THE VICAR OF WAKEFIELD. A TALE. SUPPOSED TO BE WRITTEN BY HIMSELF Sperate miseri, cavete felices Salisbury: Printed by B. Collins, For F. Newbery, in Pater-Noster-Row, London. MDCCLXVI. 2 vols. 12mo. "The Vicar of Wakefield" was published on the 27th of March, 1766, in two volumes 12mo, price five shillings. A second edition appeared on the 5th of June; a third on the 25th of August of the same year; a fifth in 1773, and it reached a sixth edition in the year of its writer's death. All that Goldsmith received for this admirable story was sixty guineas. See Forster's "Life of Goldsmith," vol. ii. p. 1-20. The text of this reprint is that of the fifth edition, 1773, the last whicu Goldsmith lived to see published. ADVERTISEMENT. THERE are an hundred faults in this Thing, and an 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, an 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 character please? Such as are fond of high life, will turn with disdain from the simplicity of his country fire-side. 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. CONTENTS. 1. The Description of the Family of Wakefield, in which a kindred likeness prevails, as well of minds as of persons. II. Family misfortunes. The loss of fortune only serves to increase III. A migration. The fortunate circumstances of our lives are generally found at last to be of our own procuring. IV. A proof that even the humblest fortune may grant happiness, which depends not on circumstances but constitution. v. A new and great acquaintance introduced. What we place most hopes upon, generally proves most fatal. VIII. An amour, which promises little good fortune, yet may be IX. Two ladies of great distinction introduced. Superior finery ever seems to confer superior breeding. x. The family endeavours to cope with their betters. The miseries of the poor when they attempt to appear above their XI. The family still resolve to hold up their heads. XII. Fortune seems resolved to humble the family of Wakefield. Mortifications are often more painful than real calamities. XIII. Mr. Burchell is found to be an enemy; for he has the confidence XIV. Fresh mortifications, or a demonstration that seeming calamities xv. All Mr. Burchell's villainy at once detected The folly of being |