Amelia, by Henry Fielding

Table of Contents

Introduction.

Dedication.

Book I.

1. Containing the exordium, &c.
2. The history sets out. Observations on the excellency of the English constitution and curious examinations before a justice of peace.
3. Containing the inside of a prison.
4. Disclosing further secrets of the prison-house.
5. Containing certain adventures which befel Mr. Booth in the prison.
6. Containing the extraordinary behaviour of Miss Matthews on her meeting with Booth, and some endeavours to prove, by reason and authority, that it is possible for a woman to appear to be what she really is not.
7. In which Miss Matthews begins her history.
8. The history of Miss Matthews continued.
9. In which Miss Matthews concludes her relation.
10. Table-talk, consisting of a facetious discourse that passed in the prison.

Book II.

1. In which Captain Booth begins to relate his history.
2. Mr. Booth continues his story.
3. The narrative continued. More of the touchstone.
4. The story of Mr. Booth continued. In this chapter the reader will perceive a glimpse of the character of a very good divine, with some matters of a very tender kind.
5. Containing strange revolutions of fortune
6. Containing many surprising adventures.
7. The story of Booth continued. — More surprising adventures.
8. In which our readers will probably be divided in their opinion of Mr. Booth’s conduct.
9. Containing a scene of a different kind from any of the preceding.

Book III.

1. In which Mr. Booth resumes his story.
2. Containing a scene of the tender kind.
3. In which Mr. Booth sets forward on his journey.
4. A sea piece.
5. The arrival of Booth at Gibraltar, with what there befel him.
6. Containing matters which will please some readers.
7. The captain, continuing his story, recounts some particulars which, we doubt not, to many good people, will appear unnatural.
8. The story of Booth continued.
9. Containing very extraordinary matters.
10. Containing a letter of a very curious kind.
11. In which Mr. Booth relates his return to England.
12. In which Mr. Booth concludes his story.

Book IV.

1. Containing very mysterious matter.
2. The latter part of which we expect will please our reader better than the former.
3. Containing wise observations of the author, and other matters.
4. In which Amelia appears in no unamiable light.
5. Containing an eulogium upon innocence, and other grave matters.
6. In which may appear that violence is sometimes done to the name of love.
7. Containing a very extraordinary and pleasant incident.
8. Containing various matters.
9. In which Amelia, with her friend, goes to the oratorio.

Book V.

1. In which the reader will meet with an old acquaintance.
2. In which Booth pays a visit to the noble lord.
3. Relating principally to the affairs of serjeant Atkinson.
4. Containing matters that require no preface.
5. Containing much heroic matter.
6. In which the reader will find matter worthy his consideration.
7. Containing various matters.
8. The heroic behaviour of Colonel Bath.
9. Being the last chapter of the fifth book.

Book VI.

1. Panegyrics on beauty, with other grave matters.
2. Which will not appear, we presume, unnatural to all married readers.
3. In which the history looks a little backwards.
4. Containing a very extraordinary incident.
5. Containing some matters not very unnatural.
6. A scene in which some ladies will possibly think Amelia’s conduct exceptionable.
7. A chapter in which there is much learning.
8. Containing some unaccountable behaviour in Mrs. Ellison.
9. Containing a very strange incident.

Book VII.

1. A very short chapter, and consequently requiring no preface.
2. The beginning of Mrs. Bennet’s history.
3. Continuation of Mrs. Bennet’s story.
4. Further continuation.
5. The story of Mrs. Bennet continued.
6. Farther continued.
7. The story farther continued.
8. Further continuation.
9. The conclusion of Mrs. Bennet’s history.
10. Being the last chapter of the seventh book.

Book VIII.

1. Being the first chapter of the eighth book.
2. Containing an account of Mr. Booth’s fellow-sufferers.
3. Containing some extraordinary behaviour in Mrs. Ellison.
4. Containing, among many matters, the exemplary behaviour of Colonel James.
5. Comments upon authors.
6. Which inclines rather to satire than panegyric.
7. Worthy a very serious perusal.
8. Consisting of grave matters.
9. A curious chapter, from which a curious reader may draw sundry observations.
10. In which are many profound secrets of philosophy.

Book IX.

1. In which the history looks backwards.
2. In which the history goes forward.
3. A conversation between Dr Harrison and others.
4. A dialogue between Booth and Amelia.
5. A conversation between Amelia and Dr Harrison, with the result.
6. Containing as surprizing an accident as is perhaps recorded in history.
7. In which the author appears to be master of that profound learning called the knowledge of the town.
8. In which two strangers make their appearance.
9. A scene of modern wit and humour.
10. A curious conversation between the doctor, the young clergyman, and the young clergyman’s father.

Book X.

1. To which we will prefix no preface.
2. What happened at the masquerade.
3. Consequences of the masquerade, not uncommon nor surprizing.
4. Consequences of the masquerade.
5. In which Colonel Bath appears in great glory.
6. Read, gamester, and observe.
7. In which Booth receives a visit from Captain Trent.
8. Contains a letter and other matters.
9. Containing some things worthy observation.

Book XI

1. Containing a very polite scene.
2. Matters political.
3. The history of Mr. Trent.
4. Containing some distress.
5. Containing more wormwood and other ingredients.
6. A scene of the tragic kind.
7. In which Mr. Booth meets with more than one adventure.
8. In which Amelia appears in a light more amiable than gay.
9. A very tragic scene.

Book XII.

1. The book begins with polite history.
2. In which Amelia visits her husband.
3. Containing matter pertinent to the history.
4. In which Dr Harrison visits Colonel James.
5. What passed at the bailiff’s house.
6. What passed between the doctor and the sick man.
7. In which the history draws towards a conclusion.
8. Thus this history draws nearer to a conclusion.
9. In which the history is concluded.