THE HISTORY OF TOM JONES, A FOUNDLING By Henry Fielding CONTENTS DEDICATION BOOK I -- CONTAINING AS MUCH OF THE BIRTH OF THE FOUNDLING AS IS NECESSARY OR PROPER TO ACQUAINT THE READER WITH IN THE BEGINNING OF THIS HISTORY. 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. BOOK II -- CONTAINING SCENES OF MATRIMONIAL FELICITY IN DIFFERENT DEGREES OF LIFE; AND VARIOUS OTHER TRANSACTIONS DURING THE FIRST TWO YEARS AFTER THE MARRIAGE BETWEEN CAPTAIN BLIFIL AND MISS BRIDGET ALLWORTHY. 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 who understand them most.