that there are such men as Sikes, who, being closely followed through the same space of time, and through the same current of circumstances, would not give, by one look or action of a moment, the faintest indication of a better nature. Whether every gentler human feeling is dead within such bosoms, or the proper chord to strike has rusted, and is hard to find, I do not know; but, that the fact is so, I am sure.

(Ch. xiii, xv, xvi, xix-xxii, xxviii, xxxix, xliv, xlvii, xlviii, 1.) Sowerberry, Mr. A parochial undertaker, to whom Oliver Twist is apprenticed. (Ch. iv, v, vii.) See BUMBLE, Mr.

Sowerberry, Mrs. His wife, "a short, thin, squeezed-up woman, with a vixenish countenance" and disposition. (Ch. iv-vii.) See BUMBLE, MR.

Thingummy, Mrs. An old nurse at the workhouse, who assists Oliver Twist into the world. (Ch. i.)

Twist, Oliver. A poor, nameless orphan-boy, born in the workhouse of an English village, whither his young mother, an outcast and a stranger, had come to lie down and die. He is "brought up by hand," and "farmed out " at a branch establishment, where twenty or thirty other juvenile offenders against the poor-laws are starved, beaten, and abused by an elderly woman named Mrs. Mann. On his ninth birthday, Mr. Bumble, the beadle, visits the branch, and removes him to the workhouse, to be taught a useful trade.

The room [in the workhouse] in which the boys were fed was a large stone hall, with a copper at one end, out of which the master, dressed in an apron for the purpose, and assisted by one or two women, ladled the gruel at meal-times; of which composition each boy had one porringer, and no more, except on festive occasions, — and then he had two ounces and a quarter of bread besides. The bowls never wanted washing: the boys polished them with their spoons till they shone again; and, when they had performed this operation (which never took very long, the spoons being nearly as large as the bowls), they would sit staring at the copper with such eager eyes, as if they could devour the very bricks of which it was composed; employing themselves meanwhile in sucking their fingers most assiduously, with the view of catching up any stray splashes of gruel that might have been cast thereon. Boys have generally excellent appetites. Oliver Twist and his companions suffered the tortures of slow starvation for three months: at last they got so voracious and wild with hunger, that one boy, who was tall for his age, and had n't been used to that sort of thing (for his father had kept a small cook's shop), hinted darkly to his companions, that, unless he had another basin of gruel per diem, he was afraid he should some night eat the boy who slept next him, who happened to be a weakly youth of tender age. He had a wild, hungry eye; and they implicitly believed him. A council was held. Lots were cast who should walk up to the master after supper that evening, and ask for more; and it fell to Oliver Twist.

The evening arrived. The boys took their places; the master, in his cook's uniform, stationed himself at the copper; his pauper assistants ranged themselves behind him: the gruel was served out, and a long grace was said over the short commons. The gruel disappeared; and the boys whispered to each other,

and winked at Oliver, while his next neighbors nudged him. Child as he was, he was desperate with hunger, and reckless with misery. He rose from the table, and advancing, basin and spoon in hand, to the master, said, somewhat alarmed at his own temerity,

"Please, sir, I want some more."

The master was a fat, healthy man; but he turned very pale. He gazed in stupefied astonishment on the small rebel for some seconds; and then clung for support to the copper. The assistants were paralyzed with wonder, and the boys with fear.

"What!" said the master at length in a faint voice.

"Please, sir," replied Oliver "I want some more."

The master aimed a blow at Oliver's head with the ladle, pinioned him in his arms, and shrieked aloud for the beadle.

The Board were sitting in solemn conclave, when Mr. Bumble rushed into the room in great excitement, and, addressing the gentleman in the high chair, said, — Mr. Limbkins, I beg your pardon, sir! Oliver Twist has asked for more." There was a general start. Horror was depicted on every countenance.

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"For more!" said Mr. Limbkins. "Compose yourself, Bumble, and answer me distinctly. Do I understand that he asked for more after he had eaten the supper allotted by the dietary?"

"He did, sir," replied Bumble.

"That boy will be hung," said the gentleman in the white waistcoat. "I know that boy will be hung."

Nobody controverted the prophetic gentleman's opinion. An animated discussion took place. Oliver was ordered into instant confinement; and a bill was next morning pasted on the outside of the gate, offering a reward of five pounds to anybody who would take Oliver Twist off the hands of the parish: in other words, five pounds and Oliver Twist were offered to any man or woman who wanted an apprentice to any trade, business, or calling.

After serving a short apprenticeship to Mr. Sowerberry, parish undertaker, and being cruelly abused, he runs off, and makes his way, under the guidance of Mr. John Dawkins (alias the " Artful Dodger") to London, where he is decoyed into the den of Fagin, an old Jew, and a receiver of stolen goods, who employs a number of young persons of both sexes to carry on a systematic trade of theft. From this haunt of vice, where he is cautiously and gradually instructed in the art of larceny, he is temporarily rescued (see FANG), but is recaptured, and watched more closely than before to prevent his escape. His assistance, however, being very necessary to the execution of a contemplated burglary, he is forced to accompany two confederates of the Jew (Sikes and flash Toby Crackit) on their house-breaking expedition. But the plan fails, as the family are alarmed; and the robbers flee, taking with them Oliver, who has been shot, and severely wounded. Being closely pursued, they drop the boy into a ditch, and dart off at full speed. On recovering his senses, Oliver wanders about till he comes to the very house

he had entered. On being admitted, he is kindly cared for by the lady of the house, Mrs. Maylie, and her niece Rose, who, on hearing his story, save him from arrest, and educate him and love him. The detection and punishment of the Jew and his accomplices, and the identification of Oliver through the zealous efforts of his new friends (among whom he finds an aunt in Rose Maylie), bring the tale to a happy conclusion. (Ch. i-xii, xiv-xvi, xviii, xx-xxii, xxviii-xxxvi, xli, li-liii.) See BUMBLE (MR.), FAGIN, Monks, SIKES (BILL).

PRINCIPAL INCIDENTS.

" with Mrs.

CHAPTER I. Oliver Twist is born; his mother dies. -II. He is "farmed Mann; Mr. Bumble visits Mrs. Mann, explains how Oliver received his name, and takes him to the workhouse; Oliver is brought before the "Board," and assigned to picking oakum; appointed by lot among the starved boys, he asks for "more," and is duly punished for his temerity.-III. Mr. Gamfield's negotiations for Oliver. IV. Mr. Sowerberry converses with Mr. Bumble on parish undertaking and juries; takes Oliver, who - V. Becomes acquainted with Noah Claypole; on account of his "interesting expression of melancholy," Oliver is promoted to be a "mute," and attends his first funeral. -- VI. He knocks down Noah Claypole; the excitement caused by this exhibition of spirit. VII. His punishment; he runs away. VIII. Experiences divers hardships and ill-treatment; meets Jack Dawkins "the Artful Dodger; "goes with him to London. IX. Hears Fagin's soliloquy over a box of stolen watches and jewelry. The "Artful Dodger" and Charley Bates report their success in pocket-picking at an execution.-X. Oliver goes out to operate with them; is arrested. - XI. His trial. - XII. His sickness at Mr. Brownlow's; Mr. Brownlow visits him, and is surprised by his familiar look; reception of the Dodger and Charley Bates by Fagin, after Oliver's arrest.— XIII. Bill Sikes, with his dog, enters Fagin's room; their altercation; Nancy goes to the police-office to learn where Oliver is. - XIV. Mr. Brownlow's kindness to Oliver; his conversation with him, with Mr. Grimwig; Oliver is sent with a parcel to a bookseller. - XV. He is caught by Nancy. -XVI. Impression produced on Fagin's thieves by his return and good clothes; Oliver's grief at having Mr. Brownlow's money and the parcel of books taken from him; he attempts to run away; Nancy protects him when retaken; her rage against Sikes and Fagin. - XVII. Mr. Bumble visits the "porochial" nursery; Dick astounds him by desiring to have some one write a note expressing his love for Oliver, and his wish to die; Mr. Bumble sees Mr. Brownlow's advertisement for Oliver, and calls on him; tells a very unfavorable story of Oliver's parentage and character. -XVIII. The “Dodger" advises Oliver to become a "prig," to make friends with Fagin, and to steal, because, if he did n't, somebody else would; Oliver becomes acquainted with Tom Chitling, just out of the house of correction.-XIX. Sikes and Fagin plan a burglary in which Oliver must assist. -XX. Fagin tells Oliver he must go with Sikes, and gives him a book of murders to read till sent for; Nancy takes him to Sikes, who gives him his instructions. - XXI. Their journey. - XXII. Preparations for the burglary by Sikes and Toby Crackit; Oliver's grief and terror at learning their plan, and that he must aid in executing it; he enters the house of Mrs. Maylie. is shot, and carried off by Sikes and Crackit.-XXIII. Mrs. Corney makes a cup of tea, and has some reflections over it; Mr. Bumble calls, and discusses the obstinacy of paupers, and the great "porochial" safeguard, to give them exactly what they don't want; takes a cup of tea with Mrs. Corney, and becomes tender. -XXIV. An old

pauper-woman on her death-bed gives hints of a revelation concerning Oliver's mother. XXV. A game of whist at Fagin's; Toby Crackit reports to Fagin the ill-success of the burglary. XXVI. Fagin seeks intelligence of Sikes among the traders in stolen goods; at the Three Cripples; at Sikes's own room; almost betrays his own guilt to Nancy; has a conference with Monks. -XXVII. Hints of great things that might be said concerning beadles; Mr. Bumble, having weighed and counted Mrs. Corney's silver plate while she was at Old Sally's death-bed, on her return concludes his courtship; on his way home interrupts Noah Claypole eating oysters from Charlotte's hand. - XXVIII. Abandonment of Oliver by Sikes and Crackit after the burglary; conversation between Giles and Brittles while pursuing them; Oliver recovers consciousness, and wanders to the house he had entered the previous night; Giles's report to the other servants of the incidents of the burglary; in the midst of his narrative Oliver knocks, and, after considerable strategy, is admitted. - XXIX. Rose Maylie; the doctor comes to dress Oliver's wound. - XXX. Mrs. Maylie and Rose look at Oliver sleeping, and Rose pleads for mercy toward him; he tells his story; the doctor challenges Giles and Brittles to identify Oliver as the boy who had broken into Mrs. Maylie's house. - XXXI. Blathers and Duff examine the premises, and report their opinion of the burglary; after taking some spirits they become loquacious, and tell how Conkey Chickweed robbed himself; they look at Oliver, and contemn Giles and Brittles for their contradictory testimony.-XXXII. Oliver expresses his gratitude to Rose; the doctor takes him to see Mr. Brownlow, and at Chertsey Bridge rushes into the house Oliver points out as the one from which Sikes and Crackit had gone to commit the burglary; Oliver's disappointment at finding that Mr. Brownlow had gone to the West Indies; his duties and delights in the country-house to which Mrs. Maylie moved in the spring. XXXIII. Rose is taken sick; Oliver goes to the market-town with a letter for the doctor; encounters Monks; Rose comes out of the crisis of her fever to live. XXXIV. Oliver, overjoyed, walks out, and meets Giles with Harry Maylie; Harry tells his mother his love for Rose; Giles's gallantry on the night of the burglary rewarded; Oliver sleeps, and dreams that Fagin and Monks are watching him; wakes, and finds it real. - XXXV. The fruitless search for them; Harry tells Rose his love; she explains why she must not become his wife. - XXXVI. The doctor and Harry Maylie leave Mrs. Maylie's. XXXVII. Mr. Bumble as master of the workhouse; discussion of prerogative between him and Mrs. (Corney) Bumble; settled decisively in her favor; Mr. Bumble, going into a public-house to regain his composure, meets Monks, and makes numerous inquiries concerning Oliver's mother and the woman who nursed her. - XXXVIII Mr. and Mrs. Bumble go to Monks's hiding-place; Mrs. Bumble, after demanding and receiving twenty pounds, relates what Old Sally told her about Oliver's mother; hands Monks a locket containing two locks of hair and a gold wedding-ring, which he drops through a trap-door, and then dismisses Mr. and Mrs. Bumble. - XXXIX. Sikes recovers from a fever; Fagin and his boys bring refreshments; Nancy goes with Fagin for some money for Sikes; she overhears a conversation between Fagin and Monks; gives an opiate to Sikes; goes to find Miss Maylie. - XL. She repeats what she heard Monks tell Fagin about Oliver; Rose pleads with her to abandon her wretched course of life. - XLI. Oliver accidentally discovers Mr. Brownlow; Rose goes to his house with Oliver; Mr. Grimwig's excitement at hearing her account of Oliver; joyful surprise of Mr. Brownlow and Mrs. Bedwin at seeing Oliver; discussion of the best mode of clearing up the mystery of his parentage, and securing Monks. - XLII. Noah Claypole and Charlotte, having robbed Mr. Sowerberry, go to London; they stop at the Three Cripples; Fagin overhears their conversation; shows that he knows of their theft, and proposes that they join his gang; Noah enters heartily into his plan, and agrees to undertake stealing money from children sent on errands. - XLIII. Fagin explains how Noah cannot take care of himself without having special regard to Fagin's interests; the "Artful Dodger" is arrested; Fagin expatiates to his other boys on the unusual glory of attaining to the dignity of transportation for life at the Dodger's" tender age; Noah (now Morris Bolter) gos to the police-office to learn the "Dodger's" fate; his examination and committal. - XLIV. Nancy tries to keep her appointment with Rose, Sunday night, but is prevented by Sikes; Fagin observes her efforts, and resolves to learn her secret, and so strengthen his influence over her. - XLV. He sends Noah to follow her the next Sunday night.-XLVI. Noah dogs her steps to London Bridge, where Mr. Brownlow and Rose Maylie meet her; she tells them why she failed to

meet them before; describes Monks; is urged to forsake her vile companions, but declares she cannot.-XLVII. Fagin tells Sikes of her disclosures; Sikès, in a frenzy of rage, goes to his room, tells Nancy she was watched and overheard at London Bridge, and kills her. XLVIII. His flight; at an inn a peddler offers to take a blood-stain out of his hat; he hears the murder talked of at the mail-coach; tries to sleep, but the murdered girl's eves and figure haunt him; helps at a fire; goes back to London. - XLIX. Mr. Brownlow causes Monks to be seized; tells him the story of his father, mother, and Oliver; convinces him that his villany, and the proofs of it, are well known; makes him promise a complete statement of facts in regard to Oliver, and full restitution of money of which he had defrauded him. L. Jacob's Island, where Fagin's gang took refuge after his arrest; Chitling's account of Fagin's capture; Sikes's dog, which he had vainly tried to drown, reaches the island; Sikes himself come, fearfully haggard; Charley Bates so horrified as to attack him; his hiding-place is discovered, and a fierce crowd try to capture him; his frantic efforts to escape; accidentally hangs himself; and his dog-springing at him-falls, and dashes out his brains.- LI. Oliver's sensations as he goes to his native town; he is shocked at sight of Monks; aided by Mr. Brownlow, Monks relates to Oliver's benefactors the circumstances of the death of his and Oliver's father, and describes the will and letter he left; the destruction of the will by Monks's mother; his promise to hunt down Oliver; his bribing of Fagin to insnare Oliver, and his own exposure; Mr. and Mrs. Bumble are summoned; Mrs. Bumble denies all knowledge of Monks and the locket, but two old pauper-women, who overheard Old Sally's confession, refresh her memory; Mr. Bumble's opinion of the law, which supposes the wife acts under her husband's direction; Rose's parentage made known; Harry, having reduced his circumstances to match hers, and become a clergyman, wins her hand.-LII. Fagin on trial; his sentence; his last days and nights; Mr. Brownlow and Oliver visit him; he tells Oliver where he put the papers given him by Monks. — LIII. Last look at the principal surviving characters.