Poor Jack

Frederick Marryat

• Publisher: Booklassic
• eBook ISBN: 9789635269457
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Literature General
• Index: Literature

It tells the story of Thomas Saunders, a sailor's son and neglected street urchin struggling to survive in Greenwich, London in the early 19th century. ("Poor Jack" was the title given by the waterfront boys, or mudlarks, to their chief.) In a rags-to-riches story Saunders eventually rises by his own efforts to become a pilot on the Thames, makes his fortune and retires to the life of a wealthy squire.

Table of contents

• Title
• Chapter 1 - In which, like most People who tell their own Stories, I begin with the Histories of other People.
• Chapter 2 - My Father does what most Sailors do—he makes a foolish Marriage, one of the Consequences of which is brought to Light at the End of the Chapter.
• Chapter 3 - In which my Mother proves herself a tender Wife, and at the same time shows her Patriotism and Devotion to her Country.
• Chapter 4 - In which I tell the Reader all I can recollect about myself, and moreover prove the Truth of the old Adage, "That it is a wise Child who knows its own Father".
• Chapter 5 - My Father and Mother meet after an absence of Six Years—She dis-covers that he is no longer a Coxswain but a Boatswain's Mate.
• Chapter 6 - A bright pleasant Evening after a Squall, in which the Art of Angling is introduced in a way which would have added to the Knowledge of Izaac Walton himself.
• Chapter 7 - In which my Mother gives my Father a Scriptural Lesson—My Father's Grief at parting with an old Friend—He expostulates with my Mother and quits the House.
• Chapter 8 - In which the Doctor pays a Visit and receives no Fee; and I am obliged to work very hard to procure myself a Livelihood.
• Chapter 9 - In which I take a Cruise contrary to the received Rules of Navigation—On my Return from a cold Expedition, I meet with a cold Reception.
• Chapter 10 - In which I narrate what I consider the most fortunate Incident in my Life; and Ben the Whaler confides to me a very strange History
• Chapter 11 - In which the Doctor lets out some very novel Modes of Medical Treatment, which are attended with the greatest Success.
• Chapter 12 - I prefer a Suit to Old Nanny, and procure a new Suit of Clothes—The advantage of being well dressed: you may walk out with the Ladies
• Chapter 13 - I am so Unfashionable as to pay my Debts—Ben's Opinion as to my Father's Return—The Chances exemplified in the List of killed and wounded—The "L'Orient" blowing up and the "Royal George" going down.
• Chapter 14 - My Father makes his Appearance, having left his Leg, but not his Tail, behind him—My Father is pensioned off by my Mother as well as by his Country.
• Chapter 15 - In which is proved the Truth of the Proverb, "When your own House is made of Glass, you never should be the first to throw Stones"
• Chapter 16 - Showing how Old Nanny fell Sick and got Well again
• Chapter 17 - A Morning Concert, in which the Opposition is as great as Black to White.
• Chapter 18 - I get into very doubtful Company—I am tempted, and, like a true Son of Adam, I fall.
• Chapter 19 - I am tempted again—My Pride is roused, and my Course of Life is changed in consequence.
• Chapter 20 - Much ado about Nothing; or, a Specimen of modern Patronage
• Chapter 21 - A most important Present is made to me; and, as it will eventually appear, the Generosity of the Giver is rewarded.
• Chapter 22 - In which a Story is begun, and not finished, which I think the Reader will regret as much as, at the time, I did.
• Chapter 23 - "Recollect," says the Fellow, "you have thrown overboard a black Tom Cat!"
• Chapter 24 - Bramble's Method of Education proves very effective—He also points out a Position in which you may prefer your Enemies to your Friends!
• Chapter 25 - In which Bramble points out to me that singing is part of the Profession of a Pilot.
• Chapter 26 - In which I go Afloat, and obtain some Knowledge of the English Channel.
• Chapter 27 - Showing the Importance, on board Ship, of a Rope's End well applied.
• Chapter 28 - Some little Difference in the Proceeds of this Chapter, and my former "Copper for Poor Jack, your Honor".
• Chapter 29 - In which I learn the History of Old Nanny.
• Chapter 30 - Strong symptoms of Mutiny, which is fortunately Quelled by granting a Supply.
• Chapter 31 - In which my Father proves he can give good Advice as well as Peter Anderson.
• Chapter 32 - In which there is a Hop, Skip, and a Jump.
• Chapter 33 - In which the sine quá non of all Novels is, for the first time, introduced.
• Chapter 34 - More Cry than Wool—Bramble would dig a Pit for another, and tumbles in along with him.
• Chapter 35 - We have great Hopes of not seeing the Inside of a French Prison, but we are disappointed.
• Chapter 36 - With those powerful agents, Fire and Water, we contrive to Escape from a French Prison.
• Chapter 37 - Another Escape, more fortunate than the one recorded in the preceding Chapter.
• Chapter 38 - Which is all about Love—Bramble confides to me all his Acquaintance with the tender Passion.
• Chapter 39 - In which I receive a very severe Blow from a Party or Parties unknown.
• Chapter 40 - Showing the great Advantages to be derived from Patronage.
• Chapter 41 - In which it is proved that Sailors have very correct Ideas as to Metempsychosis.
• Chapter 42 - A heavy Gale, a Wreck, and a Rescue.
• Chapter 43 - A Scene in the Hospital, and a strange Discovery.
• Chapter 44 - Spicer discloses strange Matters.
• Chapter 45 - Spicer's Death.
• Chapter 46 - In which Mrs. St. Felix refuses a splendid Offer, which I am duly empowered to make to her.
• Chapter 47 - In which a new Character appears upon the Stage, and I play the part of a Pilot on Shore.
• Chapter 48 - My Sister Virginia is at last placed in a Situation which is satisfactory to my Mother as well as to herself.
• Chapter 49 - My Father, much to his surprise, has a bit of Land to put his Foot upon, and say "This is my own".
• Chapter 50 - An Adventure which at first promised to be the most Unfortunate, and eventually proved the most Fortunate in my Life.
• Chapter 51 - Being the last Chapter, the Reader may pretty well guess the Contents of it.
• Finale
• Footnotes