In the nature of things there could never be another novel like Tom Jones, and the reason is not one of mere size and scope, although that would be a debatable point outside of War and Peace nor is Tom Jones entirely unique as the supreme comedy of manners in the English language. The magic lies in the clear, crystal light of Fielding's depiction of his hero and his adventures in this morning glory of the modern novel - a morning glory that in a sense has never shone so brightly. 'Tom Jones is an epic,' to quote George Saintsbury's Introduction, 'of the healthy average life of the average natural man.'