Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 2).pdf/30

 Law of Nature, there is no Right nor Wrong.’

‘How! (ays the Paron) do you then banih Revelation? Am I talking with a Deit or an Atheit?’

‘Drink about, (ays Wetern) Pox of your Laws of Nature. I don’t know what you mean either of you, by Right and Wrong. To take away my Girl’s Bird was wrong in my Opinion; and my Neighbour Allworthy may do as he pleaes; but to encourage Boys in uch Practices, is to breed them up to the Gallows.’

Allworthy anwered, ‘that he was orry for what his Nephew had done; but could not conent to punih him, as he acted rather from a generous than unworthy Motive.’ He aid, ‘if the Boy had tolen the Bird, none would have been more ready to vote for a evere Chatiement than himelf; but it was plain that was not his Deign:’ And, indeed, it was as apparent to him, that he could have no other View but what he had himelf confeed. (For as to that malicious Purpoe which Sophia upected, it never once entered into the Head of Mr. Allworthy). He, at length, concluded with again