History of Tom Jones, a Foundling Page 11

  Chapter ix.

  Containing matters which will surprize the reader.

  Jenny returned home well pleased with the reception she had met withfrom Mr Allworthy, whose indulgence to her she industriously madepublic; partly perhaps as a sacrifice to her own pride, and partlyfrom the more prudent motive of reconciling her neighbours to her, andsilencing their clamours.

  But though this latter view, if she indeed had it, may appearreasonable enough, yet the event did not answer her expectation; forwhen she was convened before the justice, and it was universallyapprehended that the house of correction would have been her fate,though some of the young women cryed out "It was good enough for her,"and diverted themselves with the thoughts of her beating hemp in asilk gown; yet there were many others who began to pity her condition:but when it was known in what manner Mr Allworthy had behaved, thetide turned against her. One said, "I'll assure you, madam hath hadgood luck." A second cryed, "See what it is to be a favourite!" Athird, "Ay, this comes of her learning." Every person made somemalicious comment or other on the occasion, and reflected on thepartiality of the justice.

  The behaviour of these people may appear impolitic and ungrateful tothe reader, who considers the power and benevolence of Mr Allworthy.But as to his power, he never used it; and as to his benevolence, heexerted so much, that he had thereby disobliged all his neighbours;for it is a secret well known to great men, that, by conferring anobligation, they do not always procure a friend, but are certain ofcreating many enemies.

  Jenny was, however, by the care and goodness of Mr Allworthy, soonremoved out of the reach of reproach; when malice being no longer ableto vent its rage on her, began to seek another object of itsbitterness, and this was no less than Mr Allworthy, himself; for awhisper soon went abroad, that he himself was the father of thefoundling child.

  This supposition so well reconciled his conduct to the generalopinion, that it met with universal assent; and the outcry against hislenity soon began to take another turn, and was changed into aninvective against his cruelty to the poor girl. Very grave and goodwomen exclaimed against men who begot children, and then disownedthem. Nor were there wanting some, who, after the departure of Jenny,insinuated that she was spirited away with a design too black to bementioned, and who gave frequent hints that a legal inquiry ought tobe made into the whole matter, and that some people should be forcedto produce the girl.

  These calumnies might have probably produced ill consequences, at theleast might have occasioned some trouble, to a person of a moredoubtful and suspicious character than Mr Allworthy was blessed with;but in his case they had no such effect; and, being heartily despisedby him, they served only to afford an innocent amusement to the goodgossips of the neighbourhood.

  But as we cannot possibly divine what complection our reader may beof, and as it will be some time before he will hear any more of Jenny,we think proper to give him a very early intimation, that Mr Allworthywas, and will hereafter appear to be, absolutely innocent of anycriminal intention whatever. He had indeed committed no other than anerror in politics, by tempering justice with mercy, and by refusing togratify the good-natured disposition of the mob,[*] with an object fortheir compassion to work on in the person of poor Jenny, whom, inorder to pity, they desired to have seen sacrificed to ruin andinfamy, by a shameful correction in Bridewell.

  [*]Whenever this word occurs in our writings, it intends persons without virtue or sense, in all stations; and many of the highest rank are often meant by it.

  So far from complying with this their inclination, by which all hopesof reformation would have been abolished, and even the gate shutagainst her if her own inclinations should ever hereafter lead her tochuse the road of virtue, Mr Allworthy rather chose to encourage thegirl to return thither by the only possible means; for too true I amafraid it is, that many women have become abandoned, and have sunk tothe last degree of vice, by being unable to retrieve the first slip.This will be, I am afraid, always the case while they remain amongtheir former acquaintance; it was therefore wisely done by MrAllworthy, to remove Jenny to a place where she might enjoy thepleasure of reputation, after having tasted the ill consequences oflosing it.

  To this place therefore, wherever it was, we will wish her a goodjourney, and for the present take leave of her, and of the littlefoundling her child, having matters of much higher importance tocommunicate to the reader.