Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/130

 Return but Entertainment, Intruction, Flattery, and Suberviency; in a Word, that uch Perons hould be enrolled in the Number of Dometics, without wearing their Mater’s Cloaths, or receiving Wages.

On the contrary, every Peron in this Houe was perfect Mater of his own Time: and as he might at his Pleaure atisfy all his Appetites within the Retrictions only of Law, Virtue and Religion; o he might, if his Health required, or his Inclination prompted him to Temperance, or even to Abtinence, abent himelf from any Meals, or retire from them whenever he was so dipoed, without even a Solicitation to the contrary: For indeed, uch Solicitations from Superiors always avour very trongly of Commands. But all here were free from uch Impertinence, not only thoe, whoe Company is in all other Places eteemed a Favour from their Equality of Fortune, but even thoe whoe indigent Circumtances make uch an eleemoynary Abode convenient to them, and who are therefore les welcome to a great Man’s Table becaue they tand in need of it.

Among others of this Kind was Dr. Blifil, a Gentleman who had the Misfor-