First，JemmyTweedlefeltonhishinderheadthedirefulbone。Himthepleasantbanksofsweetly-windingStourhadnourished，wherehefirstlearntthevocalart，withwhich，wanderingupanddownatwakesandfairs，hecheeredtheruralnymphsandswains，whenuponthegreentheyinterweavedthesprightlydance；whilehehimselfstoodfiddlingandjumpingtohisownmusic。Howlittlenowavailshisfiddle！Hethumpstheverdantfloorwithhiscarcass。Next，oldEchepole，thesowgelder，receivedablowinhisforeheadfromourAmazonianheroine，andimmediatelyfelltotheground。Hewasaswingingfatfellow，andfellwithalmostasmuchnoiseasahouse。
Histobacco-boxdroppedatthesametimefromhispocket，whichMollytookupaslawfulspoils。ThenKateoftheMilltumbledunfortunatelyoveratombstone，whichcatchingholdofherungarteredstockinginvertedtheorderofnature，andgaveherheelsthesuperioritytoherhead。BettyPippin，withyoungRogerherlover，fellbothtotheground；where，ohperversefate！shesalutestheearth，andhethesky。TomFreckle，thesmith’sson，wasthenextvictimtoherrage。Hewasaningeniousworkman，andmadeexcellentpattens；nay，theverypattenwithwhichhewasknockeddownwashisownworkmanship。Hadhebeenatthattimesingingpsalmsinthechurch，hewouldhaveavoidedabrokenhead。MissCrow，thedaughterofafarmer；JohnGiddish，himselfafarmer；NanSlouch，EstherCodling，WillSpray，TomBennet；thethreeMissesPotter，whosefatherkeepsthesignoftheRedLion；BettyChambermaid，JackOstler，andmanyothersofinferiornote，layrollingamongthegraves。
NotthatthestrenuousarmofMollyreachedallthese；formanyofthemintheirflightoverthreweachother。
ButnowFortune，fearingshehadactedoutofcharacter，andhadinclinedtoolongtothesameside，especiallyasitwastherightside，hastilyturnedabout:fornowGoodyBrown-whomZekielBrowncaressedinhisarms；norhealone，buthalftheparishbesides；sofamouswassheinthefieldsofVenus，norindeedlessinthoseofMars。Thetrophiesofboththeseherhusbandalwaysboreaboutonhisheadandface；forifeverhumanheaddidbyitshornsdisplaytheamorousgloriesofawife，Zekiel’sdid；nordidhiswell-scratchedfacelessdenotehertalentsorrathertalonsofadifferentkind。
NolongerborethisAmazontheshamefulflightofherparty。Shestoptshort，and，callingaloudtoallwhofled，spokeasfollows:\"YeSomersetshiremen，orratheryeSomersetshirewomen，areyenotashamedthustoflyfromasinglewoman？Butifnootherwillopposeher，ImyselfandJoanTopherewillhavethehonourofthevictory。\"Havingthussaid，sheflewatMollySeagrim，andeasilywrenchedthethigh-bonefromherhand，atthesametimeclawingoffhercapfromherhead。ThenlayingholdofthehairofMollywithherlefthand，sheattackedhersofuriouslyinthefacewiththeright，thatthebloodsoonbegantotricklefromhernose。Mollywasnotidlethiswhile。ShesoonremovedthecloutfromtheheadofGoodyBrown，andthenfasteningonherhairwithonehand，withtheothershecausedanotherbloodystreamtoissueforthfromthenostrilsoftheenemy。
Wheneachofthecombatantshadborneoffsufficientspoilsofhairfromtheheadofherantagonist，thenextragewasagainstthegarments。Inthisattacktheyexertedsomuchviolence，thatinaveryfewminutestheywerebothnakedtothemiddle。
Itisluckyforthewomenthattheseatoffistycuffwarisnotthesamewiththemasamongmen；butthoughtheymayseemalittletodeviatefromtheirsex，whentheygoforthtobattle，yetIhaveobserved，theyneversofarforget，astoassailthebosomsofeachother；whereafewblowswouldbefataltomostofthem。This，Iknow，somederivefromtheirbeingofamorebloodyinclinationthanthemales。Onwhichaccounttheyapplytothenose，astothepartwhencebloodmaymosteasilybedrawn；butthisseemsafar-fetchedaswellasill-naturedsupposition。
GoodyBrownhadgreatadvantageofMollyinthisparticular；fortheformerhadindeednobreasts，herbosomifitmaybesocalled，aswellincolourasinmanyotherproperties，exactlyresemblinganantientpieceofparchment，uponwhichanyonemighthavedrummedaconsiderablewhilewithoutdoingheranygreatdamage。
Molly，besideherpresentunhappycondition，wasdifferentlyformedinthoseparts，andmight，perhaps，havetemptedtheenvyofBrowntogiveherafatalblow，hadnottheluckyarrivalofTomJonesatthisinstantputanimmediateendtothebloodyscene。
ThisaccidentwasluckilyowingtoMr。Square；forhe，MasterBlifil，andJones，hadmountedtheirhorses，afterchurch，totaketheair，andhadriddenaboutaquarterofamile，whenSquare，changinghismindnotidly，butforareasonwhichweshallunfoldassoonaswehaveleisure，desiredtheyounggentlementoridewithhimanotherwaythantheyhadatfirstpurposed。Thismotionbeingcompliedwith，broughtthemofnecessitybackagaintothechurchyard。
MasterBlifil，whorodefirst，seeingsuchamobassembled，andtwowomeninthepostureinwhichweleftthecombatants，stopthishorsetoenquirewhatwasthematter。Acountryfellow，scratchinghishead，answeredhim:\"Idon’tknow，measter，un’tI；an’tpleaseyourhonour，herehathbeenavight，Ithink，betweenGoodyBrownandMollSeagrim。\"
\"Who，who？\"criesTom；butwithoutwaitingforananswer，havingdiscoveredthefeaturesofhisMollythroughallthediscomposureinwhichtheynowwere，hehastilyalighted，turnedhishorseloose，and，leapingoverthewall，rantoher。Shenowfirstburstingintotears，toldhimhowbarbarouslyshehadbeentreated。Uponwhich，forgettingthesexofGoodyBrown，orperhapsnotknowingitinhisrage-for，inreality，shehadnofeminineappearancebutapetticoat，whichhemightnotobserve-hegaveheralashortwowithhishorsewhip；andthenflyingatthemob，whowereallaccusedbyMoll，hedealthisblowssoprofuselyonallsides，thatunlessI
wouldagaininvokethemusewhichthegood-naturedreadermaythinkalittletooharduponher，asshehathsolatelybeenviolentlysweated，itwouldbeimpossibleformetorecountthehorse-whippingofthatday。
Havingscouredthewholecoastoftheenemy，aswellasanyofHomer’sheroeseverdid，orasDonQuixoteoranyknight-errantintheworldcouldhavedone，hereturnedtoMolly，whomhefoundinaconditionwhichmustgivebothmeandmyreaderpain，wasittobedescribedhere。Tomravedlikeamadman，beathisbreast，torehishair，stampedontheground，andvowedtheutmostvengeanceonallwhohadbeenconcerned。Hethenpulledoffhiscoat，andbuttoneditroundher，puthishatuponherhead，wipedthebloodfromherfaceaswellashecouldwithhishandkerchief，andcalledouttotheservanttorideasfastaspossibleforaside-saddle，orapillion，thathemightcarryhersafehome。
MasterBlifilobjectedtothesendingawaytheservant，astheyhadonlyonewiththem；butasSquaresecondedtheorderofJones，hewasobligedtocomply。
Theservantreturnedinaveryshorttimewiththepillion，andMolly，havingcollectedherragsaswellasshecould，wasplacedbehindhim。Inwhichmannershewascarriedhome，Square，Blifil，andJonesattending。
HereJoneshavingreceivedhiscoat，givenheraslykiss，andwhisperedher，thathewouldreturnintheevening，quittedhisMolly，androdeonafterhiscompanions。
Chapter9
ContainingmatterofnoverypeaceablecolourMollyhadnosoonerapparelledherselfinheraccustomedrags，thanhersistersbegantofallviolentlyuponher，particularlyhereldestsister，whotoldhershewaswellenoughserved。\"HowhadshetheassurancetowearagownwhichyoungMadamWesternhadgiventomother！Ifoneofuswastowearit，Ithink，saysshe，\"Imyselfhavethebestright；butIwarrantyouthinkitbelongstoyourbeauty。I
supposeyouthinkyourselfmorehandsomerthananyofus。\"-\"Handherdownthebitofglassfromoverthecupboard，\"criesanother；\"I’dwashthebloodfrommyfacebeforeItalkedofmybeauty。\"-\"You’dbetterhavemindedwhattheparsonsays，\"criestheeldest，\"andnotaharkenedaftermenvoke。\"-\"Indeed，child，andsoshehad，\"saysthemother，sobbing:\"shehathbroughtadisgraceuponusall。She’sthevurstofthevamilythateverwasawhore。\"
\"Youneednotupbraidmewiththat，mother，\"criedMolly；\"youyourselfwasbrought-to-bedofsisterthere，withinaweekafteryouwasmarried。\"
\"Yes，hussy，\"answeredtheenragedmother，\"soIwas，andwhatwasthemightymatterofthat？Iwasmadeanhonestwomanthen；andifyouwastobemadeanhonestwoman，Ishouldnotbeangry；butyoumusthavetodoingwithagentleman，younastyslut；youwillhaveabastard，hussy，youwill；andthatIdefyanyonetosayofme。\"
InthissituationBlackGeorgefoundhisfamily，whenhecamehomeforthepurposebeforementioned。Ashiswifeandthreedaughterswereallofthemtalkingtogether，andmostofthemcrying，itwassometimebeforehecouldgetanopportunityofbeingheard；butassoonassuchintervaloccurred，heacquaintedthecompanywithwhatSophiahadsaidtohim。
GoodySeagrimthenbegantorevileherdaughterafresh。\"Here，\"saysshe，\"youhavebroughtusintoafinequandaryindeed。Whatwillmadamsaytothatbigbelly？OhthateverIshouldlivetoseethisday！\"
Mollyansweredwithgreatspirit，\"Andwhatisthismightyplacewhichyouhavegotforme，father？\"forhehadnotwellunderstoodthephraseusedbySophiaofbeingaboutherperson。\"Isupposeitistobeunderthecook；butIshan’twashdishesforanybody。Mygentlemanwillprovidebetterforme。Seewhathehathgivenmethisafternoon。HehathpromisedIshallneverwantmoney；andyoushan’twantmoneyneither，mother，ifyouwillholdyourtongue，andknowwhenyouarewell。\"Andsosaying，shepulledoutseveralguineas，andgavehermotheroneofthem。
Thegoodwomannosoonerfeltthegoldwithinherpalm，thanhertemperbegansuchistheefficacyofthatpanaceatobemollified。
\"Why，husband，\"saysshe，\"wouldanybutsuchablockheadasyounothaveenquiredwhatplacethiswasbeforehehadacceptedit？
Perhaps，asMollysays，itmaybeinthekitchen；andtrulyIdon’tcaremydaughtershouldbeascullionwench；for，poorasIam，Iamagentlewoman。AndthofIwasobliged，asmyfather，whowasaclergyman，diedworsethannothing，andsocouldnotgivemeashillingofportion，toundervaluemyselfbymarryingapoorman；
yetIwouldhaveyoutoknow，Ihaveaspiritaboveallthemthings。
Marrycomeup！itwouldbetterbecomeMadamWesterntolookathome，andrememberwhoherowngrandfatherwas。Someofmyfamily，foraughtIknow，mightrideintheircoaches，whenthegrandfathersofsomevokewalkeda-voot。Iwarrantshefanciesshedidamightymatter，whenshesentusthatoldgownd；someofmyfamilywouldnothavepickedupsuchragsinthestreet；butpoorpeoplearealwaystrampledupon-TheparishneednothavebeeninsuchaflusterwithMolly。
Youmighthavetoldthem，child，yourgrandmotherworebetterthingsnewoutoftheshop。\"
\"Well，butconsider，\"criedGeorge，\"whatanswershallImaketomadam？\"
\"Idon’tknowwhatanswer，\"saysshe；\"youarealwaysbringingyourfamilyintoonequandaryorother。Doyourememberwhenyoushotthepartridge，theoccasionofallourmisfortunes？DidnotI
adviseyounevertogointoSquireWestern’smanor？DidnotItellyoumanyagoodyearagowhatwouldcomeofit？Butyouwouldhaveyourownheadstrongways；yes，youwould，youvillain。\"
BlackGeorgewas，inthemain，apeaceablekindoffellow，andnothingcholericnorrash；yetdidhebearabouthimsomethingofwhattheantientscalledtheirascible，andwhichhiswife，ifshehadbeenendowedwithmuchwisdom，wouldhavefeared。Hehadlongexperienced，thatwhenthestormgrewveryhigh，argumentswerebutwind，whichservedrathertoincrease，thantoabateit。Hewasthereforeseldomunprovidedwithasmallswitch，aremedyofwonderfulforce，ashehadoftenessayed，andwhichthewordvillainservedasahintforhisapplying。
Nosooner，therefore，hadthissymptomappeared，thanhehadimmediaterecoursetothesaidremedy，whichthough，asitisusualinallveryefficaciousmedicines，itatfirstseemedtoheightenandinflamethedisease，soonproducedatotalcalm，andrestoredthepatienttoperfecteaseandtranquillity。
Thisis，however，akindofhorse-medicine，whichrequiresaveryrobustconstitutiontodigest，andisthereforeproperonlyforthevulgar，unlessinonesingleinstance，viz。，wheresuperiorityofbirthbreaksout；inwhichcase，weshouldnotthinkitveryimproperlyappliedbyanyhusbandwhatever，iftheapplicationwasnotinitselfsobase，that，likecertainapplicationsofthephysicalkindwhichneednotbementioned，itsomuchdegradesandcontaminatesthehandemployedinit，thatnogentlemanshouldendurethethoughtofanythingsolowanddetestable。
Thewholefamilyweresoonreducedtoastateofperfectquiet；
forthevirtueofthismedicine，likethatofelectricity，isoftencommunicatedthroughonepersontomanyothers，whoarenottouchedbytheinstrument。Tosaythetruth，astheybothoperatebyfriction，itmaybedoubtedwhetherthereisnotsomethinganalogousbetweenthem，ofwhichMr。Frekewoulddowelltoenquire，beforehepublishesthenexteditionofhisbook。
Acouncilwasnowcalled，inwhich，aftermanydebates，Mollystillpersistingthatshewouldnotgotoservice，itwasatlengthresolved，thatGoodySeagrimherselfshouldwaitonMissWestern，andendeavourtoprocuretheplaceforhereldestdaughter，whodeclaredgreatreadinesstoacceptit:butFortune，whoseemstohavebeenanenemyofthislittlefamily，afterwardsputastoptoherpromotion。
Chapter10
AstorytoldbyMr。Supple，thecurate。ThepenetrationofSquireWestern。Hisgreatloveforhisdaughter，andthereturntoitmadebyherThenextmorningTomJoneshuntedwithMr。Western，andwasathisreturninvitedbythatgentlemantodinner。
ThelovelySophiashoneforththatdaywithmoregaietyandsprightlinessthanusual。Herbatterywascertainlylevelledatourheroe；though，Ibelieve，sheherselfscarceyetknewherownintention；butifshehadanydesignofcharminghim，shenowsucceeded。
Mr。Supple，thecurateofMr。Allworthy’sparish，madeoneofthecompany。Hewasagood-naturedworthyman；butchieflyremarkableforhisgreattaciturnityattable，thoughhismouthwasnevershutatit。Inshort，hehadoneofthebestappetitesintheworld。
However，theclothwasnosoonertakenaway，thanhealwaysmadesufficientamendsforhissilence:forhewasaveryheartyfellow；
andhisconversationwasoftenentertaining，neveroffensive。
Athisfirstarrival，whichwasimmediatelybeforetheentranceoftheroast-beef，hehadgivenanintimationthathehadbroughtsomenewswithhim，andwasbeginningtotell，thathecamethatmomentfromMr。Allworthy’s，whenthesightoftheroast-beefstruckhimdumb，permittinghimonlytosaygrace，andtodeclarehemustpayhisrespecttothebaronet，forsohecalledthesirloin。
Whendinnerwasover，beingremindedbySophiaofhisnews，hebeganasfollows:\"Ibelieve，lady，yourladyshipobservedayoungwomanatchurchyesterdayateven-song，whowasdrestinoneofyouroutlandishgarments；IthinkIhaveseenyourladyshipinsuchaone。However，inthecountry，suchdressesareRaraavisinterris，nigroquesimillimacygno。
Thatis，madam，asmuchastosay，’Ararebirdupontheearth，andverylikeablackswan。’TheverseisinJuvenal。ButtoreturntowhatIwasrelating。Iwassayingsuchgarmentsareraresightsinthecountry；andperchance，too，itwasthoughtthemorerare，respectbeinghadtothepersonwhoworeit，who，theytellme，isthedaughterofBlackGeorge，yourworship’sgamekeeper，whosesufferings，Ishouldhaveopined，mighthavetaughthimmorewit，thantodressforthhiswenchesinsuchgaudyapparel。Shecreatedsomuchconfusioninthecongregation，thatifSquireAllworthyhadnotsilencedit，itwouldhaveinterruptedtheservice:forIwasonceabouttostopinthemiddleofthefirstlesson。Howbeit，nevertheless，afterprayerwasover，andIwasdepartedhome，thisoccasionedabattleinthechurchyard，where，amongstothermischief，theheadofatravellingfidlerwasverymuchbroken。ThismorningthefidlercametoSquireAllworthyforawarrant，andthewenchwasbroughtbeforehim。Thesquirewasinclinedtohavecompoundedmatters；when，lo！onasuddenthewenchappearedIaskyourladyship’spardontobe，asitwere，attheeveofbringingforthabastard。Thesquiredemandedofherwhowasthefather？Butshepertinaciouslyrefusedtomakeanyresponse。SothathewasabouttomakehermittimustoBridewellwhenIdeparted。\"
\"Andisawenchhavingabastardallyournews，doctor？\"criesWestern；\"Ithoughtitmighthavebeensomepublicmatter，somethingaboutthenation。\"
\"Iamafraiditistoocommon，indeed，\"answeredtheparson；\"butIthoughtthewholestoryaltogetherdeservedcommemorating。Astonationalmatters，yourworshipknowsthembest。Myconcernsextendnofartherthanmyownparish。\"
\"Why，ay，\"saysthesquire，\"IbelieveIdoknowalittleofthatmatter，asyousay。Butcome，Tommy，drinkabout；thebottlestandswithyou。\"
Tombeggedtobeexcused，forthathehadparticularbusiness；andgettingupfromtable，escapedtheclutchesofthesquire，whowasrisingtostophim，andwentoffwithverylittleceremony。
Thesquiregavehimagoodcurseathisdeparture；andthenturningtotheparson，hecriedout，\"Ismokeit:Ismokeit。Tomiscertainlythefatherofthisbastard。Zooks，parson，yourememberhowherecommendedtheveathero’hertome。D——nun，whataslyb——ch’tis。Ay，ay，assureastwo-pence，Tomistheveatherofthebastard。\"
\"Ishouldbeverysorryforthat，\"saystheparson。
\"Whysorry，\"criesthesquire:\"Whereisthemightymattero’t？
What，Isupposedostpretendthattheehastnevergotabastard？
Pox！moregoodluck’sthine！forIwarranthastadoneathereforemany’sthegoodtimeandoften。\"
\"Yourworshipispleasedtobejocular，\"answeredtheparson；\"butI
donotonlyanimadvertonthesinfulnessoftheaction-thoughthatsurelyistobegreatlydeprecated-butIfearhisunrighteousnessmayinjurehimwithMr。Allworthy。AndtrulyImustsay，thoughhehaththecharacterofbeingalittlewild，Ineversawanyharmintheyoungman；norcanIsayIhaveheardany，savewhatyourworshipnowmentions。Iwish，indeed，hewasalittlemoreregularinhisresponsesatchurch；butaltogetherheseemsIngenuivultuspueringenuiquepudoris。
Thatisaclassicalline，younglady；and，beingrenderedintoEnglish，is，’aladofaningenuouscountenance，andofaningenuousmodesty’；forthiswasavirtueingreatreputebothamongtheLatinsandGreeks。Imustsay，theyounggentlemanforsoIthinkI
maycallhim，notwithstandinghisbirthappearstomeaverymodest，civillad，andIshouldbesorrythatheshoulddohimselfanyinjuryinSquireAllworthy’sopinion。\"
\"Poogh！\"saysthesquire:\"Injury，withAllworthy！Why，Allworthylovesawenchhimself。DothnotallthecountryknowwhosesonTomis？
Youmusttalktoanotherpersoninthatmanner。IrememberAllworthyatcollege。\"
\"Ithought，\"saidtheparson，\"hehadneverbeenattheuniversity。\"
\"Yes，yes，hewas，\"saysthesquire:\"andmanyawenchhavewetwohadtogether。Asarrantawhore-masterasanywithinfivemileso’un。No，no。Itwilldo’nnoharmwithhe，assureyourself；norwithanybodyelse。AskSophythere-Youhavenottheworseopinionofayoungfellowforgettingabastard，haveyou，girl？No，no，thewomenwilllikeunthebetterfor’t。\"
ThiswasacruelquestiontopoorSophia。ShehadobservedTom’scolourchangeattheparson’sstory；andthat，withhishastyandabruptdeparture，gavehersufficientreasontothinkherfather’ssuspicionnotgroundless。Herheartnowatoncediscoveredthegreatsecrettoherwhichithadbeensolongdisclosingbylittleandlittle；andshefoundherselfhighlyinterestedinthismatter。Insuchasituation，herfather’smalapertquestionrushingsuddenlyuponher，producedsomesymptomswhichmighthavealarmedasuspiciousheart；but，todothesquirejustice，thatwasnothisfault。Whensherosethereforefromherchair，andtoldhimahintfromhimwasalwayssufficienttomakeherwithdraw，hesufferedhertoleavetheroom，andthenwithgreatgravityofcountenanceremarked，\"Thatitwasbettertoseeadaughterover-modestthanover-forward\"；-asentimentwhichwashighlyapplaudedbytheparson。
Therenowensuedbetweenthesquireandtheparsonamostexcellentpoliticaldiscourse，framedoutofnewspapersandpoliticalpamphlets；inwhichtheymadealibationoffourbottlesofwinetothegoodoftheircountry:andthen，thesquirebeingfastasleep，theparsonlightedhispipe，mountedhishorse，androdehome。
Whenthesquirehadfinishedhishalf-hour’snap，hesummonedhisdaughtertoherharpsichord；butshebeggedtobeexcusedthatevening，onaccountofaviolenthead-ache。Thisremissionwaspresentlygranted；forindeedsheseldomhadoccasiontoaskhimtwice，ashelovedherwithsuchardentaffection，that，bygratifyingher，hecommonlyconveyedthehighestgratificationtohimself。Shewasreally，whathefrequentlycalledher，hislittledarling，andshewelldeservedtobeso；forshereturnedallhisaffectioninthemostamplemanner。Shehadpreservedthemostinviolabledutytohiminallthings；andthisherlovemadenotonlyeasy，butsodelightful，thatwhenoneofhercompanionslaughedatherforplacingsomuchmeritinsuchscrupulousobedience，asthatyoungladycalledit，Sophiaanswered，\"Youmistakeme，madam，ifyouthinkIvaluemyselfuponthisaccount；forbesidesthatIambarelydischargingmyduty，I
amlikewisepleasingmyself。IcantrulysayIhavenodelightequaltothatofcontributingtomyfather’shappiness；andifIvaluemyself，mydear，itisonhavingthispower，andnotonexecutingit。\"
Thiswasasatisfaction，however，whichpoorSophiawasincapableoftastingthisevening。Shethereforenotonlydesiredtobeexcusedfromherattendanceattheharpsichord，butlikewisebeggedthathewouldsufferhertoabsentherselffromsupper。Tothisrequestlikewisethesquireagreed，thoughnotwithoutsomereluctance；forhescarceeverpermittedhertobeoutofhissight，unlesswhenhewasengagedwithhishorses，dogs，orbottle。Neverthelessheyieldedtothedesireofhisdaughter，thoughthepoormanwasatthesametimeobligedtoavoidhisowncompanyifImaysoexpressmyself，bysendingforaneighbouringfarmertositwithhim。
Chapter11
ThenarrowescapeofMollySeagrim，withsomeobservationsforwhichwehavebeenforcedtodiveprettydeepintonatureTomJoneshadriddenoneofMr。Western’shorsesthatmorninginthechase；sothathavingnohorseofhisowninthesquire’sstable，hewasobligedtogohomeonfoot:thishedidsoexpeditiouslythatheranupwardsofthreemileswithinthehalf-hour。
JustashearrivedatMr。Allworthy’soutwardgate，hemettheconstableandcompanywithMollyintheirpossession，whomtheywereconductingtothathousewheretheinferiorsortofpeoplemaylearnonegoodlesson，viz。，respectanddeferencetotheirsuperiors；sinceitmustshowthemthewidedistinctionFortuneintendsbetweenthosepersonswhoaretobecorrectedfortheirfaults，andthosewhoarenot；whichlessoniftheydonotlearn，Iamafraidtheyveryrarelylearnanyothergoodlesson，orimprovetheirmorals，attheHouseofCorrection。
AlawyermayperhapsthinkMr。Allworthyexceededhisauthorityalittleinthisinstance。And，tosaythetruth，Iquestion，asherewasnoregularinformationbeforehim，whetherhisconductwasstrictlyregular。However，ashisintentionwastrulyupright，heoughttobeexcusedinforoconscientiae；sincesomanyarbitraryactsaredailycommittedbymagistrateswhohavenotthisexcusetopleadforthemselves。
Tomwasnosoonerinformedbytheconstablewhithertheywereproceedingindeedheprettywellguesseditofhimself，thanhecaughtMollyinhisarms，andembracinghertenderlybeforethemall，sworehewouldmurderthefirstmanwhoofferedtolayholdofher。Hebidherdryhereyesandbecomforted；for，wherevershewent，hewouldaccompanyher。Thenturningtotheconstable，whostoodtremblingwithhishatoff，hedesiredhim，inaverymildvoice，toreturnwithhimforamomentonlytohisfatherforsohenowcalledAllworthy；forhedurst，hesaid，beassured，that，whenhehadalledgedwhathehadtosayinherfavour，thegirlwouldbedischarged。
Theconstable，who，Imakenodoubt，wouldhavesurrenderedhisprisonerhadTomdemandedher，veryreadilyconsentedtothisrequest。
SobacktheyallwentintoMr。Allworthy’shall；whereTomdesiredthemtostaytillhisreturn，andthenwenthimselfinpursuitofthegoodman。Assoonashewasfound，Tomthrewhimselfathisfeet，andhavingbeggedapatienthearing，confessedhimselftobethefatherofthechildofwhichMollywasthenbig。Heentreatedhimtohavecompassiononthepoorgirl，andtoconsider，iftherewasanyguiltinthecase，itlayprincipallyathisdoor。
\"Ifthereisanyguiltinthecase！\"answeredAllworthywarmly:\"AreyouthensoprofligateandabandonedalibertinetodoubtwhetherthebreakingthelawsofGodandman，thecorruptingandruiningapoorgirlbeguilt？Iown，indeed，itdothlieprincipallyuponyou；
andsoheavyitis，thatyououghttoexpectitshouldcrushyou。\"
\"Whatevermaybemyfate，\"saysTom，\"letmesucceedinmyintercessionsforthepoorgirl。IconfessIhavecorruptedher！butwhethersheshallberuined，dependsonyou。ForHeaven’ssake，sir，revokeyourwarrant，anddonotsendhertoaplacewhichmustunavoidablyproveherdestruction。\"
Allworthybidhimimmediatelycallaservant。Tomansweredtherewasnooccasion；forhehadluckilymetthematthegate，andrelyinguponhisgoodness，hadbroughtthemallbackintohishall，wheretheynowwaitedhisfinalresolution，whichuponhiskneeshebesoughthimmightbeinfavourofthegirl；thatshemightbepermittedtogohometoherparents，andnotbeexposedtoagreaterdegreeofshameandscornthanmustnecessarilyfalluponher。\"Iknow，\"saidhe，\"thatistoomuch。IknowIamthewickedoccasionofit。Iwillendeavourtomakeamends，ifpossible；andifyoushallhavehereafterthegoodnesstoforgiveme，IhopeIshalldeserveit。\"
Allworthyhesitatedsometime，andatlastsaid，\"Well，Iwilldischargemymittimus-Youmaysendtheconstabletome。\"Hewasinstantlycalled，discharged，andsowasthegirl。
ItwillbebelievedthatMr。AllworthyfailednottoreadTomaveryseverelectureonthisoccasion；butitisunnecessarytoinsertithere，aswehavefaithfullytranscribedwhathesaidtoJennyJonesinthefirstbook，mostofwhichmaybeappliedtothemen，equallywiththewomen。Sosensibleaneffecthadthesereproofsontheyoungman，whowasnohardenedsinnerthatheretiredtohisownroom，wherehepassedtheeveningalone，inmuchmelancholycontemplation。
AllworthywassufficientlyoffendedbythistransgressionofJones；fornotwithstandingtheassertionsofMr。Western，itiscertainthisworthymanhadneverindulgedhimselfinanyloosepleasureswithwomen，andgreatlycondemnedtheviceofincontinenceinothers。Indeed，thereismuchreasontoimaginethattherewasnottheleasttruthinwhatMr。Westernaffirmed，especiallyashelaidthesceneofthoseimpuritiesattheuniversity，whereMr。
Allworthyhadneverbeen。Infact，thegoodsquirewasalittletooapttoindulgethatkindofpleasantrywhichisgenerallycalledrhodomontade:butwhichmay，withasmuchpropriety，beexpressedbyamuchshorterword；andperhapswetoooftensupplytheuseofthislittlemonosyllablebyothers；sinceverymuchofwhatfrequentlypassesintheworldforwitandhumour，should，inthestrictestpurityoflanguage，receivethatshortappellation，which，inconformitytothewell-bredlawsofcustom，Iheresuppress。
ButwhateverdetestationMr。Allworthyhadtothisortoanyothervice，hewasnotsoblindedbyitbutthathecoulddiscernanyvirtueintheguiltyperson，asclearlyindeedasiftherehadbeennomixtureofviceinthesamecharacter。WhilehewasangrythereforewiththeincontinenceofJones，hewasnolesspleasedwiththehonourandhonestyofhisself-accusation。Hebegannowtoforminhismindthesameopinionofthisyoungfellow，which，wehope，ourreadermayhaveconceived。Andinbalancinghisfaultswithhisperfections，thelatterseemedrathertopreponderate。
Itwastonopurpose，therefore，thatThwackum，whowasimmediatelychargedbyMr。Blifilwiththestory，unbendedallhisrancouragainstpoorTom。Allworthygaveapatienthearingtotheirinvectives，andthenansweredcoldly:\"ThatyoungmenofTom’scomplexionweretoogenerallyaddictedtothisvice；buthebelievedthatyouthwassincerelyaffectedwithwhathehadsaidtohimontheoccasion，andhehopedhewouldnottransgressagain。\"Sothat，asthedaysofwhippingwereatanend，thetutorhadnootherventbuthisownmouthforhisgall，theusualpoorresourceofimpotentrevenge。
ButSquare，whowasalessviolent，wasamuchmoreartfulman；
andashehatedJonesmoreperhapsthanThwackumhimselfdid，sohecontrivedtodohimmoremischiefinthemindofMr。Allworthy。
Thereadermustremembertheseverallittleincidentsofthepartridge，thehorse，andtheBible，whichwererecountedinthesecondbook。ByallwhichJoneshadratherimprovedthaninjuredtheaffectionwhichMr。Allworthywasinclinedtoentertainforhim。Thesame，Ibelieve，musthavehappenedtohimwitheveryotherpersonwhohathanyideaoffriendship，generosity，andgreatnessofspirit，thatistosay，whohathanytracesofgoodnessinhismind。
SquarehimselfwasnotunacquaintedwiththetrueimpressionwhichthoseseveralinstancesofgoodnesshadmadeontheexcellentheartofAllworthy；forthephilosopherverywellknewwhatvirtuewas，thoughhewasnotalwaysperhapssteadyinitspursuit；butasforThwackum，fromwhatreasonIwillnotdetermine，nosuchthoughtseverenteredintohishead:hesawJonesinabadlight，andheimaginedAllworthysawhiminthesame，butthathewasresolved，fromprideandstubbornnessofspirit，nottogiveuptheboywhomhehadoncecherished；sincebysodoing，hemusttacitlyacknowledgethathisformeropinionofhimhadbeenwrong。
SquarethereforeembracedthisopportunityofinjuringJonesinthetenderestpart，bygivingaverybadturntoallthesebefore-mentionedoccurrences。\"Iamsorry，sir，\"saidhe，\"toownI
havebeendeceivedaswellasyourself。Icouldnot，Iconfess，helpbeingpleasedwithwhatIascribedtothemotiveoffriendship，thoughitwascarriedtoanexcess，andallexcessisfaultyandvicious:butinthisImadeallowanceforyouth。LittledidIsuspectthatthesacrificeoftruth，whichwebothimaginedtohavebeenmadetofriendship，wasinrealityaprostitutionofittoadepravedanddebauchedappetite。Younowplainlyseewhencealltheseeminggenerosityofthisyoungmantothefamilyofthegamekeeperproceeded。Hesupportedthefatherinordertocorruptthedaughter，andpreservedthefamilyfromstarving，tobringoneofthemtoshameandruin。Thisisfriendship！thisisgenerosity！AsSirRichardSteelesays，’Gluttonswhogivehighpricesfordelicacies，areveryworthytobecalledgenerous。’InshortIamresolved，fromthisinstance，nevertogivewaytotheweaknessofhumannaturenortothinkanythingvirtuewhichdothnotexactlyquadratewiththeunerringruleofright。\"
ThegoodnessofAllworthyhadpreventedthoseconsiderationsfromoccurringtohimself；yetweretheytooplausibletobeabsolutelyandhastilyrejected，whenlaidbeforehiseyesbyanother。IndeedwhatSquarehadsaidsunkverydeeplyintohismind，andtheuneasinesswhichittherecreatedwasveryvisibletotheother；thoughthegoodmanwouldnotacknowledgethis，butmadeaveryslightanswer，andforciblydroveoffthediscoursetosomeothersubject。ItwaswellperhapsforpoorTom，thatnosuchsuggestionshadbeenmadebeforehewaspardoned；fortheycertainlystampedinthemindofAllworthythefirstbadimpressionconcerningJones。
Chapter12
Containingmuchclearermatters；butwhichflowedfromthesamefountainwiththoseintheprecedingchapterThereaderwillbepleased，Ibelieve，toreturnwithmetoSophia。Shepassedthenight，afterwesawherlast，innoveryagreeablemanner。Sleepbefriendedherbutlittle，anddreamsless。Inthemorning，whenMrs。Honour，hermaid，attendedherattheusualhour，shewasfoundalreadyupanddrest。
Personswholivetwoorthreemiles’distanceinthecountryareconsideredasnext-doorneighbours，andtransactionsattheonehouseflywithincredibleceleritytotheother。Mrs。Honour，therefore，hadheardthewholestoryofMolly’sshame；whichshe，beingofaverycommunicativetemper，hadnosoonerenteredtheapartmentofhermistress，thanshebegantorelateinthefollowingmanner:-
\"La，ma’am，whatdothyourla’shipthink？thegirlthatyourla’shipsawatchurchonSunday，whomyouthoughtsohandsome；thoughyouwouldnothavethoughthersohandsomeneither，ifyouhadseenhernearer，buttobesureshehathbeencarriedbeforethejusticeforbeingbigwithchild。Sheseemedtometolooklikeaconfidentslut:andtobesureshehathlaidthechildtoyoungMr。Jones。AndalltheparishsaysMr。AllworthyissoangrywithyoungMr。Jones，thathewon’tseehim。Tobesure，onecan’thelppityingthepooryoungman，andyethedothnotdeservemuchpityneither，fordemeaninghimselfwithsuchkindoftrumpery。Yetheissoprettyagentleman，Ishouldbesorrytohavehimturnedoutofdoors。I
darestoswearthewenchwasaswillingashe；forshewasalwaysaforwardkindofbody。Andwhenwenchesaresocoming，youngmenarenotsomuchtobeblamedneither；fortobesuretheydonomorethanwhatisnatural。Indeeditisbeneaththemtomeddlewithsuchdirtydraggle-tails；andwhateverhappenstothem，itisgoodenoughforthem。Andyet，tobesure，thevilebaggagesaremostinfault。
Iwishes，withallmyheart，theywerewelltobewhippedatthecart’stail；foritispitytheyshouldbetheruinofaprettyyounggentleman；andnobodycandenybutthatMr。Jonesisoneofthemosthandsomestyoungmenthatever-\"
Shewasrunningonthus，whenSophia，withamorepeevishvoicethanshehadeverspokentoherinbefore，cried，\"Prithee，whydostthoutroublemewithallthisstuff？WhatconcernhaveIinwhatMr。
Jonesdoth？Isupposeyouareallalike。Andyouseemtometobeangryitwasnotyourowncase。\"
\"I，ma’am！\"answeredMrs。Honour，\"Iamsorryyourladyshipshouldhavesuchanopinionofme。Iamsurenobodycansayanysuchthingofme。Alltheyoungfellowsintheworldmaygotothedivilforme。
BecauseIsaidhewasahandsomeman？EverybodysaysitaswellasI。Tobesure，Ineverthoughtasitwasanyharmtosayayoungmanwashandsome；buttobesureIshallneverthinkhimsoanymorenow；forhandsomeisthathandsomedoes。Abeggarwench！——\"
\"Stopthytorrentofimpertinence，\"criesSophia，\"andseewhethermyfatherwantsmeatbreakfast。\"
Mrs。Honourthenflungoutoftheroom，mutteringmuchtoherself，ofwhich\"Marrycomeup，Iassureyou，\"wasallthatcouldbeplainlydistinguished。
WhetherMrs。Honourreallydeservedthatsuspicion，ofwhichhermistressgaveherahint，isamatterwhichwecannotindulgeourreader’scuriositybyresolving。Wewill，however，makehimamendsindisclosingwhatpassedinthemindofSophia。
Thereaderwillbepleasedtorecollect，thatasecretaffectionforMr。Joneshadinsensiblystolenintothebosomofthisyounglady。
Thatithadtheregrowntoaprettygreatheightbeforesheherselfhaddiscoveredit。Whenshefirstbegantoperceiveitssymptoms，thesensationsweresosweetandpleasing，thatshehadnotresolutionsufficienttocheckorrepelthem；andthusshewentoncherishingapassionofwhichsheneveronceconsideredtheconsequences。
ThisincidentrelatingtoMollyfirstopenedhereyes。Shenowfirstperceivedtheweaknessofwhichshehadbeenguilty；andthoughitcausedtheutmostperturbationinhermind，yetithadtheeffectofothernauseousphysic，andforthetimeexpelledherdistemper。Itsoperationindeedwasmostwonderfullyquick；andintheshortinterval，whilehermaidwasabsent，soentirelyremovedallsymptoms，thatwhenMrs。Honourreturnedwithasummonsfromherfather，shewasbecomeperfectlyeasy，andhadbroughtherselftoathoroughindifferenceforMr。Jones。
Thediseasesoftheminddoinalmosteveryparticularimitatethoseofthebody。Forwhichreason，hope，thatlearnedfaculty，forwhomwehavesoprofoundarespect，willpardonustheviolenthandswehavebeennecessitatedtolayonseveralwordsandphrases，whichofrightbelongtothem，andwithoutwhichourdescriptionsmusthavebeentenunintelligible。
Nowthereisnoonecircumstanceinwhichthedistempersofthemindbearamoreexactanalogytothosewhicharecalledbodily，thanthataptnesswhichbothhavetoarelapse。Thisisplainintheviolentdiseasesofambitionandavarice。Ihaveknownambition，whencuredatcourtbyfrequentdisappointmentswhicharetheonlyphysicforit，tobreakoutagaininacontestforforemanofthegrandjuryatanassizes；andhaveheardofamanwhohadsofarconqueredavarice，astogiveawaymanyasixpence，thatcomfortedhimself，atlast，onhisdeathbed，bymakingacraftyandadvantageousbargainconcerninghisensuingfuneral，withanundertakerwhohadmarriedhisonlychild。
Intheaffairoflove，which，outofstrictconformitywiththeStoicphilosophy，weshallheretreatasadisease，thispronenesstorelapseisnolessconspicuous。ThusithappenedtopoorSophia；
uponwhom，theverynexttimeshesawyoungJones，alltheformersymptomsreturned，andfromthattimecoldandhotfitsalternatelyseizedherheart。
Thesituationofthisyoungladywasnowverydifferentfromwhatithadeverbeenbefore。Thatpassionwhichhadformerlybeensoexquisitelydelicious，becamenowascorpioninherbosom。Sheresisteditthereforewithherutmostforce，andsummonedeveryargumentherreasonwhichwassurprisinglystrongforherage
couldsuggest，tosubdueandexpelit。Inthisshesofarsucceeded，thatshebegantohopefromtimeandabsenceaperfectcure。SheresolvedthereforetoavoidTomJonesasmuchaspossible；forwhichpurposeshebegantoconceiveadesignofvisitingheraunt，towhichshemadenodoubtofobtainingherfather’sconsent。
ButFortune，whohadotherdesignsinherhead，putanimmediatestoptoanysuchproceeding，byintroducinganaccident，whichwillberelatedinthenextchapter。
Chapter13
AdreadfulaccidentwhichbefelSophia。ThegallantbehaviourofJones，andthemoredreadfulconsequenceofthatbehaviourtotheyounglady；withashortdigressioninfavourofthefemalesexMr。WesterngreweverydayfonderandfonderofSophia，insomuchthathisbeloveddogsthemselvesalmostgaveplacetoherinhisaffections；butashecouldnotprevailonhimselftoabandonthese，hecontrivedverycunninglytoenjoytheircompany，togetherwiththatofhisdaughter，byinsistingonherridinga-huntingwithhim。
Sophia，towhomherfather’swordwasalaw，readilycompliedwithhisdesires，thoughshehadnottheleastdelightinasport，whichwasoftooroughandmasculineanaturetosuitwithherdisposition。Shehadhoweveranothermotive，besideherobedience，toaccompanytheoldgentlemaninthechase；forbyherpresenceshehopedinsomemeasuretorestrainhisimpetuosity，andtopreventhimfromsofrequentlyexposinghisnecktotheutmosthazard。
Thestrongestobjectionwasthatwhichwouldhaveformerlybeenaninducementtoher，namely，thefrequentmeetingwithyoungJones，whomshehaddeterminedtoavoid；butastheendofthehuntingseasonnowapproached，shehoped，byashortabsencewithheraunt，toreasonherselfentirelyoutofherunfortunatepassion；andhadnotanydoubtofbeingabletomeethiminthefieldthesubsequentseasonwithouttheleastdanger。
Ontheseconddayofherhunting，asshewasreturningfromthechase，andwasarrivedwithinalittledistancefromMr。Western’shouse，herhorse，whosemettlesomespiritrequiredabetterrider，fellsuddenlytoprancingandcaperinginsuchamannerthatshewasinthemostimminentperiloffalling。TomJones，whowasatalittledistancebehind，sawthis，andimmediatelygallopeduptoherassistance。Assoonashecameup，heleaptfromhisownhorse，andcaughtholdofhersbythebridle。Theunrulybeastpresentlyrearedhimselfonendonhishindlegs，andthrewhislovelyburthenfromhisback，andJonescaughtherinhisarms。
Shewassoaffectedwiththefright，thatshewasnotimmediatelyabletosatisfyJones，whowasverysollicitoustoknowwhethershehadreceivedanyhurt。Shesoonafter，however，recoveredherspirits，assuredhimshewassafe，andthankedhimforthecarehehadtakenofher。Jonesanswered，\"IfIhavepreservedyou，madam，Iamsufficientlyrepaid；forIpromiseyou，IwouldhavesecuredyoufromtheleastharmattheexpenseofamuchgreatermisfortunetomyselfthanIhavesufferedonthisoccasion。\"
\"Whatmisfortune？\"repliedSophiaeagerly；\"Ihopeyouhavecometonomischief？\"
\"Benotconcerned，madam，\"answeredJones。\"Heavenbepraisedyouhaveescapedsowell，consideringthedangeryouwasin。IfIhavebrokemyarm，Iconsideritasatrifle，incomparisonofwhatI
feareduponyouraccount。\"
Sophiathenscreamedout，\"Brokeyourarm！Heavenforbid。\"
\"IamafraidIhave，madam，\"saysJones:\"butIbegyouwillsuffermefirsttotakecareofyou。Ihavearighthandyetatyourservice，tohelpyouintothenextfield，whencewehavebutaverylittlewalktoyourfather’shouse。\"
Sophiaseeinghisleftarmdanglingbyhisside，whilehewasusingtheothertoleadher，nolongerdoubtedofthetruth。Shenowgrewmuchpalerthanherfearsforherselfhadmadeherbefore。Allherlimbswereseizedwithatrembling，insomuchthatJonescouldscarcesupporther；andasherthoughtswereinnolessagitation，shecouldnotrefrainfromgivingJonesalooksofulloftenderness，thatitalmostarguedastrongersensationinhermind，thanevengratitudeandpityunitedcanraiseinthegentlestfemalebosom，withouttheassistanceofathirdmorepowerfulpassion。
Mr。Western，whowasadvancedatsomedistancewhenthisaccidenthappened，wasnowreturned，asweretherestofthehorsemen。SophiaimmediatelyacquaintedthemwithwhathadbefallenJones，andbeggedthemtotakecareofhim。UponwhichWestern，whohadbeenmuchalarmedbymeetinghisdaughter’shorsewithoutitsrider，andwasnowoverjoyedtofindherunhurt，criedout，\"Iamgladitisnoworse。IfTomhathbrokenhisarm，wewillgetajoinertomendunagain。\"
Thesquirealightedfromhishorse，andproceededtohishouseonfoot，withhisdaughterandones。Animpartialspectator，whohadmetthemontheway，would，onviewingtheirseveralcountenances，haveconcludedSophiaalonetohavebeentheobjectofcompassion:forastoJones，heexultedinhavingprobablysavedthelifeoftheyounglady，atthepriceonlyofabrokenbone；andMr。Western，thoughhewasnotunconcernedattheaccidentwhichhadbefallenJones，was，however，delightedinamuchhigherdegreewiththefortunateescapeofhisdaughter。
ThegenerosityofSophia’stemperconstruedthisbehaviourofJonesintogreatbravery；anditmadeadeepimpressiononherheart:forcertainitis，thatthereisnoonequalitywhichsogenerallyrecommendsmentowomenasthis；proceeding，ifwebelievethecommonopinion，fromthatnaturaltimidityofthesex，whichis，saysMr。Osborne，\"sogreat，thatawomanisthemostcowardlyofallthecreaturesGodevermade\"；-asentimentmoreremarkableforitsbluntnessthanforitstruth。Aristotle，inhisPolitics，doththem，Ibelieve，morejustice，whenhesays，\"Themodestyandfortitudeofmendifferfromthosevirtuesinwomen；forthefortitudewhichbecomesawoman，wouldbecowardiceinaman；andthemodestywhichbecomesaman，wouldbepertnessinawoman。\"Noristhere，perhaps，moreoftruthintheopinionofthosewhoderivethepartialitywhichwomenareinclinedtoshowtothebrave，fromthisexcessoftheirfear。Mr。BayleIthink，inhisarticleofHelen
imputesthis，andwithgreaterprobability，totheirviolentloveofglory；forthetruthofwhich，wehavetheauthorityofhimwhoofallotherssawfarthestintohumannature，andwhointroducestheheroineofhisOdyssey，thegreatpatternofmatrimonialloveandconstancy，assigningthegloryofherhusbandastheonlysourceofheraffectiontowardshim。*
*TheEnglishreaderwillnotfindthisinthepoem；forthesentimentisentirelyleftoutinthetranslation。
Howeverthisbe，certainitisthattheaccidentoperatedverystronglyonSophia；and，indeed，aftermuchenquiryintothematter，I
aminclinedtobelieve，that，atthisverytime，thecharmingSophiamadenolessimpressionontheheartofJones；tosaytruth，hehadforsometimebecomesensibleoftheirresistiblepowerofhercharms。
Chapter14
Thearrivalofasurgeon-hisoperations，andalongdialoguebetweenSophiaandhermaidWhentheyarrivedatMr。Western’shall，Sophia，whohadtotteredalongwithmuchdifficulty，sunkdowninherchair；butbytheassistanceofhartshornandwater，shewaspreventedfromfaintingaway，andhadprettywellrecoveredherspirits，whenthesurgeonwhowassentfortoJonesappeared。Mr。Western，whoimputedthesesymptomsinhisdaughtertoherfall，advisedhertobepresentlybloodedbywayofprevention。Inthisopinionhewassecondedbythesurgeon，whogavesomanyreasonsforbleeding，andquotedsomanycaseswherepersonshadmiscarriedforwantofit，thatthesquirebecameveryimportunate，andindeedinsistedperemptorilythathisdaughtershouldbeblooded。
Sophiasoonyieldedtothecommandsofherfather，thoughentirelycontrarytoherowninclinations，forshesuspected，Ibelieve，lessdangerfromthefright，thaneitherthesquireorthesurgeon。Shethenstretchedoutherbeautifularm，andtheoperatorbegantoprepareforhiswork。
Whiletheservantswerebusiedinprovidingmaterials，thesurgeon，whoimputedthebackwardnesswhichhadappearedinSophiatoherfears，begantocomfortherwithassurancesthattherewasnottheleastdanger；fornoaccident，hesaid，couldeverhappeninbleeding，butfromthemonstrousignoranceofpretenderstosurgery，whichheprettyplainlyinsinuatedwasnotatpresenttobeapprehended。Sophiadeclaredshewasnotundertheleastapprehension；
adding，\"Ifyouopenanartery，IpromiseyouI’llforgiveyou。\"\"Willyou？\"criesWestern:\"D——nme，ifIwill。Ifhedoestheetheleastmischief，d——nmeifIdon’tha’theheart’sbloodo’unout。\"Thesurgeonassentedtobleedherupontheseconditions，andthenproceededtohisoperation，whichheperformedwithasmuchdexterityashehadpromised；andwithasmuchquickness:forhetookbutlittlebloodfromher，saying，itwasmuchsafertobleedagainandagain，thantotakeawaytoomuchatonce。
Sophia，whenherarmwasboundup，retired:forshewasnotwillingnorwasit，perhaps，strictlydecenttobepresentattheoperationonJones。Indeed，oneobjectionwhichshehadtobleedingthoughshedidnotmakeitwasthedelaywhichitwouldoccasiontosettingthebrokenbone。ForWestern，whenSophiawasconcerned，hadnoconsiderationbutforher；andasforJoneshimself，he\"satlikepatienceonamonumentsmilingatgrief。\"Tosaythetruth，whenhesawthebloodspringingfromthelovelyarmofSophia，hescarcethoughtofwhathadhappenedtohimself。
Thesurgeonnoworderedhispatienttobestripttohisshirt，andthenentirelybaringthearm，hebegantostretchandexamineit，insuchamannerthatthetorturesheputhimtocausedJonestomakeseveralwryfaces；whichthesurgeonobserving，greatlywonderedat，crying，\"Whatisthematter，sir？IamsureitisimpossibleI
shouldhurtyou。\"Andthenholdingforththebrokenarm，hebeganalongandverylearnedlectureofanatomy，inwhichsimpleanddoublefracturesweremostaccuratelyconsidered；andtheseveralwaysinwhichJonesmighthavebrokenhisarmwerediscussed，withproperannotationsshowinghowmanyofthesewouldhavebeenbetter，andhowmanyworsethanthepresentcase。
Havingatlengthfinishedhislabouredharangue，withwhichtheaudience，thoughhadgreatlyraisedtheirattentionandadmiration，werenotmuchedified，astheyreallyunderstoodnotasinglesyllableofallhehadsaid，heproceededtobusiness，whichhewasmoreexpeditiousinfinishing，thanhehadbeeninbeginning。
Joneswasthenorderedintoabed，whichMr。Westerncompelledhimtoacceptathisownhouse，andsentenceofwatergruelwaspasseduponhim。
Amongthegoodcompanywhichhadattendedinthehallduringthebone-setting，Mrs。Honourwasone；whobeingsummonedtohermistressassoonasitwasover，andaskedbyherhowtheyounggentlemandid，presentlylaunchedintoextravagantpraisesonthemagnanimity，asshecalledit，ofhisbehaviour，which，shesaid，\"wassocharminginsoprettyacreature。\"Shethenburstforthintomuchwarmerencomiumsonthebeautyofhisperson；enumeratingmanyparticulars，andendingwiththewhitenessofhisskin。
ThisdiscoursehadaneffectonSophia’scountenance，whichwouldnotperhapshaveescapedtheobservanceofthesagaciouswaiting-woman，hadsheoncelookedhermistressintheface，allthetimeshewasspeaking:butasalooking-glass，whichwasmostcommodiouslyplacedoppositetoher，gaveheranopportunityofsurveyingthosefeatures，inwhich，ofallothers，shetookmostdelight；soshehadnotonceremovedhereyesfromthatamiableobjectduringherwholespeech。
Mrs。Honourwassointirelywrappedupinthesubjectonwhichsheexercisedhertongue，andtheobjectbeforehereyes，thatshegavehermistresstimetoconquerherconfusion；whichhavingdone，shesmiledonhermaid，andtoldher，\"shewascertainlyinlovewiththisyoungfellow。\"-\"Iinlove，madam！\"answersshe:\"uponmyword，ma’am，Iassureyou，ma’am，uponmysoul，ma’am，Iamnot。\"-\"Why，ifyouwas，\"crieshermistress，\"Iseenoreasonthatyoushouldbeashamedofit；forheiscertainlyaprettyfellow。\"-\"Yes，ma’am，\"
answeredtheother，\"thatheis，themosthandsomestmanIeversawinmylife。Yes，tobesure，thatheis，and，asyourladyshipsays，I
don’tknowwhyIshouldbeashamedoflovinghim，thoughheismybetters。Tobesure，gentlefolksarebutfleshandbloodnomorethanusservants。Besides，asforMr。Jones，thofSquireAllworthyhathmadeagentlemanofhim，hewasnotsogoodasmyselfbybirth:
forthofIamapoorbody，Iamanhonestperson’schild，andmyfatherandmotherweremarried，whichismorethansomepeoplecansay，ashighastheyholdtheirheads。Marry，comeup！Iassureyou，mydirtycousin！thofhisskinbesowhite，andtobesureitisthemostwhitestthateverwasseen，IamaChristianaswellashe，andnobodycansaythatIambaseborn:mygrandfatherwasaclergyman，*
andwouldhavebeenveryangry，Ibelieve，tohavethoughtanyofhisfamilyshouldhavetakenupwithMollySeagrim’sdirtyleavings。\"
*Thisisthesecondpersonoflowconditionwhomwehaverecordedinthishistorytohavesprungfromtheclergy。Itistobehopedsuchinstanceswill，infutureages，whensomeprovisionismadeforthefamiliesoftheinferiorclergy，appearstrangerthantheycanbethoughtatpresent。
PerhapsSophiamighthavesufferedhermaidtorunoninthismanner，fromwantingsufficientspiritstostophertongue，whichthereadermayprobablyconjecturewasnoveryeasytask；forcertainlythereweresomepassagesinherspeechwhichwerefarfrombeingagreeabletothelady。However，shenowcheckedthetorrent，asthereseemednoendofitsflowing。\"Iwonder，\"saysshe，\"atyourassuranceindaringtotalkthusofoneofmyfather’sfriends。
Astothewench，Iorderyounevertomentionhernametome。Andwithregardtotheyounggentleman’sbirth，thosewhocansaynothingmoretohisdisadvantage，mayaswellbesilentonthathead，asI
desireyouwillbeforthefuture。\"
\"IamsorryIhaveoffendedyourladyship，\"answeredMrs。Honour。\"I
amsureIhateMollySeagrimasmuchasyourladyshipcan；andasforabusingSquireJones，Icancallalltheservantsinthehousetowitness，thatwheneveranytalkhathbeenaboutbastards，Ihavealwaystakenhispart；forwhichofyou，saysItothefootman，wouldnotbeabastard，ifhecould，tobemadeagentlemanof？And，saysI，Iamsureheisaveryfinegentleman；andhehathoneofthewhitesthandsintheworld；fortobesuresohehath:and，saysI，oneofthesweetesttemperedest，bestnaturedestmenintheworldheis；and，saysI，alltheservantsandneighboursallroundthecountryloveshim。And，tobesure，Icouldtellyourladyshipsomething，butthatIamafraiditwouldoffendyou。\"-\"Whatcouldyoutellme，Honour？\"saysSophia。\"Nay，ma’am，tobesurehemeantnothingbyit，thereforeIwouldnothaveyourladyshipbeoffended。\"-\"Pritheetellme，\"saysSophia；\"Iwillknowitthisinstant。\"-\"Why，ma’am，\"answeredMrs。Honour，\"hecameintotheroomonedaylastweekwhenIwasatwork，andtherelayyourladyship’smuffonachair，andtobesureheputhishandsintoit；thatverymuffyourladyshipgavemebutyesterday。La！saysI，Mr。Jones，youwillstretchmylady’smuff，andspoilit:buthestillkepthishandsinit:andthenhekissedit-tobesureIhardlyeversawsuchakissinmylifeashegaveit。\"-\"Isupposehedidnotknowitwasmine，\"repliedSophia。\"Yourladyshipshallhear，ma’am。Hekisseditagainandagain，andsaiditwastheprettiestmuffintheworld。
La！sir，saysI，youhaveseenitahundredtimes。Yes，Mrs。Honour，criedhe；butwhocanseeanythingbeautifulinthepresenceofyourladybutherself？-Nay，that’snotallneither；butIhopeyourladyshipwon’tbeoffended，fortobesurehemeantnothing。Oneday，asyourladyshipwasplayingontheharpsichordtomymaster，Mr。
Joneswassittinginthenextroom，andmethoughthelookedmelancholy。La！saysI，Mr。Jones，what’sthematter？apennyforyourthoughts，saysI。Why，hussy，sayshe，startingupfromadream，whatcanIbethinkingof，whenthatangelyourmistressisplaying？
Andthensqueezingmebythehand，Oh！Mrs。Honour，sayshe，howhappywillthatmanbe！-andthenhesighed。Uponmytroth，hisbreathisassweetasanosegay-Buttobesurehemeantnoharmbyit。SoI
hopeyourladyshipwillnotmentionaword；forhegavemeacrownnevertomentionit，andmademeswearuponabook，butIbelieve，indeed，itwasnottheBible。\"
Tillsomethingofamorebeautifulredthanvermilionbefoundout，IshallsaynothingofSophia’scolouronthisoccasion。
\"Honour，\"saysshe，\"I-ifyouwillnotmentionthisanymoretome-
nortoanybodyelse，Iwillnotbetrayyou-Imean，Iwillnotbeangry；butIamafraidofyourtongue。Why，mygirl，willyougiveitsuchliberties？\"-\"Nay，ma’am，\"answeredshe，\"tobesure，Iwouldsoonercutoutmytonguethanoffendyourladyship。TobesureIshallnevermentionawordthatyourladyshipwouldnothaveme。\"-\"Why，I
wouldnothaveyoumentionthisanymore，\"saidSophia，\"foritmaycometomyfather’sears，andhewouldbeangrywithMr。Jones；thoughIreallybelieve，asyousay，hemeantnothing。Ishouldbeveryangrymyself，ifIimagined-\"-\"Nay，ma’am，\"saysHonour，\"IprotestI
believehemeantnothing。Ithoughthetalkedasifhewasoutofhissenses；nay，hesaidhebelievedhewasbesidehimselfwhenhehadspokenthewords。Ay，sir，saysI，Ibelievesotoo。Yes，sayshe，Honour-ButIaskyourladyship’spardon；Icouldtearmytongueoutforoffendingyou。\"\"Goon，\"saysSophia；\"youmaymentionanythingyouhavenottoldmebefore。\"-\"Yes，Honour，sayshethiswassometimeafterwards，whenhegavemethecrown，Iamneithersuchacoxcomb，orsuchavillain，astothinkofherinanyotherdelightbutasmygoddess；assuchIwillalwaysworshipandadoreherwhileI
havebreath-Thiswasall，ma’am，Iwillbesworn，tothebestofmyremembrance。Iwasinapassionwithhimmyself，tillIfoundhemeantnoharm。\"-\"Indeed，Honour，\"saysSophia，\"Ibelieveyouhavearealaffectionforme。IwasprovokedtheotherdaywhenIgaveyouwarning；butifyouhaveadesiretostaywithme，youshall。\"-\"Tobesure，ma’am，\"answeredMrs。Honour，\"Ishallneverdesiretopartwithyourladyship。Tobesure，Ialmostcriedmyeyesoutwhenyougavemewarning。Itwouldbeveryungratefulinmetodesiretoleaveyourladyship；becauseaswhy，Ishouldnevergetsogoodaplaceagain。IamsureIwouldliveanddiewithyourladyship；for，aspoorMr。Jonessaid，happyistheman——\"
HerethedinnerbellinterruptedaconversationwhichhadwroughtsuchaneffectonSophia，thatshewas，perhaps，moreobligedtoherbleedinginthemorning，thanshe，atthetime，hadapprehendedsheshouldbe。Astothepresentsituationofhermind，IshalladheretoaruleofHorace，bynotattemptingtodescribeit，fromdespairofsuccess。Mostofmyreaderswillsuggestiteasilytothemselves；
andthefewwhocannot，wouldnotunderstandthepicture，oratleastwoulddenyittobenatural，ifeversowelldrawn。
BOOKV
CONTAININGAPORTIONOFTIMESOMEWHATLONGERTHANHALFAYEAR
Chapter1
Oftheseriousinwriting，andforwhatpurposeitisintroducedPeradventuretheremaybenopartsinthisprodigiousworkwhichwillgivethereaderlesspleasureintheperusing，thanthosewhichhavegiventheauthorthegreatestpainsincomposing。Amongtheseprobablymaybereckonedthoseinitialessayswhichwehaveprefixedtothehistoricalmattercontainedineverybook；andwhichwehavedeterminedtobeessentiallynecessarytothiskindofwriting，ofwhichwehavesetourselvesatthehead。
Forthisourdeterminationwedonotholdourselvesstrictlyboundtoassignanyreason；it，beingabundantlysufficientthatwehavelaiditdownasarulenecessarytobeobservedinallprosai-comi-epicwriting。Whoeverdemandedthereasonsofthatniceunityoftimeorplacewhichisnowestablishedtobesoessentialtodramaticpoetry？Whatcritichathbeeneverasked，whyaplaymaynotcontaintwodaysaswellasone？Orwhytheaudienceprovidedtheytravel，likeelectors，withoutanyexpensemaynotbewaftedfiftymilesaswellasfive？Hathanycommentatorwellaccountedforthelimitationwhichanantientcritichathsettothedrama，whichhewillhavecontainneithermorenorlessthanfiveacts？Orhathanyonelivingattemptedtoexplainwhatthemodernjudgesofourtheatresmeanbythatwordlow；bywhichtheyhavehappilysucceededinbanishingallhumourfromthestage，andhavemadethetheatreasdullasadrawing-room！Uponalltheseoccasionstheworldseemstohaveembracedamaximofourlaw，viz。，cuicunqueinartesuaperitocredendumest*:foritseemsperhapsdifficulttoconceivethatanyoneshouldhavehadenoughofimpudencetolaydowndogmaticalrulesinanyartorsciencewithouttheleastfoundation。Insuchcases，therefore，weareapttoconcludetherearesoundandgoodreasonsatthebottom，thoughweareunfortunatelynotabletoseesofar。
*Everymanistobetrustedinhisownart。
Now，inreality，theworldhavepaidtoogreatacomplimenttocritics，andhaveimaginedthemmenofmuchgreaterprofunditythantheyreallyare。Fromthiscomplacence，thecriticshavebeenemboldenedtoassumeadictatorialpower，andhavesofarsucceeded，thattheyarenowbecomethemasters，andhavetheassurancetogivelawstothoseauthorsfromwhosepredecessorstheyoriginallyreceivedthem。
Thecritic，rightlyconsidered，isnomorethantheclerk，whoseofficeitistotranscribetherulesandlawslaiddownbythosegreatjudgeswhosevaststrengthofgeniushathplacedtheminthelightoflegislators，intheseveralsciencesoverwhichtheypresided。Thisofficewasallwhichthecriticsofoldaspiredto；nordidtheyeverdaretoadvanceasentence，withoutsupportingitbytheauthorityofthejudgefromwhenceitwasborrowed。
Butinprocessoftime，andinagesofignorance，theclerkbegantoinvadethepowerandassumethedignityofhismaster。Thelawsofwritingwerenolongerfoundedonthepracticeoftheauthor，butonthedictatesofthecritic。Theclerkbecamethelegislator，andthoseveryperemptorilygavelawswhosebusinessitwas，atfirst，onlytotranscribethem。
Hencearoseanobvious，andperhapsanunavoidableerror；forthesecriticsbeingmenofshallowcapacities，veryeasilymistookmereformforsubstance。Theyactedasajudgewould，whoshouldadheretothelifelessletteroflaw，andrejectthespirit。Littlecircumstances，whichwereperhapsaccidentalinagreatauthor，werebythesecriticsconsideredtoconstitutehischiefmerit，andtransmittedasessentialstobeobservedbyhissuccessors。Totheseencroachments，timeandignorance，thetwogreatsupportersofimposture，gaveauthority；andthusmanyrulesforgoodwritinghavebeenestablished，whichhavenottheleastfoundationintruthornature；andwhichcommonlyservefornootherpurposethantocurbandrestraingenius，inthesamemannerasitwouldhaverestrainedthedancing-master，hadthemanyexcellenttreatisesonthatartlaiditdownasanessentialrulethateverymanmustdanceinchains。
Toavoid，therefore，allimputationoflayingdownaruleforposterity，foundedonlyontheauthorityofipsedixit*-forwhich，tosaythetruth，wehavenottheprofoundestveneration-weshallherewaivetheprivilegeabovecontendedfor，andproceedtolaybeforethereaderthereasonswhichhaveinducedustointerspersetheseseveraldigressiveessaysinthecourseofthiswork。
*Anassertionwithoutproof。
Andhereweshallofnecessitybeledtoopenanewveinofknowledge，whichifithathbeendiscovered，hathnot，toourremembrance，beenwroughtonbyanyantientormodernwriter。Thisveinisnootherthanthatofcontrast，whichrunsthroughalltheworksofthecreation，andmayprobablyhavealargeshareinconstitutinginustheideaofallbeauty，aswellnaturalasartificial:forwhatdemonstratesthebeautyandexcellenceofanythingbutitsreverse？Thusthebeautyofday，andthatofsummer，issetoffbythehorrorsofnightandwinter。And，Ibelieve，ifitwaspossibleforamantohaveseenonlythetwoformer，hewouldhaveaveryimperfectideaoftheirbeauty。
Buttoavoidtooseriousanair；canitbedoubted，butthatthefinestwomanintheworldwouldloseallbenefitofhercharmsintheeyeofamanwhohadneverseenoneofanothercast？Theladiesthemselvesseemsosensibleofthis，thattheyareallindustrioustoprocurefoils:nay，theywillbecomefoilstothemselves；forI
haveobservedatBathparticularlythattheyendeavourtoappearasuglyaspossibleinthemorning，inordertosetoffthatbeautywhichtheyintendtoshowyouintheevening。
Mostartistshavethissecretinpractice，thoughsome，perhaps，havenotmuchstudiedthetheory。Thejewellerknowsthatthefinestbrilliantrequiresafoil；andthepainter，bythecontrastofhisfigures，oftenacquiresgreatapplause。
Agreatgeniusamonguswillillustratethismatterfully。Icannot，indeed，rangehimunderanygeneralheadofcommonartists，ashehathatitletobeplacedamongthoseInventasquivitamexcoluereperartes。
Whobyinventedartshavelifeimproved。
Imeanheretheinventorofthatmostexquisiteentertainment，calledtheEnglishPantomime。
Thisentertainmentconsistedoftwoparts，whichtheinventordistinguishedbythenamesoftheseriousandthecomic。Theseriousexhibitedacertainnumberofheathengodsandheroes，whowerecertainlytheworstanddullestcompanyintowhichanaudiencewaseverintroduced；andwhichwasasecretknowntofewwereactuallyintendedsotobe，inordertocontrastthecomicpartoftheentertainment，andtodisplaythetricksofharlequintothebetteradvantage。
Thiswas，perhaps，noveryciviluseofsuchpersonages:butthecontrivancewas，nevertheless，ingeniousenough，andhaditseffect。
Andthiswillnowplainlyappear，if，insteadofseriousandcomic，wesupplythewordsdulleranddullest；forthecomicwascertainlydullerthananythingbeforeshownonthestage，andcouldbesetoffonlybythatsuperlativedegreeofdulnesswhichcomposedtheserious。
Sointolerablyserious，indeed，werethesegodsandheroes，thatharlequinthoughtheEnglishgentlemanofthatnameisnotatallrelatedtotheFrenchfamily，forheisofamuchmoreseriousdispositionwasalwayswelcomeonthestage，asherelievedtheaudiencefromworsecompany。
Judiciouswritershavealwayspractisedthisartofcontrastwithgreatsuccess。IhavebeensurprizedthatHoraceshouldcavilatthisartinHomer；butindeedhecontradictshimselfintheverynextline:
IndignorquandoquebonusdormitatHomerus；
Verumopereinlongofasestobreperesomnum。
Igrieveife’ergreatHomerchancetosleep，Yetslumbersonlongworkshaverighttocreep。
Forwearenotheretounderstand，asperhapssomehave，thatanauthoractuallyfallsasleepwhileheiswriting。Itistrue，thatreadersaretooapttobesoovertaken；butiftheworkwasaslongasanyofOldmixon，theauthorhimselfistoowellentertainedtobesubjecttotheleastdrowsiness。Heis，asMr。Popeobserves，Sleeplesshimselftogivehisreaderssleep。
Tosaythetruth，thesesoporificpartsaresomanyscenesofseriousartfullyinterwoven，inordertocontrastandsetofftherest；andthisisthetruemeaningofalatefacetiouswriter，whotoldthepublicthatwheneverhewasdulltheymightbeassuredtherewasadesigninit。
Inthislight，then，orratherinthisdarkness，Iwouldhavethereadertoconsidertheseinitialessays。Andafterthiswarning，ifheshallbeofopinionthathecanfindenoughofseriousinotherpartsofthishistory，hemaypassoverthese，inwhichweprofesstobelaboriouslydull，andbeginthefollowingbooksatthesecondchapter。
Chapter2
InwhichMr。Jonesreceivesmanyfriendlyvisitsduringhisconfinement；withsomefinetouchesofthepassionoflove，scarcevisibletothenakedeyeTomJoneshadmanyvisitorsduringhisconfinement，thoughsome，perhaps，werenotveryagreeabletohim。Mr。Allworthysawhimalmosteveryday；butthoughhepitiedTom’ssufferings，andgreatlyapprovedthegallantbehaviourwhichhadoccasionedthem；yethethoughtthiswasafavourableopportunitytobringhimtoasobersenseofhisindiscreetconduct；andthatwholesomeadviceforthatpurposecouldneverbeappliedatamoreproperseasonthanatthepresent，whenthemindwassoftenedbypainandsickness，andalarmedbydanger；andwhenitsattentionwasunembarrassedwiththoseturbulentpassionswhichengageusinthepursuitofpleasure。
Atallseasons，therefore，whenthegoodmanwasalonewiththeyouth，especiallywhenthelatterwastotallyatease，hetookoccasiontoremindhimofhisformermiscarriages，butinthemildestandtenderestmanner，andonlyinordertointroducethecautionwhichheprescribedforhisfuturebehaviour；\"onwhichalone，\"heassuredhim，\"woulddependhisownfelicity，andthekindnesswhichhemightyetpromisehimselftoreceiveatthehandsofhisfatherbyadoption，unlessheshouldhereafterforfeithisgoodopinion:forastowhathadpast，\"hesaid，\"itshouldbeallforgivenandforgotten。Hethereforeadvisedhimtomakeagooduseofthisaccident，thatsointheenditmightproveavisitationforhisowngood。\"
Thwackumwaslikewiseprettyassiduousinhisvisits；andhetooconsideredasick-bedtobeaconvenientsceneforlectures。Hisstile，however，wasmoreseverethanMr。Allworthy’s:hetoldhispupil，\"Thatheoughttolookonhisbrokenlimbasajudgmentfromheavenonhissins。Thatitwouldbecomehimtobedailyonhisknees，pouringforththanksgivingsthathehadbrokenhisarmonly，andnothisneck；whichlatter，\"hesaid，\"wasveryprobablyreservedforsomefutureoccasion，andthat，perhaps，notveryremote。Forhispart，\"hesaid，\"hehadoftenwonderedsomejudgmenthadnotovertakenhimbefore；butitmightbeperceivedbythis，thatDivinepunishments，thoughslow，arealwayssure。\"Hencelikewiseheadvisedhim，\"toforesee，withequalcertainty，thegreaterevilswhichwereyetbehind，andwhichwereassureasthisofovertakinghiminhisstateofreprobacy。Theseare，\"saidhe，\"tobeavertedonlybysuchathoroughandsincererepentanceasisnottobeexpectedorhopedforfromonesoabandonedinhisyouth，andwhosemind，Iamafraid，istotallycorrupted。Itismyduty，however，toexhortyoutothisrepentance，thoughItoowellknowallexhortationswillbevainandfruitless。Butliberavianimammeam。Icanaccusemyownconscienceofnoneglect；thoughitisatthesametimewiththeutmostconcernI
seeyoutravellingontocertainmiseryinthisworld，andtoascertaindamnationinthenext。\"