the inferior Sort of People may learn one good Leſſon, viz. Reſpect and Deference to their Superiors. Since it muſt ſhew them the wide Diſtinction Fortune intends between thoſe Perſons who are to be corrected for their Faults, and thoſe who are not; which Leſſon, if they do not learn, I am afraid, they very rarely learn any other good Leſſon, or improve their Morals, at the Houſe of Correction.
A Lawyer may, perhaps, think Mr. Allworthy exceeded his Authority a little in this Inſtance. And, to ſay the Truth, I queſtion, as here was no regular Information before him, whether his Conduct was ſtrictly regular. However, as his Intention was truly upright, he ought to be excuſed in Foro Conſcientiæ, ſince ſo many arbitrary Acts are daily committed by Magiſtrates, who have not this Excuſe to plead for themſelves.
Tom was no ſooner informed by the Conſtable, whither they were proceeding, (indeed he pretty well gueſſed it of himſelf) than he caught Molly in his Arms, and embracing her tenderly before them all, ſwore he would murder the firſt Man who offered to lay hold of her. He bid her dry herEyes,
