THE VICAR OF WAKEFIELD A TALE SUPPOSED TO BE WRITTEN BY OLIVER GOLDSMITH WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES AND WITH AIDS TO THE STUDY OF THE VICAR OF HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY FROM THE LIBRARY OF Copyright, 1895, BY HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN & CO. All rights reserved. PUBLISHERS' NOTE. THE chief intention of the Riverside Literature Series is to furnish to schools convenient and inexpensive texts in standard literature, English and American, accompanied by brief biographical or other introductions, and an equipment of notes which shall be of genuine assistance and not mere aids to the indolent. But now and then comes an opportunity to go beyond this, and to initiate the student into a deeper, more analytical study of his author. Such an opportunity was afforded by the issue of Silas Marner, which contained a very serviceable study of the work, with chro nology, references for the study of George Eliot's life, suggestions to teachers, and topics for study, prepared by Mrs. H. A. Davidson. The publishers take great pleasure in presenting now a similar accompaniment to The Vicar of Wakefield, by the same competent scholar. BOSTON, September, 1901. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION. Oliver Goldsmith and the Vicar of Wakefield I. The Description of the Family of Wakefield, in which serves to increase the Pride of the Worthy III. A Migration. - The Fortunate Circumstances of our Lives are generally found at Last to be of our own IV. A Proof that even the Humblest Fortune may grant Happiness and Delight, which depend not on Cir- V. A New and Great Acquaintance introduced. - What IX. Two Ladies of Great Distinction introduced. -Supe- rior Finery ever seems to confer Superior Breeding 58 X. The Family endeavor to cope with their Betters. The Family still resolve to hold up their Heads 83 |