CHAP.

I.

II.

III.

IV.

V.

VI.

VII.

CONTENTS

The Description of the Family of Wakefield,

in which a kindred likeness prevails, as

well of minds as of persons.

Family misfortunes. The loss of fortune only

serves to increase the pride of the

worthy.

PAGE

I

A migration. The fortunate circumstances of

our lives are generally found at last to be of

our own procuring .

A proof that even the humblest fortune may

grant happiness, which depends not on

circumstances but constitution.

A new and great acquaintance introduced.

What we place most hopes upon, generally

proves most fatal.

The happiness of a country fire-side.

A Town wit described. The dullest fellows

may learn to be comical for a night or

VIII. An amour, which promises little good fortune,

yet may be productive of much

7

14

25

31

37

43

50

CHAP.

IX.

X.

Two ladies of great distinction introduced.
Superior finery ever seems to confer su-
perior breeding.

The family endeavours to cope with their
betters. The miseries of the poor when
they attempt to appear above their cir-

PAGE

63

XII.

XIII.

XIV.

Fortune seems resolved to humble the family
of Wakefield. Mortifications are often
more painful than real calamities.
Mr. Burchell is found to be an enemy; for he
has the confidence to give disagreeable
advice.

.

Fresh mortifications, or a demonstration
that seeming calamities may be real
blessings.

All Mr. Burchell's villany at once detected.
The folly of being over-wise
The family use art, which is opposed with
still greater.

84

92

98

XV.

108

XVI.

116

XVII.

Scarcely any virtue found to resist the power
of long and pleasing temptation

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

138

XIX.

The description of a person discontented
with the present Government, and
apprehensive

of the loss of our

CHAP.
XX.

The history of a philosophic vagabond,
pursuing novelty, but losing con-

XXI.

The

XXII.

XXIII.

XXIV.
XXV.

XXVI.

tent

short continuance of friendship
amongst the vicious, which is coeval
only with mutual satisfaction
Offences are easily pardoned where there is
love at bottom

None but the guilty can be long and com

No situation, however wretched it seems,
but has some sort of comfort attend-
ing it

A reformation in the gaol. To make laws
complete they should reward as well
as punish.

XXVII.

The same subject continued

XXVIII. Happiness and misery rather the result of

XXIX.

PAGE

158

181

194

240

The equal dealings of Providence demon-
strated 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. 257

CHAP.

XXX.

Happier prospects begin to appear. Let
us be inflexible, and Fortune will at
last change in our favour.

Former benevolence now repaid with unex

XXXI.

PAGE

264

CHAPTER I

The Description of the Family of Wakefield, in which a kindred Likeness prevails, as well of Minds as of Persons.

I

WAS ever of opinion, that the honest man who married and brought up a large family, did more service than he who continued single and only talked of population. From this motive I had scarce taken orders a year, before I began to think seriously of matrimony, and chose my wife, as she did her wedding-gown, not for a fine glossy surface, but such qualities as would wear well. To do her justice she was a good-natured notable woman; and as for breeding, there were few country ladies who could show more. She could read any English book without much spelling; but for pickling, preserving, and cookery none could excel her. She prided herself also upon being an excellent contriver in housekeeping; though I could never find that we grew richer with all her contrivances.