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London, who are not suffering but deserving punishment by so standing.He had a nightcap belonging to Molly on his head, and his two largeeyes, the moment the rug fell, stared directly at Jones; so that whenthe idea of philosophy was added to the figure now discovered, itwould have been very difficult for any spectator to have refrainedfrom immoderate laughter.I question not but the surprize of the reader will be here equal tothat of Jones; as the suspicions which must arise from the appearanceof this wise and grave man in such a place, may seem so inconsistentwith that character which he hath, doubtless, maintained hitherto, inthe opinion of every one.But to confess the truth, this inconsistency is rather imaginary thanreal. Philosophers are composed of flesh and blood as well as otherhuman creatures; and however sublimated and refined the theory ofthese may be, a little practical frailty is as incident to them as toother mortals. It is, indeed, in theory only, and not in practice, aswe have before hinted, that consists the difference: for though suchgreat beings think much better and more wisely, they always actexactly like other men. They know very well how to subdue allappetites and passions, and to despise both pain and pleasure; andthis knowledge affords much delightful contemplation, and is easilyacquired; but the practice would be vexatious and troublesome; and,therefore, the same wisdom which teaches them to know this, teachesthem to avoid carrying it into execution.Mr Square happened to be at church on that Sunday, when, as the readermay be pleased to remember, the appearance of Molly in her sack hadcaused all that disturbance. Here he first observed her, and was sopleased with her beauty, that he prevailed with the young gentlemen tochange their intended ride that evening, that he might pass by thehabitation of Molly, and by that means might obtain a second chance ofseeing her. This reason, however, as he did not at that time mentionto any, so neither did we think proper to communicate it then to thereader.Among other particulars which constituted the unfitness of things inMr Square's opinion, danger and difficulty were two. The difficultytherefore which he apprehended there might be in corrupting this youngwench, and the danger which would accrue to his character on thediscovery, were such strong dissuasives, that it is probable he atfirst intended to have contented himself with the pleasing ideas whichthe sight of beauty furnishes us with. These the gravest men, after afull meal of serious meditation, often allow themselves by way ofdessert: for which purpose, certain books and pictures find their wayinto the most private recesses of their study, and a certain liquorishpart of natural philosophy is often the principal subject of theirconversation.But when the philosopher heard, a day or two afterwards, that thefortress of virtue had already been subdued, he began to give a largerscope to his desires. His appetite was not of that squeamish kindwhich cannot feed on a dainty because another hath tasted it. Inshort, he liked the girl the better for the want of that chastity,which, if she had possessed it, must have been a bar to his pleasures;he pursued and obtained her.The reader will be mistaken, if he thinks Molly gave Square thepreference to her younger lover: on the contrary, had she been