Chapter x.
In which Master Blifil and Jones appear in different lights.
Master Blifil fell very short of his companion in the amiable qualityof 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 exampleof Thwackum and Square; for though they would both make frequent useof the word mercy, yet it was plain that in reality Square held it tobe inconsistent with the rule of right; and Thwackum was for doingjustice, and leaving mercy to heaven. The two gentlemen did indeedsomewhat differ in opinion concerning the objects of this sublimevirtue; by which Thwackum would probably have destroyed one half ofmankind, and Square the other half.
Master Blifil then, though he had kept silence in the presence ofJones, yet, when he had better considered the matter, could by nomeans endure the thought of suffering his uncle to confer favours onthe undeserving. He therefore resolved immediately to acquaint himwith the fact which we have above slightly hinted to the readers. Thetruth of which was as follows:
The gamekeeper, about a year after he was dismissed from MrAllworthy's service, and before Tom's selling the horse, being in wantof bread, either to fill his own mouth or those of his family, as hepassed through a field belonging to Mr Western espied a hare sittingin her form. This hare he had basely and barbarously knocked on thehead, against the laws of the land, and no less against the laws ofsportsmen.
The higgler to whom the hare was sold, being unfortunately taken manymonths after with a quantity of game upon him, was obliged to make hispeace with the squire, by becoming evidence against some poacher. Andnow Black George was pitched upon by him, as being a person alreadyobnoxious to Mr Western, and one of no good fame in the country. Hewas, besides, the best sacrifice the higgler could make, as he hadsupplied him with no game since; and by this means the witness had anopportunity of screening his better customers: for the squire, beingcharmed with the power of punishing Black George, whom a singletransgression was sufficient to ruin, made no further enquiry.
Had this fact been truly laid before Mr Allworthy, it might probablyhave done the gamekeeper very little mischief. But there is no zealblinder than that which is inspired with the love of justice againstoffenders. Master Blifil had forgot the distance of the time. Hevaried likewise in the manner of the fact: and by the hasty additionof the single letter S he considerably altered the story; for he saidthat George had wired hares. These alterations might probably havebeen set right, had not Master Blifil unluckily insisted on a promiseof secrecy from Mr Allworthy before he revealed the matter to him; butby that means the poor gamekeeper was condemned without having anopportunity to defend himself: for as the fact of killing the hare,and of the action brought, were certainly true, Mr Allworthy had nodoubt concerning the rest.
Short-lived then was the joy of these poor people; for Mr Allworthythe 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 fromstarving; but as to the fellow himself, he would leave him to thelaws, which nothing could keep him from breaking.
Tom could by no means divine what had incensed Mr Allworthy, for ofMaster Blifil he had not the least suspicion. However, as hisfriendship was to be tired out by no disappointments, he nowdetermined to try another method of preserving the poor gamekeeperfrom ruin.
Jones was lately grown very intimate with Mr Western. He had sogreatly recommended himself to that gentleman, by leaping overfive-barred gates, and by other acts of sportsmanship, that the squirehad declared Tom would certainly make a great man if he had butsufficient encouragement. He often wished he had himself a son withsuch parts; and one day very solemnly asserted at a drinking bout,that Tom should hunt a pack of hounds for a thousand pound of hismoney, 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 favouritecompanion in his sport: everything which the squire held most dear, towit, his guns, dogs, and horses, were now as much at the command ofJones, as if they had been his own. He resolved therefore to make useof this favour on behalf of his friend Black George, whom he hoped tointroduce into Mr Western's family, in the same capacity in which hehad before served Mr Allworthy.
The reader, if he considers that this fellow was already obnoxious toMr Western, and if he considers farther the weighty business by whichthat gentleman's displeasure had been incurred, will perhaps condemnthis as a foolish and desperate undertaking; but if he should totallycondemn young Jones on that account, he will greatly applaud him forstrengthening himself with all imaginable interest on so arduous anoccasion.
For this purpose, then, Tom applied to Mr Western's daughter, a younglady of about seventeen years of age, whom her father, next afterthose necessary implements of sport just before mentioned, loved andesteemed above all the world. Now, as she had some influence on thesquire, so Tom had some little influence on her. But this being theintended heroine of this work, a lady with whom we ourselves aregreatly in love, and with whom many of our readers will probably be inlove too, before we part, it is by no means proper she should make herappearance at the end of a book.
BOOK IV.
CONTAINING THE TIME OF A YEAR.