"The History of Tom Jones" is one of the first and finest English comic novels. Henry Fielding`s high-spirited hero is a foundling of mysterious origins, discovered abandoned one night in the bed of the wealthy and benevolent Mr Allworthy. Tom`s intrigues, amours and picaresque adventures, and how he pursues and wins the lovely and apparently unattainable Sophia Western, are the ingredients of a gloriously elaborate plot.