Chapter8
Achildishincident，inwhich，however，isseenagood-natureddispositioninTomJonesThereadermayrememberthatMr。AllworthygaveTomJonesalittlehorse，asakindofsmart-moneyforthepunishmentwhichheimaginedhehadsufferedinnocently。
ThishorseTomkeptabovehalfayear，andthenrodehimtoaneighbouringfair，andsoldhim。
Athisreturn，beingquestionedbyThwackumwhathehaddonewiththemoneyforwhichthehorsewassold，hefranklydeclaredhewouldnottellhim。
\"Oho！\"saysThwackum，\"youwillnot！thenIwillhaveitoutofyourbr-h\"；thatbeingtheplacetowhichhealwaysappliedforinformationoneverydoubtfuloccasion。
Tomwasnowmountedonthebackofafootman，andeverythingpreparedforexecution，whenMr。Allworthy，enteringtheroom，gavethecriminalareprieve，andtookhimwithhimintoanotherapartment；
where，beingalonewithTom，heputthesamequestiontohimwhichThwackumhadbeforeaskedhim。
Tomanswered，hecouldindutyrefusehimnothing；butasforthattyrannicalrascal，hewouldnevermakehimanyotheranswerthanwithacudgel，withwhichhehopedsoontobeabletopayhimforallhisbarbarities。
Mr。Allworthyveryseverelyreprimandedtheladforhisindecentanddisrespectfulexpressionsconcerninghismaster；butmuchmoreforhisavowinganintentionofrevenge。Hethreatenedhimwiththeentirelossofhisfavour，ifheeverheardsuchanotherwordfromhismouth；
for，hesaid，hewouldneversupportorbefriendareprobate。Bytheseandthelikedeclarations，heextortedsomecompunctionfromTom，inwhichthatyouthwasnotover-sincere；forhereallymeditatedsomereturnforallthesmartingfavourshehadreceivedatthehandsofthepedagogue。Hewas，however，broughtbyMr。AllworthytoexpressaconcernforhisresentmentagainstThwackum；andthenthegoodman，aftersomewholesomeadmonition，permittedhimtoproceed，whichhedidasfollows:-
\"Indeed，mydearsir，Iloveandhonouryoumorethanalltheworld:
IknowthegreatobligationsIhavetoyou，andshoulddetestmyselfifIthoughtmyheartwascapableofingratitude。Couldthelittlehorseyougavemespeak，IamsurehecouldtellyouhowfondIwasofyourpresent；forIhadmorepleasureinfeedinghimthaninridinghim。Indeed，sir，itwenttomyhearttopartwithhim；norwouldI
havesoldhimuponanyotheraccountintheworldthanwhatIdid。Youyourself，sir，Iamconvinced，inmycase，wouldhavedonethesame:
fornoneeversosensiblyfeltthemisfortunesofothers。Whatwouldyoufeel，dearsir，ifyouthoughtyourselftheoccasionofthem？
Indeed，sir，thereneverwasanymiseryliketheirs。\"
\"Likewhose，child？\"saysAllworthy:\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Oh，sir！\"answeredTom，\"yourpoorgamekeeper，withallhislargefamily，eversinceyourdiscardinghim，havebeenperishingwithallthemiseriesofcoldandhunger:Icouldnotbeartoseethesepoorwretchesnakedandstarving，andatthesametimeknowmyselftohavebeentheoccasionofalltheirsufferings。Icouldnotbearit，sir；uponmysoul，Icouldnot。\"[Herethetearsrandownhischeeks，andhethusproceeded。]\"ItwastosavethemfromabsolutedestructionIpartedwithyourdearpresent，notwithstandingallthevalueIhadforit:Isoldthehorseforthem，andtheyhaveeveryfarthingofthemoney。\"
Mr。Allworthynowstoodsilentforsomemoments，andbeforehespokethetearsstartedfromhiseyes。HeatlengthdismissedTomwithagentlerebuke，advisinghimforthefuturetoapplytohimincasesofdistress，ratherthantouseextraordinarymeansofrelievingthemhimself。
ThisaffairwasafterwardsthesubjectofmuchdebatebetweenThwackumandSquare。Thwackumheld，thatthiswasflyinginMr。
Allworthy’sface，whohadintendedtopunishthefellowforhisdisobedience。Hesaid，insomeinstances，whattheworldcalledcharityappearedtohimtobeopposingthewilloftheAlmighty，whichhadmarkedsomeparticularpersonsfordestruction；andthatthiswasinlikemanneractinginoppositiontoMr。Allworthy；
concluding，asusual，withaheartyrecommendationofbirch。
Squarearguedstronglyontheotherside，inoppositionperhapstoThwackum，orincompliancewithMr。Allworthy，whoseemedverymuchtoapprovewhatJoneshaddone。Astowhatheurgedonthisoccasion，asIamconvincedmostofmyreaderswillbemuchableradvocatesforpoorJones，itwouldbeimpertinenttorelateit。Indeeditwasnotdifficulttoreconciletotheruleofrightanactionwhichitwouldhavebeenimpossibletodeducefromtheruleofwrong。
Chapter9
Containinganincidentofamoreheinouskind，withthecommentsofThwackumandSquareIthathbeenobservedbysomemanofmuchgreaterreputationforwisdomthanmyself，thatmisfortunesseldomcomesingle。Aninstanceofthismay，Ibelieve，beseeninthosegentlemenwhohavethemisfortunetohaveanyoftheirrogueriesdetected；forherediscoveryseldomstopstillthewholeiscomeout。ThusithappenedtopoorTom；
whowasnosoonerpardonedforsellingthehorse，thanhewasdiscoveredtohavesometimebeforesoldafineBiblewhichMr。
Allworthygavehim，themoneyarisingfromwhichsalehehaddisposedofinthesamemanner。ThisBibleMasterBlifilhadpurchased，thoughhehadalreadysuchanotherofhisown，partlyoutofrespectforthebook，andpartlyoutoffriendshiptoTom，beingunwillingthattheBibleshouldbesoldoutofthefamilyathalf-price。Hethereforedepositedthesaidhalf-pricehimself；forhewasaveryprudentlad，andsocarefulofhismoney，thathehadlaidupalmosteverypennywhichhehadreceivedfromMr。Allworthy。
Somepeoplehavebeennotedtobeabletoreadinnobookbuttheirown。Onthecontrary，fromthetimewhenMasterBlifilwasfirstpossessedofthisBible，heneverusedanyother。Nay，hewasseenreadinginitmuchoftenerthanhehadbeforebeeninhisown。Now，ashefrequentlyaskedThwackumtoexplaindifficultpassagestohim，thatgentlemanunfortunatelytooknoticeofTom’sname，whichwaswritteninmanypartsofthebook。Thisbroughtonaninquiry，whichobligedMasterBlifiltodiscoverthewholematter。
Thwackumwasresolvedacrimeofthiskind，whichhecalledsacrilege，shouldnotgounpunished。Hethereforeproceededimmediatelytocastigation:andnotcontentedwiththatheacquaintedMr。Allworthy，attheirnextmeeting，withthismonstrouscrime，asitappearedtohim:inveighingagainstTominthemostbitterterms，andlikeninghimtothebuyersandsellerswhoweredrivenoutofthetemple。
Squaresawthismatterinaverydifferentlight。Hesaid，hecouldnotperceiveanyhighercrimeinsellingonebookthaninsellinganother。ThattosellBibleswasstrictlylawfulbyalllawsbothDivineandhuman，andconsequentlytherewasnounfitnessinit。HetoldThwackum，thathisgreatconcernonthisoccasionbroughttohismindthestoryofaverydevoutwoman，who，outofpureregardtoreligion，stoleTillotson’sSermonsfromaladyofheracquaintance。
Thisstorycausedavastquantityofbloodtorushintotheparson’sface，whichofitselfwasnoneofthepalest；andhewasgoingtoreplywithgreatwarmthandanger，hadnotMrs。Blifil，whowaspresentatthisdebate，interposed。ThatladydeclaredherselfabsolutelyofMr。Square’sside。Sheargued，indeed，verylearnedlyinsupportofhisopinion；andconcludedwithsaying，ifTomhadbeenguiltyofanyfault，shemustconfessherownsonappearedtobeequallyculpable；forthatshecouldseenodifferencebetweenthebuyerandtheseller；bothofwhomwerealiketobedrivenoutofthetemple。
Mrs。Blifilhavingdeclaredheropinion，putanendtothedebate。
Square’striumphwouldalmosthavestopthiswords，hadheneededthem；andThwackum，who，forreasonsbefore-mentioned，durstnotventureatdisobligingthelady，wasalmostchoakedwithindignation。AstoMr。Allworthy，hesaid，sincetheboyhadbeenalreadypunishedhewouldnotdeliverhissentimentsontheoccasion；andwhetherhewasorwasnotangrywiththelad，Imustleavetothereader’sownconjecture。
Soonafterthis，anactionwasbroughtagainstthegamekeeperbySquireWesternthegentlemaninwhosemanorthepartridgewaskilled，fordepredationsofthelikekind。Thiswasamostunfortunatecircumstanceforthefellow，asitnotonlyofitselfthreatenedhisruin，butactuallypreventedMr。Allworthyfromrestoringhimtohisfavour:forasthatgentlemanwaswalkingoutoneeveningwithMasterBlifilandyoungJones，thelatterslilydrewhimtothehabitationofBlackGeorge；wherethefamilyofthatpoorwretch，namely，hiswifeandchildren，werefoundinallthemiserywithwhichcold，hunger，andnakedness，canaffecthumancreatures:
forastothemoneytheyhadreceivedfromJones，formerdebtshadconsumedalmostthewhole。
SuchasceneasthiscouldnotfailofaffectingtheheartofMr。
Allworthy。Heimmediatelygavethemotheracoupleofguineas，withwhichhebidhercloathherchildren。Thepoorwomanburstintotearsatthisgoodness，andwhileshewasthankinghim，couldnotrefrainfromexpressinghergratitudetoTom；whohad，shesaid，longpreservedbothherandhersfromstarving。\"Wehavenot，\"saysshe，\"hadamorseltoeat，norhavethesepoorchildrenhadaragtoputon，butwhathisgoodnesshathbestowedonus。\"For，indeed，besidesthehorseandtheBible，Tomhadsacrificedanight-gown，andotherthings，totheuseofthisdistressedfamily。
Ontheirreturnhome，Tommadeuseofallhiseloquencetodisplaythewretchednessofthesepeople，andthepenitenceofBlackGeorgehimself；andinthishesucceededsowell，thatMr。Allworthysaid，hethoughtthemanhadsufferedenoughforwhatwaspast；thathewouldforgivehim，andthinkofsomemeansofprovidingforhimandhisfamily。
Joneswassodelightedwiththisnews，that，thoughitwasdarkwhentheyreturnedhome，hecouldnothelpgoingbackamile，inashowerofrain，toacquaintthepoorwomanwiththegladtidings；but，likeotherhastydivulgersofnews，heonlybroughtonhimselfthetroubleofcontradictingit:fortheillfortuneofBlackGeorgemadeuseoftheveryopportunityofhisfriend’sabsencetooverturnallagain。
Chapter10
InwhichMasterBlifilandJonesappearindifferentlightsMasterBlifilfellveryshortofhiscompanionintheamiablequalityofmercy；butheasgreatlyexceededhiminoneofamuchhigherkind，namely，injustice:inwhichhefollowedboththepreceptsandexampleofThwackumandSquare；forthoughtheywouldbothmakefrequentuseofthewordmercy，yetitwasplainthatinrealitySquareheldittobeinconsistentwiththeruleofright；
andThwackumwasfordoingjustice，andleavingmercytoheaven。Thetwogentlemendidindeedsomewhatdifferinopinionconcerningtheobjectsofthissublimevirtue；bywhichThwackumwouldprobablyhavedestroyedonehalfofmankind，andSquaretheotherhalf。
MasterBlifilthen，thoughhehadkeptsilenceinthepresenceofJones，yet，whenhehadbetterconsideredthematter，couldbynomeansendurethethoughtofsufferinghisuncletoconferfavoursontheundeserving。Hethereforeresolvedimmediatelytoacquainthimwiththefactwhichwehaveaboveslightlyhintedtothereader。Thetruthofwhichwasasfollows:
Thegamekeeper，aboutayearafterhewasdismissedfromMr。
Allworthy’sservice，andbeforeTom’ssellingthehorse，beinginwantofbread，eithertofillhisownmouthorthoseofhisfamily，ashepassedthroughafieldbelongingtoMr。Westernespiedaharesittinginherform。Thisharehehadbaselyandbarbarouslyknockedonthehead，againstthelawsoftheland，andnolessagainstthelawsofsportsmen。
Thehigglertowhomtheharewassold，beingunfortunatelytakenmanymonthsafterwithaquantityofgameuponhim，wasobligedtomakehispeacewiththesquire，bybecomingevidenceagainstsomepoacher。AndnowBlackGeorgewaspitcheduponbyhim，asbeingapersonalreadyobnoxioustoMr。Western，andoneofnogoodfameinthecountry。Hewas，besides，thebestsacrificethehigglercouldmake，ashehadsuppliedhimwithnogamesince；andbythismeansthewitnesshadanopportunityofscreeninghisbettercustomers:forthesquire，beingcharmedwiththepowerofpunishingBlackGeorge，whomasingletransgressionwassufficienttoruin，madenofurtherenquiry。
HadthisfactbeentrulylaidbeforeMr。Allworthy，itmightprobablyhavedonethegamekeeperverylittlemischief。Butthereisnozealblinderthanthatwhichisinspiredwiththeloveofjusticeagainstoffenders。MasterBlifilhadforgotthedistanceofthetime。Hevariedlikewiseinthemannerofthefact:andbythehastyadditionofthesingleletterSheconsiderablyalteredthestory；forhesaidthatGeorgehadwiredhares。Thesealterationsmightprobablyhavebeensetright，hadnotMasterBlifilunluckilyinsistedonapromiseofsecrecyfromMr。Allworthybeforeherevealedthemattertohim；butbythatmeansthepoorgamekeeperwascondemnedwithouthavinganopportunitytodefendhimself:forasthefactofkillingthehare，andoftheactionbrought，werecertainlytrue，Mr。Allworthyhadnodoubtconcerningtherest。
Short-livedthenwasthejoyofthesepoorpeople；forMr。Allworthythenextmorningdeclaredhehadfreshreason，withoutassigningit，forhisanger，andstrictlyforbadTomtomentionGeorgeanymore:
thoughasforhisfamily，hesaidhewouldendeavourtokeepthemfromstarving；butastothefellowhimself，hewouldleavehimtothelaws，whichnothingcouldkeephimfrombreaking。
TomcouldbynomeansdivinewhathadincensedMr。Allworthy，forofMasterBlifilhehadnottheleastsuspicion。However，ashisfriendshipwastobetiredoutbynodisappointments，henowdeterminedtotryanothermethodofpreservingthepoorgamekeeperfromruin。
JoneswaslatelygrownveryintimatewithMr。Western。Hehadsogreatlyrecommendedhimselftothatgentleman，byleapingoverfive-barredgates，andbyotheractsofsportsmanship，thatthesquirehaddeclaredTomwouldcertainlymakeagreatmanifhehadbutsufficientencouragement。Heoftenwishedhehadhimselfasonwithsuchparts；andonedayverysolemnlyassertedatadrinkingbout，thatTomshouldhuntapackofhoundsforathousandpoundofhismoney，withanyhuntsmaninthewholecountry。
Bysuchkindoftalentshehadsoingratiatedhimselfwiththesquire，thathewasamostwelcomeguestathistable，andafavouritecompanioninhissport:everythingwhichthesquireheldmostdear，towit，hisguns，dogs，andhorses，werenowasmuchatthecommandofJones，asiftheyhadbeenhisown。HeresolvedthereforetomakeuseofthisfavouronbehalfofhisfriendBlackGeorge，whomhehopedtointroduceintoMr。Western’sfamily，inthesamecapacityinwhichhehadbeforeservedMr。Allworthy。
Thereader，ifheconsidersthatthisfellowwasalreadyobnoxioustoMr。Western，andifheconsidersfarthertheweightybusinessbywhichthatgentleman’sdispleasurehadbeenincurred，willperhapscondemnthisasafoolishanddesperateundertaking；butifheshouldtotallycondemnyoungJonesonthataccount，hewillgreatlyapplaudhimforstrengtheninghimselfwithallimaginableinterestonsoarduousanoccasion。
Forthispurpose，then，TomappliedtoMr。Western’sdaughter，ayoungladyofaboutseventeenyearsofage，whomherfather，nextafterthosenecessaryimplementsofsportjustbeforementioned，lovedandesteemedabovealltheworld。Now，asshehadsomeinfluenceonthesquire，soTomhadsomelittleinfluenceonher。Butthisbeingtheintendedheroineofthiswork，aladywithwhomweourselvesaregreatlyinlove，andwithwhommanyofourreaderswillprobablybeinlovetoo，beforewepart，itisbynomeanspropersheshouldmakeherappearanceattheendofabook。
BOOKIV
CONTAININGTHETIMEOFAYEAR
Chapter1
ContainingfivepagesofpaperAstruthdistinguishesourwritingsfromthoseidleromanceswhicharefilledwithmonsters，theproductions，notofnature，butofdistemperedbrains；andwhichhavebeenthereforerecommendedbyaneminentcritictothesoleuseofthepastry-cook；so，ontheotherhand，wewouldavoidanyresemblancetothatkindofhistorywhichacelebratedpoetseemstothinkisnolesscalculatedfortheemolumentofthebrewer，asthereadingitshouldbealwaysattendedwithatankardofgoodale-
While-historywithhercomradeale，Soothesthesadseriesofherserioustale。
Forasthisistheliquorofmodernhistorians，nay，perhapstheirmuse，ifwemaybelievetheopinionofButler，whoattributesinspirationtoale，itoughtlikewisetobethepotationoftheirreaders，sinceeverybookoughttobereadwiththesamespiritandinthesamemannerasitiswrit。ThusthefamousauthorofHurlothrumbotoldalearnedbishop，thatthereasonhislordshipcouldnottastetheexcellenceofhispiecewas，thathedidnotreaditwithafiddleinhishand；whichinstrumenthehimselfhadalwayshadinhisown，whenhecomposedit。
Thatourwork，therefore，mightbeinnodangerofbeinglikenedtothelaboursofthesehistorians，wehavetakeneveryoccasionofinterspersingthroughthewholesundrysimiles，descriptions，andotherkindofpoeticalembellishments。Theseare，indeed，designedtosupplytheplaceofthesaidale，andtorefreshthemind，wheneverthoseslumbers，whichinalongworkareapttoinvadethereaderaswellasthewriter，shallbegintocreepuponhim。Withoutinterruptionsofthiskind，thebestnarrativeofplainmatteroffactmustoverpowereveryreader；fornothingbuttheeverlastingwatchfulness，whichHomerhasascribedonlytoJovehimself，canbeproofagainstanewspaperofmanyvolumes。
Weshallleavetothereadertodeterminewithwhatjudgmentwehavechosentheseveraloccasionsforinsertingthoseornamentalpartsofourwork。Surelyitwillbeallowedthatnonecouldbemoreproperthanthepresent，whereweareabouttointroduceaconsiderablecharacteronthescene；noless，indeed，thantheheroineofthisheroic，historical，prosaicpoem。Here，therefore，wehavethoughtpropertopreparethemindofthereaderforherreception，byfillingitwitheverypleasingimagewhichwecandrawfromthefaceofnature。Andforthismethodwepleadmanyprecedents。First，thisisanartwellknownto，andmuchpractisedby，ourtragickpoets，whoseldomfailtopreparetheiraudienceforthereceptionoftheirprincipalcharacters。
Thustheheroeisalwaysintroducedwithaflourishofdrumsandtrumpets，inordertorouseamartialspiritintheaudience，andtoaccommodatetheirearstobombastandfustian，whichMr。Locke’sblindmanwouldnothavegrosslyerredinlikeningtothesoundofatrumpet。Again，whenloversarecomingforth，softmusicoftenconductsthemonthestage，eithertosoothetheaudiencewiththesoftnessofthetenderpassion，ortolullandpreparethemforthatgentleslumberinwhichtheywillmostprobablybecomposedbytheensuingscene。
Andnotonlythepoets，butthemastersofthesepoets，themanagersofplayhouses，seemtobeinthissecret；for，besidestheaforesaidkettle-drums，&c。，whichdenotetheheroe’sapproach，heisgenerallyusheredonthestagebyalargetroopofhalfadozenscene-shifters；andhownecessarytheseareimaginedtohisappearance，maybeconcludedfromthefollowingtheatricalstory:-
KingPyrrhuswasatdinneratanale-houseborderingonthetheatre，whenhewassummonedtogoonthestage。Theheroe，beingunwillingtoquithisshoulderofmutton，andasunwillingtodrawonhimselftheindignationofMr。Wilkshisbrother-managerformakingtheaudiencewait，hadbribedthesehisharbingerstobeoutoftheway。WhileMr。Wilks，therefore，wasthunderingout，\"WherearethecarpenterstowalkonbeforeKingPyrrhus？\"thatmonarchveryquietlyeathismutton，andtheaudience，howeverimpatient，wereobligedtoentertainthemselveswithmusicinhisabsence。
Tobeplain，Imuchquestionwhetherthepolitician，whohathgenerallyagoodnose，hathnotscentedoutsomewhatoftheutilityofthispractice。Iamconvincedthatawfulmagistratemylord-mayorcontractsagooddealofthatreverencewhichattendshimthroughtheyear，bytheseveralpageantswhichprecedehispomp。Nay，I
mustconfess，thatevenImyself，whoamnotremarkablyliabletobecaptivatedwithshow，haveyieldednotalittletotheimpressionsofmuchprecedingstate。WhenIhaveseenamanstruttinginaprocession，afterotherswhosebusinesswasonlytowalkbeforehim，I
haveconceivedahighernotionofhisdignitythanIhavefeltonseeinghiminacommonsituation。Butthereisoneinstance，whichcomesexactlyuptomypurpose。Thisisthecustomofsendingonabasket-woman，whoistoprecedethepompatacoronation，andtostrewthestagewithflowers，beforethegreatpersonagesbegintheirprocession。TheantientswouldcertainlyhaveinvokedthegoddessFloraforthispurpose，anditwouldhavebeennodifficultyfortheirpriests，orpoliticianstohavepersuadedthepeopleoftherealpresenceofthedeity，thoughaplainmortalhadpersonatedherandperformedheroffice。Butwehavenosuchdesignofimposingonourreader；andthereforethosewhoobjecttotheheathentheology，may，iftheyplease，changeourgoddessintotheabove-mentionedbasket-woman。Ourintention，inshort，istointroduceourheroinewiththeutmostsolemnityinourpower，withanelevationofstile，andallothercircumstancespropertoraisethevenerationofourreader。Indeedwewould，forcertaincauses，advisethoseofourmalereaderswhohaveanyhearts，toreadnofarther，werewenotwellassured，thathowamiablesoeverthepictureofourheroinewillappear，asitisreallyacopyfromnature，manyofourfaircountry-womenwillbefoundworthytosatisfyanypassion，andtoansweranyideaoffemaleperfectionwhichourpencilwillbeabletoraise。
Andnow，withoutanyfurtherpreface，weproceedtoournextchapter。
Chapter2
Ashorthintofwhatwecandointhesublime，andadescriptionofMissSophiaWesternHushedbeeveryruderbreath。MaytheheathenrulerofthewindsconfineinironchainstheboisterouslimbsofnoisyBoreas，andthesharp-pointednoseofbitter-bitingEurus。Dothou，sweetZephyrus，risingfromthyfragrantbed，mountthewesternsky，andleadonthosedeliciousgales，thecharmsofwhichcallforththelovelyFlorafromherchamber，perfumedwithpearlydews，whenonthe1stofJune，herbirth-day，thebloomingmaid，inlooseattire，gentlytripsitovertheverdantmead，whereeveryflowerrisestodoherhomage，tillthewholefieldbecomesenamelled，andcolourscontendwithsweetswhichshallravishhermost。
Socharmingmayshenowappear！andyouthefeatheredchoristersofnature，whosesweetestnotesnotevenHandelcanexcell，tuneyourmelodiousthroatstocelebrateherappearance。Fromloveproceedsyourmusic，andtoloveitreturns。Awakenthereforethatgentlepassionineveryswain:forlo！adornedwithallthecharmsinwhichnaturecanarrayher；bedeckedwithbeauty，youth，sprightliness，innocence，modesty，andtenderness，breathingsweetnessfromherrosylips，anddartingbrightnessfromhersparklingeyes，thelovelySophiacomes！
Reader，perhapsthouhastseenthestatueoftheVenusdeMedicis。
Perhaps，too，thouhastseenthegalleryofbeautiesatHamptonCourt。
Thoumay’stremembereachbrightChurchillofthegalaxy，andallthetoastsoftheKit-cat。Or，iftheirreignwasbeforethytimes，atleastthouhastseentheirdaughters，thenolessdazzlingbeautiesofthepresentage；whosenames，shouldwehereinsert，weapprehendtheywouldfillthewholevolume。
Nowifthouhastseenallthese，benotafraidoftherudeanswerwhichLordRochesteroncegavetoamanwhohadseenmanythings。
No。Ifthouhastseenallthesewithoutknowingwhatbeautyis，thouhastnoeyes；ifwithoutfeelingitspower，thouhastnoheart。
Yetisitpossible，myfriend，thatthoumayesthaveseenallthesewithoutbeingabletoformanexactideaofSophia；forshedidnotexactlyresembleanyofthem。ShewasmostlikethepictureofLadyRanelagh:and，Ihaveheard，morestilltothefamousdutchessofMazarine；butmostofallsheresembledonewhoseimagenevercandepartfrommybreast，andwhom，ifthoudostremember，thouhastthen，myfriend，anadequateideaofSophia。
Butlestthisshouldnothavebeenthyfortune，wewillendeavourwithourutmostskilltodescribethisparagon，thoughwearesensiblethatourhighestabilitiesareveryinadequatetothetask。
Sophia，then，theonlydaughterofMr。Western，wasamiddle-sizedwoman；butratherincliningtotall。Hershapewasnotonlyexact，butextremelydelicate:andtheniceproportionofherarmspromisedthetruestsymmetryinherlimbs。Herhair，whichwasblack，wassoluxuriant，thatitreachedhermiddle，beforeshecutittocomplywiththemodernfashion；anditwasnowcurledsogracefullyinherneck，thatfewcouldbelieveittobeherown。Ifenvycouldfindanypartofthefacewhichdemandedlesscommendationthantherest，itmightpossiblythinkherforeheadmighthavebeenhigherwithoutprejudicetoher。Hereyebrowswerefull，even，andarchedbeyondthepowerofarttoimitate。Herblackeyeshadalustreinthem，whichallhersoftnesscouldnotextinguish。Hernosewasexactlyregular，andhermouth，inwhichweretworowsofivory，exactlyansweredSirJohnSuckling’sdescriptioninthoselines:-
Herlipswerered，andonewasthin，Compar’dtothatwasnextherchin，Somebeehadstungitnewly。
Hercheekswereoftheovalkind；andinherrightshehadadimple，whichtheleastsmilediscovered。Herchinhadcertainlyitsshareinformingthebeautyofherface；butitwasdifficulttosayitwaseitherlargeorsmall，thoughperhapsitwasratheroftheformerkind。Hercomplexionhadrathermoreofthelilythanoftherose；butwhenexerciseormodestyincreasedhernaturalcolour，novermilioncouldequalit。ThenonemightindeedcryoutwiththecelebratedDr。Donne:——
HerPureandeloquentbloodSpokeinhercheeks，andsodistinctlywroughtThatonemightalmostsayherbodythought。
Herneckwaslongandfinelyturned:andhere，ifIwasnotafraidofoffendingherdelicacy，Imightjustlysay，thehighestbeautiesofthefamousVenusdeMediciswereoutdone。Herewaswhitenesswhichnolilies，ivory，noralabastercouldmatch。Thefinestcambricmightindeedbesupposedfromenvytocoverthatbosomwhichwasmuchwhiterthanitself-Itwasindeed，NitorsplendensPariomarmorepurius。
AglossshiningbeyondthepurestbrightnessofParianmarble。
SuchwastheoutsideofSophia；norwasthisbeautifulframedisgracedbyaninhabitantunworthyofit。Hermindwaseverywayequaltoherperson；nay，thelatterborrowedsomecharmsfromtheformer；forwhenshesmiled，thesweetnessofhertemperdiffusedthatgloryoverhercountenancewhichnoregularityoffeaturescangive。
Butastherearenoperfectionsofthemindwhichdonotdiscoverthemselvesinthatperfectintimacytowhichweintendtointroduceourreaderwiththischarmingyoungcreature，soitisneedlesstomentionthemhere:nay，itisakindoftacitaffronttoourreader’sunderstanding，andmayalsorobhimofthatpleasurewhichhewillreceiveinforminghisownjudgmentofhercharacter。
Itmay，however，bepropertosay，thatwhatevermentalaccomplishmentsshehadderivedfromnature，theyweresomewhatimprovedandcultivatedbyart:forshehadbeeneducatedunderthecareofanaunt，whowasaladyofgreatdiscretion，andwasthoroughlyacquaintedwiththeworld，havinglivedinheryouthaboutthecourt，whenceshehadretiredsomeyearssinceintothecountry。Byherconversationandinstructions，Sophiawasperfectlywellbred，thoughperhapsshewantedalittleofthateaseinherbehaviourwhichistobeacquiredonlybyhabit，andlivingwithinwhatiscalledthepolitecircle。Butthis，tosaythetruth，isoftentoodearlypurchased；andthoughithathcharmssoinexpressible，thattheFrench，perhaps，amongotherqualities，meantoexpressthis，whentheydeclaretheyknownotwhatitis；yetitsabsenceiswellcompensatedbyinnocence；norcangoodsenseandanaturalgentilityeverstandinneedofit。
Chapter3
Whereinthehistorygoesbacktocommemorateatriflingincidentthathappenedsomeyearssince；butwhich，triflingasitwas，hadsomefutureconsequencesTheamiableSophiawasnowinhereighteenthyear，whensheisintroducedintothishistory。Herfather，ashathbeensaid，wasfonderofherthanofanyotherhumancreature。Toher，therefore，TomJonesapplied，inordertoengageherinterestonthebehalfofhisfriendthegamekeeper。
Butbeforeweproceedtothisbusiness，ashortrecapitulationofsomepreviousmattersmaybenecessary。
ThoughthedifferenttempersofMr。AllworthyandofMr。Westerndidnotadmitofaveryintimatecorrespondence，yettheyliveduponwhatiscalledadecentfootingtogether；bywhichmeanstheyoungpeopleofbothfamilieshadbeenacquaintedfromtheirinfancy；andastheywereallnearofthesameage，hadbeenfrequentplaymatestogether。
ThegaietyofTom’stempersuitedbetterwithSophia，thanthegraveandsoberdispositionofMasterBlifil。Andthepreferencewhichshegavetheformerofthese，wouldoftenappearsoplainly，thataladofamorepassionateturnthanMasterBlifilwas，mighthaveshownsomedispleasureatit。
Ashedidnot，however，outwardlyexpressanysuchdisgust，itwouldbeanillofficeinustopayavisittotheinmostrecessesofhismind，assomescandalouspeoplesearchintothemostsecretaffairsoftheirfriends，andoftenpryintotheirclosetsandcupboards，onlytodiscovertheirpovertyandmeannesstotheworld。
However，aspersonswhosuspecttheyhavegivenotherscauseofoffence，areapttoconcludetheyareoffended；soSophiaimputedanactionofMasterBlifiltohisanger，whichthesuperiorsagacityofThwackumandSquarediscernedtohavearisenfromamuchbetterprinciple。
TomJones，whenveryyoung，hadpresentedSophiawithalittlebird，whichhehadtakenfromthenest，hadnursedup，andtaughttosing。
Ofthisbird，Sophia，thenaboutthirteenyearsold，wassoextremelyfond，thatherchiefbusinesswastofeedandtendit，andherchiefpleasuretoplaywithit。BythesemeanslittleTommy，forsothebirdwascalled，wasbecomesotame，thatitwouldfeedoutofthehandofitsmistress，wouldperchuponthefinger，andliecontentedinherbosom，whereitseemedalmostsensibleofitsownhappiness；thoughshealwayskeptasmallstringaboutitsleg，norwouldevertrustitwiththelibertyofflyingaway。
Oneday，whenMr。AllworthyandhiswholefamilydinedatMr。
Western’s，MasterBlifil，beinginthegardenwithlittleSophia，andobservingtheextremefondnessthatsheshowedforherlittlebird，desiredhertotrustitforamomentinhishands。Sophiapresentlycompliedwiththeyounggentleman’srequest，andaftersomepreviouscaution，deliveredhimherbird；ofwhichhewasnosoonerinpossession，thanhesliptthestringfromitslegandtosseditintotheair。
Thefoolishanimalnosoonerperceiveditselfatliberty，thanforgettingallthefavoursithadreceivedfromSophia，itflewdirectlyfromher，andperchedonaboughatsomedistance。
Sophia，seeingherbirdgone，screamedoutsoloud，thatTomJones，whowasatalittledistance，immediatelyrantoherassistance。
Hewasnosoonerinformedofwhathadhappened，thanhecursedBlifilforapitifulmaliciousrascal；andthenimmediatelystrippingoffhiscoatheappliedhimselftoclimbingthetreetowhichthebirdescaped。
Tomhadalmostrecoveredhislittlenamesake，whenthebranchonwhichitwasperched，andthathungoveracanal，broke，andthepoorladplumpedoverheadandearsintothewater。
Sophia’sconcernnowchangeditsobject。Andassheapprehendedtheboy’slifewasindanger，shescreamedtentimeslouderthanbefore；andindeedMasterBlifilhimselfnowsecondedherwithallthevociferationinhispower。
Thecompany，whoweresittinginaroomnextthegarden，wereinstantlyalarmed，andcameallforth；butjustastheyreachedthecanal，Tomforthewaterwasluckilyprettyshallowinthatpart
arrivedsafelyonshore。
ThwackumfellviolentlyonpoorTom，whostooddroppingandshiveringbeforehim，whenMr。Allworthydesiredhimtohavepatience；
andturningtoMasterBlifil，said，\"Pray，child，whatisthereasonofallthisdisturbance？\"
MasterBlifilanswered，\"Indeed，uncle，IamverysorryforwhatI
havedone；Ihavebeenunhappilytheoccasionofitall。IhadMissSophia’sbirdinmyhand，andthinkingthepoorcreaturelanguishedforliberty，IownIcouldnotforbeargivingitwhatitdesired；
forIalwaysthoughttherewassomethingverycruelinconfininganything。Itseemedtobeagainstthelawofnature，bywhicheverythinghatharighttoliberty；nay，itisevenunchristian，foritisnotdoingwhatwewouldbedoneby；butifIhadimaginedMissSophiawouldhavebeensomuchconcernedatit，IamsureIneverwouldhavedoneit；nay，ifIhadknownwhatwouldhavehappenedtothebirditself:forwhenMasterJones，whoclimbedupthattreeafterit，fellintothewater，thebirdtookasecondflight，andpresentlyanastyhawkcarrieditaway。\"
PoorSophia，whonowfirstheardofherlittleTommy’sfateforherconcernforJoneshadpreventedherperceivingitwhenithappened，shedashoweroftears。TheseMr。Allworthyendeavouredtoassuage，promisingheramuchfinerbird:butshedeclaredshewouldneverhaveanother。Herfatherchidherforcryingsoforafoolishbird；butcouldnothelptellingyoungBlifil，ifhewasasonofhis，hisbacksideshouldbewellflead。
Sophianowreturnedtoherchamber，thetwoyounggentlemenweresenthome，andtherestofthecompanyreturnedtotheirbottle；whereaconversationensuedonthesubjectofthebird，socurious，thatwethinkitdeservesachapterbyitself。
Chapter4
Containingsuchverydeepandgravematters，thatsomereaders，perhaps，maynotrelishitSquarehadnosoonerlightedhispipe，than，addressinghimselftoAllworthy，hethusbegan:\"Sir，Icannothelpcongratulatingyouonyournephew；who，atanagewhenfewladshaveanyideasbutofsensibleobjects，isarrivedatacapacityofdistinguishingrightfromwrong。Toconfineanything，seemstomeagainstthelawofnature，bywhicheverythinghatharighttoliberty。Thesewerehiswords；andtheimpressiontheyhavemadeonmeisnevertobeeradicated。Cananymanhaveahighernotionoftheruleofright，andtheeternalfitnessofthings？Icannothelppromisingmyself，fromsuchadawn，thatthemeridianofthisyouthwillbeequaltothatofeithertheelderortheyoungerBrutus。\"
HereThwackumhastilyinterrupted，andspillingsomeofhiswine，andswallowingtherestwithgreateagerness，answered，\"Fromanotherexpressionhemadeuseof，Ihopehewillresemblemuchbettermen。Thelawofnatureisajargonofwords，whichmeansnothing。I
knownotofanysuchlaw，norofanyrightwhichcanbederivedfromit。Todoaswewouldbedoneby，isindeedaChristianmotive，astheboywellexpressedhimself；andIamgladtofindmyinstructionshavebornesuchgoodfruit。\"
\"Ifvanitywasathingfit，\"saysSquare，\"Imightindulgesomeonthesameoccasion；forwhenceonlyhecanhavelearnthisnotionsofrightorwrong，Ithinkisprettyapparent。Iftherebenolawofnature，thereisnorightnorwrong。\"
\"How！\"saystheparson，\"doyouthenbanishrevelation？AmItalkingwithadeistoranatheist？\"
\"Drinkabout，\"saysWestern。\"Poxofyourlawsofnature！Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，eitherofyou，byrightandwrong。Totakeawaymygirl’sbirdwaswrong，inmyopinion；andmyneighbourAllworthymaydoashepleases；buttoencourageboysinsuchpractices，istobreedthemuptothegallows。\"
Allworthyanswered，\"Thathewassorryforwhathisnephewhaddone，butcouldnotconsenttopunishhim，asheactedratherfromagenerousthanunworthymotive。\"Hesaid，\"Iftheboyhadstolenthebird，nonewouldhavebeenmorereadytovoteforaseverechastisementthanhimself；butitwasplainthatwasnothisdesign\":and，indeed，itwasasapparenttohim，thathecouldhavenootherviewbutwhathehadhimselfavowed。ForastothatmaliciouspurposewhichSophiasuspected，itneveronceenteredintotheheadofMr。Allworthy。Heatlengthconcludedwithagainblamingtheactionasinconsiderate，andwhich，hesaid，waspardonableonlyinachild。
Squarehaddeliveredhisopinionsoopenly，thatifhewasnowsilent，hemustsubmittohavehisjudgmentcensured。Hesaid，therefore，withsomewarmth，\"ThatMr。Allworthyhadtoomuchrespecttothedirtyconsiderationofproperty。Thatinpassingourjudgmentsongreatandmightyactions，allprivateregardsshouldbelaidaside；forbyadheringtothosenarrowrules，theyoungerBrutushadbeencondemnedofingratitude，andtheelderofparricide。\"
\"Andiftheyhadbeenhangedtooforthosecrimes，\"criedThwackum，\"theywouldhavehadnomorethantheirdeserts。Acoupleofheathenishvillains！HeavenbepraisedwehavenoBrutusesnow-a-days！
Iwish，Mr。Square，youwoulddesistfromfillingthemindsofmypupilswithsuchantichristianstuff；fortheconsequencemustbe，whiletheyareundermycare，itsbeingwellscourgedoutofthemagain。ThereisyourdiscipleTomalmostspoiledalready。I
overheardhimtheotherdaydisputingwithMasterBlifilthattherewasnomeritinfaithwithoutworks。Iknowthatisoneofyourtenets，andIsupposehehaditfromyou。\"
\"Don’taccusemeofspoilinghim，\"saysSquare。\"Whotaughthimtolaughatwhateverisvirtuousanddecent，andfitandrightinthenatureofthings？Heisyourownscholar，andIdisclaimhim。No，no，MasterBlifilismyboy。Youngasheis，thatlad’snotionsofmoralrectitudeIdefyyouevertoeradicate。\"
Thwackumputonacontemptuoussneeratthis，andreplied，\"Ay，ay，Iwillventurehimwithyou。Heistoowellgroundedforallyourphilosophicalcanttohurt。No，no，Ihavetakencaretoinstilsuchprinciplesintohim——\"
\"AndIhaveinstilledprinciplesintohimtoo，\"criesSquare。
\"Whatbutthesublimeideaofvirtuecouldinspireahumanmindwiththegenerousthoughtofgivingliberty？AndIrepeattoyouagain，ifitwasafitthingtobeproud，Imightclaimthehonourofhavinginfusedthatidea。\"-
\"Andifpridewasnotforbidden，\"saidThwackum，\"Imightboastofhavingtaughthimthatdutywhichhehimselfassignedashismotive。\"
\"Sobetweenyouboth，\"saysthesquire，\"theyounggentlemanhathbeentaughttorobmydaughterofherbird。IfindImusttakecareofmypartridge-mew。Ishallhavesomevirtuousreligiousmanorothersetallmypartridgesatliberty。\"Thenslappingagentlemanofthelaw，whowaspresent，ontheback，hecriedout，\"Whatsayyoutothis，Mr。Counsellor？Isnotthisagainstlaw？\"
Thelawyerwithgreatgravitydeliveredhimselfasfollows:-
\"Ifthecasebeputofapartridge，therecanbenodoubtbutanactionwouldlie；forthoughthisbeferaenaturae，yetbeingreclaimed，propertyvests:butbeingthecaseofasingingbird，thoughreclaimed，asitisathingofbasenature，itmustbeconsideredasnulliusinbonis。Inthiscase，therefore，Iconceivetheplaintiffmustbenon-suited；andIshoulddisadvisethebringinganysuchaction。\"
\"Well，\"saysthesquire，\"ifitbenullusbonus，letusdrinkabout，andtalkalittleofthestateofthenation，orsomesuchdiscoursethatweallunderstand；forIamsureIdon’tunderstandawordofthis。ItmaybelearningandsenseforaughtIknow:butyoushallneverpersuademeintoit。Pox！youhaveneitherofyoumentionedawordofthatpoorladwhodeservestobecommended:toventurebreakinghisnecktoobligemygirlwasagenerous-spiritedaction:
Ihavelearningenoughtoseethat。D——nme，here’sTom’shealth！I
shalllovetheboyforitthelongestdayIhavetolive。\"
Thuswasthedebateinterrupted；butitwouldprobablyhavebeensoonresumed，hadnotMr。Allworthypresentlycalledforhiscoach，andcarriedoffthetwocombatants。
Suchwastheconclusionofthisadventureofthebird，andofthedialogueoccasionedbyit；whichwecouldnothelprecountingtoourreader，thoughithappenedsomeyearsbeforethatstageorperiodoftimeatwhichourhistoryisnowarrived。
Chapter5
Containingmatteraccommodatedtoeverytaste\"Parvalevescapiuntanimos-Smallthingsaffectlightminds，\"wasthesentimentofagreatmasterofthepassionoflove。Andcertainitis，thatfromthisdaySophiabegantohavesomelittlekindnessforTomJones，andnolittleaversionforhiscompanion。
Manyaccidentsfromtimetotimeimprovedboththesepassionsinherbreast；which，withoutourrecounting，thereadermaywellconclude，fromwhatwehavebeforehintedofthedifferenttempersoftheselads，andhowmuchtheonesuitedwithherowninclinationsmorethantheother。Tosaythetruth，Sophia，whenveryyoung，discernedthatTom，thoughanidle，thoughtless，rattlingrascal，wasnobody’senemybuthisown；andthatMasterBlifil，thoughaprudent，discreet，soberyounggentleman，wasatthesametimestronglyattachedtotheinterestonlyofonesingleperson；andwhothatsinglepersonwasthereaderwillbeabletodivinewithoutanyassistanceofours。
Thesetwocharactersarenotalwaysreceivedintheworldwiththedifferentregardwhichseemsseverallyduetoeither；andwhichonewouldimaginemankind，fromself-interest，shouldshowtowardsthem。
Butperhapstheremaybeapoliticalreasonforit:infindingoneofatrulybenevolentdisposition，menmayveryreasonablysupposetheyhavefoundatreasure，andbedesirousofkeepingit，likeallothergoodthings，tothemselves。Hencetheymayimagine，thattotrumpetforththepraisesofsuchaperson，would，inthevulgarphrase，becryingRoast-meat，andcallinginpartakersofwhattheyintendtoapplysolelytotheirownuse。Ifthisreasondoesnotsatisfythereader，IknownoothermeansofaccountingforthelittlerespectwhichIhavecommonlyseenpaidtoacharacterwhichreallydoesgreathonourtohumannature，andisproductiveofthehighestgoodtosociety。ButitwasotherwisewithSophia。ShehonouredTomJones，andscornedMasterBlifil，almostassoonassheknewthemeaningofthosetwowords。
Sophiahadbeenabsentupwardsofthreeyearswithheraunt；
duringallwhichtimeshehadseldomseeneitheroftheseyounggentlemen。Shedined，however，once，togetherwithheraunt，atMr。
Allworthy’s。Thiswasafewdaysaftertheadventureofthepartridge，beforecommemorated。Sophiaheardthewholestoryattable，whereshesaidnothing:norindeedcouldherauntgetmanywordsfromherasshereturnedhome；buthermaid，whenundressingher，happeningtosay，\"Well，miss，IsupposeyouhaveseenyoungMasterBlifilto-day？\"sheansweredwithmuchpassion，\"IhatethenameofMasterBlifil，asIdowhateverisbaseandtreacherous:andIwonderMr。
Allworthywouldsufferthatoldbarbarousschoolmastertopunishapoorboysocruellyforwhatwasonlytheeffectofhisgood-nature。\"Shethenrecountedthestorytohermaid，andconcludedwithsaying，\"Don’tyouthinkheisaboyofnoblespirit？\"
Thisyoungladywasnowreturnedtoherfather；whogaveherthecommandofhishouse，andplacedherattheupperendofhistable，whereTomwhoforhisgreatloveofhuntingwasbecomeagreatfavouriteofthesquireoftendined。Youngmenofopen，generousdispositionsarenaturallyinclinedtogallantry，which，iftheyhavegoodunderstandings，aswasinrealityTom’scase，exertsitselfinanobligingcomplacentbehaviourtoallwomeningeneral。
ThisgreatlydistinguishedTomfromtheboisterousbrutalityofmerecountrysquiresontheonehand，andfromthesolemnandsomewhatsullendeportmentofMasterBlifilontheother；andhebegannow，attwenty，tohavethenameofaprettyfellowamongallthewomenintheneighbourhood。
TombehavedtoSophiawithnoparticularity，unlessperhapsbyshowingherahigherrespectthanhepaidtoanyother。Thisdistinctionherbeauty，fortune，sense，andamiablecarriage，seemedtodemand；butastodesignuponherpersonhehadnone；forwhichweshallatpresentsufferthereadertocondemnhimofstupidity；butperhapsweshallbeableindifferentlywelltoaccountforithereafter。
Sophia，withthehighestdegreeofinnocenceandmodesty，hadaremarkablesprightlinessinhertemper。ThiswassogreatlyincreasedwhenevershewasincompanywithTom，thathadhenotbeenveryyoungandthoughtless，hemusthaveobservedit:orhadnotMr。
Western’sthoughtsbeengenerallyeitherinthefield，thestable，orthedog-kennel，itmighthaveperhapscreatedsomejealousyinhim:
butsofarwasthegoodgentlemanfromentertaininganysuchsuspicions，thathegaveTomeveryopportunitywithhisdaughterwhichanylovercouldhavewished；andthisTominnocentlyimprovedtobetteradvantage，byfollowingonlythedictatesofhisnaturalgallantryandgood-nature，thanhemightperhapshavedonehadhehadthedeepestdesignsontheyounglady。
Butindeeditcanoccasionlittlewonderthatthismatterescapedtheobservationofothers，sincepoorSophiaherselfneverremarkedit；andherheartwasirretrievablylostbeforeshesuspecteditwasindanger。
Matterswereinthissituation，whenTom，oneafternoon，findingSophiaalone，began，afterashortapology，withaveryseriousface，toacquaintherthathehadafavourtoaskofherwhichhehopedhergoodnesswouldcomplywith。
Thoughneithertheyoungman’sbehaviour，norindeedhismannerofopeningthisbusiness，weresuchascouldgiveheranyjustcauseofsuspectingheintendedtomakelovetoher；yetwhetherNaturewhisperedsomethingintoherear，orfromwhatcauseitaroseIwillnotdetermine；certainitis，someideaofthatkindmusthaveintrudeditself；forhercolourforsookhercheeks，herlimbstrembled，andhertonguewouldhavefaltered，hadTomstoppedforananswer；buthesoonrelievedherfromherperplexity，byproceedingtoinformherofhisrequest；whichwastosolicitherinterestonbehalfofthegamekeeper，whoseownruin，andthatofalargefamily，mustbe，hesaid，theconsequenceofMr。Western’spursuinghisactionagainsthim。
Sophiapresentlyrecoveredherconfusion，and，withasmilefullofsweetness，said，\"Isthisthemightyfavouryouaskedwithsomuchgravity？Iwilldoitwithallmyheart。Ireallypitythepoorfellow，andnolongeragothanyesterdaysentasmallmattertohiswife。\"Thissmallmatterwasoneofhergowns，somelinen，andtenshillingsinmoney，ofwhichTomhadheard，andithad，inreality，putthissolicitationintohishead。
Ouryouth，now，emboldenedwithhissuccess，resolvedtopushthematterfarther，andventuredeventobegherrecommendationofhimtoherfather’sservice；protestingthathethoughthimoneofthehonestestfellowsinthecountry，andextremelywellqualifiedfortheplaceofagamekeeper，whichluckilythenhappenedtobevacant。
Sophiaanswered，\"Well，Iwillundertakethistoo；butIcannotpromiseyouasmuchsuccessasintheformerpart，whichIassureyouIwillnotquitmyfatherwithoutobtaining。However，IwilldowhatIcanforthepoorfellow；forIsincerelylookuponhimandhisfamilyasobjectsofgreatcompassion。Andnow，Mr。Jones，I
mustaskyouafavour。\"
\"Afavour，madam！\"criesTom:\"ifyouknewthepleasureyouhavegivenmeinthehopesofreceivingacommandfromyou，youwouldthinkbymentioningityoudidconferthegreatestfavouronme；forbythisdearhandIwouldsacrificemylifetoobligeyou。\"
Hethensnatchedherhand，andeagerlykissedit，whichwasthefirsttimehislipshadevertouchedher。Theblood，whichbeforehadforsakenhercheeks，nowmadehersufficientamends，byrushingalloverherfaceandneckwithsuchviolence，thattheybecameallofascarletcolour。Shenowfirstfeltasensationtowhichshehadbeenbeforeastranger，andwhich，whenshehadleisuretoreflectonit，begantoacquaintherwithsomesecrets，whichthereader，ifhedothnotalreadyguessthem，willknowinduetime。
Sophia，assoonasshecouldspeakwhichwasnotinstantly，informedhimthatthefavourshehadtodesireofhimwas，nottoleadherfatherthroughsomanydangersinhunting；forthat，fromwhatshehadheard，shewasterriblyfrightenedeverytimetheywentouttogether，andexpectedsomedayorothertoseeherfatherbroughthomewithbrokenlimbs。Shethereforebeggedhim，forhersake，tobemorecautious；andashewellknewMr。Westernwouldfollowhim，nottoridesomadly，nortotakedangerousleapsforthefuture。
Tompromisedfaithfullytoobeyhercommands；andafterthankingherforherkindcompliancewithhisrequest，tookhisleave，anddepartedhighlycharmedwithhissuccess。
PoorSophiawascharmedtoo，butinaverydifferentway。Hersensations，however，thereader’sheartifheorshehaveanywillbetterrepresentthanIcan，ifIhadasmanymouthsaseverpoetwishedfor，toeat，Isuppose，thosemanydaintieswithwhichhewassoplentifullyprovided。
ItwasMr。Western’scustomeveryafternoon，assoonashewasdrunk，tohearhisdaughterplayontheharpsichord；forhewasagreatloverofmusic，andperhaps，hadhelivedintown，mighthavepassedforaconnoisseur；forhealwaysexceptedagainstthefinestcompositionsofMr。Handel。Heneverrelishedanymusicbutwhatwaslightandairy；andindeedhismostfavouritetuneswereOldSirSimontheKing，St。GeorgehewasforEngland，BobbingJoan，andsomeothers。
Hisdaughter，thoughshewasaperfectmistressofmusic，andwouldneverwillinglyhaveplayedanybutHandel’s，wassodevotedtoherfather’spleasure，thatshelearntallthosetunestoobligehim。However，shewouldnowandthenendeavourtoleadhimintoherowntaste；andwhenherequiredtherepetitionofhisballads，wouldanswerwitha\"Nay，dearsir\"；andwouldoftenbeghimtosufferhertoplaysomethingelse。
Thisevening，however，whenthegentlemanwasretiredfromhisbottle，sheplayedallhisfavouritesthreetimesoverwithoutanysolicitation。Thissopleasedthegoodsquire，thathestartedfromhiscouch，gavehisdaughterakiss，andsworeherhandwasgreatlyimproved。ShetookthisopportunitytoexecuteherpromisetoTom；
inwhichshesucceededsowell，thatthesquiredeclared，ifshewouldgivehimt’otherboutofOldSirSimon，hewouldgivethegamekeeperhisdeputationthenextmorning。SirSimonwasplayedagainandagain，tillthecharmsofthemusicsoothedMr。Westerntosleep。InthemorningSophiadidnotfailtoremindhimofhisengagement；andhisattorneywasimmediatelysentfor，orderedtostopanyfurtherproceedingsintheaction，andtomakeoutthedeputation。
Tom’ssuccessinthisaffairsoonbegantoringoverthecountry，andvariouswerethecensurespasseduponit；somegreatlyapplaudingitasanactofgoodnature；otherssneering，andsaying，\"Nowonderthatoneidlefellowshouldloveanother。\"YoungBlifilwasgreatlyenragedatit。HehadlonghatedBlackGeorgeinthesameproportionasJonesdelightedinhim；notfromanyoffencewhichhehadeverreceived，butfromhisgreatlovetoreligionandvirtue；-
forBlackGeorgehadthereputationofaloosekindofafellow。
BlifilthereforerepresentedthisasflyinginMr。Allworthy’sface；
anddeclared，withgreatconcern，thatitwasimpossibletofindanyothermotivefordoinggoodtosuchawretch。
ThwackumandSquarelikewisesungtothesametune。TheywerenowespeciallythelatterbecomegreatlyjealousofyoungJoneswiththewidow；forhenowapproachedtheageoftwenty，wasreallyafineyoungfellow，andthatlady，byherencouragementstohim，seemeddailymoreandmoretothinkhimso。
Allworthywasnot，however，movedwiththeirmalice。HedeclaredhimselfverywellsatisfiedwithwhatJoneshaddone。Hesaidtheperseveranceandintegrityofhisfriendshipwashighlycommendable，andhewishedhecouldseemorefrequentinstancesofthatvirtue。
ButFortune，whoseldomgreatlyrelishessuchsparksasmyfriendTom，perhapsbecausetheydonotpaymoreardentaddressestoher，gavenowaverydifferentturntoallhisactions，andshowedthemtoMr。Allworthyinalightfarlessagreeablethanthatgentleman’sgoodnesshadhithertoseenthemin。
Chapter6
AnapologyfortheinsensibilityofMr。JonestoallthecharmsofthelovelySophia；inwhichpossiblywemay，inaconsiderabledegree，lowerhischaracterintheestimationofthosemenofwitandgallantrywhoapprovetheheroesinmostofourmoderncomediesTherearetwosortsofpeople，who，Iamafraid，havealreadyconceivedsomecontemptformyheroe，onaccountofhisbehaviourtoSophia。TheformerofthesewillblamehisprudenceinneglectinganopportunitytopossesshimselfofMr。Western’sfortune；andthelatterwillnolessdespisehimhisbackwardnesstosofineagirl，whoseemedreadytoflyintohisarms，ifhewouldopenthemtoreceiveher。
Now，thoughIshallnotperhapsbeableabsolutelytoacquithimofeitherofthesechargesforwantofprudenceadmitsofnoexcuse；andwhatIshallproduceagainstthelatterchargewill，I
apprehend，bescarcesatisfactory；yet，asevidencemaysometimesbeofferedinmitigation，Ishallsetforththeplainmatteroffact，andleavethewholetothereader’sdetermination。
Mr。Joneshadsomewhatabouthim，which，thoughIthinkwritersarenotthoroughlyagreedinitsname，dothcertainlyinhabitsomehumanbreasts；whoseuseisnotsoproperlytodistinguishrightfromwrong，astopromptandincitethemtotheformer，andtorestrainandwithholdthemfromthelatter。
Thissomewhatmaybeindeedresembledtothefamoustrunk-makerintheplayhouse；for，wheneverthepersonwhoispossessedofitdothwhatisright，noravishedorfriendlyspectatorissoeagerorsoloudinhisapplause:onthecontrary，whenhedothwrong，nocriticissoapttohissandexplodehim。
TogiveahigherideaoftheprincipleImean，aswellasonemorefamiliartothepresentage；itmaybeconsideredassittingonitsthroneinthemind，liketheLordHighChancellorofthiskingdominhiscourt；whereitpresides，governs，directs，judges，acquits，andcondemnsaccordingtomeritandjustice，withaknowledgewhichnothingescapes，apenetrationwhichnothingcandeceive，andanintegritywhichnothingcancorrupt。
Thisactiveprinciplemayperhapsbesaidtoconstitutethemostessentialbarrierbetweenusandourneighboursthebrutes；foriftherebesomeinthehumanshapewhoarenotunderanysuchdominion，Ichooserathertoconsiderthemasdesertersfromustoourneighbours；amongwhomtheywillhavethefateofdeserters，andnotbeplacedinthefirstrank。
Ourheroe，whetherhederiveditfromThwackumorSquareIwillnotdetermine，wasverystronglyundertheguidanceofthisprinciple；
forthoughhedidnotalwaysactrightly，yetheneverdidotherwisewithoutfeelingandsufferingforit。Itwasthiswhichtaughthim，thattorepaythecivilitiesandlittlefriendshipsofhospitalitybyrobbingthehousewhereyouhavereceivedthem，istobethebasestandmeanestofthieves。Hedidnotthinkthebasenessofthisoffencelessenedbytheheightoftheinjurycommitted；onthecontrary，iftostealanother’splatedeserveddeathandinfamy，itseemedtohimdifficulttoassignapunishmentadequatetotherobbingamanofhiswholefortune，andofhischildintothebargain。
Thisprinciple，therefore，preventedhimfromanythoughtofmakinghisfortunebysuchmeansforthis，asIhavesaid，isanactiveprinciple，anddothnotcontentitselfwithknowledgeorbeliefonly。HadhebeengreatlyenamouredofSophia，hepossiblymighthavethoughtotherwise；butgivemeleavetosay，thereisgreatdifferencebetweenrunningawaywithman’sdaughterfromthemotiveoflove，anddoingthesamethingfromthemotiveoftheft。
Now，thoughthisyounggentlemanwasnotinsensibleofthecharmsofSophia；thoughhegreatlylikedherbeauty，andesteemedallherotherqualifications，shehadmade，however，nodeepimpressiononhisheart；forwhich，asitrendershimliabletothechargeofstupidity，oratleastofwantoftaste，weshallnowproceedtoaccount。
Thetruththenis，hisheartwasinthepossessionofanotherwoman。
HereIquestionnotbutthereaderwillbesurprizedatourlongtaciturnityastothismatter；andquiteatalosstodivinewhothiswomanwas，sincewehavehithertonotdroptahintofanyonelikelytobearivaltoSophia；forastoMrs。Blifil，thoughwehavebeenobligedtomentionsomesuspicionsofheraffectionforTom，wehavenothithertogiventheleastlatitudeforimaginingthathehadanyforher；and，indeed，Iamsorrytosayit，buttheyouthofbothsexesaretooapttobedeficientintheirgratitudeforthatregardwithwhichpersonsmoreadvancedinyearsaresometimessokindtohonourthem。
Thatthereadermaybenolongerinsuspense，hewillbepleasedtoremember，thatwehaveoftenmentionedthefamilyofGeorgeSeagrimcommonlycalledBlackGeorge，thegamekeeper，whichconsistedatpresentofawifeandfivechildren。
Thesecondofthesechildrenwasadaughter，whosenamewasMolly，andwhowasesteemedoneofthehandsomestgirlsinthewholecountry。
Congrevewellsaysthereisintruebeautysomethingwhichvulgarsoulscannotadmire；socannodirtorragshidethissomethingfromthosesoulswhicharenotofthevulgarstamp。
Thebeautyofthisgirlmade，however，noimpressiononTom，tillshegrewtowardstheageofsixteen，whenTom，whowasnearthreeyearsolder，beganfirsttocasttheeyesofaffectionuponher。Andthisaffectionhehadfixedonthegirllongbeforehecouldbringhimselftoattemptthepossessionofherperson:forthoughhisconstitutionurgedhimgreatlytothishisprinciplesnolessforciblyrestrainedhim。Todebauchayoungwoman，howeverlowherconditionwas，appearedtohimaveryheinouscrime；andthegood-willheborethefather，withthecompassionhehadforhisfamily，verystronglycorroboratedallsuchsoberreflections；sothatheonceresolvedtogetthebetterofhisinclinations，andheactuallyabstainedthreewholemonthswithoutevergoingtoSeagrim’shouse，orseeinghisdaughter。
Now，thoughMollywas，aswehavesaid，generallythoughtaveryfinegirl，andinrealityshewasso，yetherbeautywasnotofthemostamiablekind。Ithad，indeed，verylittleoffeminineinit，andwouldhavebecomeamanatleastaswellasawoman；for，tosaythetruth，youthandfloridhealthhadaveryconsiderableshareinthecomposition。
Norwashermindmoreeffeminatethanherperson。Asthiswastallandrobust，sowasthatboldandforward。Solittlehadsheofmodesty，thatJoneshadmoreregardforhervirtuethansheherself。
AndasmostprobablyshelikedTomaswellashelikedher，sowhensheperceivedhisbackwardnesssheherselfgrewproportionablyforward；andwhenshesawhehadentirelydesertedthehouse，shefoundmeansofthrowingherselfinhisway，andbehavedinsuchamannerthattheyouthmusthavehadverymuchorverylittleoftheheroeifherendeavourshadprovedunsuccessful。Inaword，shesoontriumphedoverallthevirtuousresolutionsofJones；forthoughshebehavedatlastwithalldecentreluctance，yetIratherchusetoattributethetriumphtoher，since，infact，itwasherdesignwhichsucceeded。
Intheconductofthismatter，Isay，Mollysowellplayedherpart，thatJonesattributedtheconquestentirelytohimself，andconsideredtheyoungwomanasonewhohadyieldedtotheviolentattacksofhispassion。Helikewiseimputedheryieldingtotheungovernableforceofherlovetowardshim；andthisthereaderwillallowtohavebeenaverynaturalandprobablesupposition，aswehavemorethanoncementionedtheuncommoncomelinessofhisperson:and，indeed，hewasoneofthehandsomestyoungfellowsintheworld。
Astherearesomemindswhoseaffections，likeMasterBlifil’s，aresolelyplacedononesingleperson，whoseinterestandindulgencealonetheyconsideroneveryoccasion；regardingthegoodandillofallothersasmerelyindifferent，anyfartherthanastheycontributetothepleasureoradvantageofthatperson:sothereisadifferenttemperofmindwhichborrowsadegreeofvirtueevenfromself-love。Suchcanneverreceiveanykindofsatisfactionfromanother，withoutlovingthecreaturetowhomthatsatisfactionisowing，andwithoutmakingitswell-beinginsomesortnecessarytotheirownease。
Ofthislatterspecieswasourheroe。Heconsideredthispoorgirlasonewhosehappinessormiseryhehadcausedtobedependentonhimself。Herbeautywasstilltheobjectofdesire，thoughgreaterbeauty，orafresherobject，mighthavebeenmoreso；butthelittleabatementwhichfruitionhadoccasionedtothiswashighlyoverbalancedbytheconsiderationsoftheaffectionwhichshevisiblyborehim，andofthesituationintowhichhehadbroughther。Theformerofthesecreatedgratitude，thelattercompassion；andboth，togetherwithhisdesireforherperson，raisedinhimapassionwhichmight，withoutanygreatviolencetotheword，becalledlove；
though，perhaps，itwasatfirstnotveryjudiciouslyplaced。
This，then，wasthetruereasonofthatinsensibilitywhichhehadshowntothecharmsofSophia，andthatbehaviourinherwhichmighthavebeenreasonablyenoughinterpretedasanencouragementtohisaddresses；forashecouldnotthinkofabandoninghisMolly，pooranddestituteasshewas，sonomorecouldheentertainanotionofbetrayingsuchacreatureasSophia。Andsurely，hadhegiventheleastencouragementtoanypassionforthatyounglady，hemusthavebeenabsolutelyguiltyofoneorotherofthosecrimes；eitherofwhichwould，inmyopinion，haveveryjustlysubjectedhimtothatfate，which，athisfirstintroductionintothishistory，I
mentionedtohavebeengenerallypredictedashiscertaindestiny。
Chapter7
BeingtheshortestchapterinthisbookHermotherfirstperceivedthealterationintheshapeofMolly；andinordertohideitfromherneighbours，shefoolishlyclothedherinthatsackwhichSophiahadsenther；though，indeed，thatyoungladyhadlittleapprehensionthatthepoorwomanwouldhavebeenweakenoughtoletanyofherdaughterswearitinthatform。
Mollywascharmedwiththefirstopportunitysheeverhadofshowingherbeautytoadvantage；forthoughshecouldverywellbeartocontemplateherselfintheglass，evenwhendressedinrags；andthoughshehadinthatdressconqueredtheheartofJones，andperhapsofsomeothers；yetshethoughttheadditionoffinerywouldmuchimprovehercharms，andextendherconquests。
Molly，therefore，havingdressedherselfoutinthissack，withanewlacedcap，andsomeotherornamentswhichTomhadgivenher，repairstochurchwithherfaninherhandtheverynextSunday。Thegreataredeceivediftheyimaginetheyhaveappropriatedambitionandvanitytothemselves。Thesenoblequalitiesflourishasnotablyinacountrychurchandchurchyardasinthedrawing-room，orinthecloset。Schemeshaveindeedbeenlaidinthevestrywhichwouldhardlydisgracetheconclave。Hereisaministry，andhereisanopposition。Hereareplotsandcircumventions，partiesandfactions，equaltothosewhicharetobefoundincourts。
Norarethewomenherelesspractisedinthehighestfeminineartsthantheirfairsuperiorsinqualityandfortune。Hereareprudesandcoquettes。Herearedressingandogling，falsehood，envy，malice，scandal；inshort，everythingwhichiscommontothemostsplendidassembly，orpolitestcircle。Letthoseofhighlife，therefore，nolongerdespisetheignoranceoftheirinferiors；northevulgaranylongerrailatthevicesoftheirbetters。
Mollyhadseatedherselfsometimebeforeshewasknownbyherneighbours。Andthenawhisperranthroughthewholecongregation，\"Whoisshe？\"butwhenshewasdiscovered，suchsneering，giggling，tittering，andlaughingensuedamongthewomen，thatMr。Allworthywasobligedtoexerthisauthoritytopreserveanydecencyamongthem。
Chapter8
AbattlesungbythemuseintheHomericanstile，andwhichnonebuttheclassicalreadercantasteMr。Westernhadanestateinthisparish；andashishousestoodatlittlegreaterdistancefromthischurchthanfromhisown，heveryoftencametoDivineServicehere；andbothheandthecharmingSophiahappenedtobepresentatthistime。
Sophiawasmuchpleasedwiththebeautyofthegirl，whomshepitiedforhersimplicityinhavingdressedherselfinthatmanner，asshesawtheenvywhichithadoccasionedamongherequals。Shenosoonercamehomethanshesentforthegamekeeper，andorderedhimtobringhisdaughtertoher；sayingshewouldprovideforherinthefamily，andmightpossiblyplacethegirlaboutherownperson，whenherownmaid，whowasnowgoingaway，hadlefther。
PoorSeagrimwasthunderstruckatthis；forhewasnostrangertothefaultintheshapeofhisdaughter。Heanswered，inastammeringvoice，\"ThathewasafraidMollywouldbetooawkwardtowaitonherladyship，asshehadneverbeenatservice。\"\"Nomatterforthat，\"
saysSophia；\"shewillsoonimprove。Iampleasedwiththegirl，andamresolvedtotryher。\"
BlackGeorgenowrepairedtohiswife，onwhoseprudentcounselhedependedtoextricatehimoutofthisdilemma；butwhenhecamethitherhefoundhishouseinsomeconfusion。Sogreatenvyhadthissackoccasioned，thatwhenMr。Allworthyandtheothergentryweregonefromchurch，therage，whichhadhithertobeenconfined，burstintoanuproar；and，havingventeditselfatfirstinopprobriouswords，laughs，hisses，andgestures，betookitselfatlasttocertainmissileweapons；which，thoughfromtheirplasticnaturetheythreatenedneitherthelossoflifeoroflimb，werehoweversufficientlydreadfultoawell-dressedlady。Mollyhadtoomuchspirittobearthistreatmenttamely。Havingtherefore-buthold，aswearediffidentofourownabilities，letushereinviteasuperiorpowertoourassistance。
YeMuses，then，whoeveryeare，wholovetosingbattles，andprincipallythouwhowhilomdidstrecounttheslaughterinthosefieldswhereHudibrasandTrullafought，ifthouwertnotstarvedwiththyfriendButler，assistmeonthisgreatoccasion。Allthingsarenotinthepowerofall。
Asavastherdofcowsinarichfarmer’syard，if，whiletheyaremilked，theyheartheircalvesatadistance，lamentingtherobberywhichisthencommitting，roarandbellow；soroaredforththeSomersetshiremobanhallaloo，madeupofalmostasmanysqualls，screams，andotherdifferentsoundsastherewerepersons，orindeedpassionsamongthem:somewereinspiredbyrage，othersalarmedbyfear，andothershadnothingintheirheadsbuttheloveoffun；butchieflyEnvy，thesisterofSatan，andhisconstantcompanion，rushedamongthecrowd，andblewupthefuryofthewomen；whonosoonercameuptoMollythantheypeltedherwithdirtandrubbish。
Molly，havingendeavouredinvaintomakeahandsomeretreat，facedabout；andlayingholdofraggedBess，whoadvancedinthefrontoftheenemy，sheatoneblowfelledhertotheground。Thewholearmyoftheenemythoughnearahundredinnumber，seeingthefateoftheirgeneral，gavebackmanypaces，andretiredbehindanew-duggrave；forthechurchyardwasthefieldofbattle，wheretherewastobeafuneralthatveryevening。Mollypursuedhervictory，andcatchingupaskullwhichlayonthesideofthegrave，dischargeditwithsuchfury，thathavinghitatayloronthehead，thetwoskullssentequallyforthahollowsoundattheirmeeting，andthetaylortookpresentlymeasureofhislengthontheground，wheretheskullslaysidebyside，anditwasdoubtfulwhichwasthemorevaluableofthetwo。Mollythentakingathigh-boneinherhand，fellinamongtheflyingranks，anddealingherblowswithgreatliberalityoneitherside，overthrewthecarcassofmanyamightyheroeandheroine。
Recount，OMuse，thenamesofthosewhofellonthisfatalday。