Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 2).pdf/49

 ecapes, a Penetration which nothing can deceive, and an Integrity which nothing can corrupt.

This active Principle may perhaps be aid to contitute the mot eential Barrier between us, and our Neighbours the Brutes; for if there be ome in the human Shape, who are not under any uch Dominion, I chue rather to conider them as Deerters from us to our Neighbours; among whom they will have the Fate of Deerters, and not be placed in the firt Rank.

Our Heroe, whether he derived it from Thwackum or Square I will not determine, was very trongly under the Guidance of this Principle: for though he did not always act rightly, yet he never did otherwie without feeling and uffering for it. It was this which taught him, that to repay the Civilities and little Friendhips of Hopitality by robbing the Houe where you have received them, is to be the baet and meanet of Thieves. He did not think the Baenes of this Offence leened by the Height of the Injury committed; on the contrary, if to teal another’s Plate deerved Death and Infamy, it eemed to him difficult to aign a Punihment adequate to the