tune of loſing the Advantage of great Talents by the Obſtinacy of a Father, who would breed him to a Profeſſion he diſliked. In Obedience to this Obſtinacy the Doctor had in his Youth been obliged to ſtudy Phyſick, or rather to ſay he ſtudied it; for in reality Books of this Kind were almoſt the only ones with which he was unacquainted; and unfortunately for him, the Doctor was Maſter of almoſt every other Science but that by which he was to get his Bread; the Conſequence of which was, that the Doctor at the Age of Forty had no Bread to eat.
Such a Perſon as this was certain to find a Welcome at Mr. Allworthy’s Table, to whom Misfortunes were ever a Recommendation when they were derived from the Folly or Villany of others, and not of the unfortunate Perſon himſelf. Beſides this negative Merit, the Doctor had one poſitive Recommendation. This was a great Appearance of Religion. Whether his Religion was real, or conſiſted only in Appearance, I ſhall not preſume to ſay, as I am not poſſeſſed of any Touch-ſtone, which can diſtinguiſh the true from the falſe.
If this Part of his Character pleaſed Mr. Allworthy, it delighted Miſs Bridget. Sheengaged
