Fielding engaged to extirpate several gangs of daring ruffians, which at this time infested London and its vicinity; and though his health was reduced to the last extremity, he continued himself to superintend the conduct of his agents, to take evidence, and make commitments, until this great object was attained.

These last exertions seem to have been fatal to his exhausted frame, which suffered at once under dropsy, and jaundice, and asthma. The Bath waters were tried in vain, and various modes of cure or alleviation were resorted to, of which tapping only appears to have succeeded to a certain extent. The medical attendants gave their last sad advice in recommending a milder climate. Of his departure for Lisbon, in conformity with their advice, he has himself left the following melancholy record, painting the man and his situation a thousand times better than any other pen could achieve.

"On this day, Wednesday, June 26th, 1754,"* he says, "the most melancholy sun I had ever beheld arose, and found me awake at my house at Fordhook. By the light of this sun I was, in my own opinion, last to behold and take leave of some of those creatures on whom I doated with a mother-like fondness, guided by nature and passion, and uncured and unhardened by all the doctrine of that philosophical school, where I had learned to bear pains, and to despise death. In this situation, as I could not conquer nature, I submitted entirely to her, and she made as great a fool of me, as

* Voyage to Lisbon, p. 1.

she had ever done of any woman whatsoever; under pretence of giving me leave to enjoy, she drew me in to suffer the company of my little ones, during eight hours; and I doubt not whether, in that time, I did not undergo more than in all my distemper. At twelve precisely my coach was at the door, which was no sooner told me, than I kissed my children round, and went into it with some little resolution. My wife, who behaved more like a heroine and philosopher, though at the same time the tenderest mother in the world, and my eldest daughter, followed me. Some friends went with us, and others here took their leave; and I heard my behaviour applauded, with many murmurs and praises, to which I well knew I had no title."

This affecting passage makes a part of his Journey to Lisbon, a work which he commenced during the voyage, with a hand trembling in almost its latest hour. It remains a singular example of Fielding's natural strength of mind, that, while struggling hard at once. with the depression, and with the irritability of disease, he could still exhibit a few flashes of that bright wit, which could once set the "world" in a roar. His perception of character, and power of describing it, had not forsaken him in those sad moments; for the master of the ship in which he sailed, the scolding landlady of the Isle of Wight, the military coxcomb, who visits their vessel, are all portraits, marked with the master-hand which traced Parson Adams and Squire Western.

The Journey to Lisbon was abridged by fate. Fielding reached that city, indeed, alive, and remained there two months; but he was unable to continue his proposed literary labours. The hand of death was upon him, and seized upon his prey in the beginning of October, 1754. He died in the 48th year of his life, leaving behind him a widow, and four children, one of whom died soon afterwards. His brother Sir John Fielding, well known as a magistrate, aided by the bounty of Mr. Allen, made suitable provision for the survivors; but of their fate we are ignorant.

Thus lived and thus died, at a period of life when the world might have expected continued delight from his matured powers, the celebrated Henry Fielding, father of the English novel; and in his powers of strong and national humour, and forcible yet natural exhibition of character, unapproached, as yet, even by his successful followers.

The following is a list of the works of Fielding, so far as they are known in the present day :

MISCELLANEOUS WORKS.

The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews and his friend Mr. Abraham Adams.

The History of a Foundling.

Amelia.

The History of the life of Jonathan Wild the Great.
A Journey from this World to the Next.

Miscellanies, published in one volume, containing two Essays, on Conversation, and on the Knowledge and Character of Men, with several Poems, &c.

An Address to the Grand Jury of the County of Middlesex.

Examples of the Interposition of Providence, in the Detection and Punishment of Murder. With an Introduction and Conclusion..

A Proposal for making an Effectual Provision for the Poor, for amending their Morals, and rendering them useful Members of Society.

An Inquiry into the Causes of the late Increase of Robbers, &c. with some Proposals for remedying, the growing Evil, in which the laws relating to Felons are freely considered.

Of the Remedy of Affliction for the loss of our Friends.

Translation of the first Olynthiac of Demosthenes. An Answer to a Pamphlet, entitled "An Apology for the Conduct of a late celebrated Second-rate Minister, when he commenced Courtier."

A Clear State of the Case of Elizabeth Canning.
Case of Bosaverus Penlez.

Prefaces to David Simple, and the familiar Letters between David Simple and others.

An Ironical Imitation of Natural History, in a Description of a Guinea, as a newly discovered Insect or Animal, under the name of the terrestrial Chrysippus, or Golden-foot.

DRAMATIC WORKS.

Love in Several Masques, a Comedy in Three Acts. The Temple Beau, a Comedy, in Five Acts.

The Author's Farce, with a Puppet-show, called the Pleasures of the Town, in Three Acts.

The Coffeehouse Politician, or the Justice caught in his own Trap, a Comedy in Five Acts.

The Tragedy of Tragedies, or the Life and Death of Tom Thumb the Great, with Annotations, in Three Acts.

The Letter-Writers, or a New Way to Keep a Wife at Home, a Farce.

The Lottery, a Farce.

The Grub-Street Opera, a Farce.

The Modern Husband, a Play, in Five Acts.

The Mock Doctor, or the Dumb Lady Cured, a Ballad Farce.

The Covent-Garden Tragedy, a Burlesque.
The Miser, a Farce.

The Intriguing Chambermaid, a Ballad Farce, in Two Acts.

The Debauchees, or the Jesuit Caught, a Farce.
Don Quixote in England.

The Old Man taught Wisdom, or the Virgin Unmasked, a Farce.

The Universal Gallant, or the Different Husbands, a Comedy, in Five Acts.

Pasquin, a Dramatic Satire on the Times, being the Rehearsal of Two Plays, &c.