The Tobias Smollett Library

In which a nocturnal stratagem involving ghostly disguises and phantasmal apparitions unfolds to confront a beleaguered captain, producing a night of confounded terror and uproarious farce within a village inn. Thereafter, Sir Launcelot dispenses measured counsel on knighthood’s virtues and laws, resolving to guide the earnest but unseasoned mariner in his quest for chivalry.

In which the knight, undeterred by tempest and darkness, faces the capricious antics of his bewildering mount and the timid endeavours of his squire, Timothy Crabshaw, whose folly and fear provide both vexation and comic relief. Together they confront the perils of highway robbery, a lost horse, and a townsfolk’s suspicion, revealing a fragile balance between madness and courage amidst their knigh...

In which the restless squire awakens from a frightful nightmare and recounts the curious and extravagant pursuits of Sir Launcelot Greaves, including his strange knightly investiture and the peculiar selection and misadventures of his unconventional squire, Crabshaw. Their exploits culminate in an untoward encounter with a band of recruits, leading to a comic yet serious fray that tests Sir Launce...

In which a sea-captain, inspired by a whimsy to embrace the life of a knight-errant, receives cautious counsel from a learned surgeon and a skeptical nephew, while preparations are made for a curious vigil in a haunted church. The company conspires to temper the captain's fervour with a nocturnal fright, setting the stage for a night of solemn vigils and eerie anticipation.

In which the valiant Sir Launcelot Greaves rescues two ladies from peril and navigates the troubled waters of family discord and tender affections with a mixture of honour and passion. Amidst his benevolent yet contentious interventions in local affairs, the tale pauses on a note of sudden alarm within the quiet confines of his chamber.

In which an earnest narrative unfolds the singular character and fortunes of young Sir Launcelot Greaves, whose uncommon kindness to the humble folk of his parish and awkward reserve draw equal portions of admiration and concern from his neighbours and kin. The tale draws to a dramatic pause as old resentments kindle fierce discord, interrupting the quiet reading with threats of battle and a tempe...

In which a mysterious figure clad in armour bursts into a tavern bearing an unconscious squire, and amid lively debate and varied impressions, introduces himself as a modern knight-errant devoted to virtue and justice. His earnest declarations provoke both admiration and scepticism among the company, culminating in a tender revelation from a young man acquainted with the stranger's noble family.

In which four travellers, of divers professions and dispositions, seek refuge from a violent storm at a humble roadside inn, where their converse intertwines with legal disputations and philosophical dissent amidst the company of a humble landlady and her daughters. The peace of the evening is broken by ominous signals and a sudden, urgent knocking which stirs both alarm and curiosity among the as...

In which Peregrine Pickle, restored to liberty and fortune, anxiously seeks an immediate union with Emilia, culminating in a secret marriage attended by close friends and met with both eagerness and a touch of misgiving. The newlyweds' public debut confounds their detractors and delights admirers, setting the stage for the domestic joys and societal intrigues that attend their newfound station.

In which Peregrine Pickle, newly enriched by his late father's considerable estate, navigates the social and political attentions of his country neighbours with a prudent and temperate manner, while settling his domestic affairs and contending with family discord. On his return to London, a chance encounter leads him to a curious squire's residence, whose ludicrously altered ancestral portraits pr...

In which Peregrine, upon receiving unexpected news of inheritance, promptly leaves the Fleet accompanied by friends and returns to his father’s house to assert his rightful place amidst a household steeped in contention. He finds himself embroiled in familial discord, asserting authority over unyielding servants and a wrathful widow, while being warmly reunited with his devoted sister and making a...

In which Peregrine Pickle experiences a surge of conflicting emotions upon learning of Emilia’s unexpected fortune and a tender letter proposing reconciliation, yet he resolutely refuses to accept her offer, determined to uphold his own pride and honour. This delicate correspondence is abruptly interrupted by the sudden death of his father, whose estate is left intestate, thrusting Peregrine into...

In which our hero reconciles warmly with his companion the lieutenant and begins to rejoin society with renewed spirit and attire, entertaining kindly the reflections of past hardships and the presence of old friends. Various schemes for improving his condition are debated with good counsel, while he struggles with the delicate honour of accepting assistance or relinquishing cherished possessions.

In which Captain Gauntlet discovers the true source of his military promotion and seeks to reconcile with the long-misunderstood Mr. Pickle, whose fortunes have sadly waned. Their heartfelt meeting amid adversity is softened by the unexpected arrival of a hopeful letter, rekindling the flickering embers of friendship and human kindness.

In which our adventurer’s acquaintance with an old misanthrope stirs enmity among sailors whose violent designs are thwarted by public intervention, leading to their expulsion and a factional brawl within the Fleet’s precincts. The confinement weighs heavily upon Peregrine, whose generous heart and scholarly pursuits are undermined by mounting misfortunes and a souring resentment, causing him to r...

In which a most dismal account is unfolded of a young gentleman’s cruel dispossession and the unrelenting treachery of those who sought to bar his rightful inheritance, amidst schemes of deceit, imprisonment, and base villainy, yet his unwavering protector perseveres in the face of such adversity. Peregrine, moved by this extraordinary tale and accompanied by the priest’s further relation of a str...

In which our young hero, newly acquainted with the Fleet's rigours, receives a generous but anonymous donation and is soon joined by his steadfast friend Hatchway, whose persistent kindness leads to their cohabitation despite Pickle's delicate pride and insistence on self-reliance. The presence of Hatchway stirs local gossip and misunderstandings, prompting Pickle to react with a mixture of gratit...

In which a young gentleman emerges from bondage and naval service to assert a noble birthright long suppressed by a cruel uncle, whose machinations extend from legal intrigues to deadly conspiracies. The tale unfolds with the steadfast aid of a benevolent patron and the power of truth gradually winning the hearts and minds of witnesses and neighbours alike, despite the relentless efforts of a powe...

In which a gentleman of noted generosity becomes entangled in a weighty legal dispute over a vast estate and noble titles, prompted by the extraordinary claims of a young man long thought lost to exile and hardship. This narrative unfolds through a detailed account of familial discord, betrayal, and the harsh trials endured by the rightful heir, so cruelly dispossessed and condemned to servitude a...

In which a gentleman's fidelity and fortune are warmly tried through tender attachments, foreign travels, and the bitter tides of inconstancy; his endeavours to better the commerce of his country meet with both encouragement and fatal betrayals. Thus engaged in affairs of the heart and state, he navigates the variegated fortunes of love, friendship, and enterprise with a spirit both generous and u...

In which our hero, confined yet composed, receives the tale of a most remarkable gentleman whose ventures and trials offer an instructive chronicle of military zeal, scholarly pursuits, and generous friendship amidst adversity. The account weaves through scenes of youthful ardour, academic diligence, and gallant travels, revealing a character both shaped and tested by the varied fortunes of life.

In which our resolute adventurer crafts a stinging critique of a powerful minister, provoking unexpected and severe consequences that lead him into the peculiar confines of the Fleet prison. Whilst adapting to the curious customs and society within, he finds companionship and reflects on fortune’s fickle hand amidst lively accounts of incarceration and escape.

In which Peregrine Pickle’s earnest remonstrance with the ungracious Sir Steady Steerwell leads to his exclusion from court favour and the cruel imputation of insanity, setting him adrift amid financial straits and social neglect. Yet, amidst the tempest of indignation and despair, a lady of quality, moved by past acquaintance and genuine goodwill, visits him to find his mind clear and his spirit...

In which the fraternity of authors convenes to deliberate grievances concerning literary translations and the merciless conduct of booksellers, followed by a lively exercise of wit interrupted by a sudden conflagration that precipitates a series of humorous escapades. Our hero Peregrine Pickle further endeavours to establish his standing among his peers by mediating a debtor’s release and engaging...

In which a young gentleman, newly committed to the rigours of authorship, seeks counsel to remedy the physical maladies induced by his sedentary toil and is introduced to a society of virtuosi, whose eccentric pursuits and rivalries provide both amusement and instruction. At this curious assembly, he discovers the delicate art of pleasing a patron whose vanity brooks no contradiction, learning the...