The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling | Page 2

or nothing.

Chapter ii
-- The heroe of this great history appears with very bad omens. A little tale of so LOW a kind that some may think it not worth their notice. A word or two concerning a squire, and more relating to a gamekeeper and a schoolmaster.

Chapter iii
-- The character of Mr Square the philosopher, and of Mr Thwackum the divine; with a dispute concerning----

Chapter iv.
Containing a necessary apology for the author; and a childish incident, which perhaps requires an apology likewise --

Chapter v.
-- The opinions of the divine and the philosopher concerning the two boys; with some reasons for their opinions, and other matters.

Chapter vi
-- Containing a better reason still for the before-mentioned opinions.

Chapter vii
-- In which the author himself makes his appearance on the stage.

Chapter viii
-- A childish incident, in which, however, is seen a good-natured disposition in Tom Jones.

Chapter ix
-- Containing an incident of a more heinous kind, with the comments of Thwackum and Square.

Chapter x
-- In which Master Blifil and Jones appear in different lights.
BOOK IV -- CONTAINING THE TIME OF A YEAR.

Chapter i
-- Containing five pages of paper.

Chapter ii
-- A short hint of what we can do in the sublime, and a description of Miss Sophia Western.

Chapter iii
-- Wherein the history goes back to commemorate a trifling incident that happened some years since; but which, trifling as it was, had some future consequences.

Chapter iv
-- Containing such very deep and grave matters, that some readers, perhaps, may not relish it.

Chapter v
-- Containing matter accommodated to every taste.

Chapter vi
-- An apology for the insensibility of Mr Jones to all the charms of the lovely Sophia; in which possibly we may, in a considerable degree, lower his character in the estimation of those men of wit and gallantry who approve the heroes in most of our modern comedies.

Chapter vii
-- Being the shortest chapter in this book.

Chapter viii
-- A battle sung by the muse in the Homerican style, and which none but the classical reader can taste.

Chapter ix
-- Containing matter of no very peaceable colour.

Chapter x
-- A story told by Mr Supple, the curate. The penetration of Squire Western. His great love for his daughter, and the return to it made by her.

Chapter xi
-- The narrow escape of Molly Seagrim, with some observations for which we have been forced to dive pretty deep into nature.

Chapter xii
-- Containing much clearer matters; but which flowed from the same fountain with those in the preceding chapter.

Chapter xiii
-- A dreadful accident which befel Sophia. The gallant behaviour of Jones, and the more dreadful consequence of that behaviour to the young lady; with a short digression in favour of the female sex.

Chapter xiv
-- The arrival of a surgeon.--His operations, and a long dialogue between Sophia and her maid.
BOOK V -- CONTAINING A PORTION OF TIME SOMEWHAT LONGER THAN HALF A YEAR.

Chapter i
-- Of the SERIOUS in writing, and for what purpose it is introduced.

Chapter ii
-- In which Mr Jones receives many friendly visits during his confinement; with some fine touches of the passion of love, scarce visible to the naked eye.

Chapter iii
-- Which all who have no heart will think to contain much ado about nothing.

Chapter iv
-- A little chapter, in which is contained a little incident.

Chapter v
-- A very long chapter, containing a very great incident.

Chapter vi
-- By comparing which with the former, the reader may possibly correct some abuse which he hath formerly been guilty of in the application of the word love.

Chapter vii
-- In which Mr Allworthy appears on a sick-bed.

Chapter viii
-- Containing matter rather natural than pleasing.

Chapter ix
-- Which, among other things, may serve as a comment on that saying of Aeschines, that "drunkenness shows the mind of a man, as a mirrour reflects his person."

Chapter x
-- Showing the truth of many observations of Ovid, and of other more grave writers, who have proved beyond contradiction, that wine is often the forerunner of incontinency.

Chapter xi
-- In which a simile in Mr Pope's period of a mile introduces as bloody a battle as can possibly be fought without the assistance of steel or cold iron.

Chapter xii
-- In which is seen a more moving spectacle than all the blood in the bodies of Thwackum and Blifil, and of twenty other such, is capable of producing.
BOOK VI -- CONTAINING ABOUT THREE WEEKS.

Chapter i
-- Of love.

Chapter ii
-- The character of Mrs Western. Her great learning and knowledge of the world, and an instance of the deep penetration which she derived from those advantages.

Chapter iii
-- Containing two defiances to the critics.

Chapter iv
-- Containing sundry curious matters.

Chapter v
-- In which is related what passed between Sophia and her aunt.

Chapter vi
-- Containing a dialogue between Sophia and Mrs Honour, which may a little relieve those tender affections which the foregoing scene may have raised in the mind of a good-natured reader.

Chapter vii
-- A picture of formal courtship