Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/134

 Gentlenes and good Humour. He was not ungenteel, nor entirely void of Wit, and in his Youth had abounded in Spritelines, which, though he had lately put on a more erious Character, he could, when he pleaed, reume.

He had, as well as the Doctor, an Academic Education; for his Father had, with the ame Paternal Authority we have mentioned before, decreed him for holy Orders; but as the old Gentleman died before he was ordained, he choe the Church, and preferred the King’s Commiion to the Bihop’s.

He had purchaed the Pot of Lieutenant of Dragoons, and afterwards came to be a Captain; but having quarrelled with his Colonel, was by his Interet obliged to ell; form which Time he had entirely ruticated himelf, had betaken himelf to tudying the Scriptures, and was not a little upected of an Inclination to Methodim.

It eemed therefore not unlikely that uch a Peron hould ucceed with a Lady of o Saint-like a Dipoition, and whoe Inclinations were no otherwie engaged than to the married State in general; but why the