John Forster's Essay,

CONTENTS

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 misfortune-The loss of fortune only serves to

increase the pride of the worthy,

CHAPTER III

A migration-The fortunate circumstances of our lives are

generally 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 VI

Happiness of a country fireside,

CHAPTER VII

A town wit described-The dullest fellows may learn to be

comical for a night or two,

PAGE

xvii

7

13

23

28

33

38

CHAPTER VIII

An amour, which promises little good fortune, yet may be

productive of much,

CHAPTER IX

Two ladies of great distinction introduced-Superior finery

ever seems to confer superior breeding,

CHAPTER X

Endeavour to cope with their betters—The miseries of the poor

when they 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 con-

fidence to give disagreeable advice,

CHAPTER XIV

Fresh mortifications, or a demonstration that seeming calamities

may be real blessings,

83

CHAPTER XV

All Mr. Burchell's villainy at once detected-The folly of

being over-wise,

CHAPTER XVI

The family use art, which is opposed by still greater, ·

91

98

CHAPTER XVII

Scarcely any virtue found to resist the power of long and

pleasing temptation,

PAGE

106

CHAPTER XVIII

The pursuit of a father to reclaim a lost child to virtue,

117

CHAPTER XIX

The description of a person discontented with the present

government, and apprehensive of the loss of our liberties,.

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,

123

135

155

CHAPTER XXII

Offences are easily pardoned where there is love at bottom,

166

CHAPTER XXIII

None but the guilty can be long and completely miserable,

172

CHAPTER XXIV

Fresh calamities,

CHAPTER XXV

No situation, however wretched it seems, but has some sort of

179

186

CHAPTER XXVI

A reformation in the gaol-To make laws complete, they

should reward as well as punish,

PAGE

192

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 felicities 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

199

205

219

225

Former benevolence now repaid with unexpected interest,

236

CHAPTER XXXII

The Conclusion,

256

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

By J. MASSEY WRIGHT (1773-1866)

PUPIL OF THOMAS STOTHARD, R.A.

Facsimile reproductions in colour of the original drawings.

1. The Vicar and his family enjoying a social evening, Frontispiece

2. Mr Burchell rescues Sophia from the stream,

FACING PAGE

22

30

36

52

9. Olivia's abduction by Squire Thornhill, .

10. The Vicar discovers his lost daughter Olivia in distress,

11. Olivia restored to her family,

12. The Vicar arrested and cast into jail for debt,

The Vicar and his family once more restored to happiness

and prosperity.