The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews and his Friend, Mr. Abraham Abrams

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The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews and his Friend, Mr. Abraham Abrams
by Henry Fielding
224258The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews and his Friend, Mr. Abraham AbramsHenry Fielding

JOSEPH ANDREWS

VOL. I.

CONTENTS.

BOOK I.

Of writing lives in general, and particularly of Pamela, with a word by the bye of Colley Cibber and others

Of Mr Joseph Andrews, his birth, parentage, education, and great endowments, with a word or two concerning ancestors

Of Mr Abraham Adams the curate, Mrs Slipslop the chambermaid, and others

What happened after their journey to London

The death of Sir Thomas Booby, with the affectionate and mournful behaviour of his widow, and the great purity of Joseph Andrews

How Joseph Andrews writ a letter to his sister Pamela

Sayings of wise men. A dialogue between the lady and her maid; and a panegyric, or rather satire, on the passion of love, in the sublime style

In which, after some very fine writing, the history goes on, and relates the interview between the lady and Joseph; where the latter hath set an example which we despair of seeing followed by his sex in this vicious age

What passed between the lady and Mrs Slipslop; in which we prophesy there are some strokes which every one will not truly comprehend at the first reading

Joseph writes another letter; his transactions with Mr Peter Pounce, &c., with his departure from Lady Booby

Of several new matters not expected

Containing many surprizing adventures which Joseph Andrews met with on the road, scarce credible to those who have never travelled in a stage-coach

What happened to Joseph during his sickness at the inn, with the curious discourse between him and Mr Barnabas, the parson of the parish

Being very full of adventures which succeeded each other at the inn

Showing how Mrs Tow-wouse was a little mollified; and how officious Mr Barnabas and the surgeon were to prosecute the thief: with a dissertation accounting for their zeal, and that of many other persons not mentioned in this history

The escape of the thief. Mr Adams's disappointment. The arrival of two very extraordinary personages, and the introduction of parson Adams to parson Barnabas

A pleasant discourse between the two parsons and the bookseller, which was broke off by an unlucky accident happening in the inn, which produced a dialogue between Mrs Tow-wouse and her maid of no gentle kind.

The history of Betty the chambermaid, and an account of what occasioned the violent scene in the preceding chapter

BOOK II.

Of Divisions in Authors

A surprizing instance of Mr Adams's short memory, with the unfortunate consequences which it brought on Joseph

The opinion of two lawyers concerning the same gentleman, with Mr Adams's inquiry into the religion of his host

The history of Leonora, or the unfortunate jilt

A dreadful quarrel which happened at the inn where the company dined, with its bloody consequences to Mr Adams

Conclusion of the unfortunate jilt

A very short chapter, in which parson Adams went a great way

A notable dissertation by Mr Abraham Adams; wherein that gentleman appears in a political light

In which the gentleman discants on bravery and heroic virtue, till an unlucky accident puts an end to the discourse

Giving an account of the strange catastrophe of the preceding adventure, which drew poor Adams into fresh calamities; and who the woman was who owed the preservation of her chastity to his victorious arm

What happened to them while before the justice. A chapter very full of learning

A very delightful adventure, as well to the persons concerned as to the good-natured reader

A dissertation concerning high people and low people, with Mrs Slipslop's departure in no very good temper of mind, and the evil plight in which she left Adams and his company


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.


PORTRAIT OF FIELDING, FROM BUST IN THE SHIRE HALL, TAUNTON

"JOSEPH, I AM SORRY TO HEAR SUCH COMPLAINTS AGAINST YOU"

THE HOSTLER PRESENTED HIM A BILL

JOSEPH THANKED HER ON HIS KNEES



THE HISTORY OF THE ADVENTURES OF JOSEPH ANDREWS AND HIS FRIEND MR ABRAHAM ADAMS

VOL. II.

CONTENTS


BOOK II.--continued.

An interview between parson Adams and parson Trulliber._

An adventure, the consequence of a new instance which parson Adams gave of his forgetfulness.

A very curious adventure, in which Mr Adams gave a much greater instance of the honest simplicity of his heart, than of his experience in the ways of this world.

A dialogue between Mr Abraham Adams and his host, which, by the disagreement in their opinions, seemed to threaten an unlucky catastrophe, had it not been timely prevented by the return of the lovers.

BOOK III.

Matter prefatory in praise of biography.

A night scene, wherein several wonderful adventures befel Adams and his fellow-travellers._

In which the gentleman relates the history of his life.

A description of Mr Wilson's way of living. The tragical adventure of the dog, and other grave matters.

A disputation on schools held on the road between Mr Abraham Adams and Joseph; and a discovery not unwelcome to them both.

Moral reflections by Joseph Andrews; with the hunting adventure, and parson Adams's miraculous escape.

A scene of roasting, very nicely adapted to the present taste and times.

Which some readers will think too short and others too long.

Containing as surprizing and bloody adventures as can be found in this or perhaps any other authentic history.

A discourse between the poet and the player; of no other use in this history but to divert the reader.

Containing the exhortations of parson Adams to his friend in affliction; calculated for the instruction and improvement of the reader.

More adventures, which we hope will as much please as surprize the reader.

A curious dialogue which passed between Mr Abraham Adams and Mr Peter Pounce, better worth reading than all the works of Colley Cibber and many others.

BOOK IV.

The arrival of Lady Booby and the rest at Booby-hall.

A dialogue between Mr Abraham Adams and the Lady Booby.

What passed between the lady and lawyer Scout.

A short chapter, but very full of matter; particularly the arrival of Mr Booby and his lady.

Containing justice business; curious precedents of depositions, and other matters necessary to be perused by all justices of the peace and their clerks.

Of which you are desired to read no more than you like.

Philosophical reflections, the like not to be found in any light French romance. Mr Booby's grave advice to Joseph, and Fanny's encounter with a beau.

A discourse which happened between Mr Adams, Mrs Adams, Joseph, and Fanny, with some behaviour of Mr Adams which will be called by some few readers very low, absurd, and unnatural.

A visit which the polite Lady Booby and her polite friend paid to the parson.

The history of two friends, which may afford an useful lesson to all those persons who happen to take up their residence in married families.

In which the history is continued.

Where the good-natured reader will see something which will give him no great pleasure.

The history, returning to the Lady Booby, gives some account of the terrible conflict in her breast between love and pride, with what happened on the present discovery.

Containing several curious night-adventures, in which Mr Adams fell into many hair-breadth scapes, partly owing to his goodness, and partly to his inadvertency.

The arrival of Gaffar and Gammar Andrews with another person not much expected, and a perfect solution of the difficulties raised by the pedlar.

Being the last. In which this true history is brought to a happy conclusion.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

MR WILSON RELATES HIS HISTORY

PARSON ADAMS

HE RAN TOWARDS HER

This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.

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