The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Vicar of Wakefield, by Oliver Goldsmith

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Title: The Vicar of Wakefield

Author: Oliver Goldsmith

Posting Date: January 8, 2009 [EBook #2667]
Release Date: June, 2001

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VICAR OF WAKEFIELD ***

Produced by Charles J. Griep

THE VICAR OF WAKEFIELD

A TALE

Supposed to be written by Himself

By Oliver Goldsmith

Sperate miseri, cavete faelices

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

2. Family misfortunes. The loss of fortune only serves to
increase the pride of the worthy

3. A migration. The fortunate circumstances of our lives are
generally found at last to be of our own procuring

4. A proof that even the humblest fortune may grant
happiness, which depends not on circumstance, but
constitution 5. A new and great acquaintance introduced.
What we place most hopes upon generally proves most fatal

6. The happiness of a country fire-side

7. A town wit described. The dullest fellows may learn to be
comical for a night or two

8. An amour, which promises little good fortune, y