Asthesehadbothexercisedtheirtalentschieflyinthestudyofdivinity，thiswas，fromtheirfirstacquaintance，themostcommontopicofconversationbetweenthem。Thecaptain，likeawell-bredman，had，beforemarriage，alwaysgivenuphisopiniontothatofthelady；
andthis，notintheclumsyawkwardmannerofaconceitedblockhead，who，whilehecivillyyieldstoasuperiorinanargument，isdesirousofbeingstillknowntothinkhimselfintheright。Thecaptain，onthecontrary，thoughoneoftheproudestfellowsintheworld，soabsolutelyyieldedthevictorytohisantagonist，thatshe，whohadnottheleastdoubtofhissincerity，retiredalwaysfromthedisputewithanadmirationofherownunderstandingandaloveforhis。
Butthoughthiscomplacencetoonewhomthecaptainthoroughlydespised，wasnotsouneasytohimasitwouldhavebeenhadanyhopesofprefermentmadeitnecessarytoshowthesamesubmissiontoaHoadley，ortosomeotherofgreatreputationinthescience，yeteventhiscosthimtoomuchtobeenduredwithoutsomemotive。Matrimony，therefore，havingremovedallsuchmotives，hegrewwearyofthiscondescension，andbegantotreattheopinionsofhiswifewiththathaughtinessandinsolence，whichnonebutthosewhodeservesomecontemptthemselvescanbestow，andthoseonlywhodeservenocontemptcanbear。
Whenthefirsttorrentoftendernesswasover，andwhen，inthecalmandlongintervalbetweenthefits，reasonbegantoopentheeyesofthelady，andshesawthisalterationofbehaviourinthecaptain，whoatlengthansweredallherargumentsonlywithpishandpshaw，shewasfarfromenduringtheindignitywithatamesubmission。Indeed，itatfirstsohighlyprovokedher，thatitmighthaveproducedsometragicalevent，haditnottakenamoreharmlessturn，byfillingherwiththeutmostcontemptforherhusband’sunderstanding，whichsomewhatqualifiedherhatredtowardshim；thoughofthislikewiseshehadaprettymoderateshare。
Thecaptain’shatredtoherwasofapurerkind:forastoanyimperfectionsinherknowledgeorunderstanding，henomoredespisedherforthem，thanforhernotbeingsixfeethigh。Inhisopinionofthefemalesex，heexceededthemorosenessofAristotlehimself:helookedonawomanasonananimalofdomesticuse，ofsomewhathigherconsiderationthanacat，sinceherofficeswereofrathermoreimportance；butthedifferencebetweenthesetwowas，inhisestimation，sosmall，that，inhismarriagecontractedwithMr。
Allworthy’slandsandtenements，itwouldhavebeenprettyequalwhichofthemhehadtakenintothebargain。Andyetsotenderwashispride，thatitfeltthecontemptwhichhiswifenowbegantoexpresstowardshim；andthis，addedtothesurfeithehadbeforetakenofherlove，createdinhimadegreeofdisgustandabhorrence，perhapshardlytobeexceeded。
Onesituationonlyofthemarriedstateisexcludedfrompleasure:
andthatis，astateofindifference:butasmanyofmyreaders，I
hope，knowwhatanexquisitedelightthereisinconveyingpleasuretoabelovedobject，sosomefew，Iamafraid，mayhaveexperiencedthesatisfactionoftormentingonewehate。Itis，Iapprehend，tocomeatthislatterpleasure，thatweseebothsexesoftengiveupthateaseinmarriagewhichtheymightotherwisepossess，thoughtheirmatewasneversodisagreeabletothem。Hencethewifeoftenputsonfitsofloveandjealousy，nay，evendeniesherselfanypleasure，todisturbandpreventthoseofherhusband；andheagain，inreturn，putsfrequentrestraintsonhimself，andstaysathomeincompanywhichhedislikes，inordertoconfinehiswifetowhatsheequallydetests。Hence，too，mustflowthosetearswhichawidowsometimessoplentifullyshedsovertheashesofahusbandwithwhomsheledalifeofconstantdisquietandturbulency，andwhomnowshecanneverhopetotormentanymore。
Butifeveranycoupleenjoyedthispleasure，itwasatpresentexperiencedbythecaptainandhislady。Itwasalwaysasufficientreasontoeitherofthemtobeobstinateinanyopinion，thattheotherhadpreviouslyassertedthecontrary。Iftheoneproposedanyamusement，theotherconstantlyobjectedtoit:theyneverlovedorhated，commendedorabused，thesameperson。Andforthisreason，asthecaptainlookedwithanevileyeonthelittlefoundling，hiswifebegannowtocaressitalmostequallywithherownchild。
Thereaderwillbeapttoconceive，thatthisbehaviourbetweenthehusbandandwifedidnotgreatlycontributetoMr。Allworthy’srepose，asittendedsolittletothatserenehappinesswhichhehaddesignedforallthreefromthisalliance；butthetruthis，thoughhemightbealittledisappointedinhissanguineexpectations，yethewasfarfrombeingacquaintedwiththewholematter；for，asthecaptainwas，fromcertainobviousreasons，muchonhisguardbeforehim，theladywasobliged，forfearofherbrother’sdispleasure，topursuethesameconduct。Infact，itispossibleforathirdpersontobeveryintimate，nayeventolivelonginthesamehouse，withamarriedcouple，whohaveanytolerablediscretion，andnotevenguessatthesoursentimentswhichtheybeartoeachother:forthoughthewholedaymaybesometimestooshortforhatred，aswellasforlove；yetthemanyhourswhichtheynaturallyspendtogether，apartfromallobservers，furnishpeopleoftolerablemoderationwithsuchampleopportunityfortheenjoymentofeitherpassion，that，iftheylove，theycansupportbeingafewhoursincompanywithouttoying，oriftheyhate，withoutspittingineachother’sfaces。
Itispossible，however，thatMr。Allworthysawenoughtorenderhimalittleuneasy；forwearenotalwaystoconclude，thatawisemanisnothurt，becausehedothnotcryoutandlamenthimself，likethoseofachildishoreffeminatetemper。Butindeeditispossiblehemightseesomefaultsinthecaptainwithoutanyuneasinessatall；formenoftruewisdomandgoodnessarecontentedtotakepersonsandthingsastheyare，withoutcomplainingoftheirimperfections，orattemptingtoamendthem。Theycanseeafaultinafriend，arelation，oranacquaintance，withoutevermentioningittothepartiesthemselves，ortoanyothers；andthisoftenwithoutlesseningtheiraffection。Indeed，unlessgreatdiscernmentbetemperedwiththisoverlookingdisposition，weoughtnevertocontractfriendshipbutwithadegreeoffollywhichwecandeceive；forIhopemyfriendswillpardonmewhenIdeclare，Iknownoneofthemwithoutafault；
andIshouldbesorryifIcouldimagineIhadanyfriendwhocouldnotseemine。Forgivenessofthiskindwegiveanddemandinturn。
Itisanexerciseoffriendship，andperhapsnoneoftheleastpleasant。Andthisforgivenesswemustbestow，withoutdesireofamendment。Thereis，perhaps，nosurermarkoffolly，thananattempttocorrectthenaturalinfirmitiesofthosewelove。Thefinestcompositionofhumannature，aswellasthefinestchina，mayhaveaflawinit；andthis，Iamafraid，ineithercase，isequallyincurable；though，nevertheless，thepatternmayremainofthehighestvalue。
Uponthewhole，then，Mr。Allworthycertainlysawsomeimperfectionsinthecaptain；butasthiswasaveryartfulman，andeternallyuponhisguardbeforehim，theseappearedtohimnomorethanblemishesinagoodcharacter，whichhisgoodnessmadehimoverlook，andhiswisdompreventedhimfromdiscoveringtothecaptainhimself。Verydifferentwouldhavebeenhissentimentshadhediscoveredthewhole；whichperhapswouldintimehavebeenthecase，hadthehusbandandwifelongcontinuedthiskindofbehaviourtoeachother；butthiskindFortunetookeffectualmeanstoprevent，byforcingthecaptaintodothatwhichrenderedhimagaindeartohiswife，andrestoredallhertendernessandaffectiontowardshim。
Chapter8
Areceipttoregainthelostaffectionsofawife，whichhathneverbeenknowntofailinthemostdesperatecasesThecaptainwasmadelargeamendsfortheunpleasantminuteswhichhepassedintheconversationofhiswifeandwhichwereasfewashecouldcontrivetomakethem，bythepleasantmeditationsheenjoyedwhenalone。
ThesemeditationswereentirelyemployedonMr。Allworthy’sfortune；
for，first，heexercisedmuchthoughtincalculating，aswellashecould，theexactvalueofthewhole:whichcalculationsheoftensawoccasiontoalterinhisownfavour:and，secondlyandchiefly，hepleasedhimselfwithintendedalterationsinthehouseandgardens，andinprojectingmanyotherschemes，aswellfortheimprovementoftheestateasofthegrandeuroftheplace:forthispurposeheappliedhimselftothestudiesofarchitectureandgardening，andreadovermanybooksonboththesesubjects；forthesesciences，indeed，employedhiswholetime，andformedhisonlyamusement。Heatlastcompletedamostexcellentplan:andverysorryweare，thatitisnotinourpowertopresentittoourreader，sinceeventheluxuryofthepresentage，Ibelieve，wouldhardlymatchit。Ithad，indeed，inasuperlativedegree，thetwoprincipalingredientswhichservetorecommendallgreatandnobledesignsofthisnature；foritrequiredanimmoderateexpensetoexecute，andavastlengthoftimetobringittoanysortofperfection。Theformerofthese，theimmensewealthofwhichthecaptainsupposedMr。Allworthypossessed，andwhichhethoughthimselfsureofinheriting，promisedveryeffectuallytosupply；andthelatter，thesoundnessofhisownconstitution，andhistimeoflife，whichwasonlywhatiscalledmiddle-age，removedallapprehensionofhisnotlivingtoaccomplish。
Nothingwaswantingtoenablehimtoenterupontheimmediateexecutionofthisplan，butthedeathofMr。Allworthy；incalculatingwhichhehademployedmuchofhisownalgebra，besidespurchasingeverybookextantthattreatsofthevalueoflives，reversions，&c。
Fromallwhichhesatisfiedhimself，thatashehadeverydayachanceofthishappening，sohadhemorethananevenchanceofitshappeningwithinafewyears。
Butwhilethecaptainwasonedaybusiedindeepcontemplationsofthiskind，oneofthemostunluckyaswellasunseasonableaccidentshappenedtohim。TheutmostmaliceofFortunecould，indeed，havecontrivednothingsocruel，somal-a-propos，soabsolutelydestructivetoallhisschemes。Inshort，nottokeepthereaderinlongsuspense，justattheveryinstantwhenhisheartwasexultinginmeditationsonthehappinesswhichwouldaccruetohimbyMr。Allworthy’sdeath，hehimself-diedofanapoplexy。
Thisunfortunatelybefelthecaptainashewastakinghiseveningwalkbyhimself，sothatnobodywaspresenttolendhimanyassistance，ifindeed，anyassistancecouldhavepreservedhim。Hetook，therefore，measureofthatproportionofsoilwhichwasnowbecomeadequatetoallhisfuturepurposes，andhelaydeadontheground，agreatthoughnotalivingexampleofthetruthofthatobservationofHorace:
TusecandamarmoraLocassubipsumfunus；etsepulchriImmemor，struisdomos。
WhichsentimentIshallthusgivetotheEnglishreader:\"Youprovidethenoblestmaterialsforbuilding，whenapickaxeandaspadeareonlynecessary:andbuildhousesoffivehundredbyahundredfeet，forgettingthatofsixbytwo。\"
Chapter9
Aproofoftheinfallibilityoftheforegoingreceipt，inthelamentationsofthewidow；withothersuitabledecorationsofdeath，suchasphysicians，&c。，andanepitaphinthetruestileMr。Allworthy，hissister，andanotherlady，wereassembledattheaccustomedhourinthesupper-room，where，havingwaitedaconsiderabletimelongerthanusual，Mr。Allworthyfirstdeclaredhebegantogrowuneasyatthecaptain’sstayforhewasalwaysmostpunctualathismeals；andgaveordersthatthebellshouldberungwithoutthedoors，andespeciallytowardsthosewalkswhichthecaptainwaswonttouse。
Allthesesummonsprovingineffectualforthecaptainhad，byperverseaccident，betakenhimselftoanewwalkthatevening，Mrs。
Blifildeclaredshewasseriouslyfrightened。Uponwhichtheotherlady，whowasoneofhermostintimateacquaintance，andwhowellknewthetruestateofheraffections，endeavouredallshecouldtopacifyher，tellingher-Tobesureshecouldnothelpbeinguneasy；
butthatsheshouldhopethebest。That，perhapsthesweetnessoftheeveninghadinticedthecaptaintogofartherthanhisusualwalk:
orhemightbedetainedatsomeneighbour’s。Mrs。Blifilanswered，No；
shewassuresomeaccidenthadbefallenhim；forthathewouldneverstayoutwithoutsendingherword，ashemustknowhowuneasyitwouldmakeher。Theotherlady，havingnootherargumentstouse，betookherselftotheentreatiesusualonsuchoccasions，andbeggedhernottofrightenherself，foritmightbeofveryillconsequencetoherownhealth；and，fillingoutaverylargeglassofwine，advised，andatlastprevailedwithhertodrinkit。
Mr。Allworthynowreturnedintotheparlour；forhehadbeenhimselfinsearchafterthecaptain。Hiscountenancesufficientlyshowedtheconsternationhewasunder，which，indeed，hadagooddealdeprivedhimofspeech；butasgriefoperatesvariouslyondifferentminds，sothesameapprehensionwhichdepressedhisvoice，elevatedthatofMrs。Blifil。Shenowbegantobewailherselfinverybitterterms，andfloodsoftearsaccompaniedherlamentations；whichthelady，hercompanion，declaredshecouldnotblame，butatthesametimedissuadedherfromindulging；attemptingtomoderatethegriefofherfriendbyphilosophicalobservationsonthemanydisappointmentstowhichhumanlifeisdailysubject，which，shesaid，wasasufficientconsiderationtofortifyourmindsagainstanyaccidents，howsuddenorterriblesoever。Shesaidherbrother’sexampleoughttoteachherpatience，who，thoughindeedhecouldnotbesupposedasmuchconcernedasherself，yetwas，doubtless，veryuneasy，thoughhisresignationtotheDivinewillhadrestrainedhisgriefwithinduebounds。
\"Mentionnotmybrother，\"saidMrs。Blifil；\"Ialoneamtheobjectofyourpity。Whataretheterrorsoffriendshiptowhatawifefeelsontheseoccasions？Oh，heislost！Somebodyhathmurderedhim-
Ishallneverseehimmore！\"-HereatorrentoftearshadthesameconsequencewithwhatthesuppressionhadoccasionedtoMr。Allworthy，andsheremainedsilent。
Atthisintervalaservantcamerunningin，outofbreath，andcriedout，Thecaptainwasfound；and，beforehecouldproceedfarther，hewasfollowedbytwomore，bearingthedeadbodybetweenthem。
Herethecuriousreadermayobserveanotherdiversityintheoperationsofgrief:forasMr。Allworthyhadbeenbeforesilent，fromthesamecausewhichhadmadehissistervociferous；sodidthepresentsight，whichdrewtearsfromthegentleman，putanentirestoptothoseofthelady；whofirstgaveaviolentscream，andpresentlyafterfellintoafit。
Theroomwassoonfullofservants，someofwhom，withtheladyvisitant，wereemployedincareofthewife；andothers，withMr。
Allworthy，assistedincarryingoffthecaptaintoawarmbed；whereeverymethodwastried，inordertorestorehimtolife。
Andgladshouldwebe，couldweinformthereaderthatboththesebodieshadbeenattendedwithequalsuccess；forthosewhoundertookthecareoftheladysucceededsowell，that，afterthefithadcontinuedadecenttime，sheagainrevived，totheirgreatsatisfaction:butastothecaptain，allexperimentsofbleeding，chafing，dropping，&c。，provedineffectual。Death，thatinexorablejudge，hadpassedsentenceonhim，andrefusedtogranthimareprieve，thoughtwodoctorswhoarrived，andwerefee’datoneandthesameinstant，werehiscounsel。
Thesetwodoctors，whom，toavoidanymaliciousapplications，weshalldistinguishbythenamesofDr。Y。andDr。Z。，havingfelthispulse；towit，Dr。Y。hisrightarm，andDr。Z。hisleft；bothagreedthathewasabsolutelydead；butastothedistemper，orcauseofhisdeath，theydiffered；Dr。Y。holdingthathediedofanapoplexy，andDr。Z。ofanepilepsy。
Hencearoseadisputebetweenthelearnedmen，inwhicheachdeliveredthereasonsoftheirseveralopinions。Thesewereofsuchequalforce，thattheyservedbothtoconfirmeitherdoctorinhisownsentiments，andmadenottheleastimpressiononhisadversary。
Tosaythetruth，everyphysicianalmosthathhisfavouritedisease，towhichheascribesallthevictoriesobtainedoverhumannature。Thegout，therheumatism，thestone，thegravel，andtheconsumption，havealltheirseveralpatronsinthefaculty；andnonemorethanthenervousfever，orthefeveronthespirits。Andherewemayaccountforthosedisagreementsinopinion，concerningthecauseofapatient’sdeath，whichsometimesoccur，betweenthemostlearnedofthecollege；andwhichhavegreatlysurprizedthatpartoftheworldwhohavebeenignorantofthefactwehaveaboveasserted。
Thereadermayperhapsbesurprized，that，insteadofendeavouringtorevivethepatient，thelearnedgentlemenshouldfallimmediatelyintoadisputeontheoccasionofhisdeath；butinrealityallsuchexperimentshadbeenmadebeforetheirarrival:forthecaptainwasputintoawarmbed，hadhisveinsscarified，hisforeheadchafed，andallsortsofstrongdropsappliedtohislipsandnostrils。
Thephysicians，therefore，findingthemselvesanticipatedineverythingtheyordered，wereatalosshowtoapplythatportionoftimewhichitisusualanddecenttoremainfortheirfee，andwerethereforenecessitatedtofindsomesubjectorotherfordiscourse；
andwhatcouldmorenaturallypresentitselfthanthatbeforementioned？
Ourdoctorswereabouttotaketheirleave，whenMr。Allworthy，havinggivenoverthecaptain，andacquiescedintheDivinewill，begantoenquireafterhissister，whomhedesiredthemtovisitbeforetheirdeparture。
Thisladywasnowrecoveredofherfit，and，tousethecommonphrase，aswellascouldbeexpectedforoneinhercondition。Thedoctors，therefore，allpreviousceremoniesbeingcompliedwith，asthiswasanewpatient，attended，accordingtodesire，andlaidholdoneachofherhands，astheyhadbeforedoneonthoseofthecorpse。
Thecaseoftheladywasintheotherextremefromthatofherhusband:forashewaspastalltheassistanceofphysic，soinrealitysherequirednone。
Thereisnothingmoreunjustthanthevulgaropinion，bywhichphysiciansaremisrepresented，asfriendstodeath。Onthecontrary，I
believe，ifthenumberofthosewhorecoverbyphysiccouldbeopposedtothatofthemartyrstoit，theformerwouldratherexceedthelatter。Nay，somearesocautiousonthishead，that，toavoidapossibilityofkillingthepatient，theyabstainfromallmethodsofcuring，andprescribenothingbutwhatcanneitherdogoodnorharm。I
haveheardsomeofthese，withgreatgravity，deliveritasamaxim，\"ThatNatureshouldbelefttodoherownwork，whilethephysicianstandsbyasitweretoclapherontheback，andencourageherwhenshedothwell。\"
Solittlethendidourdoctorsdelightindeath，thattheydischargedthecorpseafterasinglefee；buttheywerenotsodisgustedwiththeirlivingpatient；concerningwhosecasetheyimmediatelyagreed，andfelltoprescribingwithgreatdiligence。
Whether，astheladyhadatfirstpersuadedherphysicianstobelieveherill，theyhadnow，inreturn，persuadedhertobelieveherselfso，Iwillnotdetermine；butshecontinuedawholemonthwithallthedecorationsofsickness。Duringthistimeshewasvisitedbyphysicians，attendedbynurses，andreceivedconstantmessagesfromheracquaintancetoenquireafterherhealth。
Atlengththedecenttimeforsicknessandimmoderategriefbeingexpired，thedoctorsweredischarged，andtheladybegantoseecompany；beingalteredonlyfromwhatshewasbefore，bythatcolourofsadnessinwhichshehaddressedherpersonandcountenance。
Thecaptainwasnowinterred，andmight，perhaps，havealreadymadealargeprogresstowardsoblivion，hadnotthefriendshipofMr。Allworthytakencaretopreservehismemory，bythefollowingepitaph，whichwaswrittenbyamanofasgreatgeniusasintegrity，andonewhoperfectlywellknewthecaptain。
HERELIES，INEXPECTATIONOFAJOYFULRISING，THEBODYOF
CAPTAINJOHNBLIFIL。
LONDON
HADTHEHONOUROFHISBIRTH，OXFORD
OFHISEDUCATION。
HISPARTS
WEREANHONOURTOHISPROFESSION
ANDTOHISCOUNTRY
HISLIFE，TOHISRELIGION
ANDHUMANNATURE。
HEWASADUTIFULSON，ATENDERHUSBAND，ANAFFECTIONATEFATHER，AMOSTKINDBROTHER，ASINCEREFRIEND，ADEVOUTCHRISTIAN，ANDAGOODMAN。
HISINCONSOLABLEWIDOW
HATHERECTEDTHISSTONE，THEMONUMENTOF
HERVIRTUES
ANDOFHERAFFECTION。
BOOKIII
CONTAININGTHEMOSTMEMORABLETRANSACTIONSWHICHPASSEDINTHE
FAMILYOFMR。ALLWORTHY，FROMTHETIMEWHENTOMMYJONESARRIVEDATTHE
AGEOFFOURTEEN，TILLHEATTAINEDTHEAGEOFNINETEEN。INTHISBOOK
THEREADERMAYPICKUPSOMEHINTSCONCERNINGTHEEDUCATIONOFCHILDREN
Chapter1
ContaininglittleornothingThereaderwillbepleasedtoremember，that，atthebeginningofthesecondbookofthishistory，wegavehimahintofourintentiontopassoverseverallargeperiodsoftime，inwhichnothinghappenedworthyofbeingrecordedinachronicleofthiskind。
Insodoing，wedonotonlyconsultourowndignityandease，butthegoodandadvantageofthereader:forbesidesthatbythesemeanswepreventhimfromthrowingawayhistime，inreadingwithouteitherpleasureoremolument，wegivehim，atallsuchseasons，anopportunityofemployingthatwonderfulsagacity，ofwhichheismaster，byfillingupthesevacantspacesoftimewithhisconjectures；forwhichpurposewehavetakencaretoqualifyhimintheprecedingpages。
Forinstance，whatreaderbutknowsthatMr。Allworthyfelt，atfirst，forthelossofhisfriend，thoseemotionsofgrief，whichonsuchoccasionsenterintoallmenwhoseheartsarenotcomposedofflint，ortheirheadsofassolidmaterials？Again，whatreaderdothnotknowthatphilosophyandreligionintimemoderated，andatlastextinguished，thisgrief？Theformeroftheseteachingthefollyandvanityofit，andthelattercorrectingitasunlawful，andatthesametimeassuagingit，byraisingfuturehopesandassurances，whichenableastrongandreligiousmindtotakeleaveofafriend，onhisdeathbed，withlittlelessindifferencethanifhewaspreparingforalongjourney；and，indeed，withlittlelesshopeofseeinghimagain。
NorcanthejudiciousreaderbeatagreaterlossonaccountofMrs。
BridgetBlifil，who，hemaybeassured，conductedherselfthroughthewholeseasoninwhichgriefistomakeitsappearanceontheoutsideofthebody，withthestrictestregardtoalltherulesofcustomanddecency，suitingthealterationsofhercountenancetotheseveralalterationsofherhabit:forasthischangedfromweedstoblack，fromblacktogrey，fromgreytowhite，sodidhercountenancechangefromdismaltosorrowful，fromsorrowfultosad，andfromsadtoserious，tillthedaycameinwhichshewasallowedtoreturntoherformerserenity。
Wehavementionedthesetwo，asexamplesonlyofthetaskwhichmaybeimposedonreadersofthelowestclass。Muchhigherandharderexercisesofjudgmentandpenetrationmayreasonablybeexpectedfromtheuppergraduatesincriticism。Manynotablediscoverieswill，Idoubtnot，bemadebysuch，ofthetransactionswhichhappenedinthefamilyofourworthyman，duringalltheyearswhichwehavethoughtpropertopassover:forthoughnothingworthyofaplaceinthishistoryoccurredwithinthatperiod，yetdidseveralincidentshappenofequalimportancewiththosereportedbythedailyandweeklyhistoriansoftheage；inreadingwhichgreatnumbersofpersonsconsumeaconsiderablepartoftheirtime，verylittle，Iamafraid，totheiremolument。Now，intheconjectureshereproposed，someofthemostexcellentfacultiesofthemindmaybeemployedtomuchadvantage，sinceitisamoreusefulcapacitytobeabletoforeteltheactionsofmen，inanycircumstance，fromtheircharacters，thantojudgeoftheircharactersfromtheiractions。
Theformer，Iown，requiresthegreaterpenetration；butmaybeaccomplishedbytruesagacitywithnolesscertaintythanthelatter。
Aswearesensiblethatmuchthegreatestpartofourreadersareveryeminentlypossessedofthisquality，wehaveleftthemaspaceoftwelveyearstoexertitin；andshallnowbringforthourheroe，ataboutfourteenyearsofage，notquestioningthatmanyhavebeenlongimpatienttobeintroducedtohisacquaintance。
Chapter2
Theheroeofthisgreathistoryappearswithverybadomens。A
littletaleofsolowakindthatsomemaythinkitnotworththeirnotice。Awordortwoconcerningasquire，andmorerelatingtoagamekeeperandaschoolmasterAswedetermined，whenwefirstsatdowntowritethishistory，toflatternoman，buttoguideourpenthroughoutbythedirectionsoftruth，weareobligedtobringourheroeonthestageinamuchmoredisadvantageousmannerthanwecouldwish；andtodeclarehonestly，evenathisfirstappearance，thatitwastheuniversalopinionofallMr。Allworthy’sfamilythathewascertainlyborntobehanged。
Indeed，Iamsorrytosaytherewastoomuchreasonforthisconjecture；theladhavingfromhisearliestyearsdiscoveredapropensitytomanyvices，andespeciallytoonewhichhathasdirectatendencyasanyothertothatfatewhichwehavejustnowobservedtohavebeenpropheticallydenouncedagainsthim:hehadbeenalreadyconvictedofthreerobberies，viz。，ofrobbinganorchard，ofstealingaduckoutofafarmer’syard，andofpickingMasterBlifil’spocketofaball。
Thevicesofthisyoungmanwere，moreover，heightenedbythedisadvantageouslightinwhichtheyappearedwhenopposedtothevirtuesofMasterBlifil，hiscompanion；ayouthofsodifferentacastfromlittleJones，thatnotonlythefamilybutalltheneighbourhoodresoundedhispraises。Hewas，indeed，aladofaremarkabledisposition；sober，discreet，andpiousbeyondhisage；
qualitieswhichgainedhimtheloveofeveryonewhoknewhim:whileTomJoneswasuniversallydisliked；andmanyexpressedtheirwonderthatMr。Allworthywouldsuffersuchaladtobeeducatedwithhisnephew，lestthemoralsofthelattershouldbecorruptedbyhisexample。
Anincidentwhichhappenedaboutthistimewillsetthecharactersofthesetwoladsmorefairlybeforethediscerningreaderthanisinthepowerofthelongestdissertation。
TomJones，who，badasheis，mustservefortheheroeofthishistory，hadonlyonefriendamongalltheservantsofthefamily；forastoMrs。Wilkins，shehadlongsincegivenhimup，andwasperfectlyreconciledtohermistress。Thisfriendwasthegamekeeper，afellowofaloosekindofdisposition，andwhowasthoughtnottoentertainmuchstricternotionsconcerningthedifferenceofmeumandtuumthantheyounggentlemanhimself。Andhencethisfriendshipgaveoccasiontomanysarcasticalremarksamongthedomestics，mostofwhichwereeitherproverbsbefore，oratleastarebecomesonow；and，indeed，thewitofthemallmaybecomprisedinthatshortLatinproverb，\"Nosciturasocio\"；which，Ithink，isthusexpressedinEnglish，\"Youmayknowhimbythecompanyhekeeps。\"
Tosaythetruth，someofthatatrociouswickednessinJones，ofwhichwehavejustmentionedthreeexamples，mightperhapsbederivedfromtheencouragementhehadreceivedfromthisfellowwho，intwoorthreeinstances，hadbeenwhatthelawcallsanaccessaryafterthefact:forthewholeduck，andgreatpartoftheapples，wereconvertedtotheuseofthegamekeeperandhisfamily；though，asJonesalonewasdiscovered，thepoorladborenotonlythewholesmart，butthewholeblame；bothwhichfellagaintohislotonthefollowingoccasion。
ContiguoustoMr。Allworthy’sestatewasthemanorofoneofthosegentlemenwhoarecalledpreserversofthegame。Thisspeciesofmen，fromthegreatseveritywithwhichtheyrevengethedeathofahareorpartridge，mightbethoughttocultivatethesamesuperstitionwiththeBanniansinIndia；manyofwhom，wearetold，dedicatetheirwholelivestothepreservationandprotectionofcertainanimals；wasitnotthatourEnglishBannians，whiletheypreservethemfromotherenemies，willmostunmercifullyslaughterwholehorseloadsthemselves；sothattheystandclearlyacquittedofanysuchheathenishsuperstition。
Ihave，indeed，amuchbetteropinionofthiskindofmenthanisentertainedbysome，asItakethemtoanswertheorderofNature，andthegoodpurposesforwhichtheywereordained，inamoreamplemannerthanmanyothers。Now，asHoracetellsusthatthereareasetofhumanbeingsFrugesconsumerenati，\"Borntoconsumethefruitsoftheearth\"；soImakenomannerofdoubtbutthatthereareothersFerasconsumerenati，\"Borntoconsumethebeastsofthefield\"；or，asitiscommonlycalled，thegame；andnone，Ibelieve，willdenybutthatthosesquiresfulfilthisendoftheircreation。
LittleJoneswentonedayashootingwiththegamekeeper；whenhappeningtospringacoveyofpartridgesneartheborderofthatmanoroverwhichFortune，tofulfilthewisepurposesofNature，hadplantedoneofthegameconsumers，thebirdsflewintoit，andweremarkedasitiscalledbythetwosportsmen，insomefurzebushes，abouttwoorthreehundredpacesbeyondMr。Allworthy’sdominions。
Mr。Allworthyhadgiventhefellowstrictorders，onpainofforfeitinghisplace，nevertotrespassonanyofhisneighbours；nomoreonthosewhowerelessrigidinthismatterthanonthelordofthismanor。Withregardtoothers，indeed，theseordershadnotbeenalwaysveryscrupulouslykept；butasthedispositionofthegentlemanwithwhomthepartridgeshadtakensanctuarywaswellknown，thegamekeeperhadneveryetattemptedtoinvadehisterritories。Norhadhedoneitnow，hadnottheyoungersportsman，whowasexcessivelyeagertopursuetheflyinggame，over-persuadedhim；butJonesbeingveryimportunate，theother，whowashimselfkeenenoughafterthesport，yieldedtohispersuasions，enteredthemanor，andshotoneofthepartridges。
Thegentlemanhimselfwasatthattimeonhorse-back，atalittledistancefromthem；andhearingthegungooff，heimmediatelymadetowardstheplace，anddiscoveredpoorTom；forthegamekeeperhadleaptintothethickestpartofthefurze-brake，wherehehadhappilyconcealedhimself。
Thegentlemanhavingsearchedthelad，andfoundthepartridgeuponhim，denouncedgreatvengeance，swearinghewouldacquaintMr。
Allworthy。Hewasasgoodashisword:forherodeimmediatelytohishouse，andcomplainedofthetrespassonhismanorinashightermsandasbitterlanguageasifhishousehadbeenbrokenopen，andthemostvaluablefurniturestoleoutofit。Headded，thatsomeotherpersonwasinhiscompany，thoughhecouldnotdiscoverhim；forthattwogunshadbeendischargedalmostinthesameinstant。And，sayshe，\"Wehavefoundonlythispartridge，buttheLordknowswhatmischieftheyhavedone。\"
Athisreturnhome，TomwaspresentlyconvenedbeforeMr。Allworthy。
Heownedthefact，andalledgednootherexcusebutwhatwasreallytrue，viz。，thatthecoveywasoriginallysprunginMr。Allworthy’sownmanor。
Tomwastheninterrogatedwhowaswithhim，whichMr。Allworthydeclaredhewasresolvedtoknow，acquaintingtheculpritwiththecircumstanceofthetwoguns，whichhadbeendeposedbythesquireandbothhisservants；butTomstoutlypersistedinassertingthathewasalone；yet，tosaythetruth，hehesitatedalittleatfirst，whichwouldhaveconfirmedMr。Allworthy’sbelief，hadwhatthesquireandhisservantssaidwantedanyfurtherconfirmation。
Thegamekeeper，beingasuspectedperson，wasnowsentfor，andthequestionputtohim；buthe，relyingonthepromisewhichTomhadmadehim，totakealluponhimself，veryresolutelydeniedbeingincompanywiththeyounggentleman，orindeedhavingseenhimthewholeafternoon。
Mr。AllworthythenturnedtowardsTom，withmorethanusualangerinhiscountenance，andadvisedhimtoconfesswhowaswithhim；
repeating，thathewasresolvedtoknow。Thelad，however，stillmaintainedhisresolution，andwasdismissedwithmuchwrathbyMr。
Allworthy，whotoldhimheshouldhavetothenextmorningtoconsiderofit，whenheshouldbequestionedbyanotherperson，andinanothermanner。
PoorJonesspentaverymelancholynight；andthemoreso，ashewaswithouthisusualcompanion；forMasterBlifilwasgoneabroadonavisitwithhismother。Fearofthepunishmenthewastosufferwasonthisoccasionhisleastevil；hischiefanxietybeing，lesthisconstancyshouldfailhim，andheshouldbebroughttobetraythegamekeeper，whoseruinheknewmustnowbetheconsequence。
Nordidthegamekeeperpasshistimemuchbetter。Hehadthesameapprehensionswiththeyouth；forwhosehonourhehadlikewiseamuchtendererregardthanforhisskin。
Inthemorning，whenTomattendedthereverendMr。Thwackum，thepersontowhomMr。Allworthyhadcommittedtheinstructionofthetwoboys，hehadthesamequestionsputtohimbythatgentlemanwhichhebeenaskedtheeveningbefore，towhichhereturnedthesameanswers。Theconsequenceofthiswas，sosevereawhipping，thatitpossiblyfelllittleshortofthetorturewithwhichconfessionsareinsomecountriesextortedfromcriminals。
Tomborehispunishmentwithgreatresolution；andthoughhismasteraskedhim，betweeneverystroke，whetherhewouldnotconfess，hewascontentedtobefleadratherthanbetrayhisfriend，orbreakthepromisehehadmade。
Thegamekeeperwasnowrelievedfromhisanxiety，andMr。
AllworthyhimselfbegantobeconcernedatTom’ssufferings:forbesidesthatMr。Thwackum，beinghighlyenragedthathewasnotabletomaketheboysaywhathehimselfpleased，hadcarriedhisseveritymuchbeyondthegoodman’sintention，thislatterbegannowtosuspectthatthesquirehadbeenmistaken；whichhisextremeeagernessandangerseemedtomakeprobable；andasforwhattheservantshadsaidinconfirmationoftheirmaster’saccount，helaidnogreatstressuponthat。Now，ascrueltyandinjusticeweretwoideasofwhichMr。Allworthycouldbynomeanssupporttheconsciousnessasinglemoment，hesentforTom，andaftermanykindandfriendlyexhortations，said，\"Iamconvinced，mydearchild，thatmysuspicionshavewrongedyou；Iamsorrythatyouhavebeensoseverelypunishedonthisaccount。\"Andatlastgavehimalittlehorsetomakehimamends；againrepeatinghissorrowforwhathadpast。
Tom’sguiltnowflewinhisfacemorethananyseveritycouldmakeit。HecouldmoreeasilybearthelashesofThwackum，thanthegenerosityofAllworthy。Thetearsburstfromhiseyes，andhefelluponhisknees，crying，\"Oh，sir，youaretoogoodtome。Indeedyouare。IndeedIdon’tdeserveit。\"Andatthatveryinstant，fromthefulnessofhisheart，hadalmostbetrayedthesecret；butthegoodgeniusofthegamekeepersuggestedtohimwhatmightbetheconsequencetothepoorfellow，andthisconsiderationsealedhislips。
ThwackumdidallhecouldtopersuadeAllworthyfromshowinganycompassionorkindnesstotheboy，saying，\"Hehadpersistedinanuntruth\"；andgavesomehints，thatasecondwhippingmightprobablybringthemattertolight。
ButMr。Allworthyabsolutelyrefusedtoconsenttotheexperiment。
Hesaid，theboyhadsufferedenoughalreadyforconcealingthetruth，evenifhewasguilty，seeingthathecouldhavenomotivebutamistakenpointofhonourforsodoing。
\"Honour！\"cryedThwackum，withsomewarmth，\"merestubbornnessandobstinacy！Canhonourteachanyonetotellalie，orcananyhonourexistindependentofreligion？\"
Thisdiscoursehappenedattablewhendinnerwasjustended；andtherewerepresentMr。Allworthy，Mr。Thwackum，andathirdgentleman，whonowenteredintothedebate，andwhom，beforeweproceedanyfurther，weshallbrieflyintroducetoourreader’sacquaintance。
Chapter3
ThecharacterofMr。Squarethephilosopher，andofMr。Thwackumthedivine；withadisputeconcerning-
Thenameofthisgentleman，whohadthenresidedsometimeatMr。
Allworthy’shouse，wasMr。Square。Hisnaturalpartswerenotofthefirstrate，buthehadgreatlyimprovedthembyalearnededucation。
Hewasdeeplyreadintheantients，andaprofestmasterofalltheworksofPlatoandAristotle。Uponwhichgreatmodelshehadprincipallyformedhimself；sometimesaccordingwiththeopinionoftheone，andsometimeswiththatoftheother。InmoralshewasaprofestPlatonist，andinreligionheinclinedtobeanAristotelian。
Butthoughhehad，aswehavesaid，formedhismoralsonthePlatonicmodel，yetheperfectlyagreedwiththeopinionofAristotle，inconsideringthatgreatmanratherinthequalityofaphilosopheroraspeculatist，thanasalegislator。Thissentimenthecarriedagreatway；indeed，sofar，astoregardallvirtueasmatteroftheoryonly。This，itistrue，heneveraffirmed，asIhaveheard，toanyone；andyetupontheleastattentiontohisconduct，Icannothelpthinkingitwashisrealopinion，asitwillperfectlyreconcilesomecontradictionswhichmightotherwiseappearinhischaracter。
ThisgentlemanandMr。Thwackumscarceevermetwithoutadisputation；fortheirtenetswereindeeddiametricallyoppositetoeachother。Squareheldhumannaturetobetheperfectionofallvirtue，andthatvicewasadeviationfromournature，inthesamemannerasdeformityofbodyis。Thwackum，onthecontrary，maintainedthatthehumanmind，sincethefall，wasnothingbutasinkofiniquity，tillpurifiedandredeemedbygrace。Inonepointonlytheyagreed，whichwas，inalltheirdiscoursesonmoralitynevertomentionthewordgoodness。Thefavouritephraseoftheformer，wasthenaturalbeautyofvirtue；thatofthelatter，wasthedivinepowerofgrace。Theformermeasuredallactionsbytheunalterableruleofright，andtheeternalfitnessofthings；thelatterdecidedallmattersbyauthority；butindoingthis，healwaysusedthescripturesandtheircommentators，asthelawyerdothhisCokeuponLyttleton，wherethecommentisofequalauthoritywiththetext。
Afterthisshortintroduction，thereaderwillbepleasedtoremember，thattheparsonhadconcludedhisspeechwithatriumphantquestion，towhichhehadapprehendednoanswer；viz。，Cananyhonourexistindependentofreligion？
TothisSquareanswered；thatitwasimpossibletodiscoursephilosophicallyconcerningwords，tilltheirmeaningwasfirstestablished:thattherewerescarceanytwowordsofamorevagueanduncertainsignification，thanthetwohehadmentioned；forthattherewerealmostasmanydifferentopinionsconcerninghonour，asconcerningreligion。\"But，\"sayshe，\"ifbyhonouryoumeanthetruenaturalbeautyofvirtue，Iwillmaintainitmayexistindependentofanyreligionwhatever。Nay，\"addedhe，\"youyourselfwillallowitmayexistindependentofallbutone:sowillaMahometan，aJew，andallthemaintainersofallthedifferentsectsintheworld。\"
Thwackumreplied，thiswasarguingwiththeusualmaliceofalltheenemiestothetrueChurch。Hesaid，hedoubtednotbutthatalltheinfidelsandhereticksintheworldwould，iftheycould，confinehonourtotheirownabsurderrorsanddamnabledeceptions；
\"buthonour，\"sayshe，\"isnotthereforemanifold，becausetherearemanyabsurdopinionsaboutit；norisreligionmanifold，becausetherearevarioussectsandheresiesintheworld。WhenImentionreligion，ImeantheChristianreligion；andnotonlytheChristianreligion，buttheProtestantreligion；andnotonlytheProtestantreligion，buttheChurchofEngland。AndwhenImentionhonour，ImeanthatmodeofDivinegracewhichisnotonlyconsistentwith，butdependentupon，thisreligion；andisconsistentwithanddependentuponnoother。NowtosaythatthehonourIheremean，andwhichwas，Ithought，allthehonourIcouldbesupposedtomean，willuphold，mustlessdictateanuntruth，istoassertanabsurditytooshockingtobeconceived。\"
\"Ipurposelyavoided，\"saysSquare，\"drawingaconclusionwhichI
thoughtevidentfromwhatIhavesaid；butifyouperceivedit，Iamsureyouhavenotattemptedtoanswerit。However，todropthearticleofreligion，Ithinkitisplain，fromwhatyouhavesaid，thatwehavedifferentideasofhonour；orwhydowenotagreeinthesametermsofitsexplanation？Ihaveasserted，thattruehonourandtruevirtuearealmostsynonymousterms，andtheyarebothfoundedontheunalterableruleofright，andtheeternalfitnessofthings；towhichanuntruthbeingabsolutelyrepugnantandcontrary，itiscertainthattruehonourcannotsupportanuntruth。Inthis，therefore，Ithinkweareagreed；butthatthishonourcanbesaidtobefoundedonreligion，towhichitisantecedent，ifbyreligionbemeantanypositivelaw——\"
\"Iagree，\"answeredThwackum，withgreatwarmth，\"withamanwhoassertshonourtobeantecedenttoreligion！Mr。Allworthy，didI
agree——？\"
HewasproceedingwhenMr。Allworthyinterposed，tellingthemverycoldly，theyhadbothmistakenhismeaning；forthathehadsaidnothingoftruehonour-Itispossible，however，hewouldnothaveeasilyquietedthedisputants，whoweregrowingequallywarm，hadnotanothermatternowfallenout，whichputafinalendtotheconversationatpresent。
Chapter4
Containinganecessaryapologyfortheauthor；andachildishincident，whichperhapsrequiresanapologylikewiseBeforeIproceedfarther，Ishallbegleavetoobviatesomemisconstructionsintowhichthezealofsomefewreadersmayleadthem；forIwouldnotwillinglygiveoffencetoany，especiallytomenwhoarewarminthecauseofvirtueorreligion。
Ihope，therefore，nomanwill，bythegrossestmisunderstandingofperversionofmymeaning，misrepresentme，asendeavouringtocastanyridiculeonthegreatestperfectionsofhumannature；andwhichdo，indeed，alonepurifyandennobletheheartofman，andraisehimabovethebrutecreation。This，reader，Iwillventuretosayandbyhowmuchthebettermanyouareyourself，bysomuchthemorewillyoubeinclinedtobelieveme，thatIwouldratherhaveburiedthesentimentsofthesetwopersonsineternaloblivion，thanhavedoneanyinjurytoeitherofthesegloriouscauses。
Onthecontrary，itiswithaviewtotheirservice，thatIhavetakenuponmetorecordthelivesandactionsoftwooftheirfalseandpretendedchampions。Atreacherousfriendisthemostdangerousenemy；andIwillsayboldly，thatbothreligionandvirtuehavereceivedmorerealdiscreditfromhypocritesthanthewittiestprofligatesorinfidelscouldevercastuponthem:nay，farther，asthesetwo，intheirpurity，arerightlycalledthebandsofcivilsociety，andareindeedthegreatestofblessings；sowhenpoisonedandcorruptedwithfraud，pretence，andeffectation，theyhavebecometheworstofcivilcurses，andhaveenabledmentoperpetratethemostcruelmischiefstotheirownspecies。
Indeed，Idoubtnotbutthisridiculewillingeneralbeallowed:mychiefapprehensionis，asmanytrueandjustsentimentsoftencamefromthemouthsofthesepersons，lestthewholeshouldbetakentogether，andIshouldbeconceivedtoridiculeallalike。Nowthereaderwillbepleasedtoconsider，that，asneitherofthesemenwerefools，theycouldnotbesupposedtohaveholdennonebutwrongprinciples，andtohaveutterednothingbutabsurdities；whatinjustice，therefore，mustIhavedonetotheircharacters，hadI
selectedonlywhatwasbad！Andhowhorriblywretchedandmaimedmusttheirargumentshaveappeared！
Uponthewhole，itisnotreligionorvirtue，butthewantorthem，whichishereexposed。HadnotThwackumtoomuchneglectedvirtue，andSquare，religion，inthecompositionoftheirseveralsystems，andhadnotbothutterlydiscardedallnaturalgoodnessofheart，theyhadneverbeenrepresentedastheobjectsofderisioninthishistory；inwhichwewillnowproceed。
Thismatterthen，whichputanendtothedebatementionedinthelastchapter，wasnootherthanaquarrelbetweenMasterBlifilandTomJones，theconsequenceofwhichhadbeenabloodynosetotheformer；forthoughMasterBlifil，notwithstandinghewastheyounger，wasinsizeabovetheother’smatch，yetTomwasmuchhissuperioratthenobleartofboxing。
Tom，however，cautiouslyavoidedallengagementswiththatyouth；
forbesidesthatTommyJoneswasaninoffensiveladamidstallhisroguery，andreallylovedBlifil，Mr。Thwackumbeingalwaysthesecondofthelatter，wouldhavebeensufficienttodeterhim。
Butwellsaysacertainauthor，Nomaniswiseatallhours；itisthereforenowonderthataboyisnotso。Adifferencearisingatplaybetweenthetwolads，MasterBlifilcalledTomabeggarlybastard。
Uponwhichthelatter，whowassomewhatpassionateinhisdisposition，immediatelycausedthatphenomenoninthefaceoftheformer，whichwehaveaboveremembered。
MasterBlifilnow，withhisbloodrunningfromhisnose，andthetearsgallopingafterfromhiseyes，appearedbeforehisuncleandthetremendousThwackum。Inwhichcourtanindictmentofassault，battery，andwounding，wasinstantlypreferredagainstTom；whoinhisexcuseonlypleadedtheprovocation，whichwasindeedallthematterthatMasterBlifilhadomitted。
Itisindeedpossiblethatthiscircumstancemighthaveescapedhismemory；for，inhisreply，hepositivelyinsisted，thathehadmadeuseofnosuchappellation；adding，\"Heavenforbidsuchnaughtywordsshouldevercomeoutofhismouth！\"
Tom，thoughagainstallformoflaw，rejoinedinaffirmanceofthewords。UponwhichMasterBlifilsaid，\"Itisnowonder。Thosewhowilltellonefib，willhardlystickatanother。IfIhadtoldmymastersuchawickedfibasyouhavedone，Ishouldbeashamedtoshowmyface。\"
\"Whatfib，child？\"criesThwackumprettyeagerly。
\"Why，hetoldyouthatnobodywaswithhimashootingwhenhekilledthepartridge；butheknows\"hereheburstintoafloodoftears，\"yes，heknows，forheconfessedittome，thatBlackGeorgethegamekeeperwasthere。Nay，hesaid-yesyoudid-denyitifyoucan，thatyouwouldnothaveconfestthetruth，thoughmasterhadcutyoutopieces。\"
AtthisthefireflashedfromThwackum’seyes，andhecriedoutintriumph-\"Oh！ho！thisisyourmistakennotionofhonour！Thisistheboywhowasnottobewhippedagain！\"ButMr。Allworthy，withamoregentleaspect，turnedtowardsthelad，andsaid，\"Isthistrue，child？
Howcameyoutopersistsoobstinatelyinafalsehood？\"
Tomsaid，\"Hescornedalieasmuchasanyone:buthethoughthishonourengagedhimtoactashedid；forhehadpromisedthepoorfellowtoconcealhim:which，\"hesaid，\"hethoughthimselffartherobligedto，asthegamekeeperhadbeggedhimnottogointothegentleman’smanor，andhadatlastgonehimself，incompliancewithhispersuasions。\"Hesaid，\"Thiswasthewholetruthofthematter，andhewouldtakehisoathofit\"；andconcludedwithverypassionatelybeggingMr。Allworthy\"tohavecompassiononthepoorfellow’sfamily，especiallyashehimselfonlyhadbeenguilty，andtheotherhadbeenverydifficultlyprevailedontodowhathedid。
Indeed，sir，\"saidhe，\"itcouldhardlybecalledaliethatItold；
forthepoorfellowwasentirelyinnocentofthewholematter。I
shouldhavegonealoneafterthebirds；nay，Ididgoatfirst，andheonlyfollowedmetopreventmoremischief。Do，pray，sir，letmebepunished；takemylittlehorseawayagain；butpray，sir，forgivepoorGeorge。\"
Mr。Allworthyhesitatedafewmoments，andthendismissedtheboys，advisingthemtolivemorefriendlyandpeaceablytogether。
Chapter5
Theopinionsofthedivineandthephilosopherconcerningthetwoboys；withsomereasonsfortheiropinions，andothermattersItisprobable，thatbydisclosingthissecret，whichhadbeencommunicatedintheutmostconfidencetohim，youngBlifilpreservedhiscompanionfromagoodlashing；fortheoffenceofthebloodynosewouldhavebeenofitselfsufficientcauseforThwackumtohaveproceededtocorrection；butnowthiswastotallyabsorbedintheconsiderationoftheothermatter；andwithregardtothis，Mr。
Allworthydeclaredprivately，hethoughttheboydeservedrewardratherthanpunishment，sothatThwackum’shandwaswithheldbyageneralpardon。
Thwackum，whosemeditationswerefullofbirch，exclaimedagainstthisweak，and，ashesaidhewouldventuretocallit，wickedlenity。
Toremitthepunishmentofsuchcrimeswas，hesaid，toencouragethem。Heenlargedmuchonthecorrectionofchildren，andquotedmanytextsfromSolomon，andothers；whichbeingtobefoundinsomanyotherbooks，shallnotbefoundhere。Hethenappliedhimselftotheviceoflying，onwhichheadhewasaltogetheraslearnedashehadbeenontheother。
Squaresaid，hehadbeenendeavouringtoreconcilethebehaviourofTomwithhisideaofperfectvirtue，butcouldnot。Heownedtherewassomethingwhichatfirstsightappearedlikefortitudeintheaction；butasfortitudewasavirtue，andfalsehoodavice，theycouldbynomeansagreeorunitetogether。Headded，thatasthiswasinsomemeasuretoconfoundvirtueandvice，itmightbeworthMr。
Thwackum’sconsideration，whetheralargercastigationmightnotbelaidonupontheaccount。
AsboththeselearnedmenconcurredincensuringJones，soweretheynolessunanimousinapplaudingMasterBlifil。Tobringtruthtolight，wasbytheparsonassertedtobethedutyofeveryreligiousman；andbythephilosopherthiswasdeclaredtobehighlyconformablewiththeruleofright，andtheeternalandunalterablefitnessofthings。
Allthis，however，weighedverylittlewithMr。Allworthy。HecouldnotbeprevailedontosignthewarrantfortheexecutionofJones。Therewassomethingwithinhisownbreastwithwhichtheinvinciblefidelitywhichthatyouthhadpreserved，correspondedmuchbetterthanithaddonewiththereligionofThwackum，orwiththevirtueofSquare。HethereforestrictlyorderedtheformerofthesegentlementoabstainfromlayingviolenthandsonTomforwhathadpast。Thepedagoguewasobligedtoobeythoseorders；butnotwithoutgreatreluctance，andfrequentmutteringsthattheboywouldbecertainlyspoiled。
Towardsthegamekeeperthegoodmanbehavedwithmoreseverity。Hepresentlysummonedthatpoorfellowbeforehim，andaftermanybitterremonstrances，paidhimhiswages，anddismisthimfromhisservice；forMr。Allworthyrightlyobserved，thattherewasagreatdifferencebetweenbeingguiltyofafalsehoodtoexcuseyourself，andtoexcuseanother。Helikewiseurged，astheprincipalmotivetohisinflexibleseverityagainstthisman，thathehadbaselysufferedTomJonestoundergosoheavyapunishmentforhissake，whereasheoughttohavepreventeditbymakingthediscoveryhimself。
Whenthisstorybecamepublic，manypeopledifferedfromSquareandThwackum，injudgingtheconductofthetwoladsontheoccasion。MasterBlifilwasgenerallycalledasneakingrascal，apoor-spiritedwretch，withotherepithetsofthelikekind；whilstTomwashonouredwiththeappellationsofabravelad，ajollydog，andanhonestfellow。Indeed，hisbehaviourtoBlackGeorgemuchingratiatedhimwithalltheservants；forthoughthatfellowwasbeforeuniversallydisliked，yethewasnosoonerturnedawaythanhewasasuniversallypitied；andthefriendshipandgallantryofTomJoneswascelebratedbythemallwiththehighestapplause；andtheycondemnedMasterBlifilasopenlyastheydurst，withoutincurringthedangerofoffendinghismother。Forallthis，however，poorTomsmartedintheflesh；forthoughThwackumhadbeeninhibitedtoexercisehisarmontheforegoingaccount，yet，astheproverbsays，Itiseasytofindastick，&c。Sowasiteasytofindarod；and，indeed，thenotbeingabletofindonewastheonlythingwhichcouldhavekeptThwackumanylongtimefromchastisingpoorJones。
Hadthebaredelightinthesportbeentheonlyinducementtothepedagogue，itisprobableMasterBlifilwouldlikewisehavehadhisshare；butthoughMr。Allworthyhadgivenhimfrequentorderstomakenodifferencebetweenthelads，yetwasThwackumaltogetheraskindandgentletothisyouth，ashewasharsh，nayevenbarbarous，totheother。Tosaythetruth，Blifilhadgreatlygainedhismaster’saffections；partlybytheprofoundrespecthealwaysshowedhisperson，butmuchmorebythedecentreverencewithwhichhereceivedhisdoctrine；forhehadgotbyheart，andfrequentlyrepeated，hisphrases，andmaintainedallhismaster’sreligiousprincipleswithazealwhichwassurprizinginonesoyoung，andwhichgreatlyendearedhimtotheworthypreceptor。
TomJones，ontheotherhand，wasnotonlydeficientinoutwardtokensofrespect，oftenforgettingtopulloffhishat，ortobowathismaster’sapproach；butwasaltogetherasunmindfulbothofhismaster’spreceptsandexample。Hewasindeedathoughtless，giddyyouth，withlittlesobrietyinhismanners，andlessinhiscountenance；andwouldoftenveryimpudentlyandindecentlylaughathiscompanionforhisseriousbehaviour。
Mr。Squarehadthesamereasonforhispreferenceoftheformerlad；
forTomJonesshowednomoreregardtothelearneddiscourseswhichthisgentlemanwouldsometimesthrowawayuponhim，thantothoseofThwackum。Heonceventuredtomakeajestoftheruleofright；andatanothertimesaid，hebelievedtherewasnoruleintheworldcapableofmakingsuchamanashisfatherforsoMr。Allworthysufferedhimselftobecalled。
MasterBlifil，onthecontrary，hadaddressenoughatsixteentorecommendhimselfatoneandthesametimetoboththeseopposites。
Withonehewasallreligion，withtheotherhewasallvirtue。Andwhenbothwerepresent，hewasprofoundlysilent，whichbothinterpretedinhisfavourandintheirown。
NorwasBlifilcontentedwithflatteringboththesegentlementotheirfaces；hetookfrequentoccasionsofpraisingthembehindtheirbackstoAllworthy；beforewhom，whentheytwowerealone，andhisunclecommendedanyreligiousorvirtuoussentimentformanysuchcameconstantlyfromhimheseldomfailedtoascribeittothegoodinstructionshehadreceivedfromeitherThwackumorSquare；forheknewhisunclerepeatedallsuchcomplimentstothepersonsforwhoseusetheyweremeant；andhefoundbyexperiencethegreatimpressionswhichtheymadeonthephilosopher，aswellasonthedivine:for，tosaythetruth，thereisnokindofflatterysoirresistibleasthis，atsecondhand。
Theyounggentleman，moreover，soonperceivedhowextremelygratefulallthosepanegyricsonhisinstructorsweretoMr。Allworthyhimself，astheysoloudlyresoundedthepraiseofthatsingularplanofeducationwhichhehadlaiddown；forthisworthymanhavingobservedtheimperfectinstitutionofourpublicschools，andthemanyviceswhichboyswerethereliabletolearn，hadresolvedtoeducatehisnephew，aswellastheotherlad，whomhehadinamanneradopted，inhisownhouse；wherehethoughttheirmoralswouldescapeallthatdangerofbeingcorruptedtowhichtheywouldbeunavoidablyexposedinanypublicschooloruniversity。
Having，therefore，determinedtocommittheseboystothetuitionofaprivatetutor，Mr。Thwackumwasrecommendedtohimforthatoffice，byaveryparticularfriend，ofwhoseunderstandingMr。
Allworthyhadagreatopinion，andinwhoseintegrityheplacedmuchconfidence。ThisThwackumwasfellowofacollege，wherehealmostentirelyresided；andhadagreatreputationforlearning，religion，andsobrietyofmanners。AndtheseweredoubtlessthequalificationsbywhichMr。Allworthy’sfriendhadbeeninducedtorecommendhim；
thoughindeedthisfriendhadsomeobligationstoThwackum’sfamily，whowerethemostconsiderablepersonsinaboroughwhichthatgentlemanrepresentedinparliament。
Thwackum，athisfirstarrival，wasextremelyagreeabletoAllworthy；andindeedheperfectlyansweredthecharacterwhichhadbeengivenofhim。Uponlongeracquaintance，however，andmoreintimateconversation，thisworthymansawinfirmitiesinthetutor，whichhecouldhavewishedhimtohavebeenwithout；thoughasthoseseemedgreatlyoverbalancedbyhisgoodqualities，theydidnotinclineMr。Allworthytopartwithhim:norwouldtheyindeedhavejustifiedsuchaproceeding；forthereaderisgreatlymistaken，ifheconceivesthatThwackumappearedtoMr。Allworthyinthesamelightashedothtohiminthishistory；andheisasmuchdeceived，ifheimaginesthatthemostintimateacquaintancewhichhehimselfcouldhavehadwiththatdivine，wouldhaveinformedhimofthosethingswhichwe，fromourinspiration，areenabledtoopenanddiscover。Ofreaderswho，fromsuchconceitsasthese，condemnthewisdomorpenetrationofMr。Allworthy，Ishallnotscrupletosay，thattheymakeaverybadandungratefuluseofthatknowledgewhichwehavecommunicatedtothem。
TheseapparenterrorsinthedoctrineofThwackumservedgreatlytopalliatethecontraryerrorsinthatofSquare，whichourgoodmannolesssawandcondemned。Hethought，indeed，thatthedifferentexuberanciesofthesegentlemenwouldcorrecttheirdifferentimperfections；andthatfromboth，especiallywithhisassistance，thetwoladswouldderivesufficientpreceptsoftruereligionandvirtue。Iftheeventhappenedcontrarytohisexpectations，thispossiblyproceededfromsomefaultintheplanitself；whichthereaderhathmyleavetodiscover，ifhecan:forwedonotpretendtointroduceanyinfalliblecharactersintothishistory；wherewehopenothingwillbefoundwhichhathneveryetbeenseeninhumannature。
Toreturntherefore:thereaderwillnot，Ithink，wonderthatthedifferentbehaviourofthetwoladsabovecommemorated，producedthedifferenteffectsofwhichhehathalreadyseensomeinstance；andbesidesthis，therewasanotherreasonfortheconductofthephilosopherandthepedagogue；butthisbeingmatterofgreatimportance，weshallrevealitinthenextchapter。
Chapter6
Containingabetterreasonstillforthebefore-mentionedopinionsItistobeknownthen，thatthosetwolearnedpersonages，whohavelatelymadeaconsiderablefigureonthetheatreofthishistory，had，fromtheirfirstarrivalatMr。Allworthy’shouse，takensogreatanaffection，theonetohisvirtue，theothertohisreligion，thattheyhadmeditatedtheclosestalliancewithhim。
Forthispurposetheyhadcasttheireyesonthatfairwidow，whom，thoughwehavenotforsometimemadeanymentionofher，thereader，wetrust，hathnotforgot。Mrs。Blifilwasindeedtheobjecttowhichtheybothaspired。
Itmayseemremarkable，that，offourpersonswhomwehavecommemoratedatMr。Allworthy’shouse，threeofthemshouldfixtheirinclinationsonaladywhowasnevergreatlycelebratedforherbeauty，andwhowas，moreover，nowalittledescendedintothevaleofyears；butinrealitybosomfriends，andintimateacquaintance，haveakindofnaturalpropensitytoparticularfemalesatthehouseofafriend-viz。，tohisgrandmother，mother，sister，daughter，aunt，niece，orcousin，whentheyarerich；andtohiswife，sister，daughter，niece，cousin，mistress，orservant-maid，iftheyshouldbehandsome。
Wewouldnot，however，haveourreaderimagine，thatpersonsofsuchcharactersasweresupportedbyThwackumandSquare，wouldundertakeamatterofthiskind，whichhathbeenalittlecensuredbysomerigidmoralists，beforetheyhadthoroughlyexaminedit，andconsideredwhetheritwasasShakespearphrasesit\"Stuffo’th’conscience，\"
orno。Thwackumwasencouragedtotheundertakingbyreflectingthattocovetyourneighbour’ssisterisnowhereforbidden:andheknewitwasaruleintheconstructionofalllaws，that\"Expressumfacitcessaretacitum。\"Thesenseofwhichis，\"Whenalawgiversetsdownplainlyhiswholemeaning，wearepreventedfrommakinghimmeanwhatwepleaseourselves。\"Assomeinstancesofwomen，therefore，arementionedinthedivinelaw，whichforbidsustocovetourneighbour’sgoods，andthatofasisteromitted，heconcludedittobelawful。AndastoSquare，whowasinhispersonwhatiscalledajollyfellow，orawidow’sman，heeasilyreconciledhischoicetotheeternalfitnessofthings。
Now，asbothofthesegentlemenwereindustriousintakingeveryopportunityofrecommendingthemselvestothewidow，theyapprehendedonecertainmethodwas，bygivinghersontheconstantpreferencetotheotherlad；andastheyconceivedthekindnessandaffectionwhichMr。Allworthyshowedthelatter，mustbehighlydisagreeabletoher，theydoubtednotbutthelayingholdonalloccasionstodegradeandvilifyhim，wouldbehighlypleasingtoher；who，asshehatedtheboy，mustloveallthosewhodidhimanyhurt。InthisThwackumhadtheadvantage；forwhileSquarecouldonlyscarifythepoorlad’sreputation，hecouldfleahisskin；and，indeed，heconsideredeverylashhegavehimasacomplimentpaidtohismistress；sothathecould，withtheutmostpropriety，repeatthisoldfloggingline，\"Castigotenonquododiohabeam，sedquodAMEN。
Ichastisetheenotoutofhatred，butoutoflove。\"Andthis，indeed，heoftenhadinhismouth，orrather，accordingtotheoldphrase，nevermoreproperlyapplied，athisfingers’ends。
Forthisreason，principally，thetwogentlemenconcurred，aswehaveseenabove，intheiropinionconcerningthetwolads；thisbeing，indeed，almosttheonlyinstanceoftheirconcurringonanypoint；
for，besidethedifferenceoftheirprinciples，theyhadbothlongagostronglysuspectedeachother’sdesign，andhatedoneanotherwithnolittledegreeofinveteracy。
Thismutualanimositywasagooddealincreasedbytheiralternatesuccesses；forMrs。Blifilknewwhattheywouldbeatlongbeforetheyimaginedit；or，indeed，intendedsheshould:fortheyproceededwithgreatcaution，lestsheshouldbeoffended，andacquaintMr。
Allworthy。Buttheyhadnoreasonforanysuchfear；shewaswellenoughpleasedwithapassion，ofwhichsheintendednoneshouldhaveanyfruitsbutherself。Andtheonlyfruitsshedesignedforherselfwere，flatteryandcourtship；forwhichpurposeshesoothedthembyturns，andalongtimeequally。Shewas，indeed，ratherinclinedtofavourtheparson’sprinciples；butSquare’spersonwasmoreagreeabletohereye，forhewasacomlyman；whereasthepedagoguedidincountenanceverynearlyresemblethatgentleman，who，intheHarlot’sProgress，isseencorrectingtheladiesinBridewell。
WhetherMrs。Blifilhadbeensurfeitedwiththesweetsofmarriage，ordisgustedbyitsbitters，orfromwhatothercauseitproceeded，Iwillnotdetermine；butshecouldneverbebroughttolistentoanysecondproposals。However，sheatlastconversedwithSquarewithsuchadegreeofintimacythatmalicioustonguesbegantowhisperthingsofher，towhichaswellforthesakeofthelady，asthattheywerehighlydisagreeabletotheruleofrightandthefitnessofthings，wewillgivenocredit，andthereforeshallnotblotourpaperwiththem。Thepedagogue，’tiscertain，whippedon，withoutgettingastepnearertohisjourney’send。
Indeedhehadcommittedagreaterror，andthatSquarediscoveredmuchsoonerthanhimself。Mrs。Blifilas，perhaps，thereadermayhaveformerlyguessedwasnotoverandabovepleasedwiththebehaviourofherhusband；nay，tobehonest，sheabsolutelyhatedhim，tillhisdeathatlastalittlereconciledhimtoheraffections。Itwillnotbethereforegreatlywonderedat，ifshehadnotthemostviolentregardtotheoffspringshehadbyhim。And，infact，shehadsolittleofthisregard，thatinhisinfancysheseldomsawherson，ortookanynoticeofhim；andhencesheacquiesced，afteralittlereluctance，inallthefavourswhichMr。Allworthyshoweredonthefoundling；whomthegoodmancalledhisownboy，andinallthingsputonanentireequalitywithMasterBlifil。ThisacquiescenceinMrs。Blifilwasconsideredbytheneighbours，andbythefamily，asamarkofhercondescensiontoherbrother’shumour，andshewasimaginedbyallothers，aswellasThwackumandSquare，tohatethefoundlinginherheart；nay，themorecivilitysheshowedhim，themoretheyconceivedshedetestedhim，andthesurerschemesshewaslayingforhisruin:forastheythoughtitherinteresttohatehim，itwasverydifficultforhertopersuadethemshedidnot。
Thwackumwasthemoreconfirmedinhisopinion，asshehadmorethanonceslilycausedhimtowhipTomJones，whenMr。Allworthy，whowasanenemytothisexercise，wasabroad；whereasshehadnevergivenanysuchordersconcerningyoungBlifil。AndthishadlikewiseimposeduponSquare。Inreality，thoughshecertainlyhatedherownson-ofwhich，howevermonstrousitappears，Iamassuredsheisnotasingularinstance-sheappeared，notwithstandingallheroutwardcompliance，tobeinherheartsufficientlydispleasedwithallthefavourshownbyMr。Allworthytothefoundling。Shefrequentlycomplainedofthisbehindherbrother’sback，andverysharplycensuredhimforit，bothtoThwackumandSquare；nay，shewouldthrowitintheteethofAllworthyhimself，whenalittlequarrel，ormiff，asitisvulgarlycalled，arosebetweenthem。
However，whenTomgrewup，andgavetokensofthatgallantryoftemperwhichgreatlyrecommendsmentowomen，thisdisinclinationwhichshehaddiscoveredtohimwhenachild，bydegreesabated，andatlastshesoevidentlydemonstratedheraffectiontohimtobemuchstrongerthanwhatsheboreherownson，thatitwasimpossibletomistakeheranylonger。Shewassodesirousofoftenseeinghim，anddiscoveredsuchsatisfactionanddelightinhiscompany，thatbeforehewaseighteenyearsoldhewasbecomearivaltobothSquareandThwackum；andwhatisworse，thewholecountrybegantotalkasloudlyofherinclinationtoTom，astheyhadbeforedoneofthatwhichshehadshowntoSquare:onwhichaccountthephilosopherconceivedthemostimplacablehatredforourpoorheroe。
Chapter7
InwhichtheauthorhimselfmakeshisappearanceonthestageThoughMr。Allworthywasnotofhimselfhastytoseethingsinadisadvantageouslight，andwasastrangertothepublicvoice，whichseldomreachestoabrotherorahusband，thoughitringsintheearsofalltheneighbourhood；yetwasthisaffectionofMrs。BlifiltoTom，andthepreferencewhichshetoovisiblygavehimtoherownson，oftheutmostdisadvantagetothatyouth。
ForsuchwasthecompassionwhichinhabitedMr。Allworthy’smind，thatnothingbutthesteelofjusticecouldeversubdueit。Tobeunfortunateinanyrespectwassufficient，iftherewasnodemerittocounterpoiseit，toturnthescaleofthatgoodman’spity，andtoengagehisfriendshipandhisbenefaction。
WhenthereforeheplainlysawMasterBlifilwasabsolutelydetestedforthathewasbyhisownmother，hebegan，onthataccountonly，tolookwithaneyeofcompassionuponhim；andwhattheeffectsofcompassionare，ingoodandbenevolentminds，Ineednothereexplaintomostofmyreaders。
Henceforwardhesaweveryappearanceofvirtueintheyouththroughthemagnifyingend，andviewedallhisfaultswiththeglassinverted，sothattheybecamescarceperceptible。Andthisperhapstheamiabletemperofpitymaymakecommendable；butthenextsteptheweaknessofhumannaturealonemustexcuse；forhenosoonerperceivedthatpreferencewhichMrs。BlifilgavetoTom，thanthatpooryouthhoweverinnocentbegantosinkinhisaffectionsasheroseinhers。
This，itistrue，wouldofitselfaloneneverhavebeenabletoeradicateJonesfromhisbosom；butitwasgreatlyinjurioustohim，andpreparedMr。Allworthy’smindforthoseimpressionswhichafterwardsproducedthemightyeventsthatwillbecontainedhereafterinthishistory；andtowhich，itmustbeconfest，theunfortunatelad，byhisownwantonness，wildness，andwantofcaution，toomuchcontributed。
Inrecordingsomeinstancesofthese，weshall，ifrightlyunderstood，affordaveryusefullessontothosewell-disposedyouthswhoshallhereafterbeourreaders；fortheymayherefind，thatgoodnessofheart，andopennessoftemper，thoughthesemaygivethemgreatcomfortwithin，andadministertoanhonestprideintheirownminds，willbynomeans，alas！dotheirbusinessintheworld。Prudenceandcircumspectionarenecessaryeventothebestofmen。Theyareindeed，asitwere，aguardtoVirtue，withoutwhichshecanneverbesafe。Itisnotenoughthatyourdesigns，nay，thatyouractions，areintrinsicallygood；youmusttakecaretheyshallappearso。Ifyourinsidebeneversobeautiful，youmustpreserveafairoutsidealso。Thismustbeconstantlylookedto，ormaliceandenvywilltakecaretoblackenitso，thatthesagacityandgoodnessofanAllworthywillnotbeabletoseethroughit，andtodiscernthebeautieswithin。Letthis，myyoungreaders，beyourconstantmaxim，thatnomancanbegoodenoughtoenablehimtoneglecttherulesofprudence；norwillVirtueherselflookbeautiful，unlessshebebedeckedwiththeoutwardornamentsofdecencyanddecorum。Andthisprecept，myworthydisciples，ifyoureadwithdueattention，youwill，Ihope，findsufficientlyenforcedbyexamplesinthefollowingpages。
Iaskpardonforthisshortappearance，bywayofchorus，onthestage。Itisinrealityformyownsake，that，whileIamdiscoveringtherocksonwhichinnocenceandgoodnessoftensplit，I
maynotbemisunderstoodtorecommendtheverymeanstomyworthyreaders，bywhichIintendtoshowthemtheywillbeundone。Andthis，asIcouldnotprevailonanyofmyactorstospeak，Imyselfwasobligedtodeclare。