Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/131

 tune of loing the Advantage of great Talents by the Obtinacy of a Father, who would breed him to a Profeion he diliked. In Obedience to this Obtinacy the Doctor had in his Youth been obliged to tudy Phyick, or rather to ay he tudied it; for in reality Books of this Kind were almot the only ones with which he was unacquainted; and unfortunately for him, the Doctor was Mater of almot every other Science but that by which he was to get his Bread; the Conequence of which was, that the Doctor at the Age of Forty had no Bread to eat.

Such a Peron as this was certain to find a Welcome at Mr. Allworthy’s Table, to whom Misfortunes were ever a Recommendation when they were derived from the Folly or Villany of others, and not of the unfortunate Peron himelf. Beides this negative Merit, the Doctor had one poitive Recommendation. This was a great Appearance of Religion. Whether his Religion was real, or conited only in Appearance, I hall not preume to ay, as I am not poeed of any Touch-tone, which can ditinguih the true from the fale.

If this Part of his Character pleaed Mr. Allworthy, it delighted Mis Bridget. She