The first edition of this book is dated 1832. The edition used is dated 1848. The publisher was Richard Bentley. The number of pages is 384.

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General information

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Contents

Volume the First — Chapter I.
What authors in general may feel upon the subject I know not, but I have discovered, since I so rashly took up my pen, that there are three portions of a novel which are extremely difficult to arrange to the satisfaction of a fastidious public.

Volume the First — Chapter II.
It was in the dreary month of fog, misanthropy, and suicide—the month during which Heaven receives a scantier tribute of gratitude from discontented man—during which the sun rises, but shines not—gives forth an unwilling light, but glads us not with his cheerful rays—during which large tallow candles assist the merchant to calculate his gains or to philosophise over his losses—in short, it was one evening in the month of November of the year 17—, that Edward Forster, who had served many years in his Majesty’s navy, was seated in a snug arm-chair, in a snug parlour, in a snug cottage to which he had retired upon his half-pay, in consequence of a severe wound which had, for many years, healed but to break out again each succeeding spring.

Volume the First — Chapter III.
Forster was soon fast asleep after his night of exertion: his dreams were confused and wild; but I seldom trouble people about dreams, which are as nought.

Volume the First — Chapter IV.
A man may purchase an estate, a tenement, or a horse because they have pleased his fancy, and eventually find out that he has not exactly suited himself; and it sometimes will occur that a man is placed in a similar situation relative to his choice of a wife: a more serious evil; as, although the prime cost may be nothing, there is no chance of getting rid of this latter speculation by re-vending, as you may the former.

Volume the First — Chapter V.
About three weeks after the events narrated in the preceding chapter, Newton Forster sailed in his vessel with a cargo to be delivered at the sea-port of Waterford.

Volume the First — Chapter VI.
The next day the remains of old Thompson were carried on shore in the long-boat, and buried in the churchyard of the small fishing town that was within a mile of the port where the sloop had anchored.

Volume the First — Chapter VII.
Mr. Dragwell has already made honourable mention of his wife; it will therefore only be necessary to add, that he had one daughter, a handsome lively girl, engaged to a Mr. Ramsden, the new surgeon of the place, who had stepped into the shoes and the good-will of one who had retired from forty years’ practice upon the good people of Overton.

Volume the First — Chapter VIII.
“So far we have succeeded, my dear Mrs. Forster,” said Miss Dragwell; “I will now return home, and come back as soon as I can with the post-chaise.

Volume the First — Chapter IX.
Mr. Ramsden’s servant returned to Overton, stating that the doctor was not at home, but that he had left Mrs. Forster and the letter.

Volume the First — Chapter X.
We left Newton Forster senseless on the pavement leading to the quay at Bristol, floored by a rap on the head from a certain person or persons unknown: he did not however remain there long, being hoisted on the shoulders of two stout fellows, dressed in blue jackets and trousers, with heavy clubs in their hands, and a pistol lying perdu between their waistcoats and shirts.

Volume the First — Chapter XI.
Newton, and the other men who had been selected for the frigate, on board of which they had been despatched (victualled the day discharged), were mustered on the quarter-deck by the first lieutenant, who asked them the questions, whether they were bred to the sea, and could take the helm and lead.

Volume the First — Chapter XII.
As the reader may have, before now, occasionally heard comments upon the uncertainty of the moon and of the sea, and also, perhaps, of human life, I shall not venture any farther remarks upon the subject; for were they even new, I should never have the credit of them.

Volume the First — Chapter XIII.
As Newton had lost his credentials from Captain Northfleet, as well as the vessel confided to his charge, he did not consider it necessary to pay his respects to the port admiral at Plymouth.

Volume the First — Chapter XIV.
At an early hour the party, consisting of Mr. Kingston, the master of the brig, and Newton, set off upon mules for the habitation of the planter.

Volume the First — Chapter XV.
The party were up at an early hour on the ensuing morning, that they might enjoy the delightful freshness of the air, which so soon evaporates before the scorching rays of the tropical sun.

Volume the First — Chapter XVI.
Newton remained at Bridgetown, under the roof of Mr. Kingston, for more than three weeks, by which time the brig was laden, and waiting for convoy to proceed to England.

Volume the First — Chapter XVII.
We must now relate what had occurred on deck during the struggle of Newton to escape from his prison.

Volume the First — Chapter XVIII.
The tide was on the ebb when Newton was left in this desolate situation.

Volume the Second — Chapter I.
The reef upon which the brig had been wrecked was one of those extending along the southward of the Virgin Isles.

Volume the Second — Chapter II.
The female slaves, who could not obtain the history of Newton, immediately repaired to the chamber of their mistress, knowing that if they could succeed in raising her curiosity, they would at the same time gratify their own.

Volume the Second — Chapter III.
Monsieur de Fontanges, aware of the impetuosity and caprice of his wife (at the same time that he acknowledged her many redeeming good qualities), did not further attempt to thwart her inclinations.

Volume the Second — Chapter IV.
When Newton was landed from the cartel at Jamaica, he found the advantage of not being clad in the garb of a sailor, as all those who were in such costume were immediately handed over to the admiral of the station, to celebrate their restoration to liberty on board of a man-of-war; but the clothes supplied to him by the generosity of Monsieur de Fontanges had any thing but a maritime appearance, and Newton was landed with his portmanteaus by one of the man-of-war’s boats, whose crew had little idea of his being a person so peculiarly suited to their views, possessing as he did the necessary qualifications of youth, activity, and a thorough knowledge of his profession.

Volume the Second — Chapter V.
Reader, were you ever really hungry? I do not mean the common hunger arising from health and exercise, and which you have the means of appeasing at the moment when it may be considered a source of pleasure rather than of pain:— I refer to the gnawing of starvation; because if you have not, you can form no conception of the agony of the suffering.

Volume the Second — Chapter VI.
The different chapters of a novel remind me of a convoy of vessels.

Volume the Second — Chapter VII.
Devoted as he was to the instruction of his adopted child, Edward Forster was nevertheless aware that more was required in the education of a female than he was competent to fulfil.

Volume the Second — Chapter VIII.
The father of the present Lord Aveleyn had three sons, and, in conformity with the usages commented upon in the preceding chapter, the two youngest were condemned to the army and navy; the second, who had priority of choice, being dismissed to gather laurels in a red coat, while the third was recommended to do the same, if he could, in a suit of blue.

Volume the Second — Chapter IX.
The young Lord Aveleyn returned to the hall of his ancestors, exchanging the gloomy cockpit for the gay saloon, the ship’s allowance for sumptuous fare, the tyranny of his mess-mates and the harshness of his superiors for adulation and respect.

Volume the Second — Chapter X.
When Newton Forster and his father arrived at London, they put up at an obscure inn in the Borough.

Volume the Second — Chapter XI.
The door opened, as intimated at the end of our last chapter, and Newton obeyed the injunction from the lawyer’s eye to follow him into the room.

Volume the Second — Chapter XII.
The next forenoon Nicholas and his son left the inn in good time to keep their appointment.

Volume the Second — Chapter XIII.
Newton, who had made every preparation, as soon as he had taken leave of his uncle, hastened to join his ship, which still remained at Gravesend, waiting for the despatches to be closed by the twenty-four leaden heads, presiding at Leadenhall Street.

Volume the Second — Chapter XIV.
Much to the satisfaction of Captain Drawlock, the chronometers and the ladies were safe on board, and the Bombay Castle proceeded to the Downs, where she was joined by the purser, charged with the despatches of the august directors.

Volume the Second — Chapter XV.
A few minutes after Newton had quitted the chambers of his uncle the clerk made his appearance, announcing to Mr. John Forster that a gentleman requested to speak to him.

Volume the Second — Chapter XVI.
I do not know a spot on the globe which astonishes and delights, upon your first landing, as the island of Madeira.

Volume the Second — Chapter XVII.
The colonel, in the meantime, had returned to the house where he was residing, when he was immediately accosted by Captain Carrington, and the other gentlemen who had been let into the secret of the plot.

Volume the Second — Chapter XVIII.
The Boadicea, with the Indiamen, proceeded on to their destination, Captain Carrington taking every opportunity which light winds and smooth water afforded him, of paying his respects to the ladies on board of the Bombay Castle, or of inviting them on board of the frigate.

Volume the Second — Chapter XIX.
Edward Forster returned home with his little protegée, his mind relieved from the weight which had oppressed it: he knew that the word of his brother was his bond, and that under a rough exterior he concealed a generous and sympathising heart.

Volume the Third — Chapter I.
The Bombay Castle arrived at Madras without further adventure.

Volume the Third — Chapter II.
It was in no very happy frame of mind that Newton quitted the colonel’s house to execute his mission to the Miss Revels.

Volume the Third — Chapter III.
Gold!—gold! for thee, what will man not attempt? for thee, to what degradation will he not submit?—for thee, what will he not risk in this world, or prospectively in the next;—Industry is rewarded by thee; enterprise is supported by thee; crime is cherished, and heaven itself is bartered for thee, thou powerful auxiliary of the devil! One tempter was sufficient for the fall of man; but thou wert added, that he ne’er might rise again.

Volume the Third — Chapter IV.
There was, I flatter myself, some little skill in the introduction of the foregoing chapter, which has played the part of chorus during the time that the Bombay Castle has proceeded on to Canton, has taken in her cargo, and is on her passage home, in company with fifteen other East Indiamen and several country ships, all laden with the riches of the East, and hastening to pour their treasures into the lap of their country.

Volume the Third — Chapter V.
The China fleet arrived without encountering any further danger; the commodore and commanders of the several ships composing the fleet received that praise from their countrymen to which their conduct had so fully entitled them.

Volume the Third — Chapter VI.
It was past two o’clock when Mr. John Forster returned from his chambers and let himself in with a pass-key.

Volume the Third — Chapter VII.
A few mornings after this colloquy with his uncle, Newton was very busy perambulating the streets of London, in search of various requisites for his trip to India, when his hand was seized before he had time to call to mind the features of the party who shook it with such apparent warmth.

Volume the Third — Chapter VIII.
Captain Oughton who commanded the Windsor Castle was an original.

Volume the Third — Chapter IX.
The voyage was at last accomplished without adventure or interest, the Windsor Castle not having fallen in with more than two or three vessels during her passage.

Volume the Third — Chapter X.
The Windsor Castle ploughed through the vast ocean of waters before a propitious gale, laden with treasure, in the safe arrival of which so many were interested.

Volume the Third — Chapter XI.
Most prophetical was the remark made by Newton Forster to Isabel previous to the action; to wit, that it would make or mar him.

Volume the Third — Chapter XII.
It was with deep regret that Newton gave directions for the ship’s head to be again directed on her course to England; but the property under his charge was of too great value to warrant risking it by cruising after the pirates, the superior sailing of whose vessel afforded no hopes of success.

Volume the Third — Chapter XIII.
With what feelings of delight did Newton Forster walk the deck of the Windsor Castle, as she scudded before a fine breeze across the Bay of Biscay! His happiness in anticipation was so great, that at times he trembled lest the cup should be dashed from his lips; and at the same time that he thanked God for blessings received, he offered up his prayer that his prospects might not be blighted by disappointment.

Volume the Third — Chapter XIV.
The departure of Isabel in the Windsor Castle, so immediately after the death of Colonel Revel, prevented her communicating to her mother the alteration which had taken place in her circumstances, and her intended return to England.

Volume the Third — Chapter XV.
The reader may be surprised at the positive and dictatorial language of Mr. John Forster, relative to Newton’s marriage, as detailed in a former chapter; but, as Mr. John Forster truly observed, all the recompense which he had to expect for a life of exertion was to dispose of the fruits of his labour according to his own will.

Volume the Third — Chapter XVI.
Amber, or Julie de Fontanges, as we must now call her, quitted the abode of her kind protector, in such distress, that it was evident she regretted the discovery which had been made.

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