Just finished reading the Vicar of Wakefield. A very pleasant read, with much gentle humour, particularly regarding the moralizing and loveable vicar, often right, sometimes so terribly wrong, but beautifully honest about his own failings, and so forgiving of failings in others. It becomes much less funny as the plot thickens, but a touch of humour returns to the end of the book. Yes, there is much that is predictable, but there is such rich writing here. I loved being in their world, though also am very glad I don't have to stay there. Those were tough times. (First edition, 1766.)

Have now finished She Stoops to Conquer. Lively, funny, of its time. ( )