Chapter 33. In which Mr. Ralph Nickleby is relieved, by a very expeditious Process, from all Commerce with his Relations
Chapter 34. Wherein Mr. Ralph Nickleby is visited by Persons with whom the Reader has been already made acquainted
Chapter 35. Smike becomes known to Mrs. Nickleby and Kate. Nicholas also meets with new Acquaintances. Brighter Days seem to dawn upon the Family
Chapter 36. Private and confidential; relating to Family Matters. Showing how Mr Kenwigs underwent violent Agitation, and how Mrs. Kenwigs was as well as could be expected
Chapter 37. Nicholas finds further Favour in the Eyes of the brothers Cheeryble and Mr Timothy Linkinwater. The brothers give a Banquet on a great Annual Occasion. Nicholas, on returning Home from it, receives a mysterious and important Disclosure from the Lips of Mrs. Nickleby
Chapter 38. Comprises certain Particulars arising out of a Visit of Condolence, which may prove important hereafter. Smike unexpectedly encounters a very old Friend, who invites him to his House, and will take no Denial
Chapter 39. In which another old Friend encounters Smike, very opportunely and to some Purpose
Chapter 40. In which Nicholas falls in Love. He employs a Mediator, whose Proceedings are crowned with unexpected Success, excepting in one solitary Particular
Chapter 41. Containing some Romantic Passages between Mrs. Nickleby and the Gentleman in the Small-clothes next Door
Chapter 42. Illustrative of the convivial Sentiment, that the best of Friends must sometimes part
Chapter 43. Officiates as a kind of Gentleman Usher, in bringing various People together
Chapter 44. Mr. Ralph Nickleby cuts an old Acquaintance. It would also appear from the Contents hereof, that a Joke, even between Husband and Wife, may be sometimes carried too far
Chapter 45 Containing Matter of a surprising Kind
Chapter 46. Throws some Light upon Nicholas’s Love; but whether for Good or Evil the Reader must determine
Chapter 47. Mr. Ralph Nickleby has some confidential Intercourse with another old Friend. They concert between them a Project, which promises well for both
Chapter 48. Being for the Benefit of Mr. Vincent Crummles, and positively his last Appearance on this Stage
Chapter 49. Chronicles the further Proceedings of the Nickleby Family, and the Sequel of the Adventure of the Gentleman in the Small-clothes
Chapter 50. Involves a serious Catastrophe
Chapter 51. The Project of Mr. Ralph Nickleby and his Friend approaching a successful Issue, becomes unexpectedly known to another Party, not admitted into their Confidence
Chapter 52. Nicholas despairs of rescuing Madeline Bray, but plucks up his Spirits again, and determines to attempt it. Domestic Intelligence of the Kenwigses and Lillyvicks
Chapter 53. Containing the further Progress of the Plot contrived by Mr. Ralph Nickleby and Mr. Arthur Gride
Chapter 54. The Crisis of the Project and its Result
Chapter 55. Of Family Matters, Cares, Hopes, Disappointments, and Sorrows
Chapter 56. Ralph Nickleby, baffled by his Nephew in his late Design, hatches a Scheme of Retaliation which Accident suggests to him, and takes into his Counsels a tried Auxiliary
Chapter 57. How Ralph Nickleby’s Auxiliary went about his Work, and how he prospered with it
Chapter 58. In which one Scene of this History is closed
Chapter 59. The Plots begin to fail, and Doubts and Dangers to disturb the Plotter
Chapter 60. The Dangers thicken, and the Worst is Told
Chapter 61. Wherein Nicholas and his Sister forfeit the good Opinion of all worldly and prudent People
Chapter 62. Ralph makes one last Appointment—and keeps it
Chapter 63. The Brothers Cheeryble make various Declarations for themselves and others. Tim Linkinwater makes a Declaration for himself
Chapter 64. An old Acquaintance is recognised under melancholy Circumstances, and Dotheboys Hall breaks up for ever
Chapter 65. Conclusion
Author’s Preface
Table of Contents
This story was begun, within a few months after the publication of the completed “Pickwick Papers.” There were, then, a good many cheap Yorkshire schools in existence. There are very few now.
Of the monstrous neglect of education in England, and the disregard of it by the State as a means of forming good or bad citizens, and miserable or happy men, private schools long afforded a notable example. Although any man who had proved his unfitness for any other occupation in life, was free, without examination or qualification, to open a school anywhere; although preparation for the functions he undertook, was required in the surgeon who assisted to bring a boy into the world, or might one day assist, perhaps, to send him out of it; in the chemist, the attorney, the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker; the whole
