Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/103

 Heads, the amorous Dove, and every innocent little Bird pread wide the Alarm, and fly trembling to their Hiding-places. He proudly beats the Air, concious of his Dignity, and meditates intended Michief.

So when the Approach of Mrs. Deborah was proclaimed through the Street, all the Inhabitants ran trembling into their Houes, each Matron dreading let the Viit hould fall to her Lot. She with tately Steps proudly advances over the Field, aloft he bears her tow’ring Head, filled with Conceit of her own Pre-eminence, and Schemes to effect her intended Dicovery.

The agacious Reader will not, from this Simile, imagine thee poor People had any Apprehenion of the Deign with which Mrs. Wilkins was now coming towards them; but as the great Beauty of the Simile may poibly leep thee hundred Years, till ome future Commentator hall take this Work in hand, I think proper to lend the Reader a little Aitance in this Place.

It is my Intention therefore to ignify, that as it is the Nature of a Kite to devour little Birds, o is it the Nature of uch Perons as Mrs. Wilkins, to inult and tyran-