The whole family were soon reduced to a state of perfect
quiet; for the virtue of this medicine, like that
of electricity, is often communicated through one
person to many others, who are not touched by the
instrument. To say the truth, as they both operate
by friction, it may be doubted whether there is not
something analogous between them, of which Mr Freke
would do well to enquire, before he publishes the
next edition of his book.
A council was now called, in which, after many debates,
Molly still persisting that she would not go to service,
it was at length resolved, that Goody Seagrim herself
should wait on Miss Western, and endeavour to procure
the place for her eldest daughter, who declared great
readiness to accept it: but Fortune, who seems
to have been an enemy of this little family, afterwards
put a stop to her promotion.
A story told by Mr Supple, the curate. The penetration
of Squire Western. His great love for his daughter,
and the return to it made by her.
The next morning Tom Jones hunted with Mr Western,
and was at his return invited by that gentleman to
dinner.
The lovely Sophia shone forth that day with more gaiety
and sprightliness than usual. Her battery was
certainly levelled at our heroe; though, I believe,
she herself scarce yet knew her own intention; but
if she had any design of charming him, she now succeeded.
Mr Supple, the curate of Mr Allworthy’s parish,
made one of the company. He was a good-natured
worthy man; but chiefly remarkable for his great taciturnity
at table, though his mouth was never shut at it.
In short, he had one of the best appetites in the world.
However, the cloth was no sooner taken away, than
he always made sufficient amends for his silence:
for he was a very hearty fellow; and his conversation
was often entertaining, never offensive.
At his first arrival, which was immediately before
the entrance of the roast-beef, he had given an intimation
that he had brought some news with him, and was beginning
to tell, that he came that moment from Mr Allworthy’s,
when the sight of the roast-beef struck him dumb,
permitting him only to say grace, and to declare he
must pay his respect to the baronet, for so he called
the sirloin.
When dinner was over, being reminded by Sophia of
his news, he began as follows: “I believe,
lady, your ladyship observed a young woman at church
yesterday at even-song, who was drest in one of your
outlandish garments; I think I have seen your ladyship
in such a one. However, in the country, such
dresses are
Rara avis in terris,
nigroque simillima cygno.
