CHAP. V.
The Opinions of the Divine and the Philoſopher concerning the two Boys; with ſome Reaſons for their Opinions, and other Matters.
It is probable, that by diſcloſing this Secret, which had been communicated in the utmoſt Confidence to him, young Blifil preſerved his Companion from a good Laſhing: For the Offence of the bloody Noſe would have been of itſelf ſufficient Cauſe for Thwackum to have proceeded to Correction; but now this was totally abſorbed, in the Conſideration of the other Matter; and with Regard to this, Mr. Allworthy declared privately, he thought the Boy deſerved Reward rather than Puniſhment; ſo that Thwackum’s Hand was withheld by a general Pardon.
Thwackum, whoſe Meditations were full of Birch, exclaimed againſt this weak, and as he ſaid he would venture to call it, wicked Lenity. To remit the Puniſhment of ſuch Crimes was, he ſaid, to encourage them. He enlarged much on the Correction of Children, and quoted many Texts fromSolomon,
