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 poed, and provided them with what was jut ufficient for their Suftenance.

As this Support was conveyed to them by an unknown Hand, they imagined, and o, I doubt not, will the Reader, that Mr. Allworthy himelf was their ecret Benefactor; who, though he would not openly encourage Vice, could yet privately relieve the Ditrees of the Vicious themelves, when thee became too exquiite and diproportionate to their Merit. In which Light, their Wretchednes appeared now to Fortune herelf; for he at length took pity on this mierable Couple, and coniderably leened the wretched State of Partridge, by putting a final end to that of his Wife, who oon after caught the Small-Pox, and died.

The Jutice which Mr. Allworthy had executed on Partridge, at firt met with univeral Approbation; but no ooner had he felt its Conequences, than his Neighbours began to relent, and to compaionate his Cae; and preently after, to blame that as Rigour and Severity, which they before called Jutice. They now exclaimed againt punihing in cold Blood, and ang forth the Praies of Mercy and Forgivenes.