LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. FRONTISPIECE-HOGARTH'S PORTRAIT OF HENRY FIELDING. FACING PAGE TO HIS GREAT SURPRISE HE BEHELD AN INFANT, WRAPPED UP IN 8 OH! THE DEAR LITTLE CREATURE! THE DEAR, SWEET, PRETTY 15 SHE PLAYED 140 HE BROKE FROM HER WITH SUCH VIOLENCE, THAT HER FACE 273 SOPHIA HAD FAINTED AWAY IN HER LOVER'S ARMS 278 HE FELL INTO THE MOST VIOLENT AGONIES, TEARING HIS HAIR 289 HE THEN FIRED HIS PIECE, AND FELL FLAT ON HIS FACE 368 BOOK I. CONTAINING AS MUCH OF THE BIRTH OF THE FOUNDLING AS IS NECESSARY OR PROPER TO ACQUAINT THE READER WITH IN THE BEGINNING OF THIS HISTORY. VOL. I. B THE HISTORY OF A FOUNDLING CHAPTER I. THE INTRODUCTION TO THE WORK, OR BILL OF FARE TO THE FEAST. AN author ought to consider himself, not as a gentleman who gives a private or eleemosynary treat, but rather as one who keeps a public ordinary, at which all persons are welcome for their money. In the former case, it is well known that the entertainer provides what fare he pleases; and though this should be very indifferent, and utterly disagrecable to the taste of his company, they must not find any fault; nay, on the contrary, good breeding forces them outwardly to approve and to commend whatever is set before them. Now the contrary of this happens to the master of an ordinary. Men who pay for what they eat will insist on gratifying their palates, however nice and whimsical these may prove; and, if everything is not agreeable to their taste, will challenge a right to censure, to abuse, and to d-n their dinner without control. To prevent therefore giving offence to their customers by any such disappointment, it hath been usual with the honest and well-meaning host to provide a bill of fare, which all persons may peruse at their first entrance into the house; and having thence acquainted themselves with the entertainment which |