30. Happier prospects begin to appear. Let us be inflexible, and
fortune will at last change in our favour

31. Former benevolence now repaid with unexpected interest

32. The Conclusion



CHAPTER 1

The description of the family of Wakefield; in which a kindred
likeness prevails as well of minds as of persons

I was ever of opinion, that the honest man who married and
brought up a large family, did more service than he who continued
single, and only talked of population. From this motive, I had
scarce taken orders a year before I began to think seriously of
matrimony, and chose my wife as she did her wedding gown, not for
a fine glossy surfaces but such qualities as would wear well. To
do her justice, she was a good-natured notable woman; and as for
breeding, there were few country ladies who could shew more. She
could read any English book without much spelling, but for
pickling, preserving, and cookery, none could excel her. She
prided herself also upon being an excellent contriver in house-
keeping; tho' I could never find that we grew richer with all her
contrivances. However, we loved each other tenderly, and our
fondness encreased as we grew old. There was in fact nothing that
could make us angry with the world or each other. We had an