CHAP.

THE VICAR OF WAKEFIELD.

I. The description of the family of Wake-

field, in which a kindred likeness`

prevails, as well of minds as of

persons

II. Family misfortunes. The loss of for-

tune only serves to increase the

pride of the worthy

III. A migration. The fortunate circum-

stances of our lives are generally

found at last to be of our own pro-

curing

IV. A proof that even the humblest for-

tune may grant happiness, which

depends not on circumstances but

constitution

V. A new and great acquaintance intro-

duced. What we place most hopes

generally proves most fatal

VL

The happiness of

of a country fireside

The dullest

VII. A town wit described.

fellows may learn to be comical for

a night or two

VIII. An amour, which promises little

good fortune, yet may be produc-

tive of much

1X. Two ladies of great distinction intro-

duced. Superior finery ever seems

to confer superior breeding

A. The family endeavour to cope with

their betters. The miseries of the

poor when they attempt to appear

above their circumstances

3

XVIII. The pursuit of a father to reclaim

a lost child to virtue

XIX. The description of a person discon-

tented with the present government,

and apprehensive of the loss of our

liberties

4 XX. The history of a philosophic vaga

bond, pursuing novelty, but losing

5

content

XXI. The short continuance of friendship

among the vicious, which is coeval

only with mutual satisfaction

XXII. Offences are easily pardoned where

there is love at bottom

8 XXIII. None but the guilty can be long

and completely miserable

9

10

11

:

XXIV. Fresh calamities

XXV. No situation, however wretched

it seems, but has some sort of

comfort attending it

hey should

XXVI. A reformation in the gaol. Το

make laws complete they

reward as well as punish

XXVII. The same subject continued

13 XXVIII. Happiness and misery rather

the result of prudence than of vir-

tue in this life; temporal evils or

felicities being regarded by Heaven

as things merely in themselves trif-

ling and unworthy its care in the

distribution

15

18

..

17 XXIX. The equal dealing of Provi-

dence demonstrated with regard to

the happy and the miserable here be-

low. That from the nature of plea

sure and pain, the wretched must be

repaid the balance of their sufferings

in the life hereafter

XXX. Happier prospects begin to appear.

Let us be inflexible, and fortune

will at last change in our favour

XXXI. Former benevolence now repaid

with unexpected interest

23 XXXIL The conclusion

28

31

32

35

40

43

45

46

48

49

51

52

56

58

60

65

AN INQUIRY INTO THE PRESENT STATE OF PO-

LITE LEARNING

XXXI. Of the degeneracy of some of
the English nobility. A mush-
room feast among the Tartars
XXXII. The manner of writing among
the Chinese. The eastern tales of
magazines, &c. ridiculed

LV. Some thoughts on the present situa-
tion of affairs in the different coun-
tries of Europe

241

213

214

LVI. The difficulty of rising in literary re-

LVII. A visitation dinner described

LVIII. The Chinese philosopher's son

escapes with the beautiful captive

from slavery

putation without intrigue or riches 245

216

218

LIX.

The history of the beautiful cap-

tive

XXXIII. Of the present ridiculous pas-

sior. of the nobility for painting

XXXIV. The philosopher's son de-

scribes a lady, his fellow-captive

XXXV. A continuance of his corres-

pondence. The beautiful captive

consents to marry her lord

XXXVI. The correspondence still con-
tinued. He begins to be disgusted
in the pursuit of wisdom. An
allegory to prove its futility

XXXVII. The Chinese philosopher
praises the justice of a late sentence
and instances the injustice of the
King of France, in the case of
the Prince of Charolais

XXXVIII. The description of true po-

liteness. Two letters of different

countries, by ladies falsely thought

polite at home

XXXIX. The English still have poets,

though not versifiers

XL. The behaviour of the congregation

in St Paul's church at prayers

XLI. The history of China more replete

with great actions than that of

Europe

XLII. An apostrophe on the supposed
death of Voltaire
XLIII. Wisdom and precept may lessen
our miseries, but can never increase
our positive satisfactions

XLIV. The ardour of the people of

London in running after sights and

216

218

LX. Proper lessons to a youth entering

the world, with fables suited to the

occasion

ib. LXI. An authentic history of Catharina

219

249

250

Alexowna, wife of Peter the Great 252

LXII. The rise or the decline of litera-

ture, not dependent on man, but

resulting from the vicissitudes of

LXXIV. The necessity of amusing each

other with new books insisted

upon

268

233

LXXV. The preference of grace to
beauty; an allegory

LXXVI. The behaviour of a shopkeeper

270

to his journeyman

230

231

234

235

236

their own manner

271

272

LXXVII. The French ridiculed after

LXXVIII. The preparations of both

theatres for a winter campaign 273

LXXIX. The evil tendency of increas-

ing penal laws, or enforcing even

those already in being with rigour 274

LXXX. The ladies' trains ridiculed

239 LXXXI. The sciences useful in a popu-

275