A comic novel first published in 1910. Alfred Polly lives in the imaginary town of Fishbourne in Kent. Chapters 1–6 depict his life up to age 20, when he marries his cousin Miriam Larkins. Chapters 7–8 show Mr. Polly's spectacular suicide attempt. Chapters 9–10, at the Potwell Inn, culminates in Mr. Polly's courageous victory over 'Uncle Jim', a malicious relative of the innkeeper's granddaughter. An epilogue then depicts Mr. Polly at ease as assistant-innkeeper.