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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
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