Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 2).pdf/183

 the Want of ready Money, I have added 1000 l. in Specie. In this I know not whether I have exceeded, or fallen hort of your Expectation. Perhaps you will think I have given you too little, and the World will be as ready to condemn me for giving you too much; but the latter Cenure I depie, and as to the former, unles you hould entertain that common Error, which I have often heard in my Life pleaded as an Excue for a total Want of Charity; namely, that intead of raiing Gratitude by voluntary Acts of Bounty, we are apt to raie Demands, which of all others are the mot boundles and mot difficult to atisfy.—Pardon me the bare Mention of this, I will not upect any uch Thing.’

Jones flung himelf at his Benefactor’s Feet, and taking eagerly hold of his Hand, aured him, his Goodnes to him, both now, and at all other Times, had o infinitely exceeded not only his Merit, but his Hopes, that no Words could expres his Sene of it. ‘And I aure you, Sir,’ aid he, ‘your preent Generoity hath left me no other Concern than for the preent melancholy Occaion.—Oh, my Friend! my Father!’