Chapter I: Front Matter

SHEPPARD LEE.

WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.

"Let these shine now that never shone before, And those that always shone now shine the more." Advertisement to Hunt's Blacking.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. I.

NEW-YORK:

HARPER & BROTHERS, CLIFF-ST.

1836.

CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

BOOK I.

CONTAINING INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO SPEND AND HOW TO
RETRIEVE A FORTUNE.

CHAPTER I.
The Author's Preface--which the reader, if in a
hurry, or if it be his practice to read against
time, can omit.
CHAPTER II.
The birth and family of Sheppard Lee, with some
account of his temper and complexion of mind.
CHAPTER III.
The pleasures of having nothing to
do.--thoughts on matrimony.
CHAPTER VI.
How to conduct a farm to the best advantage,
and steer clear of the lawyers.
CHAPTER V.
The Author finds himself in trouble.--Some
account of his servant, honest James Jumble.
CHAPTER VI.
Sheppard Lee experiences his share of
the respect that is accorded to "honest
poverty."--His ingenious and highly original
devices to amend his fortune.
CHAPTER VII.
The Author becomes a Politician, and seeks for
an office.--The result of that project.
CHAPTER VIII.
A description of the Owl-roost, with Mr.
Jumble's ideas in relation to Captain Kid's
money.
CHAPTER XI.
Sheppard Lee stumbles upon a happy man, and
quarrels with him.
CHAPTER X.
Sheppard Lee has an extraordinary dream, which
promises to be more advantageous than any of
his previous ones.
CHAPTER XI.
In which the reader is introduced to a
personage who may claim his acquaintance
hereafter.
CHAPTER XII.
Sheppard Lee visits the village, makes a
patriotic speech, and leaves the fence.
CHAPTER XIII.
What befell the Author on his way to the
Owl-roost.. Sheppard Lee digs for the buried
treasure, and makes a blow with the mattock in
the wrong place.
CHAPTER XIV.
In which Sheppard Lee finds himself in a
quandary, which the reader will allow to be the
most wonderful and lamentable ever known to a
human being.
CHAPTER XV.
Sheppard Lee finds comfort when he least
expects it.--The extraordinary close of the
catastrophe.
CHAPTER XVI.
A natural mistake, which, although it procures
the Author a rough reception at his own
house, has yet the good, effect to teach him
the propriety of adapting his manners to his
condition.

BOOK II.

CONTAINING SUNDRY ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE
ADVANTAGES OF GOOD LIVING, WITH A FEW CHAPTERS
ON DOMESTIC FELICITY.
CHAPTER I.
Some passages in the life of John H. Higginson,
Esq., the happy sportsman, with a surprising
affliction that befell the Author.
CHAPTER II.
The Author, being in prison, makes a
confidant of a deputy attorney-general.--The
inconvenience of telling a truth which happens
to be somewhat incredible.
CHAPTER III.
Sheppard Lee is visited by new friends,
released from prison, and carried to his new
place of abode.
CHAPTER IV.
Containing illustrations of the advantages
of dying an unusual death in times of high
political excitement.
CHAPTER VI.
The true meaning of the word Podagra.
CHAPTER VII.
Sheppard Lee's introduction to his wife,
and his suspicion that all is not gold that
glistens.
CHAPTER VIII.
A comparison between dunning and scolding, with
some thoughts on suicide.
CHAPTER IX.
Sheppard Lee forms sundry acquaintances, some
of which are genteel.
CHAPTER X.
The Author grows weary of his wife, and
mistakes the river Schuylkill for the river
Lethe.--The tragical adventure that befell a
young gentleman in that romantic tide, with its
effects upon the destinies of Sheppard Lee.

BOOK III.

CONTAINING MUCH THAT WILL BE INTERESTING TO
YOUNG GENTLEMEN IN DEBT, AND TO FATHERS OF
FAMILIES WHO DESIRE TO HAVE THEIR CHILDREN RISE
IN THE WORLD.
CHAPTER I.
The inconveniences of being drowned.--The first
chapter of the history of I. D. Dawkins, Esq.
CHAPTER II.
A conversation betwixt the Author and his bosom
friend, John Tickle, Esq.
CHAPTER III.
In which Sheppard Lee is prepared for the
brilliant destiny that awaits him.
CHAPTER IV.
In which Sheppard Lee has an interview with a
lady, who tells him a secret.
CHAPTER V.
An inventory of a young gentleman's effects,
with some account of Mr. Sniggles, his
landlord.
CHAPTER VI.
Sheppard Lee hears news of his uncle, and Mr.
Sniggles is brought to his senses.
CHAPTER VII.
In which Sheppard Lee is told his history.
CHAPTER VIII.
A conversation with a tailor.--Sheppard Lee
finds himself in a situation truly appalling.
CHAPTER IX.
The Author receives a visit from his uncle,
Samuel Wilkins, Esq., and is relieved from his
tormentors.
CHAPTER X.
Some account of Sheppard Lee's country
kinsmen.
CHAPTER XI.
Containing a morsel of metaphysics, with a
short account of the Author's experience in
good society.
CHAPTER XII.
Sheppard Lee makes the acquaintance of his
cousin, Miss Pattie Wilkins.
CHAPTER XIII.
A farther account of Miss Pattie Wilkins.
CHAPTER XIV.
A short chapter, containing an account of the
Author's cousin, Samuel Wilkins, Jr..
CHAPTER XV.
In which Sheppard Lee visits Mr. Periwinkle
Smith and his fair daughter, and is intrusted
with a secret which both astonishes and
afflicts him.
CHAPTER XVI.
Containing much instructive matter in relation
to good society, whereby the ambitious reader
can determine what are his prospects of
entering it.
CHAPTER XVII.
In which Sheppard Lee relates the passion
he conceived for his fair cousin, and his
engagement to elope with her.
CHAPTER XVIII.
In which Sheppard Lee recounts an engagement of
a similar nature which he formed with the fair
Alicia.
CHAPTER XIX.
The ingenious devices with which Sheppard Lee
prepared the way for his elopement.
CHAPTER XX.
The guests that Sheppard Lee invited to his
wedding.
CHAPTER XXI.
Containing a dialogue, or curious conversation
with nothing; with a discovery extremely
astonishing to several persons.
CHAPTER XXII.
In which Sheppard Lee finds that he has made
the fortune of his friends, without having
greatly advantaged his own.
CHAPTER XXIII.
A crisis.--Sheppard Lee is reduced to great
extremities, and takes refuge in the house of
mourning.
CHAPTER XXIV.
What happened in the dead-chamber.--The dirge
of a wealthy parent.

BOOK IV.

CONTAINING ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE FOLLY OF
BRINGING UP CHILDREN IN THE WAY THEY SHOULD GO,
AND THE WISDOM OF MAKING A FORTUNE.
CHAPTER I.
The private history of Abram Skinner, the
shaver.
CHAPTER II.
Sheppard Lee's first hit at money-making.
CHAPTER III.
Reflections on stock-jobbing and other
matters.

SHEPPARD LEE.