Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/137

 Now we are never at a Los to dicern this in Women about Forty; for as uch grave, erious and experienced Ladies well know their own Meaning, o it is always very eay for a Man of the leat Sagacity to dicover with the utmot Certainty.

Mis Bridget is an Example of all thee Obervations. She had not been many Times in the Captain’s Company before she was eized with this Paion. Nor did he go pining and moping about the Houe, like a puny foolih Girl, ignorant of her Ditemper: She felt, he knew, and he enjoyed, the pleaing Senation, of which, as he was certain it was not only innocent but laudable, he was neither afraid nor ahamed.

And to ay the Truth, there is in all Points, great Difference between the reaonable Paion which Women at this Age conceive towards Men, and the idle and childih Liking of a Girl to a Boy, which is often fixed on the Outide only, and on Things of little Value and no Duration; as on Cherry Cheeks, mall Lily-white Hands, low-black Eyes, flowing Locks, downy Chins, dapper Shapes, nay ometimes on Charms more worthles than