 them. He enlarged much on
the Correction of Children, and quoted many Texts from Solomon, and others;
which being to be found in so many other Books, shall not be found here. He then
applied himself to the Vice of Lying, on which Head he was altogether as learned
as he had been on the other.
    Square said, he had been endeavouring to reconcile the Behaviour of Tom with
his Idea of perfect Virtue; but could not. He owned there was something which at
first Sight appeared like Fortitude in the Action; but as Fortitude was a
Virtue, and Falshood a Vice, they could by no Means agree or unite together. He
added, that as this was in some measure to confound Virtue and Vice, it might be
worth Mr. Thwackum's Consideration, whether a larger Castigation might not be
laid on, upon that Account.
    As both these learned Men concurred in censuring Jones, so were they no less
unanimous in applauding Master Blifil. To bring Truth to light, was by the
Parson asserted to be the Duty of every religious Man; and by the Philosopher
this was declared to be highly conformable with the Rule of Right, and the
eternal and unalterable Fitness of Things.
    All this, however, weighed very little with Mr. Allworthy. He could not be
prevailed on to sign the Warrant for the Execution of Jones. There was something
within his own Breast with which the invincible Fidelity which that Youth had
preserved, corresponded much better than it had done with the Religion of
Thwackum, or with the Virtue of Square. He therefore strictly ordered the former
of these Gentlemen to abstain from laying violent Hands on Tom for what had
past. The Pedagogue was obliged to obey those Orders; but not without great
Reluctance, and frequent Mutterings, that the Boy would be certainly spoiled.
    Towards the Game-keeper the good Man behaved with more Severity. He
presently summoned that poor Fellow before him, and after many bitter
Remonstrances, paid him his Wages, and dismist him from his Service; for Mr.
Allworthy rightly observed that there was a great Difference between being
guilty of a Falsehood to excuse yourself, and to excuse another. He likewise
urged, as the principal Motive to his inflexible Severity against this Man, that
he had basely suffered Tom Jones to undergo so heavy a Punishment for his Sake,
whereas he ought to have prevented it by making the Discovery himself.
    When this Story became public, many People differed from Square and Thwackum
, in judging the Conduct of the two Lads on the Occasion. Master Blifil was
generally called a sneaking Rascal, a poor
