University of Virginia Library

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CONTENTS
OF
THE FIRST VOLUME.

BOOK I.
CONTAINING INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO SPEND AND HOW TO RETRIEVE
A FORTUNE.

• The Author's Preface—which the reader, if in a hurry, or if it be
  his practice to read against time, can omit...Page 5

• The birth and family of Sheppard Lee, with some account of his
  temper and complexion of mind... 7

• The pleasures of having nothing to do.—Some thoughts on
  matrimony...12

• How to conduct a farm to the best advantage, and steer clear of
  the lawyers... 18

• The Author finds himself in trouble.—Some account of his servant,
  honest James Jumble... 21

• Sheppard Lee experiences his share of the respect that is accorded
  to “honest poverty.”—His ingenious and highly original
  devices to amend his fortune... 26

• The Author becomes a Politician, and seeks for an office.—The
  result of that project... 30

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• A description of the Owl-roost, with Mr. Jumble's ideas in relation
  to Captain Kid's money... Page 32

• Sheppard Lee stumbles upon a happy man, and quarrels with
  him... 38

• Sheppard Lee has an extraordinary dream, which promises to be
  more advantageous than any of his previous ones. 42

• In which the reader is introduced to a personage who may claim
  his acquaintance hereafter... 47

• Sheppard Lee visits the village, makes a patriotic speech, and
  leaves the fence... 50

• What befell the Author on his way to the Owl-roost. 55

• Sheppard Lee digs for the buried treasure, and makes a blow with
  the mattock in the wrong place... 58

• In which Sheppard Lee finds himself in a quandary, which the
  reader will allow to be the most wonderful and lamentable ever
  known to a human being... 60

• Sheppard Lee finds comfort when he least expects it.—The extraordinary
  close of the catastrophe... 65

• A natural mistake, which, although it procures the Author a rough
  reception at his own house, has yet the good, effect to teach
  him the propriety of adapting his manners to his condition 69

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BOOK II.
CONTAINING SUNDEY ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE ADVANTAGES OF
GOOD LIVING, WITH A FEW CHAPTERS ON DOMESTIC FELICITY.

• Some passages in the life of John H. Higginson, Esq., the happy
  sportsman, with a surprising affliction that befell the Author Page 72

• The Author, being in prison, makes a confidant of a deputy attorney-general.—The
  inconvenience of telling a truth which
  happens to be somewhat incredible... 79

• Sheppard Lee is visited by new friends, released from prison, and
  carried to his new place of abode... 85

• Containing illustrations of the advantages of dying an unusual
  death in times of high political excitement... 90

• The true meaning of the word Podagra... 94

• Sheppard Lee's introduction to his wife, and his suspicion that all
  is not gold that glistens... 100

• A comparison between dunning and scolding, with some thoughts
  on suicide... 106

• Sheppard Lee forms sundry acquaintances, some of which are
  genteel... 111

• The Author grows weary of his wife, and mistakes the river
  Schuylkill for the river Lethe.—The tragical adventure that befell
  a young gentleman in that romantic tide, with its effects
  upon the destinies of Sheppard Lee... 120

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BOOK III.
CONTAINING MUCH THAT WILL BE INTERESTING TO YOUNG GENTLEMEN
IN DEBT, AND TO FATHERS OF FAMILIES WHO DESIRE
TO HAVE THEIR CHILDREN RISE IN THE WORLD.

• The inconveniences of being drowned.—The first chapter of the
  history of I. D. Dawkins, Esq.... Page 127

• A conversation betwixt the Author and his bosom friend, John
  Tickle, Esq.... 131

• In which Sheppard Lee is prepared for the brilliant destiny that
  awaits him... 137

• In which Sheppard Lee has an interview with a lady, who tells
  him a secret... 142

• An inventory of a young gentleman's effects, with some account
  of Mr. Sniggles, his landlord... 147

• Sheppard Lee hears news of his uncle, and Mr. Sniggles is
  brought to his senses... 153

• In which Sheppard Lee is told his history... 157

• A conversation with a tailor.—Sheppard Lee finds himself in a
  situation truly appalling... 164

• The Author receives a visit from his uncle, Samuel Wilkins, Esq.,
  and is relieved from his tormentors... 170

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• Some account of Sheppard Lee's country kinsmen Page 174

• Containing a morsel of metaphysics, with a short account of the
  Author's experience in good society... 178

• Sheppard Lee makes the acquaintance of his cousin, Miss Pattie
  Wilkins... 183

• A farther account of Miss Pattie Wilkins... 190

• A short chapter, containing an account of the Author's cousin,
  Samuel Wilkins, Jr.... 195

• In which Sheppard Lee visits Mr. Periwinkle Smith and his fair
  daughter, and is intrusted with a secret which both astonishes
  and afflicts him... 198

• Containing much instructive matter in relation to good society,
  whereby the ambitious reader can determine what are his prospects
  of entering it... 204

• In which Sheppard Lee relates the passion he conceived for his
  fair cousin, and his engagement to elope with her. 212

• In which Sheppard Lee recounts an engagement of a similar nature
  which he formed with the fair Alicia.. 217

• The ingenious devices with which Sheppard Lee prepared the
  way for his elopement... 226

• The guests that Sheppard Lee invited to his wedding. 233

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• Containing a dialogue, or curious conversation with nothing;
  with a discovery extremely astonishing to several persons Page 236

• In which Sheppard Lee finds that he has made the fortune of his
  friends, without having greatly advantaged his own. 242

• A crisis.—Sheppard Lee is reduced to great extremities, and
  takes refuge in the house of mourning... 247

• What happened in the dead-chamber.—The dirge of a wealthy
  parent... 249

BOOK IV.
CONTAINING ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE FOLLY OF BRINGING UP CHILDREN
IN THE WAY THEY SHOULD GO, AND THE WISDOM OF MAKING
A FORTUNE.

• The private history of Abram Skinner, the shaver. 256

• Sheppard Lee's first hit at money-making... 262

• Reflections on stock-jobbing and other matters.. 269