 Allworthy failed not to read Tom a very severe
Lecture on this Occasion; but it is unnecessary to insert it here, as we have
faithfully transcribed what he said to Jenny Jones in the first Book, most of
which may be applied to the Men, equally with the Women. So sensible an Effect
had these Reproofs on the young Man, who was no hardened Sinner, that he retired
to his own Room, where he passed the Evening alone in much melancholy
Contemplation.
    Allworthy was sufficiently offended by this Transgression of Jones; for
notwithstanding the Assertions of Mr. Western, it is certain this worthy Man had
never indulged himself in any loose Pleasures with Women, and greatly condemned
the Vice of Incontinence in others. Indeed, there is much Reason to imagine,
that there was not the least Truth in what Mr. Western affirmed, especially as
he laid the Scene of those Impurities at the University, where Mr. Allworthy had
never been. In fact, the good Squire was a little too apt to indulge that Kind
of Pleasantry which is generally called Rodomontade; but which may, with as much
Propriety, be expressed by a much shorter Word; and, perhaps, we too often
supply the Use of this little Monosyllable by others; since very much of what
frequently passes in the World for Wit and Humour, should, in the strictest
Purity of Language, receive that short Appellation, which, in Conformity to the
well-bred Laws of Custom, I here suppress.
    But whatever Detestation Mr. Allworthy had to this or to any other Vice, he
was not so blinded by it, but that he could discern any Virtue in the guilty
Person, as clearly, indeed, as if there had been no Mixture of Vice in the same
Character. While he was angry, therefore, with the Incontinence of Jones, he was
no less pleased with the Honour and Honesty of his Self-accusation. He began now
to form in his Mind the same Opinion of this young Fellow which we hope our
Reader may have conceived. And in ballancing his Faults with his Perfections,
the latter seemed rather to preponderate.
    It was to no Purpose, therefore, that Thwackum, who was immediately charged
by Mr. Blifil with the Story, unbended all his Rancour against poor Tom.
Allworthy gave a patient Hearing to these Invectives, and then answered coldly;
»That young Men of Tom's Complexion were too generally addicted to this Vice;
but he believed that Youth was sincerely affected with what he had said to him
on the Occasion, and he hoped he would not transgress again.« So that
