The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling

gence to her she industriously made public; partly perhaps as a sacrifice to her own pride, and par

f the young women cryed out "It was good enough for her," and diverted themselves with the thoughts of her beating hemp in a silk gown; yet there were many others who began to pity her condition: but when it was known in what manner Mr Allworthy had behaved, the tide turned a

to his power, he never used it; and as to his benevolence, he exerted so much, that he had thereby disobliged all his neighbours; for it is a s

e being no longer able to vent its rage on her, began to seek another object of its bitterness, and this was no les

gainst his cruelty to the poor girl. Very grave and good women exclaimed against men who begot children, and then disowned them. Nor were there wanting some, who, after the departure of Jenny, insinuated that

of a more doubtful and suspicious character than Mr Allworthy was blessed with; but in his case they had no such effect; and

ll hereafter appear to be, absolutely innocent of any criminal intention whatever. He had indeed committed no other than an error in politics, by tempering justice with mercy, and by refusing to gratify the good-natured d

occurs in our writin

se, in all stations;

often mea

chose to encourage the girl to return thither by the only possible means; for too true I am afraid it is, that many women have become abandoned, and have sunk to the last degree of vice, by being unable to retrieve the first slip. This will be, I am a

and for the present take leave of her, and of the little foundling her ch