Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/136

  Containing many Rules, and ome Examples, concerning falling in love: Decriptions of Beauty, and other more prudential inducements to Matrimony.

T hath been oberved by wie Men or Women, I forget which, that all Perons are doomed to be in Love once in their Lives. No particular Seaon is, as I remember, aigned for this; but the Age at which Mis Bridget was arrived eems to me as proper a Period as any to be fixed on for this Purpoe: It often indeed happens much earlier; but when it doth not, I have oberved, it eldom or never fails about this Time. Moreover, we may remark that at this Seaon Love is of a more erious and teady Nature than what ometimes hews itelf in the younger Parts of Life. The Love of Girls is uncertain, capricious, and o foolih that we cannot always dicover what the young Lady would be at; nay, it may almot be doubted, whether he always knows this herelf.