's
Tusculan Questions, and from the Great Lord Shaftesbury. In pronouncing these he
was one Day so eager, that he unfortunately bit his Tongue; and in such a
Manner, that it not only put an End to his Discourse, but created much Emotion
in him, and caused him to mutter an Oath or two: But what was worst of all, this
Accident gave Thwackum, who was present, and who held all such Doctrine to be
heathenish and atheistical, an Opportunity to clap a Judgment on his Back. Now
this was done with so malicious a Sneer, that it totally unhinged (if I may so
say) the Temper of the Philosopher, which the Bite of his Tongue had somewhat
ruffled; and as he was disabled from venting his Wrath at his Lips, he had
possibly found a more violent Method of revenging himself, had not the Surgeon,
who was then luckily in the Room, contrary to his own Interest, interposed, and
preserved the Peace.
    Mr. Blifil visited his Friend Jones but seldom, and never alone. This worthy
young Man, however, professed much Regard for him, and as great Concern at his
Misfortune; but cautiously avoided any Intimacy, lest, as he frequently hinted,
it might contaminate the Sobriety of his own Character: For which Purpose, he
had constantly in his Mouth that Proverb in which Solomon speaks against Evil
Communication. Not that he was so bitter as Thwackum; for he always expressed
some Hopes of Tom's Reformation; »which,« he said, »the unparallelled Goodness
shewn by his Uncle on this Occasion, must certainly effect, in one not
absolutely abandoned;« but concluded, »if Mr. Jones ever offends hereafter, I
shall not be able to say a Syllable in his Favour.«
    As to Squire Western, he was seldom out of the Sick Room; unless when he was
engaged either in the Field, or over his Bottle. Nay, he would sometimes retire
hither to take his Beer, and it was not without Difficulty, that he was
prevented from forcing Jones to take his Beer too: For no Quack ever held his
Nostrum to be a more general Panacea, than he did this; which, he said, had more
Virtue in it than was in all the Physic in an Apothecary's Shop. He was,
however, by much Entreaty, prevailed on to forbear the Application of this
Medicine; but from serenading his Patient every Hunting Morning with the Horn
under his Window, it was impossible to withhold him; nor did he ever lay aside
that Hollow, with which he
