Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/195

 cerning the Meaning of the Word Charity, which hath been een in the preceding Chapter, than our good Man. Indeed, he was equally intitled to this Virtue in either Sene: For as no Man was ever more enible of the Wants, or more ready to relieve the Ditrees of others, o none could be more tender of their Characters, or flower to believe any thing to their Diadvantage.

Scandal, therefore, never found any Acces to his Table: For as it hath been long ince oberved that you may know a Man by his Companions; o I will venture to ay, that by attending to the Converation at a great Man’s Table, you may atisfy yourelf of his Religion, his Politics, his Tate, and indeed of his entire Dipoition: For tho’ a few odd Fellows will utter their own Sentiments in all Places, yet much the greater Part of Mankind have enough of the Courtier to accommodate their Converation to the Tate and Inclination of their Superiors.

But to return to Mrs. Wilkins, who having executed her Commiion with great Dipatch, tho’ at fifteen Miles Ditance, brought back uch a Confirmation of the Schoolmater’s Guilt, that Mr. Allwortby