A study of 18th century novels and novelist relating to the customs of the times - includes fashion, prisons, romances, clergy, while separate attention is given to Fielding, Richardson, Smollett and Goldsmith. Originally published in 1871, the author's object is to make use of fiction as the exponent of fact, and to show what information is to be gleaned as to the habits and manners and social life of our ancestors from the novels of the eighteenth century. William Forsyth, M.A., Q.C., was also author of The Life of Cicero and Cases and Opinions on Constitutional Law, and was a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.