The Man of Feeling

"The Man of Feeling" by Henry Mackenzie is a sentimental novel published in 1771. Through a fragmented manuscript discovered by chance, readers follow the naïve Harley through a series of moral encounters—with beggars, con men, a prostitute, and fellow travelers. His journey from home to London and back reveals a hero whose extreme sensitivity and compassion set him apart in an increasingly cynical world. As Harley weeps for strangers and gives freely to those in need, his tender heart leads toward an inevitable, poignant conclusion involving his beloved Miss Walton.

The Man of Feeling, by Henry Mackenzie. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #5083.