CHAP. VII.
In which the Author himſelf makes his Appearance on the Stage.
Tho’ Mr. Allworthy was not of himſelf haſty to ſee Things in a diſadvantageous Light, and was a Stranger to the public Voice, which ſeldom reaches to a Brother or a Huſband, tho’ it rings in the Ears of all the Neighbourhood; yet was this Affection of Mrs. Blifil to Tom, and the Preference which ſhe too viſibly gave him to her own Son, of the utmoſt Diſadvantage to that Youth.
For ſuch was the Compaſſion which inhabited Mr. Allworthy’s Mind, that nothing but the Steel of Juſtice could ever ſubdue it. To be unfortunate in any Reſpect was ſufficient, if there was no Demerit to counterpoiſe it, to turn the Scale of that good Man’s Pity, and to engage his Friendſhip, and his Benefaction.
When therefore he plainly ſaw Maſter Blifil was abſolutely deteſted (for that he was) by his own Mother, he began, on that Ac-count
