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need any panegyric: but she hath one quality which existed in a highdegree in that best of women, who is now one of the first of angels,which, as it is not of a glaring kind, more commonly escapesobservation; so little indeed is it remarked, that I want a word toexpress it. I must use negatives on this occasion. I never heardanything of pertness, or what is called repartee, out of her mouth; nopretence to wit, much less to that kind of wisdom which is the resultonly of great learning and experience, the affectation of which, in ayoung woman, is as absurd as any of the affectations of an ape. Nodictatorial sentiments, no judicial opinions, no profound criticisms.Whenever I have seen her in the company of men, she hath been allattention, with the modesty of a learner, not the forwardness of ateacher. You'll pardon me for it, but I once, to try her only, desiredher opinion on a point which was controverted between Mr Thwackum andMr Square. To which she answered, with much sweetness, `You willpardon me, good Mr Allworthy; I am sure you cannot in earnest think mecapable of deciding any point in which two such gentlemen disagree.'Thwackum and Square, who both alike thought themselves sure of afavourable decision, seconded my request. She answered with the samegood humour, `I must absolutely be excused: for I will affront neitherso much as to give my judgment on his side.' Indeed, she always shewedthe highest deference to the understandings of men; a qualityabsolutely essential to the making a good wife. I shall only add, thatas she is most apparently void of all affectation, this deference mustbe certainly real."Here Blifil sighed bitterly; upon which Western, whose eyes were fullof tears at the praise of Sophia, blubbered out, "Don't bechicken-hearted, for shat ha her, d--n me, shat ha her, if she wastwenty times as good.""Remember your promise, sir," cried Allworthy, "I was not to beinterrupted." "Well, shat unt," answered the squire; "I won't speakanother word.""Now, my good friend," continued Allworthy, "I have dwelt so long onthe merit of this young lady, partly as I really am in love with hercharacter, and partly that fortune (for the match in that light isreally advantageous on my nephew's side) might not be imagined to bemy principal view in having so eagerly embraced the proposal. Indeed,I heartily wished to receive so great a jewel into my family; butthough I may wish for many good things, I would not, therefore, stealthem, or be guilty of any violence or injustice to possess myself ofthem. Now to force a woman into a marriage contrary to her consent orapprobation, is an act of such injustice and oppression, that I wishthe laws of our country could restrain it; but a good conscience isnever lawless in the worst regulated state, and will provide thoselaws for itself, which the neglect of legislators hath forgotten tosupply. This is surely a case of that kind; for, is it not cruel, nay,impious, to force a woman into that state against her will; for herbehaviour in which she is to be accountable to the highest and mostdreadful court of judicature, and to answer at the peril of her soul?To discharge the matrimonial duties in an adequate manner is no easytask; and shall we lay this burthen upon a woman, while we at the sametime deprive her of all that assistance which may enable her toundergo it? Shall we tear her very heart from her, while we enjoin herduties to which a whole heart is scarce equal? I must speak veryplainly here. I think parents who act in this manner are accessoriesto all the guilt which their children afterwards incur, and of coursemust, before a just judge, expect to partake of their punishment; but