THE VICAR OF WAKEFIELD. A Tale. BY DR. GOLDSMITH. SPERATE MISERI, CAVETE FELICES. LONDON: DUKE STREET, PICCADILLY. ADVERTISEMENT. THERE are a hundred faults in this thing, and a hundred things might be said to prove them beauties: but it is needless. A book may be amusing with numerous errors, or it may be very dull without a single absurdity. The hero of this piece unites in himself the three greatest characters upon earth; he is a priest, a husbandman, and the father of a family. He is drawn as ready to teach, and ready to obey—as simple in affluence, and majestic in adversity. In this age of opulence and refinement, whom can such a charac ter please? Such as are fond of high life, will tur with disdain from the simplicity of his country fireside ; such as 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. b CONTENTS. 9 Page 1. DESCRIPTION of the family of Wakefield, in which ....... ....................... to increase the pride of the worthy .............. 13 3. A migration. The fortunate circumstances of our lives are generally found at last to be of our own pro- curing 18 4. A proof that even the humblest fortune may grant hap- piness, which depends not on circumstances, but constitution 26 5. A new and great acquaintance introduced. What we place most bopes upon generally proves most fatal 30 6. The happiness of a country fireside ......... 34 7. A town wit described. The dullest fellows may learn to be comical for a night or two 38 8. An amour, which promises little good fortone, yet may be productive of much ....... 43 9. Two ladies of great distinction introduced. Superior finery ever seems to confer superior breeding .. 52 10. The family endeavour to cope with their betters. The miseries of the poor when they attempt to appear above their circumstances 56 11. The family still resolve to hold up their heads 61 12. Fortune seems resolved to humble the family of Wakefield. Mortifications are often more painful than real calamities................. 66 13. Mr. Burchell is found to be an enemy; for he has the 72 14. Fresh mortifications, or a demonstration that seeming calamities may be real blessings 76 15. All Mr. Burchell's villany at once detected. The folly of being over wise 83 16. The family nse art, which is opposed with still greater 89 2 |