History of Tom Jones, a Foundling

by Henry Fielding

  Chapter vi.

  In which more of the talents of Mr Benjamin will appear, as well aswho this extraordinary person was.

  In the morning Jones grew a little uneasy at the desertion of hissurgeon, as he apprehended some inconvenience, or even danger, mightattend the not dressing his wound; he enquired of the drawer, whatother surgeons were to be met with in that neighbourhood. The drawertold him, there was one not far off; but he had known him often refuseto be concerned after another had been sent before him; "but, sir,"says he, "if you will take my advice, there is not a man in thekingdom can do your business better than the barber who was with youlast night. We look upon him to be one of the ablest men at a cut inall this neighbourhood. For though he hath not been her above threemonths, he hath done several great cures."

  The drawer was presently dispatched for Little Benjamin, who beingacquainted in what capacity he was wanted, prepared himselfaccordingly, and attended; but with so different an air and aspectfrom that which he wore when his basin was under his arm, that hecould scarce be known to be the same person.

  "So, tonsor," says Jones, "I find you have more trades than one; howcame you not to inform me of this last night?"--"A surgeon," answeredBenjamin, with great gravity, "is a profession, not a trade. Thereason why I did not acquaint you last night that I professed thisart, was, that I then concluded you was under the hands of anothergentleman, and I never love to interfere with my brethren in theirbusiness. _Ars omnibus communis_. But now, sir, if you please, I willinspect your head, and when I see into your skull, I will give myopinion of your case."

  Jones had no great faith in this new professor; however, he sufferedhim to open the bandage and to look at his wound; which as soon as hehad done, Benjamin began to groan and shake his head violently. Uponwhich Jones, in a peevish manner, bid him not play the fool, but tellhim in what condition he found him. "Shall I answer you as a surgeon,or a friend?" said Benjamin. "As a friend, and seriously," said Jones."Why then, upon my soul," cries Benjamin, "it would require a greatdeal of art to keep you from being well after a very few dressings;and if you will suffer me to apply some salve of mine, I will answerfor the success." Jones gave his consent, and the plaister was appliedaccordingly.

  "There, sir," cries Benjamin: "now I will, if you please, resume myformer self; but a man is obliged to keep up some dignity in hiscountenance whilst he is performing these operations, or the worldwill not submit to be handled by him. You can't imagine, sir, of howmuch consequence a grave aspect is to a grave character. A barber maymake you laugh, but a surgeon ought rather to make you cry."

  "Mr Barber, or Mr Surgeon, or Mr Barber-surgeon," said Jones. "O dearsir!" answered Benjamin, interrupting him, "_Infandum, regina, jubesrenovare dolorem_. You recall to my mind that cruel separation of theunited fraternities, so much to the prejudice of both bodies, as allseparations must be, according to the old adage, _Vis unita fortior_;which to be sure there are not wanting some of one or of the otherfraternity who are able to construe. What a blow was this to me, whounite both in my own person!" "Well, by whatever name you please to becalled," continued Jones, "you certainly are one of the oddest, mostcomical fellows I ever met with, and must have something verysurprizing in your story, which you must confess I have a right tohear."--"I do confess it," answered Benjamin, "and will very readilyacquaint you with it, when you have sufficient leisure, for I promiseyou it will require a good deal of time." Jones told him, he couldnever be more at leisure than at present. "Well, then," said Benjamin,"I will obey you; but first I will fasten the door, that none mayinterrupt us." He did so, and then advancing with a solemn air toJones, said: "I must begin by telling you, sir, that you yourself havebeen the greatest enemy I ever had." Jones was a little startled atthis sudden declaration. "I your enemy, sir!" says he, with muchamazement, and some sternness in his look. "Nay, be not angry," saidBenjamin, "for I promise you I am not. You are perfectly innocent ofhaving intended me any wrong; for you was then an infant: but I shall,I believe, unriddle all this the moment I mention my name. Did younever hear, sir, of one Partridge, who had the honour of being reputedyour father, and the misfortune of being ruined by that honour?" "Ihave, indeed, heard of that Partridge," says Jones, "and have alwaysbelieved myself to be his son." "Well, sir," answered Benjamin, "I amthat Partridge; but I here absolve you from all filial duty, for I doassure you, you are no son of mine." "How!" replied Jones, "and is itpossible that a false suspicion should have drawn all the illconsequences upon you, with which I am too well acquainted?" "It ispossible," cries Benjamin, "for it is so: but though it is naturalenough for men to hate even the innocent causes of their sufferings,yet I am of a different temper. I have loved you ever since I heard ofyour behaviour to Black George, as I told you; and I am convinced,from this extraordinary meeting, that you are born to make me amendsfor all I have suffered on that account. Besides, I dreamt, the nightbefore I saw you, that I stumbled over a stool without hurting myself;which plainly showed me something good was towards me: and last nightI dreamt again, that I rode behind you on a milk-white mare, which isa very excellent dream, and betokens much good fortune, which I amresolved to pursue unless you have the cruelty to deny me."

  "I should be very glad, Mr Partridge," answered Jones, "to have it inmy power to make you amends for your sufferings on my account, thoughat present I see no likelihood of it; however, I assure you I willdeny you nothing which is in my power to grant."

  "It is in your power sure enough," replied Benjamin; "for I desirenothing more than leave to attend you in this expedition. Nay, I haveso entirely set my heart upon it, that if you should refuse me, youwill kill both a barber and a surgeon in one breath."

  Jones answered, smiling, that he should be very sorry to be theoccasion of so much mischief to the public. He then advanced manyprudential reasons, in order to dissuade Benjamin (whom we shallhereafter call Partridge) from his purpose; but all were in vain.Partridge relied strongly on his dream of the milk-white mare."Besides, sir," says he, "I promise you I have as good an inclinationto the cause as any man can possibly have; and go I will, whether youadmit me to go in your company or not."

  Jones, who was as much pleased with Partridge as Partridge could bewith him, and who had not consulted his own inclination but the goodof the other in desiring him to stay behind, when he found his friendso resolute, at last gave his consent; but then recollecting himself,he said, "Perhaps, Mr Partridge, you think I shall be able to supportyou, but I really am not;" and then taking out his purse, he told outnine guineas, which he declared were his whole fortune.

  Partridge answered, "That his dependence was only on his futurefavour; for he was thoroughly convinced he would shortly have enoughin his power. At present, sir," said he, "I believe I am rather thericher man of the two; but all I have is at your service, and at yourdisposal. I insist upon your taking the whole, and I beg only toattend you in the quality of your servant; _Nil desperandum est Teucroduce et auspice Teucro_": but to this generous proposal concerning themoney, Jones would by no means submit.

  It was resolved to set out the next morning, when a difficulty aroseconcerning the baggage; for the portmanteau of Mr Jones was too largeto be carried without a horse.

  "If I may presume to give my advice," says Partridge, "thisportmanteau, with everything in it, except a few shirts, should beleft behind. Those I shall be easily able to carry for you, and therest of your cloaths will remain very safe locked up in my house."

  This method was no sooner proposed than agreed to; and then the barberdeparted, in order to prepare everything for his intended expedition.