BIBL

THE

CONTEN

LIFE OF OLIVER GOLDSMITH

THE VICAR OF WAKEFIELD.

PAGE

ix

3

7

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER I.-The description of the Family of Wakefield, in which a kindred

likeness prevails, as well of minds as of persons

CHAPTER II.-Family misfortunes. -The loss of fortune only serves to increase

the pride of the worthy

CHAPTER III.-A migration.-The fortunate circumstances of our lives are gene·

rally found at last to be of our own procuring

CHAPTER IV.-A proof that even the humblest fortune may grant happiness,

which depends not on circumstances but constitution

CHAPTER V.-A new and great acquaintance introduced. What we place most

hopes upon, generally proves most fatal.

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

comical for a night or two.

30

CHAPTER VIII.—An amour, which promises little good fortune, yet may be pro-

ductive of much.

34

CHAPTER IX.-Two ladies of great distinction introduced.—Superior finery ever

seems to confer superior breeding

CHAPTER X-The family endeavours to cope with their betters.— The miseries of

the poor when they attempt to appear above their circumstances.

CHAPTER XI.— The family still resolve to hold up their heads

CHAPTER XII.-Fortune seems resolved to humble the Family of Wakefield.—

Mortifications are often more painful than real calamities.

CHAPTER XIII.—Mr. Burchell is found to be an enemy; for he has the confidence

to give disagreeable advice.

CHAPTER XIV.-Fresh mortifications, or a demonstration that seeming calamities

may be real blessings

61

CHAPTER XV.—All Mr. Burchell's villany at once detected.—The folly of being

overwise

66

.

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

CHAPTER XVII.-Scarcely any virtue found to resist the power of long and

pleasing temptation

CHAPTER XVIII.-The pursuit of a father to reclaim a lost child to virtue

CHAPTER XIX.—The description of a person discontented with the present govern-

ment, and apprehensive of the loss of our liberties

888

CHAPTER XX.-The history of a philosophic vagabond pursuing novelty, but

losing content

CHAPTER XXI.—The short continuance of friendship among the vicious, which is

coeval only with mutual satisfaction.

CHAPTER XXII.-Offences are easily pardoned where there is love at bottom

CHAPTER XXIII.-None but the guilty can be long and completely miserable

CHAPTER XXIV.-Fresh calamities

PAGE

98

ΠΟ

CHAPTER XXV.-No situation, however wretched it seems, but has some sort of

comfort attending it.

CHAPTER XXVI.—A reformation in the gaol.—To mike laws complete, they should

reward as well as punish.

132

137

143

CHAPTER XXVII.—The same subject continued

CHAPTER XXVIII.-Happiness and misery rather the result of prudence than of

virtue in this life; temporal evils or jelicities being regarded by Heaven as

things merely in themselves trifling, and unworthy its care in the distribution

CHAPTER XXIX.— The equal dealings of Providence demonstrated with regard to

the happy and the miserable here below. That from the nature of pleasure and

pain, the wretched must be repaid the balance of their sufferings in the life

hereafter

CHAPTER XXX.-Happier prospects begin to appear.-Let us be inflexible, and

fortune will at last change in our favour.

CHAPTER XXXI.-Former benevolence now repaid with unexpected interest

CHAPTER XXXII.-The Conclusion

146

156

FAC-SIMILE OF PANE OF GLASS TAKEN FROM GOLDSMITH'S ROOM

xiii