Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/192

 Coffers than ourelves; to ave everal Families from Miery rather than hang up an extraordinary Picture in our Houes, or gratify any other idle, ridiculous Vanity, this eems to be only being Chritians, nay indeed, only being human Creatures. Nay, I will venture to go farther, it is being in ome degree Epicures: For what could the greatet Epicure wih rather than to eat with many Mouths intead of one; which I think may be predicated of any one who knows that the Bread of many is owing to his own Largees.

‘As to the Apprehenion of betowing Bounty on uch as may hereafter prove unworthy Objects, becaue many have proved uch; urely it can never deter a good Man from Generoity: I do not think a few or many Examples of Ingratitude can jutify a Man’s hardening his Heart againt the Ditrees of his Fellow-Creatures; nor do I believe it can ever have uch Effect on a truly benevolent Mind. Nothing les than a Peruaion of univeral Depravity can lock up the Charity of a good Man; and this Peruaion mut lead him, I think, either into Atheim, or Enthuiam; but urely