87 



sion, nnd readiijpss to relieve the distressed."* So then, ac- 

 cording to this writer, true libertinism is a term which may 

 comprehend in it the virtues " generosity, candour, hu- 

 manity, gratitude, tender compassion," ^c. &c. or at least, 

 not exclude them. This is new logic, but certainly not what 

 Mr. liocke, or any ot" his disciples would countenance. It 

 is, however, the logic of Ubtrtinism, and may serve to shew 

 us the advances which the modern writers have made in the 

 subject of Ethics. But to be serious ;^s it possible that 

 on the least reflection, any one can think that the virtues 

 ascribed to Tom Jones could belong to, or be at all com- 

 patible with his character.'* I will not suppose that one " sen- 

 sible heart" will reply to this question in the afiirmative, and 

 therefore do not hesitate to declare positively, that they can-' 

 not? but in doing so, I still adhere to the old-fashioned inter- 

 pretation of words and things : for instance,-^! consider with 

 Johnson, a libertine to be " a man who lives without restraint 

 or law, who pays no regard to the precepts of religion;" I 

 consider libertinism and irreligion to be so closely allied, as 

 to regard them nearly as synonymous terms; and therefore, 

 cannot comprehend the meaning of the ^'humanity," that is 

 exercised in degrading and ruining that sex, of which man 

 should be the protector and guardian ; or of the " genero- 

 iity" that" robs of that which not enriches him, but makes 

 btr poor indeed." All the other virtues, supposed not to be 



* S«e last edition of Fielding's works, yol. i. p. JQJ. 



