mistake ribaldry for humour, will find no wit in his harmless conversation; and such as have been taught to deride religion, will laugh at one whose chief stores of comfort are drawn from futurity.

OLIVER GOLDSMITH.

CONTENTS.

CHAP. I.

The description of the family of Wakefield; in which

a kindred likeness prevails as well of minds as of

perfons.

1

CHAP. II.

Family misfortunes. The loss of fortunes only ferves to

increase the pride of the worthy.

CHAP. III.

5

A migration. The fortunate circumstances of our lives are

generally found at last to be four own procuring.

CHAP. IV.

8

A proof that even the humblest fortune may grant hap-

piness, which depends not on circumstance, but conftitu-

tion.

CHAP. V.

15

A new and great acquaintance introduced. What we place

most hopes upon generally proves most fatal.

19

CHAP. VI.

The happiness of a country fire-fide.

CHAP. VII.

22

A town wit described. The dullest fellows may learn to be

comical for a night or two.

26

CHAP.

:

CHAP. VIII.

An amour, which promises little good fortune, yet may be

productive of much.

CHAP. IX.

Two ladies of great distinction introduced.

finery ever jeems to confer fuperior breeding.

CHAP. Χ.

30

Superior

37

The family endeavour to cope with their betters. The

miferies of the poor when they attempt to appear above

their circumstances.

41

CHAP. ΧΙ.

The family still resolve to hold up their heads.

45

CHAP. XII.

Fortune seems refolved to humble the family of Wakefield.

Mortifications are often more painful than real cala-

mities.

CHAP. XIII.

50

Mr. Burchell is found to be an enemy; for he has the

confidence to give disagreeable advice.

CHAP. XIV.

55

Fresh mortifications, or a demonstration that seeming cala-

mities may be real blessings.

CHAP. XV.

58

All Mr. Burchell's villany at once detected. The folly of

being over-wife.

CHAP. XVI.

64

The family use art, which is opposed with still greater.

CHAP. XVII.

69

Scarce any virtue found to refift the power of long and

pleasing temptation.

74

CHAP.

CHAP. XVIII.

The pursuit of a father to reclaim a lost child to virtue.

CHAP. XIX.

82

The description of a person discontented with the present

government, and apprehenfive of the loss of our liberties.

CHAP. XX.

87

The history of a philofophic vagabond, pursuing novelty,

but lofing content.

CHAP. ΧΧΙ.

95

The short continuance of friendship amongst the vicious,

which is coeval only with mutual fatisfaction.

CHAP. XXII.

HO

Offences are easily pardoned where there is love at bottom.

CHAP. XXIII.

118

None but the guilty can be long and completely miserable.

CHAP. XXIV.

122

Fresh calamities.

CHAP. XXV.

126

of comfort attending it.

No fituation, however wretched it seems, but has some fort

CHAP. XXVI.

131

A reformation in the gaol. To make laws complete, they

Σ

CHAP. XXVIII.

Happiness and misery rather the refult af prudence than of

virtue in this life. Temporal evils or felicities being

regarded by heaven as things merely in themselves

trifling, and unworthy its care in the distribution. 144

CHAP. XXIX.

The equal dealings of Providence demonftrated with re-

gard to the happy and the miserable here below. That

from the nature of pleasure and pain, the wretched

muft be repaid the balance of their fufferings in the life

hereafter.

CHAP. XXX.

155

Happier profpects begin to appear. Let us be inflexible,

and fortune will at last change in our favour.

CHAP. ΧΧΧΙ.

159

Former benevolence now repaid with unexpected interest.

The Conclufion.

CHAP. ΧΧΧΙΙ.

167

181