Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/129

 more particularly open to Men of Merit. To ay the Truth, this was the only Houe in the Kingdom where you was ure to gain a Dinner by deerving it.

Above all others, Men of Genius and Learning hared the principal Place in his Favour; and in thee he had much Dicernment: For though he had mied the Advantage of a learned Education, yet being blet with vat natural Abilities, he had o well profited by a vigorous, though late Application to Letters, and by much Converation with Men of Eminence in this Way, that he was himelf a very competent Judge in mot Kinds of Literature.

It is no Wonder that in an Age when this Kind of Merit is o little in Fahion, and o lenderly provided for, poeed of it hould very eagerly flock to a Place where they were ure of being received with great Complaiance; indeed where they might enjoy almot the ame Advantages of a liberal Fortune as if they were entitled to it in their own Right; for Mr. Allworthy was not one of thoe generous Perons, who are ready mot bountifully to betow Meat, Drink, and Lodging on Men of Wit and Learning, for which they expect no other