Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/120

 by Thisbe of old. This erved to many good Purpoes. For by uch Means Mrs. Bridget became often acquainted with her Brother’s Inclinations, without giving him the Trouble of repeating them to her. It is true, ome Inconveniencies attended this Intercoure, and he had ometimes Reaon to cry out with Thisbe, in Shakepear, ‘O wicked, wicked Wall!’ For as Mr. Allworthy was a Jutice of Peace, certain Things occurred in Examinations concerning Batards, and uch like, which are apt to give great Offence to the chate Ears of Virgins, epecially when they approach the Age of forty, as was the Cae of Mrs. Bridget. However, he had, on uch Occaions, the Advantage of concealing her Bluhes from the Eyes of Men, and De non apparentibus, et non exitentibus eadem et ratio. In Englih: ‘When a Woman is not een to bluh, he doth not bluh at all.’

Both the good Women kept trict Silence during the whole Scene between Mr. Allworthy and the Girl; but as oon as it was ended, and that Gentleman was out of hearing, Mrs. Deborah could not help exclaiming againt the Clemency of her Mater, and epecially againt his uffering her to conceal the Father of the Child, which he wore he would have out of her before the Sun et.