give me leave to retire, in order to 225 recollect myself. therly and sisterly love: indulgently 265 blamed my brother and sister for having taken up displeasure too lightly against me; and politically, if No one gainsaying, I made my silent compliments, and withdrew; leaving my brother and sister, as II thought, pleased, and as if they 230 wanted to congratulate each other on having occasioned so severe a beginning to be made with me. I went up to my chamber, and there with my faithful Hannah deplored 235 the determined face which the new proposal it was plain they had to make me wore. I had not recovered myself when I was sent for down to tea. I begged 240 by my maid to be excused attending; but on the repeated command went down with as much cheerfulness a I could assume; and had a new fault to clear myself of: for my brother, 245 so pregnant a thing is determined ill-will, by intimations equally rude and intelligible, charged my desire of being excused coming down, to sullens, because a certain person had 250 been spoken against, upon whom, as he supposed, my fancy ran. I could easily answer you, sir, said I, as such a reflection deserves: but I forbear. If I do not find a 255 brother in you, you shall have a sister in me. may so say, answered for my obedience to my father's will. Then 270 it would be all well, my father was pleased to say: Then they should dote upon me, was my brother's expression: Love me as well as ever, was my sister's: and my uncle's, that 275 I then should be the pride of their hearts. But, alas: what a forfeiture of all these must I make? This was the reception I had on my return from you. 280 Mr. Solmes came in before we had done tea. My uncle Antony presented him to me, as a gentleman he had a particular friendship for. My uncle Harlowe in terms equally favourable 285 for him. My father said, 'Mr. Solmes is my friend, Clarissa Harlowe.' My mother looked at him, and looked at me, now and then, as he sat near me, I thought with concern. I at 290 her, with eyes appealing for pity. At him, when I could glance at him, with disgust little short of affrightment. While my brother and sister Mr. Solmes'd him, and sir'd him up, 295 at every word. So caressed, in short, by all; yet such a wretch! But I will at present only add my humble thanks and duty to your honoured mother (to whom I will 800 particularly write, to express the grateful sense I have of her goodness to me), and that I am Your ever obliged HENRY FIELDING. HENRY FIELDING (1707-1754), born at Sharpham Park, in Somerset, was the son of a general in the army, descended from a noble family. From Eton College he passed to the University of Leyden in Cl. Harlowe. 305 order to study law; but he preferred to try literature in London. He began by writing for the stage, and, from 1728-1737, produced some twenty-three plays, mostly farces, or comedies in the style of Con greve (1670-1729), of which only the burlesque Tom Thumb (1730) is still remembered for its exuberant fun. When Walpole's Licensing Act for plays was introduced, Fielding resumed his law studies, and was actually called to the bar in 1740, and, in 1748, appointed Justice of the Peace for Westminster. In his capacity as a magistrate he zealously tried by word and deed to redress the graver social evils of the time. Meanwhile, however, he did not abandon literary work, but ardently engaged in journalism and novel-writing. In 1754, to restore his health, which was broken down by a dissipated life, he went to Lisbon, then a favourite health-resort, but he died there after a stay of two months. His first great novel, The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews (1742), written in imitation of Cervantes, was suggested by Richardson's Pamela, the sentimental morality of which he undertook to parody by the story of Pamela Andrews' brother, a virtuous footman who was tempted by a dissolute lady. But the original plan was soon set aside, and, in its stead, we receive wonderfully genuine satirical sketches of 18th century life, in which stands out the admirable figure of the simple and kind-hearted Parson Adams. With this work Fielding inaugurated a new style of fiction, the novel of manners, the particular aims and methods of which AN INTERVIEW BETWEEN PARSON ADAMS [From Joseph Andrews, Bk. II, Ch. 14 (1742)] Of Parson Adams came to the house | jokes, his own size being, with much of Parson Trulliber, whom he found stript into his waistcoat, with an apron on, and a pail in his hand, 6 just come from serving his hogs; for Mr. Trulliber was a parson on Sundays, but all the other six days might more properly be called a farmer. He occupied a small piece of land of his 10 own, besides which he rented a considerable deal more. His wife milked his cows, managed his dairy, and followed the markets with butter and eggs. The hogs fell chiefly to his 15 care; which he carefully waited on at home, and attended to fairs; on which occasion he was liable to many ale, rendered little inferior to that 35 Mr. Trulliber, being informed that | somebody wanted to speak to him, immediately slipt off his apron, and clothed himself in an old night-gown, being the dress in which he always 40 saw his company at home. His wife, who informed him of Mr. Adams's arrival, had made a small mistake; for she had told her husband, 'She believed there was a man come for man come for 45 some of his hogs'. This supposition made Mr. Trulliber hasten with the utmost expedition to attend his guest. He no sooner saw Adams, than, not in the least doubting the cause of 60 his errand to be what his wife had imagined, he told him, 'He was come in very good time; that he expected a dealer that very afternoon,' and added, 'they were all pure and fat, 65 and upwards of 20 score a-piece.' Adams answered, 'He believed he did not know him.' 'Yes, yes,' cried Trulliber, 'I have seen you often at fair; why, we have dealt before now, 60 mun, I warrant you. Yes, yes,' cries he, 'I remember thy face very well, but won't mention a word more till you have seen them, though I have never sold thee a flitch of such bacon 65 as is now in the stye.' Upon which he laid violent hands on Adams, and dragged him into the hog-stye, which was indeed but two steps from his parlour window. They were no 70 sooner arrived there, than he cried out, 'Do but handle them; step in, friend, art welcome to handle them, whether dost buy or no.' At which words, opening the gate, he pushed 76 Adams into the pigstye, insisting on it that he should handle them, before he would talk one word with him. Adams, whose natural complacence was beyond any artificial, 80 was obliged to comply before he was suffered to explain himself; and, laying hold on one of their tails, the unruly beast gave such a sudden spring, that he threw poor Adams all along in the mire. Trulliber, in- 85 stead of assisting him to get up, burst into a laughter, and, entering the stye, said to Adams, with some contempt, 'Why, dost not know how to handle a hog?' and was going to 90 lay hold of one himself; but Adams, who thought he had carried his complacence far enough, was no sooner on his legs, than he escaped out of the reach of the animals, and cried 95 out, 'Nihil habeo cum porcis: I am a clergyman, Sir, and am not come to buy hogs.' Trulliber answered, 'He was sorry for the mistake, but that he must blame his wife;' ad- 100 ding, 'she was ding, 'she was a fool, and always committed blunders.' He then desired him to walk in and clean himself, that he would only fasten up the stye and follow him. Adams desired 106 leave to dry his greatcoat, wig, and hat by the fire, which Trulliber granted. Mrs. Trulliber would have brought him a basin of water to wash his face; but her husband bid 110 her be quiet, like a fool as she was, or she would commit more blunders, and then directed Adams to the pump. While Adams was thus employed, Trulliber, conceiving no great 115 respect for the appearance of his guest, fastened the parlour door, and now conducted him into the kitchen, telling him he believed a cup of drink would do him no harm, and 120 whispered his wife to draw a little of the worst ale. After a short silence, Adams said, 'I fancy, Sir, you already perceive me to be a clergyman.' 'Ay, ay,' cries Trulliber, 125 grinning; 'I perceive you have some cassock; I will not venture to caale it a whole one.' Adams answered, 'It was indeed none of the best; but he had the misfortune to tear it 130 about ten years ago in passing over a stile.' Mrs. Trulliber, returning with the drink, told her husband, 'She fancied the gentleman was a tra135 veller, and that he would be glad to eat a bit.' Trulliber bid her hold her impertinent tongue, and asked her, If parsons used to travel without horses?' adding, 'He supposed the 140 gentleman had none by his having no boots on.' 'Yes, Sir, yes,' says Adams, 'I have a horse, but I have left him behind me.' 'I am glad to hear you have one,' says Trulliber; 145 'for I assure you, I don't love to see clergymen on foot; it is not seemly, nor suiting the dignity of the cloth.' Here Trulliber made a long oration on the dignity of the 150 cloth (or rather gown) not much worth relating, till his wife had spread the table, and set a mess of porridge on it for his breakfast. He then said to Adams, 'I don't know, friend, how 155 you came to caale on me; however, as you are here, if you think proper to eat a morsel, you may.' Adams accepted the invitation, and the two parsons sat down together; Mrs. Trul160 liber waiting behind her husband's chair, as was, it seems, her custom. Trulliber eat heartily, but scarce put anything in his mouth without finding fault with his wife's cookery. All 165 which the poor woman bore patiently. Indeed, she was so absolutely an admirer of her husband's greatness and importance, of which she had frequent hints from his own mouth, that 170 she almost carried her adoration to an opinion of his infallibility. To say the truth, the parson had exercised her more ways than one; and the pious woman had so well edified by 175 her husband's sermons, that she had resolved to receive the bad things of this world together with the good. She had indeed been at first a little contentious; but he had long since 180 got the better, partly by her love for this, partly by her fear of that, partly by her religion, partly by the respect he paid himself, and partly by that which he received from the parish. She had, in short, absolutely 186 submitted, and now worshipped her husband as Sarah did Abraham, calling him (not lord, but) master. Whilst they were at table, her husband gave her a fresh example of 190 his greatness; for, as she had just delivered a cup of ale to Adams, he snatched it out of his hand, and, crying out, 'I caal'd vurst,' swallowed down the ale. Adams denied it; it 195 was referred to the wife, who, though her conscience was on the side of Adams, durst not give it against her husband. Upon which he said, 'No, Sir, no; I should not have been so 200 rude to have taken it from you, if you had caal'd vurst; but I'd have you know I'm a better man than to suffer the best he in the kingdom to drink before me in my own house, 205 when I caale vurst.' As soon as their breakfast was ended, Adams began in the following manner: 'I think, Sir, it is high time to inform you of the business 210 of my embassy. I am a traveller, and am passing this way in company with two young people, a lad and a damsel, my parishioners, towards my own cure; we stopt at a house of 215 hospitality in the parish, where they directed me to you, as having the cure.' Though I am but a curate,' says Trulliber, I believe I am as warm as the vicar himself, or perhaps 220 the rector of the next parish too; I believe I could buy them both.' 'Sir,' cries Adams, 'I rejoice thereat. Now, Sir, my business is that we are by various accidents stript of 225 our money, and are not able to pay our reckoning, being seven shillings. I therefore request you to assist me with the loan of those seven shillings, and also seven shillings more, which, 230 peradventure, I shall return to you; but if not, I am convinced you will joyfully embrace such an opportunity of laying up a treasure in a better 235 place than any this world affords.' Suppose a stranger, who entered the chambers of a lawyer, being imagined a client, when the lawyer was preparing his palm for the fee, 240 should pull out a writ against him. Suppose an apothecary, at the door of a chariot containing some great doctor of eminent skill, should, instead of directions to a patient, pre245 sent him with a potion for himself. Suppose a minister should, instead of a good round sum, treat my Lord or Sir -- or Esq. with a good broomstick. Suppose a 250 civil companion, or a led captain, should, instead of virtue, and honour, and beauty, and parts, and admiration, thunder vice, and infamy, and ugliness, and folly, and contempt in his pa255 tron's ears. Suppose, when a tradesman first carries in his bill, the man of fashion should pay it; or suppose, if he did so, the tradesman should abate what he had overcharged on 260 the supposition of waiting. In short, — suppose what you will, you never can nor will suppose anything equal to the astonishment which seized on Trulliber, as soon as Adams had 265 ended his speech. A while he rolled his eyes in silence; sometimes surveying Adams, then his wife, then casting them on the ground, then lifting them up to heaven. At last, At last, 270 he burst forth in the following accents: 'Sir, I believe I know where to lay up my little treasure as well as another. I thank God, if I am not so warm as some. I am content; 276 that is a blessing greater than riches; and he to whom that is given, need ask no more. To be content with a little, is greater than to possess the world; which a man may possess without being so. Lay up my trea- 280 sure! what matters where a man's treasure is whose heart is in the scripture? there is the treasure of a christian.' At these words the water ran from Adams's eyes; and, 285 catching Trulliber by the hand in a rapture, 'Brother,' says he, 'heavens bless the accident by which I came to see you; I would have walked many a mile to have communed with 290 you; and, believe me, I will shortly pay you a second visit; but my friends, I fancy, by this time, wonder at my stay; so let me have the money immediately.' Trulliber then put on a 295 stern look, and cried out, "Thou dost not intend to rob me?' At which the wife, bursting into tears, fell on her knees, and roared out, 'O dear Sir! for heaven's sake don't rob my 300 master, we are but poor people.' 'Get up, for a fool as thou art, and go about thy business,' said Trulliber; 'dost think the man will venture his life? he is a beggar, and no robber.' 305 'Very true, indeed,' answered Adams. 'I wish, with all my heart, the tithingman was here,' cries Trulliber; 'I would have thee punished as a vagabond for thy impudence. Fourteen shillings 810 indeed! I won't give thee a farthing. I believe thou art no more a clergyman than the woman there (pointing to his wife); but if thou art, dost deserve to have thy gown stript over 315 thy shoulders for running about the country in such a manner.' I forgive your suspicions,' says Adams; 'but suppose I am not a clergyman, I am, nevertheless, thy brother; and 320 thou, as a christian, much more as a clergyman, art obliged to relieve my distress.' 'Dost preach to me?' replied Trulliber; 'dost pretend to instruct me in my duty?' 'Ifacks, a 325 good story,' cries Mrs. Trulliber, 'to preach to my master.' 'Silence, woman,' cries Trulliber; I would have |