Introduction and Notes by Dr T.C.B. Cook Illustrations by Hablot K. Browne (Phiz).
Following the success of Pickwick Papers and Oliver Twist, Nicholas Nickleby was hailed as a comic triumph and firmly established Dickens as a 'literary gentleman'. It has a full supporting cast of delectable characters that range from the iniquitous Wackford Squeers and his family, to the delightful Mrs Nickleby, taking in the eccentric Crummles and his travelling players, the Mantalinis, the Kenwigs and many more.
Combining these with typically Dickensian elements of burlesque and farce, the novel is eminently suited to dramatic adaptation. So great was the impact as it left Dickens' pen that many pirated versions appeared in print before the original was even finished.
Often neglected by critics, Nicholas Nickleby has never ceased to delight readers and is widely regarded as one of the greatest comic masterpieces of nineteenth-centure literature.
Authors Preface 3(9) Introduces all the rest 9(7) Of Mr Ralph Nickleby, and his establishment, and his undertakings, and of a great joint-stock company of vast national importance 16(8) Mr Ralph Nickleby receives sad tidings of his brother, but bears up nobly against the intelligence communicated to him. The reader is informed how he liked Nicholas, who is herein introduced, and how kindly he proposed to make his fortune at once 24(10) Nicholas and his uncle (to secure the fortune without loss of time) wait upon Mr Wackford Squeers, the Yorkshire schoolmaster 34(11) Nicholas starts for Yorkshire. Of his leave-taking and his fellow-travellers, and what befell them on the road 45(10) In which the occurrence of the accident mentioned in the last chapter, affords an opportunity to a couple of gentlemen to tell stories against each other 55(20) Mr and Mrs Squeers at home 75(7) Of the internal economy of Dotheboys Hall 82(11) Of Miss Squeers, Mrs Squeers, Master Squeers, and Mr Squeers; and of various matters and persons connected no less with the Squeerses than Nicholas Nickleby 93(14) How Mr Ralph Nickleby provided for his niece and sister-in-law 107(13) Newman Noggs inducts Mrs and Miss Nickleby into their new dwelling in the City 120(5) Whereby the reader will be enabled to trace the further course of Miss Fanny Squeerss love, and to ascertain whether it ran smooth or otherwise 125(10) Nicholas varies the monotony of Dothebys Hall by a most vigorous and remarkable proceeding, which leads to consequences of some importance 135(12) Having the misfortune to treat of none but common people, is necessarily of a mean and vulgar character 147(11) Acquaints the reader with the cause and origin of the interruption described in the last chapter, and with some other matters necessary to be known 158(11) Nicholas seeks to employ himself in a new capacity, and, being unsuccessful, accepts an engagement as tutor in a private family 169(18) Follows the fortunes of Miss Nickleby 187(9) Miss Kang, after doting on Kate Nickleby for three whole days, makes up her mind to hate her for evermore. The causes which led Miss Knag to form this resolution 196(12) Descriptive of a dinner at Mr Ralph Nicklebys, and of the manner in which the company entertained themselves, before dinner, at dinner, and after dinner 208(8) Wherein Nicholas at length encounters his uncle, to whom be expresses his sentiments with much candour. His resolution 216(10) Madam Mantalini finds herself in a situation of some difficulty, and Miss Nickleby finds herself in no situation at all 226(12) Nicholas, accompanied by Smike, sallies forth to seek his fortune. He encounters Mr Vincent Crummles; and who he was, is herein made manifest 238(14) Treats of the company of Mr Vincent Crummles, and of his affairs, domestic and theatrical 252(17) Of the great bespeak for Miss Snevellicci, and the first appearance of Nicholas upon any stage 269(15) Concerning a young lady from London, who joins the company, and an elderly admirer who follows in her train; with an affecting ceremony consequent on their arrival 284(12) Is fraught with some danger to Miss Nicklebys peace of mind 296(10) Mrs Nickleby becomes acquainted with Messrs Pyke and Pluck, whose affection and interest are beyond all bounds 306(13) Miss Nickleby, rendered desperate by the persecution of Sir Mulberry Hawk, and the complicated difficulties and distresses which surround her, appeals, as a last resource, to her uncle for protection 319(15) Of the proceedings of Nicholas, and certain internal divisions in the company of Mr Vincent Crummles 334(8) Festivities are held in honour of Nicholas, who suddenly withdraws himself from the society of Mr Vincent Crummles and his theatrical companions 342(14) Of Ralph Nickleby and Newman Noggs, and some wise precautions, the success or failure of which will appear in the sequel 356(7) Relating chiefly to some remarkable conversation, and some remarkable proceedings to which it gives rise 363(9) In which Mr Ralph Nickleby is relieved, by a very expeditious process, from all commerce with his relations 372(7) Wherein Mr Ralph Nickleby is visited by persons with whom the reader has been already made acquainted 379(14) Smike becomes known to Mrs Nickleby and Kate. Nicholas also meets with new acquaintances, and brighter days seem to dawn upon the family 393(15) 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 408(8) 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 416(15) 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 431(13) In which another old friend encounters Smike, very opportunely and to some purpose 444(9) In which Nicholas falls in love. He employs a mediator, whose proceedings are crowned with unexpected success, excepting in one solitary particular 453(15) Containing some romantic passages between Mrs Nickleby and the gentleman in the small-clothes next door 468(11) Illustrative of the convivial sentiment, that the best of friends must sometimes part 479(11) Officiates as a kind of gentleman usher, in bringing various people together 490(12) 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 502(14) Containing matter of a surprising kind 516(11) Throws some light upon Nicholass love; but whether for good or evil the reader must determine 527(13) Mr Ralph Nickleby has some confidential intercourse with another old friend. They concert between them a project, which promises well for both 540(14) Being for the benefit of Mr Vincent Crummles, and positively his last appearance on this stage 554(10) Chronicles the further proceedings of the Nickleby family, and the sequel of the adventure of the gentleman in the small clothes 564(14) Involves a serious catastrophe 578(12) The project of Mr Ralph Nickleby and his friend approaching a successful issue, becomes unexpectedly known to another party, not admitted into their confidence 590(11) Nicholas despairs of rescuing Madeline Bray, but plucks up his spirits again, and determines to attempt it. Domestic intelligence of the Kenwigses and Lillyvicks 601(11) Containing the further progress of the plot contrived 612(15) Mr Ralph Nickle Mr Arthur Gride The crisis of the project, and its result 627(10) Of family matters, cares, hopes, disappointments, and sorrows 637(11) 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 648(11) How Ralph Nicklebys auxiliary went about his work, and how he prospered with it 659(10) In which one scene of this history is closed 669(5) The plots begin to fail, and doubts and dangers to disturb the plotter 674(13) The dangers thicken, and the worst is told 687(10) Wherein Nicholas and his sister forfeit the good opinion of all worldly and prudent people 697(9) Ralph makes one last appointment - and keeps it 706(5) The brothers Cheeryble make various declarations for themselves and others. Tim Linkinwater makes a declaration for himself 711(10) An old acquaintance is recognised under melancholy circumstances, and Dotheboys Hall breaks up for ever 721(8) Conclusion 729
