History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding
Chapter iv.
901 words | Chapter 210
A picture of a country gentlewoman taken from the life.
Mr Western having finished his holla, and taken a little breath, began
to lament, in very pathetic terms, the unfortunate condition of men,
who are, says he, “always whipt in by the humours of some d--n'd b--
or other. I think I was hard run enough by your mother for one man;
but after giving her a dodge, here's another b-- follows me upon the
foil; but curse my jacket if I will be run down in this manner by any
o'um.”
Sophia never had a single dispute with her father, till this unlucky
affair of Blifil, on any account, except in defence of her mother,
whom she had loved most tenderly, though she lost her in the eleventh
year of her age. The squire, to whom that poor woman had been a
faithful upper-servant all the time of their marriage, had returned
that behaviour by making what the world calls a good husband. He very
seldom swore at her (perhaps not above once a week) and never beat
her; she had not the least occasion for jealousy, and was perfect
mistress of her time; for she was never interrupted by her husband,
who was engaged all the morning in his field exercises, and all the
evening with bottle companions. She scarce indeed ever saw him but at
meals; where she had the pleasure of carving those dishes which she
had before attended at the dressing. From these meals she retired
about five minutes after the other servants, having only stayed to
drink “the king over the water.” Such were, it seems, Mr Western's
orders; for it was a maxim with him, that women should come in with
the first dish, and go out after the first glass. Obedience to these
orders was perhaps no difficult task; for the conversation (if it may
be called so) was seldom such as could entertain a lady. It consisted
chiefly of hallowing, singing, relations of sporting adventures,
b--d--y, and abuse of women, and of the government.
These, however, were the only seasons when Mr Western saw his wife;
for when he repaired to her bed, he was generally so drunk that he
could not see; and in the sporting season he always rose from her
before it was light. Thus was she perfect mistress of her time, and
had besides a coach and four usually at her command; though unhappily,
indeed, the badness of the neighbourhood, and of the roads, made this
of little use; for none who had set much value on their necks would
have passed through the one, or who had set any value on their hours,
would have visited the other. Now to deal honestly with the reader,
she did not make all the return expected to so much indulgence; for
she had been married against her will by a fond father, the match
having been rather advantageous on her side; for the squire's estate
was upward of £3000 a year, and her fortune no more than a bare £8000.
Hence perhaps she had contracted a little gloominess of temper, for
she was rather a good servant than a good wife; nor had she always the
gratitude to return the extraordinary degree of roaring mirth, with
which the squire received her, even with a good-humoured smile. She
would, moreover, sometimes interfere with matters which did not
concern her, as the violent drinking of her husband, which in the
gentlest terms she would take some of the few opportunities he gave
her of remonstrating against. And once in her life she very earnestly
entreated him to carry her for two months to London, which he
peremptorily denied; nay, was angry with his wife for the request ever
after, being well assured that all the husbands in London are
cuckolds.
For this last, and many other good reasons, Western at length heartily
hated his wife; and as he never concealed this hatred before her
death, so he never forgot it afterwards; but when anything in the
least soured him, as a bad scenting day, or a distemper among his
hounds, or any other such misfortune, he constantly vented his spleen
by invectives against the deceased, saying, “If my wife was alive now,
she would be glad of this.”
These invectives he was especially desirous of throwing forth before
Sophia; for as he loved her more than he did any other, so he was
really jealous that she had loved her mother better than him. And this
jealousy Sophia seldom failed of heightening on these occasions; for
he was not contented with violating her ears with the abuse of her
mother, but endeavoured to force an explicit approbation of all this
abuse; with which desire he never could prevail upon her by any
promise or threats to comply.
Hence some of my readers will, perhaps, wonder that the squire had not
hated Sophia as much as he had hated her mother; but I must inform
them, that hatred is not the effect of love, even through the medium
of jealousy. It is, indeed, very possible for jealous persons to kill
the objects of their jealousy, but not to hate them. Which sentiment
being a pretty hard morsel, and bearing something of the air of a
paradox, we shall leave the reader to chew the cud upon it to the end
of the chapter.
Chapters
1. Chapter 1
2. BOOK I -- CONTAINING AS MUCH OF THE BIRTH OF THE FOUNDLING AS IS
3. Chapter i -- The introduction to the work, or bill of fare to the
4. Chapter ii -- A short description of squire Allworthy, and a fuller
5. Chapter iii -- An odd accident which befel Mr Allworthy at his return
6. Chapter iv -- The reader's neck brought into danger by a description;
7. Chapter v -- Containing a few common matters, with a very uncommon
8. Chapter vi -- Mrs Deborah is introduced into the parish with a
9. Chapter vii -- Containing such grave matter, that the reader cannot
10. Chapter viii -- A dialogue between Mesdames Bridget and Deborah;
11. Chapter x -- The hospitality of Allworthy; with a short sketch of the
12. Chapter xi -- Containing many rules, and some examples, concerning
13. Chapter xii -- Containing what the reader may, perhaps, expect to find
14. Chapter xiii -- Which concludes the first book; with an instance of
15. BOOK II -- CONTAINING SCENES OF MATRIMONIAL FELICITY IN DIFFERENT
16. Chapter i -- Showing what kind of a history this is; what it is like,
17. Chapter ii -- Religious cautions against showing too much favour to
18. Chapter iii -- The description of a domestic government founded upon
19. Chapter iv -- Containing one of the most bloody battles, or rather
20. Chapter v -- Containing much matter to exercise the judgment and
21. Chapter vi -- The trial of Partridge, the schoolmaster, for
22. Chapter vii -- A short sketch of that felicity which prudent couples
23. Chapter viii -- A receipt to regain the lost affections of a wife,
24. Chapter ix -- A proof of the infallibility of the foregoing receipt,
25. BOOK III -- CONTAINING THE MOST MEMORABLE TRANSACTIONS WHICH PASSED IN
26. Chapter ii -- The heroe of this great history appears with very bad
27. Chapter iii -- The character of Mr Square the philosopher, and of Mr
28. Chapter iv.
29. Chapter v. -- The opinions of the divine and the philosopher
30. Chapter vi -- Containing a better reason still for the
31. Chapter vii -- In which the author himself makes his appearance on the
32. Chapter viii -- A childish incident, in which, however, is seen a
33. Chapter ix -- Containing an incident of a more heinous kind, with the
34. Chapter x -- In which Master Blifil and Jones appear in different
35. Chapter ii -- A short hint of what we can do in the sublime, and a
36. Chapter iii -- Wherein the history goes back to commemorate a trifling
37. Chapter iv -- Containing such very deep and grave matters, that some
38. Chapter vi -- An apology for the insensibility of Mr Jones to all the
39. Chapter viii -- A battle sung by the muse in the Homerican style, and
40. Chapter x -- A story told by Mr Supple, the curate. The penetration of
41. Chapter xi -- The narrow escape of Molly Seagrim, with some
42. Chapter xii -- Containing much clearer matters; but which flowed from
43. Chapter xiii -- A dreadful accident which befel Sophia. The gallant
44. Chapter xiv -- The arrival of a surgeon.--His operations, and a long
45. BOOK V -- CONTAINING A PORTION OF TIME SOMEWHAT LONGER THAN HALF A
46. Chapter i -- Of the SERIOUS in writing, and for what purpose it is
47. Chapter ii -- In which Mr Jones receives many friendly visits during
48. Chapter iii -- Which all who have no heart will think to contain much
49. Chapter iv -- A little chapter, in which is contained a little
50. Chapter vi -- By comparing which with the former, the reader may
51. Chapter ix -- Which, among other things, may serve as a comment on
52. Chapter x -- Showing the truth of many observations of Ovid, and of
53. Chapter xi -- In which a simile in Mr Pope's period of a mile
54. Chapter xii -- In which is seen a more moving spectacle than all the
55. Chapter ii -- The character of Mrs Western. Her great learning and
56. Chapter v -- In which is related what passed between Sophia and her
57. Chapter vi -- Containing a dialogue between Sophia and Mrs Honour,
58. Chapter vii -- A picture of formal courtship in miniature, as it
59. Chapter xi -- A short chapter; but which contains sufficient matter to
60. Chapter xiii -- The behaviour of Sophia on the present occasion; which
61. Chapter xiv -- A short chapter, containing a short dialogue between
62. Chapter ii -- Containing a conversation which Mr Jones had with
63. Chapter vii -- A strange resolution of Sophia, and a more strange
64. Chapter viii -- Containing scenes of altercation, of no very uncommon
65. Chapter ix -- The wise demeanour of Mr Western in the character of a
66. Chapter x -- Containing several matters, natural enough perhaps, but
67. Chapter xiii -- Containing the great address of the landlady, the
68. Chapter xiv -- A most dreadful chapter indeed; and which few readers
69. Chapter i -- A wonderful long chapter concerning the marvellous; being
70. Chapter iv -- In which is introduced one of the pleasantest barbers
71. Chapter vi -- In which more of the talents of Mr Benjamin will appear,
72. Chapter vii -- Containing better reasons than any which have yet
73. Chapter viii -- Jones arrives at Gloucester, and goes to the Bell; the
74. Chapter ix -- Containing several dialogues between Jones and
75. Chapter x -- In which our travellers meet with a very extraordinary
76. Chapter xi -- In which the Man of the Hill begins to relate his
77. Chapter xv -- A brief history of Europe; and a curious discourse
78. Chapter i -- Of those who lawfully may, and of those who may not,
79. Chapter ii -- Containing a very surprizing adventure indeed, which Mr
80. Chapter iii -- The arrival of Mr Jones with his lady at the inn; with
81. Chapter iv -- In which the arrival of a man of war puts a final end to
82. Chapter v -- An apology for all heroes who have good stomachs, with a
83. Chapter vi -- A friendly conversation in the kitchen, which had a very
84. Chapter vii -- Containing a fuller account of Mrs Waters, and by what
85. Chapter i -- Containing instructions very necessary to be perused by
86. Chapter ii -- Containing the arrival of an Irish gentleman, with very
87. Chapter iii -- A dialogue between the landlady and Susan the
88. Chapter iv -- Containing infallible nostrums for procuring universal
89. Chapter v -- Showing who the amiable lady, and her unamiable maid,
90. Chapter vi -- Containing, among other things, the ingenuity of
91. Chapter vii -- In which are concluded the adventures that happened at
92. Chapter ii -- The adventures which Sophia met with after her leaving
93. Chapter iii -- A very short chapter, in which however is a sun, a
94. Chapter vi -- In which the mistake of the landlord throws Sophia into
95. Chapter viii -- A dreadful alarm in the inn, with the arrival of an
96. Chapter ix -- The morning introduced in some pretty writing. A
97. Chapter x -- Containing a hint or two concerning virtue, and a few
98. Chapter i -- Showing what is to be deemed plagiarism in a modern
99. Chapter ii -- In which, though the squire doth not find his daughter,
100. Chapter iii -- The departure of Jones from Upton, with what passed
101. Chapter v -- Containing more adventures which Mr Jones and his
102. Chapter vi -- From which it may be inferred that the best things are
103. Chapter vii -- Containing a remark or two of our own and many more of
104. Chapter viii -- In which fortune seems to have been in a better humour
105. Chapter xi -- The disasters which befel Jones on his departure for
106. Chapter xii -- Relates that Mr Jones continued his journey, contrary
107. Chapter xiv -- What happened to Mr Jones in his journey from St
108. Chapter iii -- A project of Mrs Fitzpatrick, and her visit to Lady
109. Chapter v -- An adventure which happened to Mr Jones at his lodgings,
110. Chapter vi -- What arrived while the company were at breakfast, with
111. Chapter viii -- Containing a scene of distress, which will appear very
112. Chapter ix -- Which treats of matters of a very different kind from
113. Chapter x -- A chapter which, though short, may draw tears from some
114. Chapter i -- An essay to prove that an author will write the better
115. Chapter ii -- Containing letters and other matters which attend
116. Chapter iv -- Which we hope will be very attentively perused by young
117. Chapter vi -- Containing a scene which we doubt not will affect all
118. Chapter viii -- What passed between Jones and old Mr Nightingale; with
119. Chapter iv -- By which it will appear how dangerous an advocate a lady
120. Chapter v -- Containing some matters which may affect, and others
121. Chapter x -- Consisting partly of facts, and partly of observations
122. Chapter ii -- A whimsical adventure which befel the squire, with the
123. Chapter v -- In which Jones receives a letter from Sophia, and goes to
124. Chapter vii -- In which Mr Western pays a visit to his sister, in
125. Chapter iii -- The arrival of Mr Western, with some matters concerning
126. Chapter iii -- Allworthy visits old Nightingale; with a strange
127. Chapter xii -- Approaching still nearer to the end.
128. BOOK I.
129. Chapter i.
130. Chapter ii.
131. Chapter iii.
132. Chapter iv.
133. Chapter v.
134. Chapter vi.
135. Chapter vii.
136. Chapter viii.
137. Chapter ix.
138. Chapter x.
139. Chapter xi.
140. Chapter xii.
141. Chapter xiii.
142. BOOK II.
143. Chapter i.
144. Chapter ii.
145. Chapter iii.
146. Chapter iv.
147. Chapter v.
148. Chapter vi.
149. Chapter vii.
150. Chapter viii.
151. Chapter ix.
152. BOOK III.
153. Chapter i.
154. Chapter ii.
155. Chapter iii.
156. Chapter iv.
157. Chapter v.
158. Chapter vi.
159. Chapter vii.
160. Chapter viii.
161. Chapter ix.
162. Chapter x.
163. BOOK IV.
164. Chapter i.
165. Chapter ii.
166. Chapter iii.
167. Chapter iv.
168. Chapter v.
169. Chapter vi.
170. Chapter vii.
171. Chapter viii.
172. Chapter ix.
173. Chapter x.
174. Chapter xi.
175. Chapter xii.
176. Chapter xiii.
177. Chapter xiv.
178. BOOK V.
179. Chapter i.
180. Chapter ii.
181. Chapter iii.
182. Chapter iv.
183. Chapter v.
184. Chapter vi.
185. Chapter vii.
186. Chapter viii.
187. Chapter ix.
188. Chapter x.
189. Chapter xi.
190. Chapter xii.
191. BOOK VI.
192. Chapter i.
193. Chapter ii.
194. Chapter iii.
195. Chapter iv.
196. Chapter v.
197. Chapter vi.
198. Chapter vii.
199. Chapter viii.
200. Chapter ix.
201. Chapter x.
202. Chapter xi.
203. Chapter xii.
204. Chapter xiii.
205. Chapter xiv.
206. BOOK VII.
207. Chapter i.
208. Chapter ii.
209. Chapter iii.
210. Chapter iv.
211. Chapter v.
212. Chapter vi.
213. Chapter vii.
214. Chapter viii.
215. Chapter ix.
216. Chapter x.
217. Chapter xi.
218. Chapter xii.
219. Chapter xiii.
220. Chapter xiv.
221. Chapter xv.
222. BOOK VIII.
223. Chapter i.
224. Chapter ii.
225. Chapter iii.
226. Chapter iv.
227. Chapter v.
228. Chapter vi.
229. Chapter vii.
230. Chapter viii.
231. Chapter ix.
232. Chapter x.
233. Chapter xi.
234. 1657. My father was one of those whom they call gentlemen farmers. He
235. Chapter xii.
236. Chapter xiii.
237. Chapter xiv.
238. Chapter xv.
239. BOOK IX.
240. Chapter i.
241. Chapter ii.
242. Chapter iii.
243. Chapter iv.
244. Chapter v.
245. Chapter vi.
246. Chapter vii.
247. BOOK X.
248. Chapter i.
249. Chapter ii.
250. Chapter iii.
251. Chapter iv.
252. Chapter v.
253. Chapter vi.
254. Chapter vii.
255. Chapter viii.
256. Chapter ix.
257. BOOK XI.
258. Chapter i.
259. Chapter ii.
260. Chapter iii.
261. Chapter iv.
262. Chapter v.
263. Chapter vi.
264. Chapter vii.
265. Chapter viii.
266. Chapter ix.
267. Chapter x.
268. BOOK XII.
269. Chapter i.
270. Chapter ii.
271. Chapter iii.
272. Chapter iv.
273. Chapter v.
274. Chapter vi.
275. Chapter vii.
276. Chapter viii.
277. Chapter ix.
278. Chapter x.
279. Chapter xi.
280. Chapter xii.
281. Chapter xiii.
282. Chapter xiv.
283. BOOK XIII.
284. Chapter i.
285. Chapter ii.
286. Chapter iii.
287. Chapter iv.
288. Chapter v.
289. Chapter vi.
290. Chapter vii.
291. Chapter viii.
292. Chapter ix.
293. Chapter x.
294. Chapter xi.
295. Chapter xii.
296. BOOK XIV.
297. Chapter i.
298. Chapter ii.
299. Chapter iii.
300. introduction, began the following speech:--“I am very sorry, sir, to
301. Chapter iv.
302. Chapter v.
303. Chapter vi.
304. Chapter vii.
305. Chapter viii.
306. Chapter ix.
307. Chapter x.
308. BOOK XV.
309. Chapter i.
310. Chapter ii.
311. Chapter iii.
312. Chapter iv.
313. Chapter v.
314. Chapter vi.
315. Chapter vii.
316. Chapter viii.
317. Chapter ix.
318. Chapter x.
319. Chapter xi.
320. Chapter xii.
321. BOOK XVI.
322. Chapter i.
323. Chapter ii.
324. Chapter iii.
325. Chapter iv.
326. Chapter v.
327. Chapter vi.
328. Chapter vii.
329. Chapter viii.
330. Chapter ix.
331. Chapter x.
332. BOOK XVII.
333. Chapter i.
334. Chapter ii.
335. Chapter iii.
336. Chapter iv.
337. Chapter v.
338. Chapter vi.
339. Chapter vii.
340. Chapter viii.
341. Chapter ix.
342. BOOK XVIII.
343. Chapter i.
344. Chapter ii.
345. Chapter iii.
346. Chapter iv.
347. Chapter v.
348. Chapter vi.
349. Chapter vii.
350. Chapter viii.
351. Chapter ix.
352. Chapter x.
353. Chapter xi.
354. Chapter xii.
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