PRINCIPAL INCIDENTS.

CHAPTER I. Mrs. Copperfield, sitting by the firc, is startled by the appearance of Miss Betsey Trotwood; their conversation upon the late Mr. Copperfield, &c.; birth of David, and sudden disappearance of Miss Betsey. - II. David relates some of the incidents of his carly childhood; his first meeting with Mr. Murdstone; Peggotty remonstrates with Mrs. Copperfield against the attentions of Mr. Murdstone; David goes to Lowestoft with Mr. Murdstone, and reports his conversation to his mother; Peggotty and David go to Yarmouth. III. David makes the acquaintance of Mr. Peggotty and his family, and falls in love with little Em'ly; he returns home, and finds his mother married to Mr. Murdstone. -IV. Mr. Murdstone takes David in hand; arrival of Miss Jane Murdstone, who assumes the place of housekeeper; David falls into disgrace over his lessons; he is beaten by Mr. Murdstone, whose hand he bites; he is imprisoned in his room for five days, as a punishment, and then sent from home to school. - V. David sends word to Peggotty that "Barkis is willin';" the friendly waiter relieves David by eating his dinner; David arrives in London, and is met by Mr. Mell of Salem House; they arrive at Salem House, and David has a placard, reading "Take care of him; he bites," attached to his back. - VI. Mr. Creakle and family return, and the school re-opens; Steerforth takes charge of David's money, and treats the boys in their bedroom therewith.-VII. David amuses the boys in his room by repeating the stories he has read; altercation between Steerforth and Mr. Mell, and Mr. Mell's dismission from the school; Mr. Peggotty and Ham visit David at the school, and are introduced to Steerforth. - VIII. David goes home for the holidays; Mr. Barkis informs him he is expecting an answer from Peggotty; in the absence of Mr. Murdstone and his sister, David spends a pleasant evening with his mother and Peggotty; David leads a wretched life during the holidays, and goes back to school. IX. He receives the news of his mother's death; returning home, he makes the acquaintance of Mr. Omer: Peggotty relates to David the circumstances of his mother's death.-X. Peggotty receives warning from Miss Murdstone, and she and David go again to Yarmouth; Peggotty concludes to accept Mr. Barkis's proposal, and they are married; David returns home, and falls into neglect; he is provided for by a situation in the house with which Mr. Murdstone is connected. - XI. David begins his life at Murdstone and Grinby's, and also meets Mr. Micawber, with whom he is to board; Mr. Micawber falls into difficulties, and is taken to the Debtors' Prison; he petitions the house of commons for a change in the laws for imprisonment for debt. - XII. He is released from confinement, and decides to leave London with his family; David determines to run away from Murdstone and Grinby's, and seek his aunt; his adventures and misfortunes on the road from London to Dover. — XIII. He introduces himself to Miss Betsey Trotwood; Mr. Dick's wise advice is asked and followed; Miss Betsey's indignation at the donkeys. — XIV. Mr. Dick, writing his memorial, finds some difficulty in keeping Charles the First out of it; Miss Betsey tells David Mr. Dick's story; she is visited by Mr. and Miss Murdstone, who come to claim David; she takes Mr. Dick's advice, and decides to keep him, giving him the name of Trotwood. — XV. David is taken to Canterbury by his aunt, where he is to be put to school; he makes the acquaintance of Mr. Wickfield and Agnes, with whom he is to board, and also of Urialı Jeep. -XVI. David begins his school-life at Dr. Strong's; he hears a conversation between r. Strong and Mr. Wickfield about Mr. Jack Maldon, and afterwards secs that gentleman Mr. Wickfield's; Uriah Heep explains his "umble" character and position; the party Dr. Strong's on the eve of Jack Maldon's departure for India; David discovers a peiar expression upon Mrs. Strong's countenance, which makes a lasting impression upon XVII. David hears from Mr. Dick the story of the strange man who frightens Miss twood; Mr. Dick makes friends with everybody; David takes tea with Uriah and his her, and Mr. Micawber unexpectedly "turns up; David enjoys a jovial dinner with Micawbers, and receives a dismal letter from Mr. Micawber directly afterwards. — [J. David takes a retrospective view of his school-days at Canterbury. - XIX. After ng school, his aunt advises a visit to Yarmouth; David first learns from Agnes the

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influence which Uriah Heep is gaining over Mr. Wickfield; he also hears of the illness and probable return of Mr. Jack Maldon; David meets Steerforth in London. -XX. David goes home with Steerforth; his reception by Mrs. Steerforth and Rosa Dartle.-XXI. His impressions of Littimer; Steerforth accompanies David to Yarmouth; Peggotty's joy at seeing David; Barkis grows a "little near; "David and Steerforth go to Mr. Peggotty's, and hear from him the story of the engagement of Ham and little Em'ly.-XXII. Steerforth shows David his gloomy side; Steerforth buys a boat, which he calls "The Little Em'ly;" they discover Martha following Ham and Emily; the "volatile " Miss Mowcher makes her appearance at the inn; they tell her the story of Emily; Emily befriends Martha, and sheds tears at the thought of her own unworthiness. - XXIII. David consults Steerforth in regard to his choice of a profession, and decides to become a proctor; Miss Betsey and David, on the way to Doctors' Commons, encounter the strange man who has such an effect upon her; David is articled to Spenlow and Jorkins, and makes his first visit to court; he takes the lodgings at Mrs. Crupp's. - XXIV. He gives a supper at his lodgings to Steerforth and his friends, becomes intoxicated, and goes in that condition to the theatre, where he meets Agnes. - XXV. His remorse on the following day; by Agnes's invitation he calls upon her, and she warns him against Steerforth; David meets Traddles at the dinner-party at Mr. Waterbrook's; David takes Uriah Heep home with him, and hears from him the particulars of the change in his expectations, and his designs in regard to Agnes. - XXVI. David goes home with Mr. Spenlow; he meets Miss Dora Spenlow, and falls in love at sight; Miss Murdstone appears as Dora's "confidential friend."- XXVII. David goes to see Traddles, and finds him boarding with Mr. and Mrs. Micawber.-— XXVIII. David gives a dinner-party to Traddles and the Micawbers, which is interrupted by the appearance of Littimer; Mr. Micawber throws down the gauntlet to society; Stecrforth's arrival at David's rooms; he brings news of the sickness of Mr. Barkis, and David decides to go down to Yarmouth; another gloomy letter from Mr. Micawber. - XXIX. David visits Steerforth at his home again. - XXX. Arriving at Yarmouth he hears from Mr. Omer of the unsettled state of little Em'ly; Mr. Barkis "goes out with the tide."— XXXI. Disappearance of Emily, who is carried away by Steerforth; Mr. Peggotty decides to seek his niece, leaving Mrs. Gummidge in charge of his house, Ham going to live with his aunt. XXXII. Miss Mowcher explains her connection with Steerforth's intimacy with Emily, and her determination to do what she can to rescue her; Mr. Peggotty and David call upon Mrs. Steerforth; passionate conduct of Rosa Dartle; Mr. Peggotty sets out on his journey.-XXXIII. David encounters Mr. Murdstone at the office of Mr. Spenlow; David attends a party on Dora's birthday, and falls deeper in love; he visits Dora at the house of her friend, Julia Mills, declares his passion, and is accepted; the engagement is to be kept a secret from Mr. Spenlow. XXXIV. Traddles gives David some information

in regard to the family connections of "the dearest girl in the world; " with Peggotty's assistance he redeems his household goods, taken on execution by Mr. Micawber's creditors; David, returning home, is astonished to find his aunt and Mr. Dick in his rooms, and to hear from her of the loss of her property. - XXXV. David makes an ineffectual attempt to cancel his articles; David's joy at unexpectedly meeting Agnes, who goes with him to see Miss Betsey, and they hear from her an account of her losses; Uriah Heep shows his increasing influence over Mr. Wickfield. - XXXVI. David becomes amanuensis to Dr. Strong, who has removed to London; he meets Mr. Jack Maldon, who has returged from India; David determines to learn short-hand reporting, and he and Traddles find er ployment for Mr. Dick; Mr. Micawber, about to leave London for Canterbury as the co fidential clerk of Uriah Heep, entertains David and Traddles, and settles his pecuniary ol ligations to the latter by presenting him his I. O. U. - XXXVII. David informs Dora of the change in his fortune and prospects. — XXXVIII. Traddles delivers parliamentary speeches, and David reports him; Mr. Spenlow discovers, through Miss Murdstone, the attachment of David and Dora, and forbids the engagement; sudden death of Mr. Speniow and the disordered state in which his affairs are found; Dora goes to live with her maiden aunts at Putney. - XXXIX. David finds Mr. Micawber installed as confidential clerk t Wickfield and Heep, and not altogether easy in the position; he consults Agnes on th state of his engagement to Dora, and by her advice writes to Dora's aunts; Uriah force his company upon David, and intimates his designs in regard to Agnes; effect upon M Wickfield of the knowledge of these designs. - XL. David encounters Mr. Peggotty, wh

relates his travels in search of Emily, and is overheard by Martha Endell. - XLI. David and Traddles go to Putney to see the Misses Spenlow, who consent, on certain conditions, to receive David's visits. - XLII. Agnes's first meeting with Dora; Uriah Heep attempts to convince Dr. Strong of the faithlessness of his wife, and the noble answer of the doctor to his aspersions; David gives Uriah a blow; David receives a singular letter from Mrs. Micawber. - XLIII. Marriage of David and Dora. - XLIV. Some account of their housekeeping. -XLV. Mr. Dick suspects the cause of the unhappiness of Mrs. Strong, and determines to "set things right; a convenient opportunity offering, he brings about the desired explanation. - XLVI. David, passing by Mrs. Steerforth s house, is called in by Rosa Dartle, who makes Littimer repeat to him the story of Steerforth and Emily, their separation, and Emily's flight; David repeats the story to Mr. Peggotty, and advises him to put Martha upon the watch for Emily, if she should return to London. -XLVII. David and Mr. Peggotty follow Martha to the river-side, and save her from suicide, and then secure her promise to devote herself to the task of saving Emily; David meets again the strange man who has such an influence over Miss Betsey, and learns from her that he is her husband. - XLVIII. Some further account of David's housekeeping, and the commencement of Dora's decline. - XLIX. David receives a mysterious letter from Mr. Micawber; Traddles has one equally mysterious from Mrs. Micawber; they meet Mr. Micawber by appointment, and find him in very low spirits; they take him home to Miss Trotwood's, where he is overcome by the cordiality of Mr. Dick; commits sundry strange blunders in his favorite occupation of making punch, and finally relieves his mind by a frantic denouncement of Uriah Heep. - L. Martha brings David news of Emily; going to Martha's lodging, they see Rosa Dartle enter the room, and from an unoccupied room they witness the interview between Rosa Dartle and Emily; Peggotty returns, and meets Emily.LI. He relates to David and Miss Betsey the story of Emily's escape from Littimer, how she was befriended by a poor cottager, and finally, reaching London, was rescued by Martha; he also informs them of his plan of emigrating with Emily to Australia; David calls upon Mr. Omer, and finds him in good spirits; Ham gives David a parting message for Emily; Mrs. Gummidge insists on going with Mr. Peggotty.-LII. Miss Betsey, Mr. Dick, Traddles, and David go down to Canterbury to keep their appointment with Mr. Micawber; interview in the office of Wickfield and Heep, where Micawber exposes the villany of Uriah, and Traddles, acting for Mr. Wickfield, makes certain demands with which Uriah thinks it best to comply; Miss Betsey and David witness the reconciliation of Mr. and Mrs. Micawber; Miss Betsey proposes to them emigration, with an offer of pecuniary assistance. -LIII. Dora's increasing weakness, and her death. - LIV. Mr. Micawber's preparations for emigrating; Traddles explains the condition of Mr. Wickfield's affairs, and the recovery of Miss Trotwood's property; they arrange Micawber's money matters; Miss Betsey tells David the reason of her recent trouble, and he accompanies her to the funeral of her husband; David writes to Emily, communicating Ham's last message, and receives her reply. - LV. The great storm at Yarmouth; David goes down to the shore to see the wrecked schooner, with the active figure conspicuous among her people; Ham attempts to reach the wreck, and is killed by the waves, and the body of the active seaman is washed ashore, and proves to be Steerforth. - LVI. David bears the news to Mrs. Steerforth; passionate manner of Rosa Darile towards Mrs. Steerforth. - LVII. The emigrants complete their preparations, and set sail, Mr. Peggotty taking Martha with him.-LVIII. David goes abroad, and remains for three years. - LIX. On his return he seeks Traddles, finds him married and keeping house, and with five of Sophy's sisters for visitors; David encounters Mr. Chillip, and hears news froin the Murdstones.— LX. He returns to Dover; Miss Betsey gives him a hint that Agnes's affections are engaged; David's interview with Agnes and her father, and Mr. Wickfield's story of her care and kindness. - LXI. A glimpse at the happy life of Traddles and Sophy; David and Traddles find Mr. Creakle a respected magistrate; under his escort they visit a model prison, and find Littimer and Uriah Heep among its inmates. - LXII. Miss Betsey strengthens David's belief in the attachment that Agnes has formed; questioning Agnes, David finds that he is himself the object of it. LXIII. Marriage of David and Agnes; ten years after, they receive a visit from Mr. Peggotty, who brings good accounts of all the emigrants. - LXIV. A last retrospect, showing what has happened to the principal personages of the story.

Bleak House.

IN the preface to "David Copperfield," Mr. Dickens promised to renew his acquaintance with the public by putting forth again "two green leaves once a month." This he did by bringing out, in 1852, in the familiar serial form, the first number of a new novel, called "Bleak House," after a tall, exposed brick building, which had been his summer residence at Broadstairs, - a favorite watering-place on the east coast of the Isle of Thanet. It was published by Bradbury and Evans, was illustrated by "Phiz," and ran through the usual twenty numbers. The preface was dated August, 1853; and the dedication was to the author's "companions in the guild of literature and art." The work was chiefly aimed at the vexatious delays of the Court of Chancery, and the enormous expense of prosecuting suits therein. At the time of publication there was a suit before the court which had been commenced nearly twenty years before; in which from thirty to forty counsel had been known to appear at one time; in which costs had been incurred to the amount of seventy thousand pounds; which was a friendly suit; and which was said to be no nearer to its termination then than when it was begun.

CHARACTERS INTRODUCED.

Badger, Mr. Bayham. A medical practitioner in London, to whom Richard Carstone is articled. Mr. Badger is noted principally for his enthusiastic admiration of his wife's former husbands; he being the third.

Mr. Bayham Badger. . . was a pink, fresh-faced, crisp-looking gentleman with a weak voice, white teeth, light hair, and surprised eyes, some years younger, I should say, than Mrs. Bayham Badger. He admired her exceedingly, but principally, and to begin with, on the curious ground (as it seemed to us) of her having had three husbands. We had barely taken our seats, when he said to Mr. Jarndyce, quite triumphantly,

"You would hardly suppose I was Mrs. Bayham Badger's third!"

"Indeed?" said Mr. Jarndyce.

"Her third," said Mr. Badger. "Mrs. Bayham Badger has not the appearance, Miss Summerson, of a lady who has had two former husbands?"

I said, "Not at all!"

"And most remarkable men!" said Mr. Badger in a tone of confidence. "Captain Swosser of the Royal Navy, who was Mrs. Badger's first husband, was a very distinguished officer indeed. The name of Professor Dingo, my immediate predecessor, is one of European reputation. ested. . . in this portrait of Captain Swosser.

Perhaps you may be inter

. I feel when I look at it...

that's a man I should like to have seen. . . . On the other side, Professor Dingo. I knew him well; attended him in his last illness. A speaking likeness! Over the piano, Mrs. Bayham Badger when Mrs. Swosser; over the sofa, Mrs. Bayham Badger when Mrs. Dingo. Of Mrs. Bayham Badger in esse, I possess the original, and have no copy."

(Ch. xiii, xvii, 1.)

Badger, Mrs. Bayham. A lady of about fifty, who dresses youthfully, and improves her fine complexion by the use of a little rouge. She is not only the wife of Mr. Badger, but the widow of Captain Swosser of the Royal Navy, and of Professor Dingo, to the loss of whom she has become inured by custom, combined with science, particularly science. (Ch. xiii, xvii.)

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Bagnet, Matthew, called LIGNUM VITE. An ex-artillery-man, tall and upright, with shaggy eyebrows, and whiskers like the fibres of a cocoanut, not a hair upon his head, and a torrid complexion." On leaving the service, he goes into "the musical business," and becomes a bassoon-player. Of his wife's judgment he has a very exalted opinion; though he never forgets the apostolic maxim that "the head of the woman is the man." To an old companion-inarms he says,

George! You know me. It 's my old girl that advises. She has the head; but I never own to it before her: discipline must be maintained. Wait till the greens is off her mind; then we'll consult. Whatever the old girl says do, do it."

(Ch. xxvii, xxxiv, xlix, liii, lxvi.) Bagnet, Mrs. His wife; a soldierly-looking woman, usually engaged in washing greens. (Ch. xxvii, xxxiv, xlix, liii, lv, lxvi.)

Mrs. Bagnet is not an ill-looking woman; rather large-boned, a little coarse in the grain, and freckled by the sun and wind, which have tanned her hair upon the forehead, but healthy, wholesome, and bright-eyed. A strong, busy, active, honest-faced won.an, of from forty-five to fifty.

Bagnet, Malta. Their elder daughter; so called in the family (though not so christened), from the place of her birth in barracks. (Ch. xxvii, xxxiv, xlix, lxvi.)

Bagnet, Quebec. Their younger daughter; so called in the fam