Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/150

 ‘And this in many Degrees; the lat and greatet of which eems carce ditinguihable from Madnes. I mean, where Perons of immene Fortunes contract themelves to thoe who are, and mut be, diagreeable to them; to Fools and Knaves, in order to encreae an Etate, already larger even than the Demands of their Pleaures. Surely uch Perons, if they will not be thought mad, mut own, either that they are incapable of tating the Sweets of the tenderet Friendhip, or that they acrifice the greatet Happines of which they are capable, to the vain, uncertain, and eneles Laws of vulgar Opinion, which owe as well their Force, as their Foundation, to Folly.’

Here Allworthy concluded his Sermon, to which Blifil had litened with the profoundet Attention, tho’ it cot him ome Pains to prevent now and then a mall Dicompoure of his Mucles. He now praied every Period of what he had heard, with the Warmth of a young Divine who hath the Honour to dine with a Bihop the ame Day in which his Lordhip hath mounted the Pulpit.