CHAPTER XIV. Comprising further Partículars of Oliver's stay at Mr. Brown- XV. Showing how very fond of Oliver Twist, the merry old Jew XVI.-Relates what became of Oliver Twist, after he had been XVII.-Oliver's Destiny, continuing unpropitious, brings a Great Man XVIII.-How Oliver passed his time, in the improving society of XIX. In which a notable Plan is discussed and determined on XX. Wherein Oliver is delivered over to Mr. William Sikes XXI.-The Expedition XXII.-The Burglary XXIII. Which contains the substance of a pleasant Conversation XXIV.—Treats of a very poor Subject. But is a short one; and may be found of importance in this History XXV.-Wherein this History reverts to Mr. Fagin and Company XXVI. In which, a mysterious Character appears upon the scene; XXVII.-Atones for the unpoliteness of a former Chapter; which deserted a Lady, most unceremoniously XXVIII.-Looks after Oliver, and proceeds with his Adventures XXIX. Has an introductory Account of the Inmates of the House, XXX.-Relates what Oliver's new Visitors thought of him XXXI.-Involves a critical Position XXXII. Of the happy life Oliver began to lead with his kind Friends 123 129 133 137 146 151 158 161 165 173 CHAPTER XXXIII.-Wherein the Happiness of Oliver and his Friends experiences a sudden Check XXXV.-Containing the unsatisfactory result of Oliver's Adventure; and XXXVI. Is a very short one, and may appear of no great importance XXXVII.-In which the Reader may perceive a Contrast, not uncommon XXXVIII.-Containing an Account of what passed between Mr. and Mrs. XXXIX.-Introduces some respectable Characters with whom the Reader XL. A strange Interview, which is a Sequel to the last Chapter like Misfortunes, seldom come alone XLII.-An old Acquaintance of Oliver's, exhibiting decided marks PAGE 179 185 193 198 200 207 214 225 230 237 244 252 XLV. Noah Claypole is employed by Fagin on a secret Mission 257 LI.-Affording an Explanation of more Mysteries than One, and comprehending a proposal of Marriage with no Word of 278 285 MR. CLAYPOLE AS HE APPEARED WHEN HIS MASTER WAS OUT 150 MR. BUMBLE DEGRADED IN THE EYES OF THE PAUPERS 204 THE EVIDENCE DESTROYED 213 MR. FAGIN AND HIS PUPIL RECOVERING NANOY 216 THE JEW AND MORRIS BOTH BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER 241 THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE ΤΟ THE THIRD EDITION. "Some of the author's friends cried, 'Lookee, gentlemen, the man is a villain; but it is Nature for all that;' and the young critics of the age, the clerks, apprentices, &c., called it low, and fell a groaning."-FIELDING. THE greater part of this Tale was originally published in a magazine. When I completed it, and put it forth in its present form three years ago, I fully expected it would be objected to on some very high moral grounds in some very high moral quarters. The result did not fail to prove the justice of my anticipations. I embrace the present opportunity of saying a few words in explanation of my aim and object in its production. It is in some sort a duty with me to do so, in gratitude to those who sympathized with me and divined my purpose at the time, and who, perhaps, will not be sorry to have their impression confirmed under my own hand. It is, it seems, a very coarse and shocking circumstance, that some of the characters in these pages are chosen from the most criminal and degraded of London's population; that Sikes is a thief, and Fagin a receiver of stolen goods; that the boys are pickpockets, and the girl is a prostitute. I confess I have yet to learn that a lesson of the purest good may not be drawn from the vilest evil. I have always believed this to be a recognised and established truth, laid down by the greatest men the world has ever seen, constantly acted upon by the best and wisest natures, and confirmed by the reason and experience of every thinking mind. I saw no reason, when I wrote this book, why the very dregs of life, so long as their speech did not offend the ear, should not serve the purpose of a moral, at least as well as its froth and cream. Nor did I doubt that there lay festering in Saint Giles's as good materials towards the truth as any flaunting in Saint James's. In this spirit, when I wished to show, in little Oliver, the principle of Good surviving through every adverse circumstance, and triumphing at last; and when I considered among what companions I could try him best, having regard to that kind of men into whose hands he would most naturally fall; b X THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE I bethought myself of those who figure in these volumes. When I came to discuss the subject more maturely with myself, I saw many strong reasons for pursuing the course to which I was inclined. I had read of thieves by scores-seductive fellows (amiable for the most part), faultless in dress, plump in pocket, choice in horseflesh, bold in bearing, fortunate in gallantry, great at a song, a bottle, pack of cards or dice-box, and fit companions for the bravest. But I had never met (except in HOGARTH) with the miserable reality. It appeared to me that to draw a knot of such associates in crime as really do exist; to paint them in all their deformity, in all their wretchedness, in all the squalid poverty of their lives; to show them as they really are, for ever skulking uneasily through the dirtiest paths of life, with the great, black, ghastly gallows closing up their prospect, turn them where they may; it appeared to me that to do this, would be to attempt a something which was greatly needed, and which would be a service to society. And therefore I did it as I best could. In every book I know, where such characters are treated of at all, certain allurements and fascinations are thrown around them. Even in the Beggar's Opera, the thieves are represented as leading a life which is rather to be envied than otherwise; while MACHEATH, with all the captivations of command, and the devotion of the most beautiful girl and only pure character in the piece, is as much to be admired and emulated by weak beholders, as any fine gentleman in a red coat who has purchased, as VOLTAIRE says, the right to command a couple of thousand men, or so, and to affront death at their head. Johnson's question, whether any man will turn thief because Macheath is reprieved, seems to me beside the matter. I ask myself, whether any man will be deterred from turning thief because of his being sentenced to death, and because of the existence of Peachum and Lockit; and remembering the captain's roaring life, great appearance, vast success, and strong advantages, I feel assured that nobody having a bent that way will take any warning from him, or will see anything in the play but a very flowery and pleasant road, conducting an honourable ambition in course of time, to Tyburn Tree. In fact, Gay's witty satire on society had a general object, which made him careless of example in this respect, and gave him other, wider, and higher aims. The same may be said of Sir Edward Bulwer's admirable and most powerful novel of Paul Clifford, which cannot be fairly considered as having, or being intended to have, any bearing on this part of the subject, one way or other. What manner of life is that which is described in these pages, as the everyday existence of a Thief? What charms has it for the young and ill-disposed, what allurements for the most jolter-headed of juveniles? Here are no canterings upon moonlit heaths, no merry-makings in the snuggest of all possible caverns, none of the attractions of dress, no embroidery, no lace, no jack-boots, no crimson coats and ruffles, none of the dash and freedom with which "the |