# Rev. Mr. Villars — Evelina character guide

> Rev. Mr. Villars in Evelina by Fanny Burney.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** the Rev. Mr. Villars, Mr. Villars, Arthur Villars, O Villars

**First appearance:** 0004-letter-i-lady-howard-to-the-rev-mr-villars

## Snapshot

Evelina's devoted guardian and moral compass, a country clergyman whose anxious letters shadow every step of her entry into a world he distrusts.

## Who they are

Mr. Villars has raised Evelina as his own, cherishing her guileless nature while dreading the snares of fashionable society and the unprincipled father who abandoned her. His letters to Lady Howard and Evelina reveal a man torn between protecting her innocence and securing the birthright she deserves, a conflict he admits has left him in perpetual perplexity. His voice frames the novel's moral stakes, and his counsel is the standard against which Evelina measures every temptation London throws at her.

## In the story

### [Inscription](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/inscription)

The poem is addressed to Dr. Burney, who is the author's father and moral guide, paralleling the role of Mr. Villars as a paternal figure.

### [Evelina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/evelina)

Evelina's guardian, who has raised her in seclusion at Berry Hill.

### [Letter I: Lady Howard to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-i-lady-howard-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Recipient of the letter; Lady Howard defers to his judgment regarding Evelina's future.

### [Letter II: Mr. Villars to Lady Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-ii-mr-villars-to-lady-howard)

Writes to Lady Howard, explaining his reasons for keeping Evelina in England and recounting the tragic history of her mother.

### [Letter III: Lady Howard to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-iii-lady-howard-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Recipient of the letter; his health has improved.

### [Letter IV: Mr. Villars to Lady Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-iv-mr-villars-to-lady-howard)

Writes to Lady Howard, expressing his concerns about sending Evelina to London and detailing her upbringing.

### [Letter V: Mr. Villars to Lady Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-v-mr-villars-to-lady-howard)

Writes to Lady Howard, expressing his deep affection and concern for Evelina, whom he sends to her care.

### [Letter VI: Lady Howard to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-vi-lady-howard-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Recipient of the letter; Lady Howard reassures him about Evelina's well-being.

### [Letter VII: Lady Howard to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-vii-lady-howard-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

The recipient of the letter; his permission is being sought for Evelina's journey.

### [Letter VIII: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-viii-evelina-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

The recipient of Evelina's letter; she seeks his permission for the proposed journey.

### [Letter IX: Mr. Villars to Evelina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-ix-mr-villars-to-evelina)

The author of the letter; he reluctantly grants Evelina permission to go to London, expressing his hopes and prayers for her safety.

### [Letter X: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-x-evelina-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Recipient of the letter; Evelina addresses him with affection and seeks his approval.

### [Letter XV: Mr. Villars to Evelina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xv-mr-villars-to-evelina)

The writer of the letter, expressing his protective concern for Evelina and his long-foreseen contest with Madame Duval.

### [Letter XXII: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxii-evelina-in-continuation)

Mr. Villars sends a supportive letter to Evelina, assuring her of his protection regarding Madame Duval.

### [Letter XXIV: Mr. Villars to Evelina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxiv-mr-villars-to-evelina)

Mr. Villars writes the letter, revealing his deep anxiety, his disapproval of London society, and his hopes for Evelina's virtuous future in the country.

### [Letter XXVII: Lady Howard to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxvii-lady-howard-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Recipient of Lady Howard's letter; she appeals to his judgment and candor regarding the lawsuit.

### [Letter XXVIII: Mr. Villars to Lady Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxviii-mr-villars-to-lady-howard)

Writes to Lady Howard, explaining his past guardianship of Evelina and his objections to the proposed lawsuit.

### [Letter XXIX: Mr. Villars to Evelina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxix-mr-villars-to-evelina)

The writer, who expresses his internal conflict between paternal instinct and societal expectations.

### [Letter XXX: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxx-evelina-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

The recipient of the letter, addressed as her 'more than father' and the one she fears being torn from.

### [Letter XXXI: Lady Howard to Sir John Belmont, Bart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxxi-lady-howard-to-sir-john-belmont-bart)

Praised as the venerable guardian who has carefully educated Evelina and deserves Sir John's warmest acknowledgments.

### [Letter XXXV: Sir John Belmont to Lady Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxxv-sir-john-belmont-to-lady-howard)

Mentioned as the one who proposes presenting the young lady and whom Sir John contrasts with himself.

### [Letter XXXVII: Mr. Villars to Evelina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxxvii-mr-villars-to-evelina)

The writer of the letter, expressing paternal concern and confusion over Sir John Belmont's hints.

### [Letter XXXVIII: Mr. Villars to Lady Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxxviii-mr-villars-to-lady-howard)

Writes to Lady Howard describing his difficult meeting with Madame Duval and his reluctant compromise.

### [Letter XXXIX: Mr. Villars to Evelina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxxix-mr-villars-to-evelina)

The author of the letter, who reluctantly consents to Evelina's journey and offers paternal advice.

### [Letter XLIX: Mr. Villars to Evelina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xlix-mr-villars-to-evelina)

Writes to express displeasure at Sir Clement's conduct, approve Evelina's charity, and announce plans for her return.

### [Letter L: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-l-evelina-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Mr. Villars is the recipient of Evelina's letter, having sent her a present and a letter expressing doubts about Mr. Macartney.

### [Letter LVI: Mr. Villars to Evelina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lvi-mr-villars-to-evelina)

Writes the letter, expressing deep affection and eagerness for Evelina's return.

### [Letter LVII: Evelina to Miss Mirvan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lvii-evelina-to-miss-mirvan)

Requested Evelina's return via a letter to Madame Duval; welcomed her with deep emotion and gratitude.

### [Letter LVIII: Evelina to Miss Mirvan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lviii-evelina-to-miss-mirvan)

Evelina's guardian, whose affectionate concern and unsuspecting praise of Lord Orville deepen her distress.

### [Letter LIX: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lix-evelina-in-continuation)

Evelina's beloved guardian, whose tenderness and goodness she praises; she regrets not confiding in him about the letter.

### [Letter LX: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lx-evelina-in-continuation)

Mr. Villars perceptively observes Evelina's distress, gently draws out her secret, and advises her on how to handle Lord Orville's insulting letter.

### [Letter LXI: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lxi-evelina-in-continuation)

Evelina's guardian, who insisted she travel to Bristol for her health and from whom she parted reluctantly.

### [Letter LXVII: Mr. Villars to Evelina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lxvii-mr-villars-to-evelina)

The author of the letter; he reveals his long-held observations of Evelina's feelings for Lord Orville and advises her to leave Bristol.

### [Letter LXXI: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lxxi-evelina-in-continuation)

The recipient of Evelina's letter; she seeks his approval and directions.

### [Letter LXXIII: Mr. Villars to Evelina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lxxiii-mr-villars-to-evelina)

Writes the letter, expressing his determination to clear the reputation of Evelina's mother and support Evelina's claim.

### [Letter LXXIV: Lady Belmont to Sir John Belmont](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lxxiv-lady-belmont-to-sir-john-belmont)

Mentioned as the benevolent guardian who has pledged to keep Evelina until Sir John Belmont accepts her.

### [Letter LXXVI: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lxxvi-evelina-in-continuation)

Evelina's guardian; she receives a letter from him and expresses her eternal gratitude.

### [Letter LXXIX: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lxxix-evelina-in-continuation)

Mr. Villars is not present but is the ultimate authority Evelina looks to for approval; she writes to him for his decision on the marriage.

### [Letter LXXXIII: Mr. Villars to Evelina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lxxxiii-mr-villars-to-evelina)

The joyful and grateful father figure giving his consent and blessing.

### [Letter LXXXIV: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lxxxiv-evelina-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

The recipient of the letter, Evelina's beloved guardian.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/characters/mr_villars
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/characters