Return but Entertainment, Inſtruction, Flattery, and Subſerviency; in a Word, that ſuch Perſons ſhould be enrolled in the Number of Domeſtics, without wearing their Maſter’s Cloaths, or receiving Wages.
On the contrary, every Perſon in this Houſe was perfect Maſter of his own Time: and as he might at his Pleaſure ſatisfy all his Appetites within the Reſtrictions only of Law, Virtue and Religion; ſo he might, if his Health required, or his Inclination prompted him to Temperance, or even to Abſtinence, abſent himſelf from any Meals, or retire from them whenever he was so diſpoſed, without even a Solicitation to the contrary: For indeed, ſuch Solicitations from Superiors always ſavour very ſtrongly of Commands. But all here were free from ſuch Impertinence, not only thoſe, whoſe Company is in all other Places eſteemed a Favour from their Equality of Fortune, but even thoſe whoſe indigent Circumſtances make ſuch an eleemoſynary Abode convenient to them, and who are therefore leſs welcome to a great Man’s Table becauſe they ſtand in need of it.
Among others of this Kind was Dr. Blifil, a Gentleman who had the Misfor-tune
