Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/88

 a Work; and you, my agacious Friend, might, with equal Profit and Pleaure, travel through ome Pages, which certain droll Authors have been facetiouly pleaed to call The Hitory of England.

Mr. Allworthy had been abent a full Quarter of a Year in London, on ome very particular Buines, tho’ I know not what it was; but judge of its Importance, by its having detained him o long from home, whence he had not been abent a Month at a Time during the Space of many Years. He came to his Houe very late in the Evening, and after a hort Supper with his Siter, retired much fatigued to his Chamber. Here, having pent ome Minutes on his Knees, a Cutom which he never broke through on any Account, he was preparing to tep into Bed, when, upon opening the Cloaths, to his great Surprize, he beheld an Infant, wrapt up in ome coare Linnen, in a weet and profound Sleep, between his Sheets. He tood ome Time lot in Atonishment at this Sight; but, as Good-nature always the Acendant in his Mind, he oon began to be touched with Sentiments of Compaion for the little Wretch before him. He then rang his Bell, and ordered an elderly Woman Servant to