History of Tom Jones, a Foundling

Name: History of Tom Jones, a Foundling
Author: Henry Fielding

by Henry Fielding

Read History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding online, free: 209 chapters, public domain, on Papyras.

Start reading

To the Honourable
Chapter i. — The introduction to the work, or bill of fare to the feast
Chapter ii. — A short description of squire Allworthy, and a fuller account of Miss Bridget Allworthy, his sister
Chapter iii. — An odd accident which befel Mr Allworthy at his return home. The decent behaviour of Mrs Deborah Wilkins, with some proper animadversions on bastards
Chapter iv. — The reader's neck brought into danger by a description; his escape; and the great condescension of Miss Bridget Allworthy
Chapter v. — Containing a few common matters, with a very uncommon observation upon them
Chapter vi. — Mrs Deborah is introduced into the parish with a simile. A short account of Jenny Jones, with the difficulties and discouragements which may attend young women in the pursuit of learning
Chapter vii. — Containing such grave matter, that the reader cannot laugh once through the whole chapter, unless peradventure he should laugh at the author
Chapter viii. — A dialogue between Mesdames Bridget and Deborah; containing more amusement, but less instruction, than the former
Chapter ix. — Containing matters which will surprize the reader
Chapter x. — The hospitality of Allworthy; with a short sketch of the characters of two brothers, a doctor and a captain, who were entertained by that gentleman
Chapter xi. — Containing many rules, and some examples, concerning falling in love: descriptions of beauty, and other more prudential inducements to matrimony
Chapter xii. — Containing what the reader may, perhaps, expect to find in it
Chapter xiii. — Which concludes the first book; with an instance of ingratitude, which, we hope, will appear unnatural
Chapter i. — Showing what kind of a history this is; what it is like, and what it is not like
Chapter ii. — Religious cautions against showing too much favour to bastards; and a great discovery made by Mrs Deborah Wilkins
Chapter iii. — The description of a domestic government founded upon rules directly contrary to those of Aristotle
Chapter iv. — Containing one of the most bloody battles, or rather duels, that were ever recorded in domestic history
Chapter v. — Containing much matter to exercise the judgment and reflection of the reader
Chapter vi. — The trial of Partridge, the schoolmaster, for incontinency; the evidence of his wife; a short reflection on the wisdom of our law; with other grave matters, which those will like best wh
Chapter vii. — A short sketch of that felicity which prudent couples may extract from hatred: with a short apology for those people who overlook imperfections in their friends
Chapter viii. — A receipt to regain the lost affections of a wife, which hath never been known to fail in the most desperate cases
Chapter ix. — A proof of the infallibility of the foregoing receipt, in the lamentations of the widow; with other suitable decorations of death, such as physicians, &c., and an epitaph in the true sti
Chapter i. — Containing little 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 rel
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
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 me
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
Chapter xiv. — The arrival of a surgeon.—His operations, and a long dialogue between Sophia and her maid
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
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 in miniature, as it always ought to be drawn, and a scene of a tenderer kind painted at full length
Chapter viii. — The meeting between Jones and Sophia
Chapter ix. — Being of a much more tempestuous kind than the former
Chapter x. — In which Mr Western visits Mr Allworthy
Chapter xi. — A short chapter; but which contains sufficient matter to affect the good-natured reader
Chapter xii. — Containing love-letters, &c
Chapter xiii. — The behaviour of Sophia on the present occasion; which none of her sex will blame, who are capable of behaving in the same manner. And the discussion of a knotty point in the court of
Chapter xiv. — A short chapter, containing a short dialogue between Squire Western and his sister
Chapter i. — A comparison between the world and the stage
Chapter ii. — Containing a conversation which Mr Jones had with himself
Chapter iii. — Containing several dialogues
Chapter iv. — A picture of a country gentlewoman taken from the life
Chapter v. — The generous behaviour of Sophia towards her aunt
Chapter vi. — Containing great variety of matter
Chapter vii. — A strange resolution of Sophia, and a more strange stratagem of Mrs Honour
Chapter viii. — Containing scenes of altercation, of no very uncommon kind
Chapter ix. — The wise demeanour of Mr Western in the character of a magistrate. A hint to justices of peace, concerning the necessary qualifications of a clerk; with extraordinary instances of patern
Chapter x. — Containing several matters, natural enough perhaps, but low
Chapter xi. — The adventure of a company of soldiers
Chapter xii. — The adventure of a company of officers
Chapter xiii. — Containing the great address of the landlady, the great learning of a surgeon, and the solid skill in casuistry of the worthy lieutenant
Chapter xiv. — A most dreadful chapter indeed; and which few readers ought to venture upon in an evening, especially when alone
Chapter xv. — The conclusion of the foregoing adventure
Chapter i. — A wonderful long chapter concerning the marvellous; being much the longest of all our introductory chapters
Chapter ii. — In which the landlady pays a visit to Mr Jones
Chapter iii. — In which the surgeon makes his second appearance
Chapter iv. — In which is introduced one of the pleasantest barbers that was ever recorded in history, the barber of Bagdad, or he in Don Quixote, not excepted
Chapter v. — A dialogue between Mr Jones and the barber
Chapter vi. — In which more of the talents of Mr Benjamin will appear, as well as who this extraordinary person was
Chapter vii. — Containing better reasons than any which have yet appeared for the conduct of Partridge; an apology for the weakness of Jones; and some further anecdotes concerning my landlady
Chapter viii. — Jones arrives at Gloucester, and goes to the Bell; the character of that house, and of a petty-fogger which he there meets with
Chapter ix. — Containing several dialogues between Jones and Partridge, concerning love, cold, hunger, and other matters; with the lucky and narrow escape of Partridge, as he was on the very brink of
Chapter x. — In which our travellers meet with a very extraordinary adventure
Chapter xi. — In which the Man of the Hill begins to relate his history
Chapter xii. — In which the Man of the Hill continues his history
Chapter xiii. — In which the foregoing story is farther continued
Chapter xiv. — In which the Man of the Hill concludes his history
Chapter xv. — A brief history of Europe; and a curious discourse between Mr Jones and the Man of the Hill
Chapter i. — Of those who lawfully may, and of those who may not, write such histories as this
Chapter ii. — Containing a very surprizing adventure indeed, which Mr Jones met with in his walk with the Man of the Hill
Chapter iii. — The arrival of Mr Jones with his lady at the inn; with a very full description of the battle of Upton
Chapter iv. — In which the arrival of a man of war puts a final end to hostilities, and causes the conclusion of a firm and lasting peace between all parties
Chapter v. — An apology for all heroes who have good stomachs, with a description of a battle of the amorous kind
Chapter vi. — A friendly conversation in the kitchen, which had a very common, though not very friendly, conclusion
Chapter vii. — Containing a fuller account of Mrs Waters, and by what means she came into that distressful situation from which she was rescued by Jones
Chapter i. — Containing instructions very necessary to be perused by modern critics
Chapter ii. — Containing the arrival of an Irish gentleman, with very extraordinary adventures which ensued at the inn
Chapter iii. — A dialogue between the landlady and Susan the chamber-maid, proper to be read by all inn-keepers and their servants; with the arrival, and affable behaviour of a beautiful young lady; w
Chapter iv. — Containing infallible nostrums for procuring universal disesteem and hatred
Chapter v. — Showing who the amiable lady, and her unamiable maid, were
Chapter vi. — Containing, among other things, the ingenuity of Partridge, the madness of Jones, and the folly of Fitzpatrick
Chapter vii. — In which are concluded the adventures that happened at the inn at Upton
Chapter viii. — In which the history goes backward
Chapter ix. — The escape of Sophia
Chapter i. — A crust for the critics
Chapter ii. — The adventures which Sophia met with after her leaving Upton
Chapter iii. — A very short chapter, in which however is a sun, a moon, a star, and an angel
Chapter iv. — The history of Mrs Fitzpatrick
Chapter v. — In which the history of Mrs Fitzpatrick is continued
Chapter vi. — In which the mistake of the landlord throws Sophia into a dreadful consternation
Chapter vii. — In which Mrs Fitzpatrick concludes her history
Chapter viii. — A dreadful alarm in the inn, with the arrival of an unexpected friend of Mrs Fitzpatrick
Chapter ix. — The morning introduced in some pretty writing. A stagecoach. The civility of chambermaids. The heroic temper of Sophia. Her generosity. The return to it. The departure of the company, an
Chapter x. — Containing a hint or two concerning virtue, and a few more concerning suspicion
Chapter i. — Showing what is to be deemed plagiarism in a modern author, and what is to be considered as lawful prize
Chapter ii. — In which, though the squire doth not find his daughter, something is found which puts an end to his pursuit
Chapter iii. — The departure of Jones from Upton, with what passed between him and Partridge on the road
Chapter iv. — The adventure of a beggar-man
Chapter v. — Containing more adventures which Mr Jones and his companion met on the road
Chapter vi. — From which it may be inferred that the best things are liable to be misunderstood and misinterpreted
Chapter vii. — Containing a remark or two of our own and many more of the good company assembled in the kitchen
Chapter viii. — In which fortune seems to have been in a better humour with Jones than we have hitherto seen her
Chapter ix. — Containing little more than a few odd observations
Chapter x. — In which Mr Jones and Mr Dowling drink a bottle together
Chapter xi. — The disasters which befel Jones on his departure for Coventry; with the sage remarks of Partridge
Chapter xii. — Relates that Mr Jones continued his journey, contrary to the advice of Partridge, with what happened on that occasion
Chapter xiii. — A dialogue between Jones and Partridge
Chapter xiv. — What happened to Mr Jones in his journey from St Albans
Chapter i. — An Invocation
Chapter ii. — What befel Mr Jones on his arrival in London
Chapter iii. — A project of Mrs Fitzpatrick, and her visit to Lady Bellaston
Chapter iv. — Which consists of visiting
Chapter v. — An adventure which happened to Mr Jones at his lodgings, with some account of a young gentleman who lodged there, and of the mistress of the house, and her two daughters
Chapter vi. — What arrived while the company were at breakfast, with some hints concerning the government of daughters
Chapter vii. — Containing the whole humours of a masquerade
Chapter viii. — Containing a scene of distress, which will appear very extraordinary to most of our readers
Chapter ix. — Which treats of matters of a very different kind from those in the preceding chapter
Chapter x. — A chapter which, though short, may draw tears from some eyes
Chapter xi. — In which the reader will be surprized
Chapter xii. — In which the thirteenth book is concluded
Chapter i. — An essay to prove that an author will write the better for having some knowledge of the subject on which he writes
Chapter ii. — Containing letters and other matters which attend amours
Chapter iii. — Containing various matters
Chapter iv. — Which we hope will be very attentively perused by young people of both sexes
Chapter v. — A short account of the history of Mrs Miller
Chapter vi. — Containing a scene which we doubt not will affect all our readers
Chapter vii. — The interview between Mr Jones and Mr Nightingale
Chapter viii. — What passed between Jones and old Mr Nightingale; with the arrival of a person not yet mentioned in this history
Chapter ix. — Containing strange matters
Chapter x. — A short chapter, which concludes the book
Chapter i. — Too short to need a preface
Chapter ii. — In which is opened a very black design against Sophia
Chapter iii. — A further explanation of the foregoing design
Chapter iv. — By which it will appear how dangerous an advocate a lady is when she applies her eloquence to an ill purpose
Chapter v. — Containing some matters which may affect, and others which may surprize, the reader
Chapter vi. — By what means the squire came to discover his daughter
Chapter vii. — In which various misfortunes befel poor Jones
Chapter viii. — Short and sweet
Chapter ix. — Containing love-letters of several sorts
Chapter x. — Consisting partly of facts, and partly of observations upon them
Chapter xi. — Containing curious, but not unprecedented matter
Chapter xii. — A discovery made by Partridge
Chapter i. — Of prologues
Chapter ii. — A whimsical adventure which befel the squire, with the distressed situation of Sophia
Chapter iii. — What happened to Sophia during her confinement
Chapter iv. — In which Sophia is delivered from her confinement
Chapter v. — In which Jones receives a letter from Sophia, and goes to a play with Mrs Miller and Partridge
Chapter vi. — In which the history is obliged to look back
Chapter vii. — In which Mr Western pays a visit to his sister, in company with Mr Blifil
Chapter viii. — Schemes of Lady Bellaston for the ruin of Jones
Chapter ix. — In which Jones pays a visit to Mrs Fitzpatrick
Chapter x. — The consequence of the preceding visit
Chapter i. — Containing a portion of introductory writing
Chapter ii. — The generous and grateful behaviour of Mrs Miller
Chapter iii. — The arrival of Mr Western, with some matters concerning the paternal authority
Chapter iv. — An extraordinary scene between Sophia and her aunt
Chapter v. — Mrs Miller and Mr Nightingale visit Jones in the prison
Chapter vi. — In which Mrs Miller pays a visit to Sophia
Chapter vii. — A pathetic scene between Mr Allworthy and Mrs Miller
Chapter viii. — Containing various matters
Chapter ix. — What happened to Mr Jones in the prison
Chapter i. — A farewel to the reader
Chapter ii. — Containing a very tragical incident
Chapter iii. — Allworthy visits old Nightingale; with a strange discovery that he made on that occasion
Chapter iv. — Containing two letters in very different stiles
Chapter v. — In which the history is continued
Chapter vi. — In which the history is farther continued
Chapter vii. — Continuation of the history
Chapter viii. — Further continuation
Chapter ix. — A further continuation
Chapter x. — Wherein the history begins to draw towards a conclusion
Chapter xi. — The history draws nearer to a conclusion
Chapter xii. — Approaching still nearer to the end
Chapter the last. In which the history is concluded

More books on Papyras

History of Tom Jones, a Foundling

Contents