Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 2).pdf/157

 The Difficulty, therefore, which he apprehended there might be in corrupting this young Wench, and the Danger which would accrue to his Character on the Dicovery, were uch trong Diuaives, that it is probably, he at firt intended to have contented himelf with the pleaing Ideas which the Sight of Beauty furnihes us with. Thee the gravet Ment, after a full Meal of erious Meditation, often allow themelves by way of Deert: For which Purpoe, certain Books and Pictures find their Way into the mot private Recees of their Study, and a certain liquorih Part of natural Philoophy is often the Principal Subject of their Converation.

But when the Philoopher heard a Day or two afterwards, that the Fortres of Virtue had already been ubdued, he began to give a larger Scope to his Deires. His Appetite was not of that queamih Kind which cannot feed on a Dainty becaue another hath tated it. In hort, he liked the Girl the better for the Want of that Chatity, which, if he had poeed it, mut have been a Bar to his Pleaures; he purued, and obtained her.