The trial of Partridge, the schoolmaster, for incontinency;
the evidence of his wife; a short reflection on the
wisdom of our law; with other grave matters, which
those will like best who understand them most.
It may be wondered that a story so well known, and
which had furnished so much matter of conversation,
should never have been mentioned to Mr Allworthy himself,
who was perhaps the only person in that country who
had never heard of it.
To account in some measure for this to the reader,
I think proper to inform him, that there was no one
in the kingdom less interested in opposing that doctrine
concerning the meaning of the word charity, which
hath been seen in the preceding chapter, than our good
man. Indeed, he was equally intitled to this
virtue in either sense; for as no man was ever more
sensible of the wants, or more ready to relieve the
distresses of others, so none could be more tender
of their characters, or slower to believe anything
to their disadvantage.
Scandal, therefore, never found any access to his
table; for as it hath been long since observed that
you may know a man by his companions, so I will venture
to say, that, by attending to the conversation at
a great man’s table, you may satisfy yourself
of his religion, his politics, his taste, and indeed
of his entire disposition: for though a few odd
fellows will utter their own sentiments in all places,
yet much the greater part of mankind have enough of
the courtier to accommodate their conversation to the
taste and inclination of their superiors.
But to return to Mrs Wilkins, who, having executed
her commission with great dispatch, though at fifteen
miles distance, brought back such a confirmation of
the schoolmaster’s guilt, that Mr Allworthy determined
to send for the criminal, and examine him viva voce.
Mr Partridge, therefore, was summoned to attend, in
order to his defence (if he could make any) against
this accusation.
At the time appointed, before Mr Allworthy himself,
at Paradise-hall, came as well the said Partridge,
with Anne, his wife, as Mrs Wilkins his accuser.
And now Mr Allworthy being seated in the chair of
justice, Mr Partridge was brought before him.
Having heard his accusation from the mouth of Mrs
Wilkins, he pleaded not guilty, making many vehement
protestations of his innocence.
Mrs Partridge was then examined, who, after a modest
apology for being obliged to speak the truth against
her husband, related all the circumstances with which
the reader hath already been acquainted; and at last
concluded with her husband’s confession of his
guilt.
Whether she had forgiven him or no, I will not venture
to determine; but it is certain she was an unwilling
witness in this cause; and it is probable from certain
other reasons, would never have been brought to depose
as she did, had not Mrs Wilkins, with great art, fished
all out of her at her own house, and had she not indeed
made promises, in Mr Allworthy’s name, that
the punishment of her husband should not be such as
might anywise affect his family.
