The Tobias Smollett Library

In which the young and artful Ferdinand Count Fathom discovers the unexpected affection of his mistress’s enchanting maid, Teresa, and cunningly resolves to employ her passion to further his own ambitious designs. With a mixture of eloquence and guile, he secures her oath-bound alliance, drawing her into a secret compact that intertwines their fates under a veil of amorous intrigue and whispered v...

In which the young Ferdinand, attended by the favour of a noble family and the affections of his patron’s daughter, refines his accomplishments in music and the arts, whilst deftly manoeuvring to win her esteem with cautious artifice and heartfelt, if not entirely sincere, passion. His endeavours culminate in a feigned illness designed to reveal her true sentiments, which instead brings upon him t...

In which the mother of the young hero, possessed of undaunted spirit and martial ardour, distinguishes herself with valiant exploits amidst the tumult of battle, though her boldness ultimately leads to a tragic end. Meanwhile, the youthful Ferdinand, recently orphaned but under the kindly protection of a noble patron, displays early signs of sagacity and loyalty by uncovering a plot of desertion w...

In which young Ferdinand Count Fathom finds himself under the protective roof of a kind Hungarian family, sharing education and companionship with the heir, whose contrasting talents and dispositions forge a singular friendship marked by both admiration and subtle rivalry. Amidst scholastic trials and the subtle arts of social manoeuvre, Ferdinand’s ingenious duplicity and adeptness in gentler acc...

In which we are introduced to the peculiar infancy of Ferdinand Count Fathom, nurtured in an unconventional manner and marked by his mother’s restless spirit and resolute occupations amidst the shifting fortunes of military life. His early years unfold between the rough camaraderie of soldiers and the bustling scenes of camps and garrisons, all the while shaped by his mother’s sharp tongue and hop...

In which the mother of our young hero, seized by the turmoil of war between the Ottoman and Austrian forces, accompanies the army to the frontier, seeking both profit and a rugged education for her son amid the harsh realities of the camp. There, her compassion and skill earn the gratitude of a wounded Imperial officer, who becomes the family's protector and benefactor, shaping the boy’s future wi...

In which the reader is introduced to a novel by Tobias Smollett that departs from his usual vigorous and lively style, presenting characters and incidents with a melodramatic and romantic air rather than the familiar Georgian hustle and bustle. The work reveals a more structured, imaginative narrative that prefigures later romantic and detective fiction, though it frequently lacks the vitality and...

In which the narrator, embracing the judicious counsel of Cardinal de Retz, undertakes the task of recounting the curious origins and unsettled parentage of Ferdinand Count Fathom, a man born under singular and somewhat scandalous circumstances. The narrative anticipates the reader’s potential fastidiousness with humorous reverence, promising a progression from humble beginnings toward the loftier...

In which Sir Launcelot Greaves triumphantly unravels the conspiracy against him, vindicates his honour through legal means, and secures the happiness of those around him with wise generosity and just retribution. The narrative gently concludes with the joyful union of true affection and the harmonious restoration of social order, marked by heartfelt celebrations and promising futures.

In which Sir Launcelot Greaves, unjustly confined and branded mad, rouses his indignation and cunning his faithful friends to discover and execute his release from captivity, unveiling the secret machinations that oppressed him. Thereupon, amidst scenes of tender reunion and the careful plotting of justice, the knight embarks upon a noble endeavour to restore liberty to a kindred spirit similarly...

In which our intrepid Sir Launcelot Greaves finds himself forcibly detained in a mysterious and grim asylum, where the murmurings and disputes of its eccentric inmates and the oppressive atmosphere confound his reason and hope. Amidst solitary confinement and subtle oppression, he encounters unexpected signs that rekindle his resolute spirit, compelling him to deliberate with caution and devise me...

In which the tale of Captain Clewline and his wife is recounted, revealing the tragic fall of a once-respected couple to destitution and despair within the King’s Bench prison. Sir Launcelot witnesses the varied temperaments and fortunes of the imprisoned, discerning the true sufferers from those who merely mimic distress, and generously aids a family enduring genuine adversity.

In which Sir Launcelot’s sudden absence provokes anxious inquiries among his friends, leading them to seek the counsel of a mysterious conjurer who divulges unsettling revelations through stars and shadows. Amidst spectral omens and prophetic warnings, the faithful Timothy Crabshaw contends with grim fates foretold, whilst Captain Crowe wrestles with grief and suspicion over his master’s mysteriou...

In which Mr. Sycamore, styled the knight of the Griffin, challenges Sir Launcelot Greaves to a chivalrous combat over the affections of a lady, resulting in a dramatic and disorderly encounter marked by scruples, mishaps, and spirited brawls among their retainers. Meanwhile, the knight receives distressing news from Mrs. Dolly Cowslip concerning Miss Aurelia Darnel’s fortunes, prompting thoughtful...

In which Sir Launcelot Greaves, upon arriving in London, endeavours to uncover the mysterious whereabouts of his beloved Aurelia by engaging the assistance of trusted companions and making inquiries within the city’s prisons. Amidst his search, he is introduced to the curious and lively world of debtor’s confinement, where factions feud and a singular duel is fought with unexpected passions and so...

In which Sir Launcelot Greaves and his peculiar companion Captain Crowe seek refuge at an inn after a tumultuous encounter, revealing Crowe’s swollen head and odd dialect while recounting his misadventures with a tinker's armour and a scuffle on the highway. The knight intercedes in a local legal dispute involving boisterous farmers, deftly navigating accusations and disputes with charm and genero...

In which the whimsical Squire Sycamore, attended by his sharp-tongued companion Davy Dawdle, challenges the celebrated Sir Launcelot Greaves to a contest of chivalry over the affections of a fair lady, stirring quite a commotion at the inn. Our knight, contemplative and steadfast in his principles, declines the challenge, yet events build towards a spirited encounter that promises to test both val...

In which Sir Launcelot Greaves discovers the sudden absence of his beloved Aurelia and confronts the innkeeper with equal parts fury and desperation, whilst nursing his squire through a curious medical recovery under the care of a sceptical physician. The knight’s restless journey is interrupted by a raucous affray, leading to an unexpected reunion and an impetuous victory against a motley crowd,...

In which Sir Launcelot Greaves is granted a masked audience with the exquisite and venerable Aurelia, leading to a poignant exchange rife with emotion, misunderstandings, and tender revelations. Their moment of fledgling happiness is abruptly disturbed by alarming cries for help, prompting the knight to pursue a mysterious assault upon his squire, setting in motion a night of anxious pursuit and u...

In which Sir Launcelot Greaves wrestles with the cruel letter that severs his hopes, yet resolves to seek adventure and distraction from his heart’s turmoil, soon embarking upon a quest to return lost valuables to a lady in distress. The narrative unfolds the grievous circumstances surrounding the fair Miss Aurelia Darnel, whose oppressive guardian and sinister intrigues have cast her into captivi...

In which the triumphs of our knight-errant raise admiration and embroil him in a quarrel with a seafaring companion over the merits of love and valour, while his devoted squire suffers for his loyalty. Later, Sir Launcelot encounters insolent impostors interrupting the peace of an inn and aids a pair of distressed young ladies, whose mysterious flight and noble demeanour kindle a deep meditation u...

In which Sir Launcelot Greaves, aided by his steadfast companions, confronts the oppressive Justice Gobble and seeks redress for wrongful imprisonment and cruelty inflicted upon the vulnerable, employing both legal counsel and cunning stratagems. The narrative unfolds with the restoration of familial bonds and the promise of peace and prosperity for those unjustly aggrieved, underscoring the knigh...

In which Sir Launcelot Greaves, detained without cause by the overbearing Justice Gobble, uncovers a litany of grievances from prisoners oppressed by the magistrate's cruel and petty authority. Moved by the heartrending plight of a distraught madwoman and the general injustice inflicted upon the innocent, the knight petitions boldly for lawful redress and declares his intention to pursue justice.

In which Sir Launcelot encounters a vociferous quack hawking his dubious elixir beyond the town gates, stirring a crowd with a curious mixture of scorn and melancholy truth, and soon finds himself drawn into a complex tangle involving an imprisoned friend, a mysterious coach and its distressed passengers, and the unjust captivity of his ever-loyal squire. Amidst this perplexing episode, the knight...

In which Sir Launcelot awakens to the tumult of a spirited election day, marked by rival processions, clamorous factions, and a dramatic speech from each candidate, stirring the passions of the assembled crowd. Amidst this lively contest, the knight interposes with a reasoned plea for wisdom and honour in choosing representatives, only to find himself challenged by the keen animosities and follies...