The octavo edition of Pamela Richardson published in May 1742 was notable not only because of its high-quality paper and illustrations by Hayman and Gravelot, but also because it was prefixed by a detailed table of contents of all four volumes. In his addendum to the preface, Richardson explains that he has omitted the commendatory letters as well as introduction present in previous editions because of the ‘kind Reception these Volumes have met with’ and the fact that ‘the most material Objections answer’d in the Introductory Preface, are taken notice of and obviated in the Third Volume’ (Preface, p. viii). Instead, ‘their place is supply’d, not unusefully, it is presum’d, by the following Epitome of the Work’ (ibid.). Though not so detailed as Richardson's ‘Index or Table of Contents’ to The Negotiations of Sir Thomas Roe (1740), which had been singled out for particular praise by the reviewer of that volume in The History of the Works of the Learned (May 1740), the ‘epitome’ of Pamela indicates to the reader that this is not merely a novel but an important ‘Work’. Pamela, in short, is worthy of serious critical attention and, therefore, merits the kind of critical apparatus accorded the papers and correspondence of a celebrated English diplomat. The contents of the third and fourth volumes are reproduced below; the contents of the first and second volumes appear in Pamela: or, Virtue Rewarded.

CONTENTS OF VOL. I I I .

The good old Couple, arriving at the Bedfordshire Mansion, were received by Mr. B. with great Demonstrations of Esteem and Respect and by their beloved Daughter with Transports of dutiful Joy: And having resided there, till every thing was in Order for their Reception at the Kentish Farm, they set out to take Possession of it, accompanied by the happy Pair, who staid with them a Fortnight: And then returning to Bedfordshire, Mrs. B. writes to acquaint them with their safe Arrival, and to the following Effect.

Letter