Means of providing for him and his Family.

Jones was so delighted with this News, that though

it was dark when they returned home, he could not help going back a Mile in a Shower of Rain to ac∣quaint the poor Woman with the glad Tidings; but, like other hasty Divulgers of News, he only brought on himself the Trouble of contradicting it: For the Ill-fortune of Black George made use of the very Opportunity of his Friend's Absence to overturn all again.

CHAP. X.

In which Master Blifil and Jones appear in different Lights.

MASTER Blifil fell very short of his Compa∣nion in the amiable Quality of Mercy; but he as greatly exceeded him in one of a much higher Kind, namely, in Justice: In which he followed both the Precepts and example of Thwackum and Square; for though they would both make frequent Use of the Word Mercy, yet it was plain, that in reality Square held it to be inconsistent with the Rule of Right; and Thwackum was for doing Justice, and leaving Mer∣cy to Heaven. The two Gentlemen did indeed some∣what differ in Opinion concerning the Objects of this sublime Virtue; by which Thwackum would probably have destroyed one half of Mankind, and Square the other half.

Master Blifil then, though he had kept Silence in the Presence of Jones, yet when he had better con∣sidered the Matter, he could by no Means endure the Thought of suffering his Uncle to confer Favours on the Undeserving. He therefore resolved im∣mediately to acquaint him with the Fact which we have above slightly hinted to the Readers. The Truth of which was as follows:

The Game-keeper, about a Year after he was dis∣missed from Mr. Allworthy's Service, and before Tom's selling the Horse, being in Want of Bread, either to fill his own Mouth, or those of his Family,

as he passed through a Field belonging to Mr. Western, espied a Hare sitting in her Form. This Hare he had basely and barbarously knocked on the Head, against the Laws of the Land, and no less against the Laws of Sportsmen.

The Higler to whom the Hare was sold, being unfortunately taken many Months after with a Quan∣tity of Game upon him, was obliged to make his Peace with the 'Squire by becoming Evidence against some Poacher. And now Black George was pitched upon by him as being a Person already obnoxious to Mr. Western, and one of no good Fame in the Coun∣try. He was, besides, the best Sacrifice the Higler could make, as he had supplied him with no Game since; and by this Means the Witness had an Oppor∣tunity of screening his better Customers: For the 'Squire, being charmed with the Power of Punishing Black George, whom a single Transgression was suffi∣cient to ruin, made no further Enquiry.

Had this Fact been truly laid before Mr. Allworthy, it might probably have done the Game-keeper very lit∣tle Mischief. But there is no Zeal blinder than that which is inspired with the Love of Justice against Of∣fenders. Master Blifil had forgot the Distance of the Time. He varied likewise in the Manner of the Fact; and, by the hasty Addition of the single Letter S, he considerably altered the Story; for he said that George had wired Hares. These Alterations might probably have been set right, had not Master Blifil unluckily insisted on a Promise of Secrecy from Mr. Allworthy, before he revealed the Matter to him; but by that Means, the poor Game-keeper was condemned, without having any Opportunity to defend himself: For as the Fact of killing the Hare, and of the Acti∣on brought, were certainly true, Mr. Allworthy had no Doubt concerning the rest.

Short-lived then was the Joy of these poor People; for Mr. Allworthy the next Morning declared he had

fresh Reason, without assigning it, for his Anger, and strictly forbad Tom to mention George any more; though as for his Family, he said, he would endeavour to keep them from starving; but as to the Fellow him∣self, he would leave him to the Laws, which nothing could keep him from breaking.

Tom could by no Means divine what had incensed Mr. Allworthy: For of Master Blifil he had not the least Suspicion. However, as his Friendship was to be tired out by no Disappointments, he now determined to try another Method of preserving the poor Game-keeper from Ruin.

Jones was lately grown very intimate with Mr. Western. He had so greatly recommended himself to that Gentleman, by leaping over five-barred Gates, and by other Acts of Sportmanship, that the Squire had declared Tom would certainly make a great Man, if he had but sufficient Encouragement. He often wished he had himself a Son with such Parts; and one Day very solemnly asserted at a drinking Bout, that Tom should hunt a Pack of Hounds for a thousand Pound of his Money with any Huntsman in the whole County.

By such kind of Talents he had so ingratiated him∣self with the Squire, that he was a most welcome Guest at his Table, and a favourite Companion in his Sport: Every Thing which the Squire held most dear, to wit, his Guns, Dogs, and Horses, were now as much at the Command of Jones, as if they had been his own. He resolved therefore to make use of this Favour on Behalf of his Friend Black George, whom he hoped to introduce into Mr. Western's Family in the same Capacity in which he had before served Mr. Allworthy.

The Reader, if he considers that this Fellow was al∣ready obnoxious to Mr. Western, and if he considers farther the weighty Business by which that Gentle∣man's Displeasure had been incurred, will perhaps

condemn this as a foolish and desperate Undertaking; but if he should not totally condemn young Jones on that Account, he will greatly applaud him for strength∣ening himself with all imaginable Interest on so ardu∣ous an Occasion.

For this Purpose then Tom applied to Mr. Western's Daughter, a young Lady of about seventeen Years of Age, whom her Father, next after those necessary Implements of Sport just before mentioned, loved and esteemed above all the World. Now as she had some Influence on the Squire, so Tom had some In∣fluence on her. But this being the intended Heroine of this Work, a Lady with whom we are ourselves great∣ly in Love, and with whom many of our Rea∣ders will probably be in Love too before we part, it is by no Means proper she should make her Appear∣ance at the End of a Book.