miſing her a much finer Bird; but ſhe declared ſhe would never have another. Her Father chid her for crying ſo for a fooliſh Bird; but could not help telling young Blifil, if he was a Son of his, his Backſide ſhould be well flea’d.
Sophia now returned to her Chamber, the two young Gentlemen were ſent home, and the reſt of the Company returned to their Bottle; where a Converſation enſued on the Subject of the Bird, ſo curious, that we think it deſerves a Chapter by itſelf.
CHAP. IV.
Containing ſuch very deep and grave Matters; that ſome Readers, perhaps, may not reliſh it.
Square had no ſooner lighted his Pipe, than addreſſing himſelf to Allworthy, he thus began: ‘Sir, I cannot help congratulating you on your Nephew; who, at an Age when few Lads have any Ideas but of ſenſible Objects, is arrived at a Capacity of diſtinguiſhing Right from Wrong. To confine any thing, ſeems to me against the Law of Nature, by which ‘every
