 the Opinion of every one.
    But to confess the Truth, this Inconsistency is rather imaginary than real.
Philosophers are composed of Flesh and Blood as well as other human Creatures;
and however sublimated and refined the Theory of these may be, a little
practical Frailty is as incident to them as to other Mortals. It is, indeed, in
Theory only and not in Practice, as we have before hinted, that consists the
Difference: For tho' such great Beings think much better and more wisely, they
always act exactly like other Men. They know very well how to subdue all
Appetites and Passions, and to despise both Pain and Pleasure; and this
Knowledge affords much delightful Contemplation, and is easily acquired; but the
Practice would be vexatious and troublesome; and, therefore, the same Wisdom
which teaches them to know this, teaches them to avoid carrying it into
Execution.
    Mr. Square happened to be at Church, on that Sunday when, as the Reader may
be pleased to remember, the Appearance of Molly in her Sack had caused all that
Disturbance. Here he first observed her and was so pleased with her Beauty, that
he prevailed with the young Gentlemen to change their intended Ride that
Evening, that he might pass by the Habitation of Molly, and, by that Means,
might obtain a second Chance of seeing her. This Reason, however, as he did not
at that time mention to any, so neither did we think proper to communicate it
then to the Reader.
    Among other Particulars which constituted the Unfitness of Things in Mr.
Square's Opinion, Danger and Difficulty were two. The Difficulty, therefore,
which he apprehended there might be in corrupting this young Wench, and the
Danger which would accrue to his Character on the Discovery, were such strong
Dissuasives, that it is probable, he at first intended to have contented himself
with the pleasing Ideas which the Sight of Beauty furnishes us with. These the
gravest Men, after a full Meal of serious Meditation, often allow themselves by
Way of Desert: For which Purpose, certain Books and Pictures find their Way into
the most private Recesses of their Study, and a certain liquorish Part of
natural Philosophy is often the principal Subject of their Conversation.
    But when the Philosopher heard a Day or two afterwards, that the Fortress of
Virtue had already been subdued, he began to give a larger Scope to his Desires.
His Appetite was not of that squeamish Kind which cannot feed on a Dainty
because another hath tasted it. In short, he liked the Girl the better for the
Want of that Chastity, which
