Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/235

 converted to the Ue of the Game-keeper and his Family. Tho’ as Jones alone was dicovered, the poor Lad bore not only the whole Smart, but the whole Blame; both which fell again to his Lot, on the following Occaion. Contiguous to Mr. Allworthy’s Eftate, was the Manor of one of thoe Gentlemen, who are called Preervers of the Game. This Species of Men, from the great Severity with which they revenge the Death of a Hare or a Partridge, might be thought to cultivate the ame Supertition with the Bannians in India, many of whom, we are told, dedicate their whole Lives to the Preervation and Protection of certain Animals, was it not that our English Bannians, while they preerve them from other Enemies, will mot unmercifully laughter whole Hore-loads themelves, o that they tand clearly acquitted of any uch heathenih Supertition.

I have, indeed, a much better Opinion of this Kind of Men than is entertained by ome, as I take them to anwer the Order of Nature, and the good Purpoes for which they were ordained in a more ample Manner than many others. Now, as Horace tells us, that there are a Set of human Beings,