This ebook edition has been proofed, corrected and compiled to be read with without errors!
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Contents:
VOLUME I.
I. FISHERMAN DAVY: A FISH OUT OF WATER
II. HUNGER DRIVES HIM A-FISHING
III. THE FISH ARE AS HUNGRY AS HE IS
IV. HE LANDS AN UNEXPECTED FISH
V. A LITTLE ORPHAN MERMAID
VI. FINDS A HOME OF SOME SORT
VII. BOAT versus BARDIE
VIII. CHILDREN WILL BE CHILDREN
IX. SAND-HILLS TURNED TO SAND-HOLES
X. UNDER THE ROCK
XI. A WRECKER WRECKED
XII. HOW TO SELL FISH
XIII. THE CORONER AND THE CORONET
XIV. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EVIDENCE
XV. A VERDICT ON THE JURY
XVI. TRUTH LIES SOMETIMES IN A WELL
XVII. FOR A LITTLE CHANGE OF AIR
XVIII. PUBLIC APPROBATION
XIX. A CRAFT BEYOND THE LAW
XX. CONFIDENTIAL INTERCOURSE
XXI. CROSS-EXAMINATION
XXII. ANOTHER DISAPPOINTMENT
XXIII. INTO GOOD SOCIETY
XXIV. SOUND INVESTMENTS
XXV. A LONG GOOD-BYE
XXVI. BRAUNTON BURROWS
VOLUME II.
XXVII. A FINE SPECTACLE
XXVIII. SOMETHING ABOUT HIM
XXIX. A VISIT TO A PARSON
XXX. ON DUTY
XXXI. TWO LOVERS
XXXII. AMONG THE SAVAGES
XXXIII. IN A STATE OF NATURE
XXXIV. WAITING AND LEARNING
XXXV. THE POLITE FERRYMAN
XXXVI. UNDER FAIRER AUSPICES
XXXVII. TWO POOR CHILDREN
XXXVIII. A FINE OLD GENTLEMAN
XXXIX. NOTICE TO QUIT
XL. FORCIBLE EJECTMENT
XLI. THE RIGHT MAN IN THE RIGHT PLACE
XLII. THE LITTLE MAID AND THE MIDSHIPMAN
XLIII. A FINE PRICE FOR BARDIE
XLIV. PROVIDES FOR EDUCATION
XLV. INTRODUCES A REAL HERO
XLVI. AFTER SEVEN YEARS
XLVII. MISCHIEF IN A HOUSEHOLD
VOLUME III.
XLVIII. A BREATHLESS DISINTERMENT
XLIX. ONE WHO HAS INTERRED HIMSELF
L. A BRAVE MAN RUNS AWAY
LI. TRIPLE EDUCATION
LII. GREAT MARCH OF INTELLECT
LIII. BEATING UP FOR THE NAVY
LIV. TAMING OF THE SAVAGES
LV. UPON FOREIGN SERVICE
LVI. EXILES OF SOCIETY
LVII. MANY WEAK MOMENTS
LVIII. MORE HASTE, LESS SPEED
LIX. IN A ROCKY BOWER
LX. NELSON AND THE NILE
LXI. A SAVAGE DEED
LXII. A RASH YOUNG CAPTAIN
LXIII. POLLY AT HOME
LXIV. SUSAN QUITE ACQUITS HERSELF
LXV. SO DOES POOR OLD DAVY
LXVI. THE MAID AT LAST IS "DENTIFIED"
LXVII. DOG EATS DOG
LXVIII. THE OLD PITCHER AT THE WELL AGAIN
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An Excerpt From the Beginning of:
VOLUME I
CHAPTER I
FISHERMAN DAVY: A FISH OUT OF WATER
I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living. Yet no peace there is for me among my friends and neighbours, unless I will set to and try--as they bid me twice a-day, perhaps--whether I cannot tell the rights of a curious adventure which it pleased Providence should happen, off and on, amidst us, now for a good many years, and with many ins and outs to it. They assure me, also, that all good people who can read and write, for ten, or it may be twenty, miles around the place I live in, will buy my book--if I can make it--at a higher price, perhaps, per lb., than they would give me even for sewin, which are the very best fish I catch: and hence provision may be found for the old age and infirmities, now gaining upon me, every time I try to go out fishing.
In this encouragement and prospect I have little faith, knowing how much more people care about what they eat than what they read. Nevertheless I will hope for the best, especially as my evenings now are very long and wearisome; and I was counted a hopeful scholar, fifty years agone perhaps, in our village school here--not to mention the Royal Navy; and most of all, because a very wealthy gentleman, whose name will appear in this story, has promised to pay all expenses, and £50 down (if I do it well), and to leave me the profit, if any.
Notwithstanding this, the work of writing must be very dull to me, after all the change of scene, and the open air and sea, and the many sprees ashore, and the noble fights with Frenchmen, and the power of oaths that made me jump so in his Majesty's navy. God save the King, and Queen, and members of the Royal Family, be they as many as they will--and they seem, in faith, to be manifold. But His power is equal to it all, if they will but try to meet Him.
However, not to enter upon any view of politics--all of which are far beyond the cleverest hand at a bait among us--I am inditing of a thing very plain and simple, when you come to understand it; yet containing a little strangeness, and some wonder, here and there, and apt to move good people's grief at the wrongs we do one another. Great part of it fell under mine own eyes, for a period of a score of years, or something thereabout. My memory still is pretty good; but if I contradict myself, or seem to sweep beyond my reach...
