Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/277

 count only, to look with an Eye of Compaion upon him; and what the Effects of Compaion are in good and benevolent Minds, I need not here explain to mot of my Readers.

Henceforward, he aw every Appearance of Virtue in the Youth thro’ the magnifying End, and viewed all his Faults with the Glas inverted, o that they became carce perceptible. And this perhaps the amiable Temper of Pity may make commendable; but the next Step the Weaknes of human Nature alone mut excue: For he no ooner perceived that Preference which Mrs. Blifil gave to Tom, than that poor Youth, (however innocent) began to ink in his Affections as he roe in hers. This, it is true, would of itelf alone never have been able to eradicate Jones from his Boom; but it was greatly injurious to him, and prepared Mr. Allworthy’s Mind for thoe Impreions, which afterwards produced the mighty Events, that will be contained hereafter in this Hitory; and to which, it mut be confet, the unfortunate Lad, by his own Wantonnes, Wildnes, and Want of Caution, too much contributed.