Viewing the work in this more subtile and contemplative light, the reader will find not only the true test by which to judge of its design and nature, but he may also recognize sources of interest in the story which might otherwise have been lost to him; and if so, the Author will not be without excuse for this criticism upon the scope and intention of his own work. For it is not only the privilege of an artist, but it is also sometimes his duty to the principles of Art, to place the spectator in that point of view wherein the light best falls upon the canvas. “Do not place yourself there,” says the painter; “to judge of my composition you must stand where I place you.” CONTENTS. Book I. CHAPTER I. Of the Hero’s Birth and Parentage.--Nothing can differ more from the End of Things than their Beginning CHAPTER II. A Family Consultation.--A Priest, and an Era in Life CHAPTER III. A Change in Conduct and in Character: our evil Passions will some- times produce good Effects; and on the contrary, an Alteration for the better in Manners will, not unfrequently, have amongst its Causes a little Corruption of Mind; for the Feelings are so blended that, in suppressing those disagreeable to others, we often suppress those which are amiable in themselves CHAPTER IV. A Contest of Art and a League of Friendship.--Two Characters in mutual Ignorance of each other, and the Reader no wiser than either of them CHAPTER V. Rural Hospitality.--An extraordinary Guest.--A Fine Gentleman is not necessarily a Fool CHAPTER VI. A Dialogue, which might be dull if it were longer CHAPTER VII. A Change of Prospects.--A new Insight into the Character of the Hero. --A Conference between two Brothers CHAPTER VIII. First Love CHAPTER IX. A Discovery and a Departure CHAPTER X. A very short Chapter,--containing a Valet CHAPTER XI. The Hero acquits himself honourably as a Coxcomb.--A Fine Lady of the Eighteenth Century, and a fashionable Dialogue; the Substance of fashionable Dialogue being in all Centuries the same CHAPTER XII. The Abbe’s Return.--A Sword, and a Soliloquy CHAPTER XIII. A mysterious Letter.-A Duel.--The Departure of one of the Family CHAPTER XIV. Being a Chapter of Trifles CHAPTER XV. The Mother and Son.--Virtue should be the Sovereign of the Feelings, not their Destroyer Book II. CHAPTER I. The Hero in London.--Pleasure is often the shortest, as it is the earliest road to Wisdom, and we may say of the World what Zeal-of- the-Land-Busy says of the Pig-Booth, “We escape so much of the other Vanities by our early Entering” CHAPTER II. Gay Scenes and Conversations.--The New Exchange and the Puppet- Show.--The Actor, the Sexton, and the Beauty CHAPTER III. More Lions CHAPTER IV. An intellectual Adventure CHAPTER V. The Beau in his Den, and a Philosopher discovered