Nitor splendens Pario
marmore purius.
A gloss shining beyond
the purest brightness of Parian marble.
Such was the outside of Sophia; nor was this beautiful
frame disgraced by an inhabitant unworthy of it.
Her mind was every way equal to her person; nay, the
latter borrowed some charms from the former; for when
she smiled, the sweetness of her temper diffused that
glory over her countenance which no regularity of
features can give. But as there are no perfections
of the mind which do not discover themselves in that
perfect intimacy to which we intend to introduce our
reader with this charming young creature, so it is
needless to mention them here: nay, it is a kind
of tacit affront to our reader’s understanding,
and may also rob him of that pleasure which he will
receive in forming his own judgment of her character.
It may, however, be proper to say, that whatever mental
accomplishments she had derived from nature, they were
somewhat improved and cultivated by art: for
she had been educated under the care of an aunt, who
was a lady of great discretion, and was thoroughly
acquainted with the world, having lived in her youth
about the court, whence she had retired some years
since into the country. By her conversation and
instructions, Sophia was perfectly well bred, though
perhaps she wanted a little of that ease in her behaviour
which is to be acquired only by habit, and living
within what is called the polite circle. But
this, to say the truth, is often too dearly purchased;
and though it hath charms so inexpressible, that the
French, perhaps, among other qualities, mean to express
this, when they declare they know not what it is;
yet its absence is well compensated by innocence;
nor can good sense and a natural gentility ever stand
in need of it.
Wherein the history goes back to commemorate a trifling
incident that happened some years since; but which,
trifling as it was, had some future consequences.
The amiable Sophia was now in her eighteenth year,
when she is introduced into this history. Her
father, as hath been said, was fonder of her than
of any other human creature. To her, therefore,
Tom Jones applied, in order to engage her interest
on the behalf of his friend the gamekeeper.
But before we proceed to this business, a short recapitulation
of some previous matters may be necessary.
Though the different tempers of Mr Allworthy and of
Mr Western did not admit of a very intimate correspondence,
yet they lived upon what is called a decent footing
together; by which means the young people of both
families had been acquainted from their infancy; and
as they were all near of the same age, had been frequent
playmates together.
The gaiety of Tom’s temper suited better with
Sophia, than the grave and sober disposition of Master
Blifil. And the preference which she gave the
former of these, would often appear so plainly, that
a lad of a more passionate turn than Master Blifil
was, might have shown some displeasure at it.
