The Project Gutenberg EBook of David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens
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Title: David Copperfield
Author: Charles Dickens
Release Date: November 24, 2009 [EBook #766]
Last Updated: September 25, 2016
Language: English
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVID COPPERFIELD ***
Produced by Jo Churcher, and David Widger
DAVID COPPERFIELD
By Charles Dickens
AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED TO
THE HON. Mr. AND Mrs. RICHARD WATSON,
OF ROCKINGHAM, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.
CONTENTS
PREFACE TO THE CHARLES DICKENS EDITION
THE PERSONAL HISTORY AND EXPERIENCE OF DAVID COPPERFIELD THE YOUNGER
CHAPTER 4. — I FALL INTO DISGRACE
CHAPTER 5. — I AM SENT AWAY FROM HOME
CHAPTER 6. — I ENLARGE MY CIRCLE OF ACQUAINTANCE
CHAPTER 7. — MY ‘FIRST HALF’ AT SALEM HOUSE
CHAPTER 8. — MY HOLIDAYS. ESPECIALLY ONE HAPPY AFTERNOON
CHAPTER 9. — I HAVE A MEMORABLE BIRTHDAY
CHAPTER 10. — I BECOME NEGLECTED, AND AM PROVIDED FOR
CHAPTER 11. — I BEGIN LIFE ON MY OWN ACCOUNT, AND DON’T LIKE IT
CHAPTER 12. — LIKING LIFE ON MY OWN ACCOUNT NO BETTER, I FORM A GREAT RESOLUTION
CHAPTER 13. — THE SEQUEL OF MY RESOLUTION
CHAPTER 14. — MY AUNT MAKES UP HER MIND ABOUT ME
CHAPTER 15. — I MAKE ANOTHER BEGINNING
CHAPTER 16. — I AM A NEW BOY IN MORE SENSES THAN ONE
CHAPTER 17. — SOMEBODY TURNS UP
CHAPTER 19. — I LOOK ABOUT ME, AND MAKE A DISCOVERY
CHAPTER 20. — STEERFORTH’S HOME
CHAPTER 22. — SOME OLD SCENES, AND SOME NEW PEOPLE
CHAPTER 23. — I CORROBORATE Mr. DICK, AND CHOOSE A PROFESSION
CHAPTER 24. — MY FIRST DISSIPATION
CHAPTER 25. — GOOD AND BAD ANGELS
CHAPTER 26. — I FALL INTO CAPTIVITY
CHAPTER 28. — Mr. MICAWBER’S GAUNTLET
CHAPTER 29. — I VISIT STEERFORTH AT HIS HOME, AGAIN
CHAPTER 32. — THE BEGINNING OF A LONG JOURNEY
CHAPTER 34. — MY AUNT ASTONISHES ME
CHAPTER 37. — A LITTLE COLD WATER
CHAPTER 38. — A DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP
CHAPTER 39. — WICKFIELD AND HEEP
CHAPTER 43. — ANOTHER RETROSPECT
CHAPTER 44. — OUR HOUSEKEEPING
CHAPTER 45. — MR. DICK FULFILS MY AUNT’S PREDICTIONS
CHAPTER 49. — I AM INVOLVED IN MYSTERY
CHAPTER 50. — Mr. PEGGOTTY’S DREAM COMES TRUE
CHAPTER 51. — THE BEGINNING OF A LONGER JOURNEY
CHAPTER 52. — I ASSIST AT AN EXPLOSION
CHAPTER 53. — ANOTHER RETROSPECT
CHAPTER 54. — Mr. MICAWBER’S TRANSACTIONS
CHAPTER 56. — THE NEW WOUND, AND THE OLD
CHAPTER 61. — I AM SHOWN TWO INTERESTING PENITENTS
CHAPTER 62. — A LIGHT SHINES ON MY WAY
CHAPTER 64. — A LAST RETROSPECT
PREFACE TO 1850 EDITION
I do not find it easy to get sufficiently far away from this Book, in the first sensations of having finished it, to refer to it with the composure which this formal heading would seem to require. My interest in it, is so recent and strong; and my mind is so divided between pleasure and regret—pleasure in the achievement of a long design, regret in the separation from many companions—that I am in danger of wearying the reader whom I love, with personal confidences, and private emotions.
Besides which, all that I could say of the Story, to any purpose, I have endeavoured to say in it.
It would concern the reader little, perhaps, to know, how sorrowfully the pen is laid down at the close of a two-years’ imaginative task; or how an Author feels as if he were dismissing some portion of himself into the shadowy world, when a crowd of the creatures of his brain are going from him for ever. Yet, I have nothing else to tell; unless, indeed, I were to confess (which might be of less moment still) that no one can ever believe this Narrative, in the reading, more than I have believed it in the writing.
Instead of looking back, therefore, I will look forward. I cannot close this Volume more agreeably to myself, than with a hopeful glance towards the time when I shall again put forth my two green leaves once a month, and with a faithful remembrance of the genial sun and showers that have fallen on these leaves of David Copperfield, and made me happy.