The Adventures of David Simple

It is possible that The Adventures of David Simple would have been far better known as a work of some importance in the early development of English fiction had the authoress' name not been Fielding. To be the near relative of [a great genius]( is by no means a passport to fame: a good many instance

Preface BY THE AUTHOR OF "[TOM JONES]( As so many worthy persons have, I am told, ascribed the honour of this performance to me, they will not be surprised at seeing my name to this preface; nor am I very insincere, when I call it an honour; for if the authors of the age are amongst the number of th

BOOK I CHAPTER I the birth, parentage, and education of mr. david simple Mr. David Simple was the eldest son of Mr. Daniel Simple, a mercer on Ludgate Hill.

CHAPTER II in which are seen the terrible consequences which attend envy and selfishness It will perhaps surprise the reader as much as it did poor David, to find that Daniel, notwithstanding the appearance of friendship he had all along kept up with his brother, was in reality one of those wretches

CHAPTER III in which is seen the possibility of a married couple's leading an uneasy life Mutual fondness, and the desire of marrying with each other, had prevailed with the two servants, who were the cause of poor David's misfortunes, and the engines of Daniel's treachery, to consent to an action w

CHAPTER IV the first setting out of mr. david simple on his journey; with some very remarkable and uncommon accidents The first thought which naturally occurs to a man who is going in search of anything, is, which is the most likely method of finding it. Our hero, therefore, began to consider seriou

CHAPTER V in which is contained a most curious dialogue between a young woman and her confidante Just as Mr. David and his mistress were on the point of being married, there came one day a rich Jew to Mr. Johnson's house, in order to deal with him for some jewels. As he had been a long time an acqua

CHAPTER VI which treats of variety of things, just as they fell out to the hero of our history David was going up to his mistress' chamber, to desire her company to walk; when he came near the door, he fancied he heard the voice of a woman in affliction, which made him run in haste to know what was

CHAPTER VII containing a remarkable contention between three sisters Poor David's heart was ready to burst. He ordered his coach to drive into Fleet Street, where he presently took a lodging; and now being at some distance from the cause of his torment, and at liberty to reflect on what had passed,

CHAPTER VIII wherein is to be seen the infallibility of men's judgments concerning the virtues or vices of their own wives; a scene taken from very low life, in which only such examples are to be found As David was one day walking along the Strand, full of these reflections, he met a man with so con

CHAPTER IX containing some proofs, that all men are not exactly what they wish to pass for in the world The next lodging our hero took, was near Covent Garden; where he met a gentleman who accidentally lodged in the same house, whose conversation Mr. Simple was mightily charmed with. He had somethin

CHAPTER X which teacheth mankind a true and easy method of serving their friends After dinner, Mr. Orgueil proposed going to the new play, which he heard had made a great noise in the town. David said, he would accompany him wherever he went, but it was what he had hitherto avoided; from hearing tha

CHAPTER XI which contains some strong intimations, that the human mind is not always totally exempt from pride The next day passed without any occurrence worth mentioning, when in the evening Mr. Orgueil perceiving his friend to be very melancholy, did all he could to make him throw off the thoughts

BOOK II CHAPTER I which is writ only with a view to instruct readers, that whist is a game very much in fashion David's next scheme was to converse amongst people in high life, and try if their minds were as refined as the education and opportunities they had of improving themselves, gave him hopes

CHAPTER II which contains a conversation, in which is proved, how high taste may be carried by people who have fixed resolutions of being criticks When David was alone, he began to reflect with himself, what could be the meaning that Mr. Spatter seemed to take such delight in abusing people; and yet

CHAPTER III which proves memory to be the only qualification necessary to make a modern critick The next night they went to a tavern, where there were three gentlemen whom Spatter had promised to meet; and as the ceremony is not so difficult to introduce men to each other as women, they soon fell in

CHAPTER IV in which is seen the negative description most proper to set forth the no qualities of a great number of creatures who strut about on the face of the earth The next morning David asked Spatter what it was he meant by his nobodies. He told him he meant a number of figures of men, whom he k

CHAPTER V in which people of no fortune may learn what monstrous ingratitude they are guilty of, when they are insensible of the great obligation of being ill-used; with many other things which i shall not acquaint the reader with beforehand David could not sleep that night for reflecting on this co

CHAPTER VI in which is displayed the misery young persons who have any taste suffer unless they are bred up with reasonable people "I cannot say I ever had any happiness in my life; for while I was young I was bred up with my father and mother, who, without designing me any harm, were continually te

CHAPTER VII the continuation of the history of cynthia, with an account in what manner she was suddenly transformed from a wit into a toad-eater, without any visible change in either her person or behaviour David went exactly at the time appointed the next day; and, after some little discourse, Cynt

CHAPTER VIII a continuation of cynthia's story The next evening, after the usual civilities had passed between David and Cynthia, she, at his request, went on with her story. "I spent the whole time I was abroad in misery; because my Lady ——— chose to see me unhappy, and sighing at her tyranny, inst

CHAPTER IX in which mr. simple gave a fresh proof, that he was not insensible of his fellow-creatures' sufferings My hero now had left Varnish, and Cynthia was gone out of town; so that he was to begin the world again. And the next fancy he took into his head, was to dress himself in a mean habit, t

CHAPTER X the history of camilla "The task I have undertaken, sir, cannot be performed without interruptions from the remembrance of past sorrows; but I make no question you will be so good as to pardon my weaknesses. Nay, from what I have observed of your disposition, I believe you will sympathize

BOOK III CHAPTER I the continuation of the history of camilla The next day, the first opportunity Camilla had of being alone with David, on his desire she proceeded as follows——— "Valentine was now all the comfort I had left me; his passions were either not so strong, or his resolutions stronger; fo