THE VICAR

OF WAKEFIELD


A TALE


Supposed to be written by Himself


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,