Chapter x.

In which Master Blifil and Jones appear in different lights.

Master Blifil fell very short of his companion in the amiable quality

of mercy; but he as greatly exceeded him in one of a much higher kind,

namely, in justice: in which he followed both the precepts and example

of Thwackum and Square; for though they would both make frequent use

of the word mercy, yet it was plain that in reality Square held it to

be inconsistent with the rule of right; and Thwackum was for doing

justice, and leaving mercy to heaven. The two gentlemen did indeed

somewhat differ in opinion concerning the objects of this sublime

virtue; by which Thwackum would probably have destroyed one half of

mankind, and Square the other half.

Master Blifil then, though he had kept silence in the presence of

Jones, yet, when he had better considered the matter, could by no

means endure the thought of suffering his uncle to confer favours on

the undeserving. He therefore resolved immediately to acquaint him

with the fact which we have above slightly hinted to the readers. The

truth of which was as follows:

The gamekeeper, about a year after he was dismissed from Mr

Allworthy's service, and before Tom's selling the horse, being in want

of bread, either to fill his own mouth or those of his family, as he

passed through a field belonging to Mr Western espied a hare sitting

in her form. This hare he had basely and barbarously knocked on the

head, against the laws of the land, and no less against the laws of

sportsmen.

The higgler to whom the hare was sold, being unfortunately taken many

months after with a quantity of game upon him, was obliged to make his

peace with the squire, by becoming evidence against some poacher. And

now Black George was pitched upon by him, as being a person already

obnoxious to Mr Western, and one of no good fame in the country. He

was, besides, the best sacrifice the higgler could make, as he had

supplied him with no game since; and by this means the witness had an

opportunity of screening his better customers: for the squire, being

charmed with the power of punishing Black George, whom a single

transgression was sufficient to ruin, made no further enquiry.

Had this fact been truly laid before Mr Allworthy, it might probably

have done the gamekeeper very little mischief. But there is no zeal

blinder than that which is inspired with the love of justice against

offenders. Master Blifil had forgot the distance of the time. He

varied likewise in the manner of the fact: and by the hasty addition

of the single letter S he considerably altered the story; for he said

that George had wired hares. These alterations might probably have

been set right, had not Master Blifil unluckily insisted on a promise

of secrecy from Mr Allworthy before he revealed the matter to him; but

by that means the poor gamekeeper was condemned without having an

opportunity to defend himself: for as the fact of killing the hare,

and of the action brought, were certainly true, Mr Allworthy had no

doubt concerning the rest.

Short-lived then was the joy of these poor people; for Mr Allworthy

the next morning declared he had fresh reason, without assigning it,

for his anger, and strictly forbad Tom to mention George any more:

though as for his family, he said he would endeavour to keep them from

starving; but as to the fellow himself, he would leave him to the

laws, which nothing could keep him from breaking.

Tom could by no means divine what had incensed Mr Allworthy, for of

Master Blifil he had not the least suspicion. However, as his

friendship was to be tired out by no disappointments, he now

determined to try another method of preserving the poor gamekeeper

from ruin.

Jones was lately grown very intimate with Mr Western. He had so

greatly recommended himself to that gentleman, by leaping over

five-barred gates, and by other acts of sportsmanship, that the squire

had declared Tom would certainly make a great man if he had but

sufficient encouragement. He often wished he had himself a son with

such parts; and one day very solemnly asserted at a drinking bout,

that Tom should hunt a pack of hounds for a thousand pound of his

money, with any huntsman in the whole country.

By such kind of talents he had so ingratiated himself with the squire,

that he was a most welcome guest at his table, and a favourite

companion in his sport: everything which the squire held most dear, to

wit, his guns, dogs, and horses, were now as much at the command of

Jones, as if they had been his own. He resolved therefore to make use

of this favour on behalf of his friend Black George, whom he hoped to

introduce into Mr Western's family, in the same capacity in which he

had before served Mr Allworthy.

The reader, if he considers that this fellow was already obnoxious to

Mr Western, and if he considers farther the weighty business by which

that gentleman's displeasure had been incurred, will perhaps condemn

this as a foolish and desperate undertaking; but if he should totally

condemn young Jones on that account, he will greatly applaud him for

strengthening himself with all imaginable interest on so arduous an

occasion.

For this purpose, then, Tom applied to Mr Western's daughter, a young

lady of about seventeen years of age, whom her father, next after

those necessary implements of sport just before mentioned, loved and

esteemed above all the world. Now, as she had some influence on the

squire, so Tom had some little influence on her. But this being the

intended heroine of this work, a lady with whom we ourselves are

greatly in love, and with whom many of our readers will probably be in

love too, before we part, it is by no means proper she should make her

appearance at the end of a book.