WithanIntroductionbyAnneThackerayRitchieINTRODUCTION
I
ThestoryoftheEdgeworthFamily，ifitwereproperlytold，shouldbeaslongastheARABIANNIGHTSthemselves;thethousandandonecheerfulintelligentmembersofthecircle，theamusingfriendsandrelations，thecharmingsurroundings，thecheerfulhospitablehome，allgotomakeupanalmostuniquehistoryofacountyfamilyofgreatpartsandnolittlecharacter。TheEdgeworthswerepeopleofgoodmeansandposition，andtheirrental，wearetold，amountedtonearlyL3000ayear。AtonetimetherewassometalkofapeerageforMr。Edgeworth，buthewasconsideredtooindependentforapeerage。
Thefamilytraditionseemstohavebeenunconventionalandspiritedalways。TherearerecordsstillextantinthepresentMr。Edgeworth’spossession，——papersofmostwonderfulvitalityforparchment，——whereyoumayreadpassionateremonstrancesandadjurationsfromgreat-grandfatherstogreat-great-grandfathers，andwheregreat-great-grandmothersrushintothediscussionwithvehementspellingandremonstrance，andmakemattersnobetterbytheirinterference。Ineverreadmorepassionatelyeloquentlettersandappeals。Therearealsorecordsofapleasanternature;merrymakings，andfestivepreparations，and12s。6d。forapairofsilkstockingsforMissMargaretEdgeworthtodancein，carefullyenteredintothefamilybudget。Allthepeoplewhoseportraitsarehangingup，beruffled，dignified，calm，andperiwigged，ontheoldwallsofEdgeworthstowncertainlyhadextraordinarilystrongimpressions，andgaveeloquentexpressiontothem。Idon’tthinkpeoplecouldfeelquitesostronglynowabouttheirownaffairsastheydidthen;therearesomanyprintedemotions，somanypublicevents，thatprivatedetailscannotseemquiteasimportant。Edgeworthsofthosedayswerefartherawayfromtheworldthantheyarenow，dwellingintheplainsofLongford，whichasyetwerenotcrossedbyironrails。
Thefamilyseemstohavemadelittleofdistances，andtohaveriddenandpostedtoandfrofromDublintoEdgeworthstowninstormandsunshine。
II
WhenMessrs。MacmillanaskedmetowriteaprefacetothisneweditionofMissEdgeworth’sstoriesIthoughtIshouldliketoseetheplacewhereshehadlivedsolongandwhereshehadwrittensomuch，andsoithappenedthatbeinginIrelandearlythisyear，mydaughterandIfoundourselvesdrivinguptoBroadstoneStationonemorningintimefortheearlytraintoEdgeworthstown。Aswegotoutofourcabweaskedthedriverwhatthefareshouldbe。’Surethefareishalfacrown，’saidhe，’andifyouwishtogivememore，Icouldkeepitformyself！’
Thetrainwasstartingandweboughtourpaperstobeguiletheroad。’WillyouhaveaHomeRulepaperoroneofthemothers？’
saidthenewsboy，withsuchadrollemphasisthatwecouldn’thelplaughing。’Givemeoneofeach，’saidI;thenhelaughed，asnoEnglishnewsboywouldhavedone……Wewentalonginthecarwithasadcoupleofpeopleoutofahospital，compatriotsofourown，whohadbeensettledtenyearsinIreland，andwerelongingtobeaway。Thepoorthingswerepastconsolation，dull，despairing，ingrainedEnglish，sickandsufferingandyearningforBrixton，justasotheralienslongfortheirnativehillsandmoors。Wetravelledalongtogetherallthatspringmorningbytheblossominghedges，andtriumphalarchesoffloweringMay;thehillswereveryfaraway，butthelovelylightsandscentswereallaboutandmadeourjourneycharming。Maynoothwasafragrantvisionasweflewpast，ofvastgardenswall-enclosed，ofstatelybuildings。ThewholelineofrailwaywassweetwiththeMayflowers，andwiththepungentandrefreshingscentoftheturf-
bogs。Theairwassoclearandsolimpidthatwecouldseeformiles，andshort-sightedeyesneedednoglassestoadmirewith。
Hereandthereaturfcabin，nowandthenalakeplacidlyreflectingthesky。Thecountryseemedgivenovertosilence，thelightspedunheededacrossthedelicatebrownsandgreensofthebog-fields;orlayonthesweetwonderfulgreenofthemeadows。Onedazzlingfieldwesawfullofdancingcirclesoflittlefairypigswithcurlytails。EverythingwashomelikebutNOTEngland，therewassomethingofFrance，somethingofItalyinthesky;inthefancifultintsuponthelandandsea，inthevastnessofthepicture，inthehappysadnessandcalmcontentwhichissodifficulttodescribeortoaccountfor。Finallywereachedourjourney’send。ItgaveonearealemotiontoseeEDGEWORTHSTOWNwrittenupontheboardbeforeus，andtorealisethatwewerefollowinginthestepsofthosegiantswhohadpassedbeforeus。ThemasterofEdgeworthstownkindlymetusanddroveustohishomethroughtheoutlyingvillage，shadedwithitssycamores，underneathwhichprettycowswerebrowsingthegrass。WepassedtheRomanCatholicChurch，thegreatironcrucifixstandinginthechurchyard。Thenthehorsesturnedinatthegateofthepark，andthererosetheoldhome，soexactlylikewhatoneexpectedit，thatIfeltasifIhadbeentherebeforeinsomeotherphaseofexistence。
Itiscertainlyatraditioninthefamilytowelcometravellers！
IthoughtofthevariousmemoirsIhadread，ofthetravellersarrivingfromtheNorthandtheSouthandtheWest;ofScottandLockhart，ofPictet，oftheTicknors，ofthemanyvisitantswhohadcomeupinturn;whetheritistheyear14，ortheyear94，thehospitabledoorsopenkindlytoadmitthem。ThereweretheFrenchwindowsreachingtotheground，throughwhichMariausedtopassonherwaytogatherherroses;therewastheporchwhereWalterScotthadstood;theregrewthequaintold-fashionedbusheswiththegreatpinkpeoniesinflower，bythoserailingswhichstilldividetheparkfromthemeadowsbeyond;therespreadthebranchesofthecentury-oldtrees。OnlylastwintertheytoldusthestormscameandsweptawayagroveofBeechesthatwereknowninallthecountryround，buthowmuchofshade，offlower，stillremain！ThenobleHawthornofstatelygrowth，thepine-trees（thereshouldbeNAMESfortrees，asthereareforrocksorancientstrongholds）。Mr。EdgeworthshowedustheoakfromJerusalem，thegroveofcypressandsycamorewherethebeautifuldepthsofgroundivyarefloatingupontheDEBRIS，andsoftenthegnarledroots，whiletheyfloodtherisingbankswithgreen。
Mr。andMrs。Edgeworthbroughtusintothehouse。Thewaysgoupstairsanddownstairs，bywindingpassagesandsidegates;aprettydomedstaircasestartsfromthecentralhall，wherestandsthatoldclock-casewhichMariawoundupwhenshewasovereightyyearsold。Totherightandtotheleftalongthepassageswereroomsopeningfromoneintoanother。IcouldimagineSirWalter’skindeyeslookinguponthescene，andWordsworthcomingdownthestairs，andtheirfriendlyentertainermakingallhappy，andallwelcomeinturn;andtheirhostess，thewidowedMrs。
Edgeworth，respondingandsympathisingwitheach。WesawthecornerbythefirewhereMariawrote;wesawhertablewithitsprettycurvesstandinginitsplaceinthedeepcasements。MissEdgeworth’sownroomisatinylittleroomabovelookingoutonthebackgarden。Thislittleclosetopensfromalargerone，andthenbyanarrowflightofstairsleadstoasuiteofground-
floorchambers，followingonefromanother，linedwithbookcasesandlookingonthegardens。Whatastrangefellow-feelingwiththepastitgaveonetostandstaringattheoldbooks，withtheirpaperbacksandold-fashionedcovers，atthegrayboards，whichweretheliveriesofliteratureinthoseearlydays;atthefirsteditions，withtheirinscriptionsintheauthor’shandwriting，orinMaria’sprettycaligraphy。TherewasthePIRATEinitsoriginalvolumes，andMackintosh’sMEMOIRS，andMrs。Barbauld’sESSAYS，andDescartes’sESSAYS，thatArthurHallamlikedtoread;Hallam’sCONSTITUTIONALHISTORY，andRogers’sPOEMS，werethereallinscribedanddedicated。NotlessinterestingwerethepilesofMagazinesthathadbeensentfromAmerica。IneverknewbeforehowmanyMagazinesexistedeventhoseearlydays;wetooksomedownathazardandreadnames，dates，andinitials……Storiedurnandmonumentalbustdonotbringbackthepastasdothebookswhichbelongtoit。Storiedurnsareinchurchesandstoneniches，farremovedfromthelivesofwhichtheyspeak;booksseemapartofourdailylife，andarelikethesoundofavoicejustoutsidethedoor。Heretheywere，astheyhadbeenreadbyher，storedawaybyherhands，andstillsafelypreserved，bringingbackthepastwith，asitwere，acheerfulencouraginggreetingtothepresent。Otherrelicsthereareofcourse，but，asIsay，nonewhichtouchonesovividly。
Thereishersilverink-stand，thelittletableherfatherleftheronwhichshewrote（ithadbelongedtohismotherbeforehim）。Thereisalsoacurioustrophy——atablewhichwassenttoherfromEdinburgh，ornamentedbypromiscuousviewsofItaly，curiouslyinappropriatetohergenius;butnotsotheinscription，whichisquotedfromSirWalterScott’sPrefacetohisCollectedEdition，andwhichmayaswellbequotedhere：
’WITHOUTBEINGSOPRESUMPTUOUSASTOHOPETOEMULATETHERICH
HUMOUR，THEPATHETICTENDERNESS，ANDADMIRABLETRUTHWHICH
PERVADETHEWORKSOFMYACCOMPLISHEDFRIEND，’SirWalterwrote，I
FELTTHATSOMETHINGMIGHTBEATTEMPTEDFORMYOWNCOUNTRYOFTHE
SAMEKINDASTHATWHICHMISSEDGEWORTHSOFORTUNATELYACHIEVED
FORIRELAND。’
IntheMEMOIRSofMissEdgeworththereisaprettyaccountofhersuddenburstoffeelingwhenthispassagesounexpected，andsodeeplyfeltbyher，wasreadoutbyoneofhersisters，atatimewhenMarialayweakandrecoveringfromillnessinEdgeworthstown。
Ourhosttookusthatday，amongotherpleasantthings，foramarvellousanddelightfulflightonajauntingcar，toseesomethingofthecountry。Wespedthroughstormsandsunshine，byopenmoorsandfields，andthenbyvillagesandlittlechurches，byfarmswherethepigswerestandingatthedoorstobefed，byprettytrimcottages。Thelightscameandwent;asthemistliftedwecouldseetheexquisitecolours，thegreen，thedazzlingsweetlightsonthemeadows，playinguponthemeadow-sweetandelderbushes;atlastwecametothelovelygladesofCarriglass。Itseemedtomethatwehadreachedanenchantedforestamidthisgreensweettangleofivy，offloweringsummertrees，ofimmemorialoaksandsycamores。
Asquirrelwasdartingupthebranchesofabeautifulspreadingbeech-tree，awholearmyofrabbitswereflashingwithsilvertailsintothebrushwood;swallows，blackbirds，peacock-
butterflies，dragonfliesonthewing，amightysylvanlifewasroaminginthislovelyorderlywilderness。
ThegreatIrishkitchengarden，belongingtothehouse，withitssevenmilesofwall，wasalsonotunlikeapartofafairytale。
Itsowner，Mr。Lefroy，toldmethatMissEdgeworthhadbeenconstantlythere。ShewasagreatfriendofJudgeLefroy。Asaboyherememberedherdrivinguptothehouseandrunningupthroughthegreatdrawing-roomdoorstogreettheJudge。
MissEdgeworthcertainlylivedinafairsurrounding，and，withSophiaWestern，musthavegonealongthewayoflifeheraldedbysweetestthings，bythesongofbirds，bythegoldradianceofthebuttercups，bythevariedshadowsofthosebeautifultreesunderwhichthecowsgentlytreadthegrass。EnglishdoesnotseemexactlythelanguageinwhichtowriteofIreland，withitssylvanwondersofnaturalbeauty。MadamedeSevigne’sdescriptionsofherwoodscametomymind。Itisnotaplacewhichdelightsonebyitsactualsensualbeauty，asItalydoes;
itisnotasinEngland，whereathousandassociationslinkonetoeverysceneandaspect——Irelandseemstometocontainsomeuniqueandmostimpersonalcharm，whichisquiteunwritable。
Allthateveningwesattalkingwithourhostsroundthefire（foritwascoldenoughforafire），andIrememberedthatinMissEdgeworth’sMEMOIRSitwasdescribedhowthesnowlayuponthegroundandupontheland，whenthefamilycamehomeinJunetotakepossessionofEdgeworthstown。
AsIputoutmycandleinthespaciousguest-chamberIwonderedwhichofitspastinhabitantsIshouldwishtoseestandinginthemiddleoftheroom。ImustconfessthatthethoughtofthebeautifulHonorafilledmewithalarm，andifMissSewardhadwalkedininherpearlsandsatinrobeIshouldhavefledformylife。AsIlaythereexperimentalisinguponmyownemotionsI
foundthatafterall，naturalsimplepeopledonotfrightenonewhetherdeadoralive。Thethoughtofthemiseverwelcome;itistheartificialpeoplewhoaresometimesonething，sometimesanother，andwhoformthemselvesontheweaknessesandfanciesofthoseamongwhomtheylive，whoarereallyterrifying。
Theshadowofthebird’swingflittedacrossthewindowofmybedroom，andthesunwasshiningnextmorningwhenIawoke。I
couldseethecows，footdeepinthegrassunderthehawthorns。
Afterbreakfastwewentoutintothegroundsandthroughanarcheddoorwayintothekitchengarden。ItmighthavebeensomecornerofItalyortheSouthofFrance;thesquaretowerofthegranaryrosehighagainsttheblue，thegraywallswerehungwithmessyfruittrees，pigeonsweredartingandflappingtheirwings，gardenerswereatwork，theveryvegetablesweregrowingluxuriantandromanticandedgedbythickbordersofvioletpansy;crossingthecourtyard，wecameintothevillagestreet，alsoorderlyandwhite-washed。Thesoftlimpidairmadeallthingsintopictures，intoTurners，intoTitians。AMurillo-likeboy，withdarkeyes，wasleaningagainstawall，withhisshadow，watchingusgoby;strangeoldwomen，withdraperiesroundtheirheads，werecomingoutoftheirhouses。WepassedthePost-
Office，thevillageshops，withtheirnames，theMonaghansandGerahtys，suchaswefindagaininMissEdgeworth’snovels。Weheardthelocalpoliticsdiscussedoverthecounterwithacertainaptnessanddirectnesswhichstruckmeverymuch。Wepassedtheboarding-house，whichwasnotwithoutitshistory——alonglowbuildingerectedbyMr。andMissEdgeworthforaschool，wheretheSandfordsandMertonsofthosedaysweretobebroughtuptogether：asortofforeshadowingoftheHighSchoolsofthepresent。Mr。Edgeworthwas，asweknow，theveryspiritofprogress，thoughhisexperimentdidnotansweratthetime。Attheendofthevillagestreet，wheretworoadsdivide，wenoticedagapinthedecentroadway——apileofruinsinagarden。A
tumble-downcottage，andbeyondthecottage，afallingshed，onthethatchedroofofwhichahenwascluckingandscraping。
ThesecottagesMr。Edgeworthhad，afterlongdifficulty，boughtupandcondemnedasunfitforhumanhabitation。Theplanshadbeenconsidered，theordersgiventobuildnewcottagesintheirplace，whichweretobelettotheoldtenantsattheoldrent，butthelastremaininginhabitantabsolutelyrefusedtoleave;wesawanoldwomaninahoodslowlycrossingtheroad，andcarryingapailforwater;nothreatsorinducementswouldmoveher，noteventhesightofaneatlittlehouse，white-washedandpainted，andallreadyforhertostepinto。Herpresentrentwas10d。aweek，Mr。Edgeworthtoldme，andshehadbeenlettingthetumble-
downshedtoalargefamilyfor1s。4d。Thissub-letwasforciblyputanendto，butthelandladystillstopsthere，andthereshewillstayuntiltherooftumblesdownuponherhead。Theoldcreaturepassedonthroughthesunshine，adecrepit，picturesquefigurecarryingherpailtothestream，defyingallthelawsofprogressandpoliticaleconomyandcivilisationinherfeeblenessanddetermination。
Mostofthewomencametotheirdoorstoseeusgoby。Theyalllookedasoldasthehills——somedroptcurtseys，othersthrewuptheirarmsinbenediction。Fromacottagefartheruptheroadissuedastrange，shyoldcreature，lookinglikeabundleofhay，walkingonbarelegs。Shecameupwithapinchofsnuff，andashakeofthehand;shewasofthefamilyofthemanwhohadoncesavedEdgeworthstownfrombeingdestroyedbytherebels。’Sureitwasnotherfather，’saidoldPeggy，’itwashergrandfatherdidit！’Sosheexplained，butitwashardtobelievethatsuchanold，oldcreaturehadeverhadagrandfatherinthememoryofman。
Theglebelandsliebeyondthevillage。Theyreachasfarasthechurchonitshighplateau，fromwhichyoucanseetheWicklowHillsonafineday，andthelovelyshiftingofthelightsofthelandscape。TheremainsofthegreatpewoftheEdgeworthfamily，withitscarvedcanopyofwood，isstillafeatureinthebarechurchfromwhichsomuchhasbeensweptaway。Thenamesofthefathersarewrittenonthechancelwalls，andafewmedallionsofdaughtersandsistersalso。Inthechurchyard，amonggreenelderbushesandtallupspringinggrasses，isthesquaremonumenterectedtoMr。Edgeworthandhisfamily;andaswestoodtherethequietplacewascrossedandrecrossedbyswallowswiththeirbeatingcrescentwings。
III
WhateveronemaythinkofMr。Edgeworth’sliterarymanipulationsandofhisinfluenceuponhisdaughter’swritings，onecannotbutrespectthesincereandcordialunderstandingwhichboundthesetwopeopletogether，andrealisetheaddedinterestinlife，initsmachineryandevolutions，whichMariaowedtoherfather’sactiveintelligence。Herowngift，Ithink，musthavebeenoneforperceivingthroughthemindsofothers，andforrealisingthevalueofwhattheyinturnreflected;oneisstruckagainandagainbytheoddmixtureofintuition，andofabsolutematteroffactwhichonefindsinherwritings。
Itisdifficulttorealise，whenonereadsthememoirsofhumanbeingswholovedandhated，andlaughedandscolded，andwantedthingsanddidwithoutthem，verymuchaswedoourselves，thatthoughtheythoughtaswedoandfeltaswedo（only，asIhavesaid，withgreatervehemence），theydidn’tLOOKlikeusatall;
andMr。Edgeworth，thefatherofMariaEdgeworth，the’gaygallant，’theimpetuous，ingenious，energeticgentleman，satwritingwithpowderedhairandaqueue，withtightsandbuckles，boltuprightinastiffchair，whilehisfamily，alsobequeuedandbecurledandbekerchiefed，weregatheredroundhiminagroup，composedlyattentivetohisexplanations，ashepointstotherolluponthetable，orreadsfromhismanyMSS。andnote-
books，fortheiredification。
Tohavefourwivesandtwenty-twochildren，tohaveinventedsomanymachines，engines，andcurricles，steeplesandtelegraphposts，ismorethancommonlyfallstothelotofoneordinaryman，butsuchweknowwasMr。Edgeworth’shistorytoldbyhisownlips。
Ireceivedbychanceanoldnewspapertheotherday，datedthe23rdJuly1779。ItiscalledtheLONDONPACKET，anditsnews，toldwithlongs’sandprettycurlyitalics，thrillsoneevennowasonelooksoverthefourshortpages。Theleadingarticleisentitled’StrikingInstanceofthePERFIDYofFrance。’ItistruethegrievancegoesbacktoLouisXIV。，buttheleaderiswrittenwithplentyofspiritandpresentindignation。ThencomesnewsfromAmericaandthelistsofNewCouncillorselected：
’ArtemusWard，FrancisDana，OliverPrescott，SamuelBaker，whileaverysuitablesermonontheoccasionispreachedbytheRev。
Mr。StillmanofBoston。’Howfamiliarthenamesallsound！ThenthethanksoftheMembersofCongressaregivento’GeneralLee，ColonelMoultrie，andtheofficersandsoldiersundertheircommandwhoonthe28thofJunelastRepulsedwithsomuchValourtheattackthatwasmadethatdayontheStateofSouthCarolinabythefleetandarmyofhisBritannicMajesty。’
Thereisanirresistiblespiritofold-worldpigtaildecorumanddashaboutitall。Wereadofour’grandfleet’waitingatCorunnafortheSpanish;of80，000menonthecoastofBrittanysupposedtobereadyforaninvasionofEngland;ofthePrinceofCondeplayingatcards，withNorthumberlandHouseitselfforstakes（NorthumberlandHousewhichheisINTENDINGtotake）。WereadthelistofLotteryPrizes，oftheL1000andL500tickets;
ofthepressingwantofseamenforHisMajesty’sNavy，andhowthegentlemenofIrelandaresubscriberstoabountyfund。ThencomesthenarrativeofJamesCatonofBristol，whowritestocomplainthatwhiletransactinghisbusinessontheBristolExchangeheisviolentlyseizedbyapressgang，withoathsandimprecations。Mr。Farr，attemptingtospeaktohim，istoldbytheLieutenantthatifhedoesnotkeepoffhewillbeshotwithapistol。Mr。Catonisviolentlycarriedoff，lockedupinahorriblestinkingroom，preventedfromseeinghisfriends;afteradayortwoheisforcedonboardatender，whereMr。Tripp，amidshipman，behaveswithhumanity，buttheCaptainandLieutenantoutvieeachotherinbrutality;CaptainHamiltonbehavingasan’enragedpartisan。’PoorMr。CatonisreleasedatlastbytheexertionsofMr。EdmundBurke，ofMr。Farr，andanotherdevotedfriend，whotravelpost-hastetoLondontoobtainaHabeasCorpus，sothatheisabletowriteindignantlyandsafefromhisownhometotheLONDONPACKETtodescribehisprovidentialescape。Thelittlesheetgivesoneavividimpressionofthatdailylifein1779，whenMissEdgeworthmusthavebeenalittlegirloftwelveyearsold，atschoolatMrs。Lataffiere’s，andlearningtowriteinherbeautifulhandwriting。Itwasatimeofgreatevents。Theworldisfighting，armiesmarchingandcounter-marching，andcountriesrapidlychanginghands。MissSewardisinditingherelegantdescriptionsfortheuseofheradmiringcircle。Butalreadythecircleisdwindling！Mr。DayhaspartedfromSabrina。Thewell-knownepisodesofLichfieldgaietiesandlove-makingsareover。PoorMajorAndrehasbeenexiledfromEnglandandrejectedbyHonora。ThebeautifulHonora，whose\"blendingcharmsofmindandperson\"arecelebratedbyoneadoringloverafteranother，hasmarriedMr。Edgeworth。
Shehasknownhappiness，andthedevotedaffectionofanadoringhusband，andtheadmiringloveofherlittlestep-daughter，allthishadbeenhers;andnowallthisiscomingtoanend，andthepoorladylyingonherdeath-bedimploringherhusbandtomarryhersisterElizabeth。AccordinglyMr。EdgeworthmarriedElizabethSneydin1780，whichwasalsotheyearofpoorAndre’sdeath。
ThereisalittleovalpictureattheNationalGalleryinDublin，thephotographofasketchatEdgeworthstownHouse，whichgivesoneaverygoodimpressionofthefamilyasitmusthaveappearedinthereignsofKingGeorgeandthethirdMrs。Edgeworth。Thefatherinhispowderandfrillssitsatthetablewithintelligent，well-informedfingershowingsomeplaceuponamap。
Heisanagreeable-lookingyoungishman;Mrs。Edgeworth，histhirdwife，islookingoverhisshoulder;shehasmarkedfeatures，beautifuleyes，sheholdsachilduponherknee，andonecanseethelikenessinhertoherstep-daughterHonora，whostandsjustbehindherandleansagainstthechair。Alargeglobeappropriatelystandsinthebackground。Thegrown-upladiesalternatewithsmallchildren。MissEdgeworthherself，sittingoppositetoherfather，isthemostprominentfigureinthegroup。Shewearsabroadleghornhat，afrizzedcoiffure，andfoldedkerchief;shehasasprightly，somewhatFrenchappearance，withamarkednoseoftheRETROUSSEorder。Ihadsooftenheardthatshewasplainthattoseethisfashionableandagreeablefigurewasapleasantsurprise。
MissEdgeworthseemstobeaboutfour-and-twentyinthesketch;
shewasbornin1767;shemusthavebeenelevenin1778，whenMr。
EdgeworthfinallycameovertoIrelandtosettleonhisownestate，andamonghisownpeople。HehadbeenobligedsomeyearsbeforetoleaveEdgeworthstownonaccountofMrs。HonoraEdgeworth’shealth;henowreturnedinpatriarchalfashionwithMrs。ElizabethEdgeworth，histhirdwife，withhischildrenbyhisfirst，second，andthirdmarriages，andwithtwosisters-in-
lawwhohadmadetheirhomeinhisfamily。Forthirty-fiveyearshecontinuedtoliveonintheprettyoldhomewhichhenowadaptedtohislargefamily，andwhich，notwithstandingMissEdgeworth’sobjections，wouldhaveseemedsowellfittedforitsvariousrequirements。Thedaughter’sdescriptionofhislifethere，ofhisworkamonghistenants，ofhispaternalandspiritedrule，isvividandinteresting。WhenthepresentownerofEdgeworthstowntalkedtousofhisgrandfather，onefeltthat，withallhiseccentricities，hemusthavebeenamanofafar-
seeingmindandobservation。Mr。ErrolesEdgeworthsaidthathewashimselfstillreapingthebenefitofhisgrandfather’sadmirableorganisationandarrangementsontheestate，andthatwhenpeopleallaroundmetwithendlessdifficultiesandcomplications，hehadscarcelyknownany。WouldthattherehadbeenmoreMr。EdgeworthsinIreland！
Whateverbusinesshehadtodo，hisdaughtertellsus，wasdoneinthemidstofhisfamily。Mariacopiedhislettersofbusinessandhelpedhimtoreceivehisrents。’OnmostIrishestates，’
saysMissEdgeworth，’thereis，ortherewas，apersonagecommonlycalledadriver，——apersonwhodrivesandimpoundscattleforrentandarrears。’Thedriversare，alas！fromtimetotimetoonecessaryincollectingIrishrents。Mr。Edgeworthdesiredthatnoneofhistenantsshouldpayrenttoanyonebuthimself;thustakingawaysubordinateinterference，hebecameindividuallyacquaintedwithhistenantry。Healsomadehimselfacquaintedwiththedifferentvalueoflandonhisestate。Ineverycasewherethetenanthadimprovedthelandhisclaimtopreferenceovereverynewproposerwasadmitted。Themereplea，’IhavebeenonyourHonour’sestatesomanyyears，’wasdisregarded。’Norwasitadvantageousthateachson，’saysMissEdgeworth，’oftheoriginaltenantshouldliveonhissubdividedlittlepotatogardenwithoutfurtherexertionofmindorbody。’
Furtheronshecontinues：’Notbeinginwantofreadymoney，myfatherwasnotobligedtolethislandtothehighestbidder。Hecouldaffordtohavegoodtenants。’Intheoldleasesclaimsofduty-fowl，ofduty-work，ofmanorbeasthadbeeninserted。Mr。
Edgeworthwasoneofthefirsttoabolishthem。Theonlyclausehecontinuedineveryleasewasthealienationfine，whichwastoprotectthelandlordandtopreventasetofmiddlemenfromtakinglandatareasonablerent，andlettingitimmediatelyatthehighestpossibleprice。Hisindulgenceastothetimeheallowedforthepaymentofrentwasunusuallygreat，butbeyondthehalfyearthetenantsknewhisstrictnesssowell，thattheyrarelyventuredtogointoarrears，andneverdidsowithimpunity。’Tohischaracterasagoodlandlord，’shecontinues，’wasaddedthathewasarealgentleman;thisphrasecomprisesagooddealintheopinionofthelowerIrish。’ThereisoneverycuriousparagraphinwhichMissEdgeworthdescribeshowherfatherknewhowtomakeuseofthetenants’prejudices，puttingforwardhiswishesratherthanhisconvictions。’Itwouldbeimpossibleforme，’sayshisdaughter，’withoutostentationtogiveanyoftheproofsImightrecordofmyfather’sliberality。
Longaftertheywereforgottenbyhimself，theywererememberedbythewarm-heartedpeopleamongwhomhelived。’
Mr。Edgeworthwasoneofthosepeopleborntogettheirownway。
Everyoneseemstohavefelttheinfluenceofhisstrongcharacter。Itwasnotonlywithhisfamilyandhisfriendsthatheheldhisown——thetenantsandthepoorpeopleralliedtohiscommand。Tobesure，itsoundslikesomeoldIrishlegendtobetoldthatMr。Edgeworthhadsoloudavoicethatitcouldbeheardamileoff，andthathissteward，wholivedinalodgeatthatdistancefromthehouse，couldhearhimcallingfromthedrawing-roomwindow，andwouldcomeupfororders。
In1778，saysMissEdgeworthretrospectively，whenEnglandwasdespatchingherarmiesallovertheworld，shehadnotroopstospareforthedefenceofIrelandthenthreatenedwithaFrenchinvasion;andtheprincipalnobilityandgentryembodiedthemselvesvolunteersforthedefenceofthecountry。TheDukeofLeinsterandLordCharlemontwereattheheadofthe’corpswhichinperfectorderandgooddisciplinerenderedtheircountryrespectable。’ThefriendsofIreland，profitingbyEngland’sgrowingconsiderationforthesistercountry，nowobtainedforhergreatbenefitsforwhichtheyhadlongbeenstriving，andMr。
GrattanmovedanaddresstothethroneassertingthelegislativeindependenceofIreland。TheaddresspassedtheHouse，and，ashisdaughtertellsus，Mr。Edgeworthimmediatelypublishedapamphlet。MissEdgeworthcontinuesasfollows，describinghisexcellentcourseofaction：’Myfatherhonestlyandunostentatiouslyusedhisutmostendeavourstoobliterateallthatcouldtendtoperpetuateill-willinthecountry。AmongthelowerclassesinhisneighbourhoodheendeavouredtodiscouragethatspiritofrecriminationandretaliationwhichthelowerIrisharetoopronetocherish。Theyaresuchacuteobserversthatthereisnodeceivingthemastothestateoftherealfeelingoftheirsuperiors。Theyknowthesignsofwhatpasseswithinwithmorecertaintythananyphysiognomist，anditwassoonseenbyallthosewhohadanyconnectionwithhimthatmyfatherwassincereinhisdisdainofvengeance。’Furtheron，describinghispoliticalfeelings，shesaysthatonthesubjectoftheUnioninparliamentaryphrasehehadnotthenbeenabletomakeuphismind。ShedescribeswithsomepridehisfirstspeechintheIrishHouseattwoo’clockinthemorning，whentheweariedmemberswerescarcelyawaketohearit，andwhensomeoftheoutstretchedmemberswerearousedbytheirneighbourstolistentohim！’Whenpeopleperceivedthatitwasnotasetspeech，’saysMissEdgeworth，’theybecameinterested。’Hestatedhisdoubtsjustastheyhadoccurredashethrewthembyturnintoeachscale。AftergivingmanyreasonsinfavourofwhatappearedtobetheadvantagesoftheUnion，heunexpectedlygavehisvoteagainstit，becausehesaidhehadbeenconvincedbywhathehadheardonenight，thattheUnionwasdecidedlyagainstthewishesofthemajorityofmenofsenseandpropertyinthenation。Headded（andsurelyMr。Edgeworth’sopinionshouldgoforsomethingstill）thatifheshouldbeconvincedthattheopinionsofthecountrychanged，hisvotewouldbeinitsfavour。
HisbiographertellsusthatMr。EdgeworthwasmuchcomplimentedonhisspeechbyBOTHsides，bythoseforwhomhevoted，andalsobythosewhofoundthatthebestargumentsontheothersideofthequestionhadbeenundoubtedlymadebyhim。Itisasomewhatcomplicatedstatementandstateoffeelingtofollow;tothefaithfuldaughternothingisimpossiblewhereherfatherisconcerned。Thisvote，Ibelieve，costMr。Edgeworthhispeerage。
’WhenitwasknownthathehadvotedagainsttheUnionhebecamesuddenlytheidolofthosewhowouldpreviouslyhavestonedhim，’
sayshisdevotedbiographer。Itmustnot，however，beforgottenthatMr。EdgeworthhadrefusedanofferofL3000forhisseatfortwoorthreeweeks，duringthatmomentousperiodwheneveryvotewasofimportance。Mr。Pitt，theysay，spentoverL2，000，000incarryingthemeasurewhichhedeemedsonecessary。
IV
Asarulepeople’sbooksappealfirsttoone’simagination，andthenafteratime，ifthebooksaregoodbooksandalive，notstuffeddummiesandreproductions，onebeginstodivinethewritersthemselves，hiddenawayintheirpages，andwrappedupintheirhot-presssheetsofpaper;andsoithappenedbychancethataprintedletteroncewrittenbyMariaEdgeworthtoMrs。
Barbauldsetthepresentreaderwonderingaboutthesetwofamiliarnames，andtryingtorealisethehumanbeingswhichtheyeachrepresented。SincethosedaysMissEdgeworthhasbecomeapersonagemorevividandinterestingthananyofhercharacters，morefamiliareventhan’SimpleSusan’or’RosamondofthePurpleJar。’Shehasseemedlittlebylittletogrowintoafriend，asthewriterhaslearnttoknowhermoreandmoreintimately，hasvisitedthehomeofthathome-lovingwoman，hasheldinherhandsthedelightfulFamilyMemoirs，hasseenthehorizons，sotospeak，ofMariaEdgeworth’slonglife。[NowpublishedandeditedbyMr。Hare（Nov。1894）。]SeveralhistoriesofMissEdgeworthhavebeenlatelypublishedinEngland。MissZimmernandMissOliverinAmericahaveeachwritten，andthepresentwriterhaswritten，andvariousmemoirsandlettershaveappearedindifferentmagazinesandpaperswithallusionsanddescriptionsallmoreorlessinteresting。Onecanbutadmirethespiritwhichanimatedthatwholeexistence;thecheerful，kindly，multipliedinterestMariaEdgeworthtookintheworldoutside，aswellasinthewellbeingofallthosearoundher。Generations，changes，newfamilies，newexperiences，noneoftheseoverwhelmedher。Sheseemedtomoveinacrowd，acheerful，orderlycrowd，keepingintuneandheartwithitsthousandclaims;withstrengthandcalmnessofmindtobearmultipliedsorrowsandavarietyofcarewithcourage，andanever-revivinggiftofspiritedinterest。Herhistoryisalmostuniqueinitscuriousrelationships;itschangesofstep-mothers，itswarmfamilyties，itsgraspofcertainfactswhichbelongtoalltimeratherthantothehouritself。MissEdgeworthlivedforovereightyyears，busy，beneficent，modest，andintelligenttothelast。Whenshediedshewasmournedasunmarriedwomenofeightyarenotoftenmourned。
ThepresentownerofEdgeworthstowntoldusthathecouldjustrememberher，lyingdeaduponherbed，andherfaceuponthepillow，andthesorrowfultearsofthehousehold;andhowheandtheotherlittlechildrenwerecarriedoffbyaweepingauntintothewoods，tocomfortanddistractthemonthefuneralday。Healsotoldusofanincidentpriortothiseventwhichshouldnotbeoverlooked。Howhehimself，beingcaughtred-handed，attheageoffourorthereabouts，withhishandsinaboxofsugar-
plums，hadimmediatelyconfessedtheawfulfactthathehadbeenabouttoeatthem，andhewasbroughtthenandtherebeforehisAuntMariaforsentence。SheatoncedecidedthathehadbehavedNoblyinspeakingthetruth，andthathemustberewardedinkindforhispraiseworthyconduct，andbeallowedtokeepthesugar-
plums！
Thislittlestoryafterhalfacenturycertainlygivesonepleasurestilltorecall，andproves，Ithink，thatcakesmaybeenjoyedlongaftertheyhavebeeneaten，andalsothatthereisagreatdealtobesaidforjusticewithlollipopsinthescale。
ButwhatwouldRosamond’sparentshavethoughtofsuchadecision？Oneshudderstothinkoftheirdisapproval，orofthatofdearimpossibleMr。ThomasDay，withhistrialsandexperimentsofmeltedsealing-waxuponlittlegirls’barearms，andhisglassesoftar-watersoinflexiblyadministered。MissEdgeworth，whosufferedfromhereyes，recallshowMr。Dayusedtobringthedose，thehorribletar-water，everymorningwitha’Drinkthis，MissMaria！’andhowshedarednotresist，thoughshethoughtshesawsomethingofkindnessandpitybeneathallhisapparentseverity。
Severitywastheorderofthosetimes。Thereignofsugar-plumshadscarcelybegun。Itwasnot，asnow，onlyignoranceandfanaticismthatencouragedthegivingofpain，itwastheuniversalcustom。Peoplewerestillhangedforstealing，womenwerestillburnt——sowehavebeenassured——inSt。Stephen’sGreen;though，itistrue，theywereconsideratelystrangledfirst。Childrenwerebulliedandtorturedwiththekindestintentions;evenMariaEdgeworthatherfashionableschoolwasstretchedinasortofmachinetomakehergrow;Mr。Day，asweknow，topleasetheladyofhisaffections，passedeighthoursadayinthestocksinordertoturnouthisknock-knees。Onefeelsthatagenerationofladiesandgentlemenwhosubmittedtosuchinflictionssurelybelongedtoaraceofheroesandheroines，andthat，ifthetimesweredifficultandtrying，thepeoplealsowerestrongertoendurethem，andmusthavebeenmuchbetterfittedwithnervesthanweare。
MissEdgeworth’slifehasbeensooftentoldthatIwillnotattempttorecapitulatethestoryatanylength。Shewelldeservedherreputation。Herthoughtsweregood，herEnglishwasgood，herstorieshadthecharmofsincerity，andheraudienceofchildrenwasagenuineaudience，lesslikelytobecarriedawaybyfashionthanmoreadvancedcriticsmightbe。Thereisacuriousmatter-of-factelementinallshewrote，combinedwithextraordinaryquicknessandcleverness;anditmustberemembered，intryingtomeasureherplaceinliterature，thatinherdaythewholegreatschoolofEnglishphilosophicalromancewasinitscradle;GeorgeEliotwasnotinexistence;myfatherwasbornintheyearinwhichTHEABSENTEEwaspublished。SirWalterScotthastoldusthatitwasMissEdgeworth’swritingwhichfirstsuggestedtohimtheideaofwritingaboutScotlandanditsnationallife。TourgenieffinthesamewaysaysthatitwasafterreadingherbooksonIrelandthathebegantowriteofhisowncountryandofRussianpeasantsashedid。MissEdgeworthwasthecreatorofherownspecialworldoffiction，thoughtheactiveMr。Edgeworthcrossedthet’sanddottedthei’s，interpolated，expurgated，tohisownandMaria’ssatisfaction。Shewasessentiallyamodestwoman;shegratefullyacceptedhiscriticismandemendations。Mr。ClarkRussellquotesSydneySmith，whodeclaredthatMr。Edgeworthmusthavewrittenorburst。’Adischargeofinkwasanevacuationabsolutelynecessarytoavoidfatalandplethoriccongestion。’Theonlywonderisthat，consideringalltheywentthrough，hisdaughter’sstoriessurvivedtotelltheirtale，andtotellitsowell，withdirectnessandconviction，thatbestofsaltinanyliterarywork。AletterMariawrotetohercousinwillberemembered。’I
beg，dearSophy，’shesays，’thatyouwillnotcallmystoriesbythesublimenameofmyworks;Ishallelsebeashamedwhenthelittlemousecomesforth。’
Maria’scorrespondenceisdelightful，andconveysusrightawayintothatbygoneage。Thefiguresrapidlymoveacrossherscene，talkingandunconsciouslydescribingthemselvesastheygo;youseethemallthroughtheeyesoftheobservantlittlelady。Shedidnotgoverydeep;sheseemstometohavemadekindlyacquaintancewithsome，tohaveadmiredotherswithartlessenthusiasm。Idon’tthinkshetroubledherselfmuchaboutcomplicationoffeeling;shelikedpeopletomakerepartees，ortoinventmachines，topaytheirbills，andtodotheirdutyinacommonplaceandcheerfullystoicalfashion。ButthenMariaEdgeworthcertainlydidnotbelongtoourmodernschools，sippingtheemeticgoblettogiveflavourtodailyevents，nortothatstillmorealarmingandspreadingcliqueofDEGENERESwhoinsistuponadministeringsuchdosestootherstorelievethetediumoftheroadoflife。
PerhapsweinourtimescarcelydojusticetoMissEdgeworth’sextraordinaryclevernessandbrightnessofapprehension。Thereismorefunthanhumourinherwork，andthosewerethedaysofgoodrollickingjokesandlaughter。Detailschangesoquicklythatitisalmostimpossibletograspentirelytheaimsandintentionsofawholesetofpeoplejustalittledifferentfromourselvesineverysinglething;whoheldtheirheadsdifferently，whopointedtheirtoesdifferently，whoaddressedeachotherinalanguagejustalittleunlikeourown。Theverymeaningsofthewordsshiftfromonegenerationtoanother，andweareperhapsmorereallyinharmonywithourgreat-great-
grandfathersthanwiththemoreimmediategenerations。
Hersocietywascharming，soeveryoneagrees;andheracquaintancewithallthemostremarkablemenofhertimemustnotbeforgotten，northegenuineregardwithwhichsheinspiredallwhocameacrossherpath。
’Inexternalappearancesheisquitethefairyofournurserytale，theWHIPPETYSTOURIE，ifyouremembersuchasprite，whocameflyingthroughthewindowtoworkallsortsofmarvels，’
writesSirWalter。’Iwillneverbelievebutwhatshehasawandinherpocket，andpullsitouttoconjurealittlebeforeshebeginsthoseverystrikingpicturesofmanners。’
AmongothersSirWilliamHamiltonhasleftapleasingdescriptionofMissEdgeworth。’Ifyouwouldstudyandadmireherasshedeserves，youmustseeherathome，’sayshe，’andhearhertalk。
Sheknowsaninfinitenumberofanecdotesaboutinterestingplacesandpersons，whichshetellsextremelywell，andneverexceptwhentheyarisenaturallyoutofthesubject……Tocrownhermerits，sheseemedtotakeaprodigiousfancytome，andpromisedtobeathome，andmademepromisetobeatEdgeworthstownforafortnightsometimenextvacation。’Weowetohimalsoanamusingsketchofsomeothercollateralmembersofthefamily;thefineanimatedoldlady，whoimmediatelygetshimtoexplainthereasonwhyaconcavemirrorinvertswhileaconvexmirrorleavesthemerect;theyoungladies，oneofwhomwasparticularlyanxioustopersuadehimthattheroundnessoftheplanetswasproducedbyfriction，perhapsbytheirbeingshakentogetherlikemarblesinabag。
ThereisalsoaninterestingletterfromSirW。HamiltonatEdgeworthstownon23rdSeptember1829。Wordsworthisalsostayingthere。’AftersomepersuasionFrancisandIsucceedinengagingMr。Wordsworthinmanyveryinterestingconversations。
MissEdgeworthhashadforsometimeaveryseriousillness，butshewasabletojoinusfordinnerthedaythatIarrived，andsheexhibitedinherconversationswithMr。Wordsworthagooddealofherusualbrilliancy;shealsoengagedMr。MarshallinsomelongconversationsuponIreland，andevenMr。Marshall’sson，whosetalentforsilenceseemstobesoveryprofound，wasthawedalittleonMondayevening，anddiscussedafterteatheformationofthesolarsystem。MissEdgeworthtellsmethatsheisatlastemployedinwritingforthepublicafteralonginterval，butdoesnotexpecttohaveherworksoonreadyforpublication。’[ThereisacuriouscriticismofMissEdgeworthbyRobertHall，thegreatpreacher，whichshouldnotbepassedover。
’Astoherstyle，’hesays，’sheissimpleandelegant，contenttoconveyherthoughtsintheirmostplainandnaturalform，thatisindeedtheperfectionofstyle……Inpointoftendency，’
hecontinues，’IshouldclassherbooksamongthemostirreligiousIeverread……Shedoesnotattackreligionnorinveighagainstit，butmakesitappearunnecessarybyexhibitingperfectvirtuewithoutit……Noworkseverproducedsobadaneffectonmyownmindashers。’]
BesidesWordsworthandSirWilliamHamiltonandMr。Marshall，wepresentlycometoSirJohnHerschell。’IsawyouradmirablefriendMissEdgeworthlatelyintown，’hewritestoHamilton;
’sheisamostwarmadmirerofyours，andpraisesuchashersiswhatanymanmightbeproudof。’LateronMissEdgeworth，correspondingwithSirW。Hamilton，tellshimsheisillandforbiddentowrite，oreventothink。ThisiswhatshethinksofTHINKING：’Iamgladtoseethattheseveresciencesdonotdestroytheenergyandgraceoftheimagination，butonlychastenitandimparttheirphilosophicalinfluence。’
V
Certaineventsarerememberedandmournedforgenerations，sothereareothers，happyandinterestinginthemselves，whichmustcontinuetogivesatisfactionlongaftertheyareover，andlongafterthoseconcernedinthemhavepassedaway。AndcertainlyamongthingspleasanttorememberisthestoryofSirWalterScott’svisittoIrelandinJuly1825，whenhereceivedsowarmagreetingfromthecountryandspentthosehappyhourswithMissEdgeworthatEdgeworthstown。Fortunatelyforus，Lockhartwasoneoftheparty。AnneScott，andWalterthesoldier，andJaneScottthebride，werealsotravellinginSirWalter’strain。ThereceptionwhichIrelandgaveSirWalterwasawarm-heartedovation。’Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratethedistinguishedpersonswho，morningaftermorning，crowdedtohisleveeinSt。
Stephen’sGreen，’saysLockhart，andhequotesanoldsayingofSirRobertPeel’s，’thatSirWalter’sreceptionintheHighStreetofEdinburghin1822wasthefirstthingthatgavehim（Peel）anotionoftheelectricshockofanation’sgratitude。’
’IdoubtifeventhatscenesurpassedwhatImyselfwitnessed，’
continuesthebiographer，’whenSirWalterreturneddownDameStreetafterinspectingtheCastleofDublin。’
FromovationstofriendshipitwasSirWalter’sinclinationtoturn。Onthe1stAugusthecametoEdgeworthstown，accompaniedbyhisfamily。’Weremainedthereforseveraldays，makingexcursionstoLochOel，etc。Mr。LovellEdgeworthhadhisclassicalmansionfilledeveryeveningwithasuccessionofdistinguishedfriends。Here，aboveall，wehadtheopportunityofseeinginwhatuniversalrespectandcomfortagentleman’sfamilymayliveinthatcountry，providedonlytheylivetherehabituallyanddotheirduty……Herewefoundneithermudhovelsnornakedpeasantry，butsnugcottagesandsmilingfacesallabout……HeretoowepleasedourselveswithrecognisingsomeofthesweetestfeaturesinGoldsmith’spictureof\"SweetAuburn！loveliestvillageoftheplain。\"’OliverGoldsmithreceivedhiseducationatthisveryschoolofEdgeworthstown，andPallasMore，thelittlehamletwheretheauthorofTHEVICAROF
WAKEFIELDfirstsawthelight，isstill，asitwasthen，thepropertyoftheEdgeworths。
SoScottcametovisithislittlefriend，andthegiantwascheeredandmadewelcomebyhercharminghospitality。Itwasalastgleamofsunshineinthatnoblelife。Weinstinctivelyfeelhowhappytheyallwereineachother’sgoodcompany。Wecanalmostoverhearsomeoftheirtalk，astheywalktogetherundertheshadeofthetreesofthepark。Onecanimaginehimlaughinginhisdelightfulheartyway，halfjoking，halfcaressing。
Lockharthadusedsomephrase（itisLockhartwhotellsusthestory）whichconveyedtheimpressionthathesuspectspoetsandnovelistsoflookingatlifeandattheworldchieflyasmaterialsforart。’AsoftandpensiveshadecameoverScott’sface。\"Ifearyouhavesomeveryyoungideasinyourhead，\"hesays。\"Godhelpus，whatapoorworldthiswouldbeifthatwerethetruedoctrine！Ihavereadbooksenough，andobservedandconversedwithenougheminentmindsinmytime，butIassureyouIhaveheardhighersentimentsfromthelipsofpooruneducatedmenandwomen，exertingthespiritofsevereyetgentleheroism，orspeakingtheirsimplethoughts，thanIevermetwithoutofthepagesoftheBible。Weshallneverlearntofeelandrespectourrealcallingunlesswehavetaughtourselvestoconsidereverythingasmoonshinecomparedwiththeeducationoftheheart，\"’saidthegreatteacher。’Mariadidnotlistentothiswithoutsomewaterinhereyes，——hertearsarealwaysreadywhenagenerousstringistouched，——butshebrushedthemgailyaside，andsaid，\"Youseehowitis：DeanSwiftsaidhehadwrittenhisbooksinorderthatpeopleshouldlearntotreathimlikeagreatlord;SirWalterwriteshisinorderthathemightbeabletotreathispeopleasagreatlordoughttodo。\"’
YearsandyearsafterwardsEdwardFitzgeraldstayedatEdgeworthstown，andhealsocarriesusthereinoneofhisletters。HehadbeenatcollegewithMr。FrankEdgeworth，whohadsucceededtotheestate，andhadnowin1828cometostaywithhim。Thehosthadbeencalledaway，buttheguestdescribeshismanyhostesses：’Edgeworth’smother，agedseventy-four;hissister，thegreatMaria，agedseventy-two;andanothercousinorsomething。Allthesepeoplewerepleasantandkind，thehousepleasant，thegroundsditto，agoodlibrary，sohereIamquiteathome，butsurelymustgotoEnglandsoon。’OnecanimagineFitzgeraldsittinginthelibrarywithhisbacktothewindowandwritinghislettersandreadinghisthirty-twosetsofnovels，whiletherainissteadilypouringoutside，andtheGreatAuthoress（sohewritesherdown）asbusyasabeesittingbychatteringandmakingacatalogueofherbooks。’WetalkaboutWalterScott，whomsheadores，andaremerryalldaylong，’hesays。’WhenIbeganthisletterIthoughtIhadsomethingtosay，butIbelievethetruthwasIhadnothingtodo。’
TwoyearslaterMr。FitzgeraldisagainthereandwritingtoFrederickTennyson：’IsetsailfromDublinto-morrownight，bearingtheheartfeltregretsofallthepeopleofIrelandwithme。’Thencomesaflashofhiskindsearchinglantern：’IhadapleasantweekwithEdgeworth。Hefarmsandisajustice，andgoestosleeponthesofaofevenings。AtoddmomentshelooksintoSpinozaandPetrarch。Peoplerespecthimverymuchintheseparts。’EdwardFitzgeraldseemstohavehadagreatregardforhishost;themoreheknowshimthemorehecaresforhim;hedescribeshim’firingawayabouttheodesofPindar。’TheyfirednoblebroadsidesthosemenoftheearlyVictoriantimes，andwhenwelistenwestillseemtoheartheirechoesrollingintothefardistance。Mr。Fitzgeraldendshisletterwithaforebodingtoosoontoberealised：’OldMissEdgeworthiswearingaway。Shehasacapitalbrightsoul，whichevennowshinesquiteyouthfullythroughherfadedcarcase。’ItwasinMay1849thatMariaEdgeworthwenttoherrest。Shediedalmostsuddenly，withnolongsuffering，inthearmsofherfaithfulfriendandstep-
mother。
*
NOTESON’CASTLERACKRENT’
In1799，WhenMariawasinLondon，sheandherfatherwenttocalluponMr。Johnson，thebookseller，whowasthenimprisonedintheKing’sBenchforapublicationwhichwasconsideredtobetreasonable，andtheyprobablythenandtherearrangedwithhimforthepublicationofCASTLERACKRENT，forinJanuary1800，writingtohercousin，MissRuxton，Mariasays，’WillyoutellmewhatmeansyouhaveofgettingparcelsfromLondontoArundel，becauseIwishtosendmyauntafewpopulartales……WehavebeggedJohnsontosendCASTLERACKRENT，andhopeithasreachedyou。DONOTMENTIONTHATITISOURS。’
ThesecondeditionofCASTLERACKRENTcameoutwithMissEdgeworth’snametoitin1811。’Itssuccesswassotriumphant，’
Mrs。Edgeworthwrites，’thatsomeone——Iheardhisnameatthetime，butdonotnowrememberit——notonlyassertedthathewastheauthor，butactuallytookthetroubletocopyoutseveralchapterswithcorrectionsanderasionsasifitwashisoriginalmanuscript。’
ItwaswhenMissEdgeworthfirstcametoIreland，——soshetellsoneofhercorrespondents，——thatshemettheoriginalThadyofCASTLERACKRENT。Hischaracterstruckherverymuch，andthestorycameintohermind。Shepurposelyaddedtotheagent’sagesoastogivetimefortheeventstohappen。
HonestThadytellsthestory;youcanalmosthearhisvoice，andseehimashestands：’Iwearalonggreatcoatwinterandsummer，whichisveryhandy，asIneverputmyarmsintothesleeves;
theyareasgoodasnew，thoughcomeHolantidenextI’vehaditthesesevenyears：itholdsonbyasinglebuttonroundmyneck，cloakfashion。Tolookatme，youwouldhardlythink\"PoorThady\"wasthefatherofAttorneyQuirk;heisahighgentleman，andnevermindswhatpoorThadysays，andhavingbetterthanfifteenhundredayearlandedestate，looksdownuponhonestThady;butIwashmyhandsofhisdoings，andasIhavelived，sowillIdie，trueandloyaltothefamily。ThefamilyofRackrentsis，Iamproudtosay，oneofthemostancientinthekingdom。’AndthenhegivesthehistoryoftheRackrents，beginningwithSirPatrick，whocouldsitoutthebestmaninIreland，letalonethethreekingdomsitself，andwhofittedupthechicken-housetoaccommodatehisfriendswhentheyhonouredhimunexpectedlywiththeircompany。Therewas’suchafinewhillaluhatSirPatrick’sfuneral，youmighthaveheardittothefarthestendofthecounty，andhappythemanwhocouldgetbutasightofthehearse。’ThencameSirMurtagh，whousedtoboastthathehadalaw-suitforeveryletterinthealphabet。
’Hedugupafairy-mountagainstmyadvice，’saysThady，’andhadnoluckafterwards……SirMurtaghinhispassionbrokeablood-vessel，andallthelawinthelandcoulddonothinginthatcase……Myladyhadafinejointuresettleduponher，andtookherselfaway，tothegreatjoyofthetenantry。Ineversaidanythingonewayortheother，’saysThady，’whilstshewaspartofthefamily，butgotuptoseehergoatthreeo’clockinthemorning。\"It’safinemorning，honestThady，\"saysshe;
\"good-byetoye，\"andintothecarriageshestepped，withoutawordmore，goodorbad，orevenhalf-a-crown，butImademybow，andstoodtoseehersafeoutofsightforthesakeofthefamily。’
Howmarvellouslyvividitallis！everywordtellsasthegenerationspassbeforeus。TheveryspiritofromanticIrishfidelityisincarnateinThady。JasonQuirkrepresentsthefelineelement，whichalsobelongstoourextraordinaryCelticrace。Thelittlevolumecontainsthehistoryofanation。ItisamasterpiecewhichMissEdgeworthhasneversurpassed。Itisalmostprovokingtohavesomanydetailsofotherandlessinterestingstories，suchasEARLYLESSONS，AKNAPSACK，THE
PRUSSIANVASE，etc。，andtohearsolittleofthesetwobooksbywhichshewillbebestremembered。
*
AUTHOR’SPREFACE
ThePrevailingtasteofthepublicforanecdotehasbeencensuredandridiculedbycriticswhoaspiretothecharacterofsuperiorwisdom;butifweconsideritinaproperpointofview，thistasteisanincontestableproofofthegoodsenseandprofoundlyphilosophictemperofthepresenttimes。Ofthenumberswhostudy，oratleastwhoreadhistory，howfewderiveanyadvantagefromtheirlabours！Theheroesofhistoryaresodeckedoutbythefinefancyoftheprofessedhistorian;theytalkinsuchmeasuredprose，andactfromsuchsublimeorsuchdiabolicalmotives，thatfewhavesufficienttaste，wickedness，orheroism，tosympathiseintheirfate。Besides，thereismuchuncertaintyeveninthebestauthenticatedancientormodernhistories;andthatloveoftruth，whichinsomemindsisinnateandimmutable，necessarilyleadstoaloveofsecretmemoirsandprivateanecdotes。Wecannotjudgeeitherofthefeelingsorofthecharactersofmenwithperfectaccuracy，fromtheiractionsortheirappearanceinpublic;itisfromtheircarelessconversations，theirhalf-finishedsentences，thatwemayhopewiththegreatestprobabilityofsuccesstodiscovertheirrealcharacters。Thelifeofagreatorofalittlemanwrittenbyhimself，thefamiliarletters，thediaryofanyindividualpublishedbyhisfriendsorbyhisenemies，afterhisdecease，areesteemedimportantliterarycuriosities。Wearesurelyjustified，inthiseagerdesire，tocollectthemostminutefactsrelativetothedomesticlives，notonlyofthegreatandgood，butevenoftheworthlessandinsignificant，sinceitisonlybyacomparisonoftheiractualhappinessormiseryintheprivacyofdomesticlifethatwecanformajustestimateoftherealrewardofvirtue，ortherealpunishmentofvice。Thatthegreatarenotashappyastheyseem，thattheexternalcircumstancesoffortuneandrankdonotconstitutefelicity，isassertedbyeverymoralist：thehistoriancanseldom，consistentlywithhisdignity，pausetoillustratethistruth;itisthereforetothebiographerwemusthaverecourse。Afterwehavebeheldsplendidcharactersplayingtheirpartsonthegreattheatreoftheworld，withalltheadvantagesofstageeffectanddecoration，weanxiouslybegtobeadmittedbehindthescenes，thatwemaytakeanearerviewoftheactorsandactresses。
Somemayperhapsimaginethatthevalueofbiographydependsuponthejudgmentandtasteofthebiographer;butonthecontraryitmaybemaintained，thatthemeritsofabiographerareinverselyastheextentofhisintellectualpowersandofhisliterarytalents。Aplainunvarnishedtaleispreferabletothemosthighlyornamentednarrative。Whereweseethatamanhasthepower，wemaynaturallysuspectthathehasthewilltodeceiveus;andthosewhoareusedtoliterarymanufactureknowhowmuchisoftensacrificedtotheroundingofaperiod，orthepointingofanantithesis。
Thattheignorantmayhavetheirprejudicesaswellasthelearnedcannotbedisputed;butweseeanddespisevulgarerrors：
weneverbowtotheauthorityofhimwhohasnogreatnametosanctionhisabsurdities。Thepartialitywhichblindsabiographertothedefectsofhishero，inproportionasitisgross，ceasestobedangerous;butifitbeconcealedbytheappearanceofcandour，whichmenofgreatabilitiesbestknowhowtoassume，itendangersourjudgmentsometimes，andsometimesourmorals。IfherGracetheDuchessofNewcastle，insteadofpenningherlord’selaborateeulogium，hadundertakentowritethelifeofSavage，weshouldnothavebeeninanydangerofmistakinganidle，ungratefullibertineforamanofgeniusandvirtue。Thetalentsofabiographerareoftenfataltohisreader。Forthesereasonsthepublicoftenjudiciouslycountenancethosewho，withoutsagacitytodiscriminatecharacter，withouteleganceofstyletorelievethetediousnessofnarrative，withoutenlargementofmindtodrawanyconclusionsfromthefactstheyrelate，simplypourforthanecdotes，andretailconversations，withalltheminuteprolixityofagossipinacountrytown。
TheauthorofthefollowingMemoirshasuponthesegroundsfairclaimstothepublicfavourandattention;hewasanilliterateoldsteward，whosepartialitytoTHEFAMILY，inwhichhewasbredandborn，mustbeobvioustothereader。HetellsthehistoryoftheRackrentfamilyinhisvernacularidiom，andinthefullconfidencethatSirPatrick，SirMurtagh，SirKit，andSirCondyRackrent’saffairswillbeasinterestingtoalltheworldastheyweretohimself。ThosewhowereacquaintedwiththemannersofacertainclassofthegentryofIrelandsomeyearsago，willwantnoevidenceofthetruthofhonestThady’snarrative;tothosewhoaretotallyunacquaintedwithIreland，thefollowingMemoirswillperhapsbescarcelyintelligible，orprobablytheymayappearperfectlyincredible。FortheinformationoftheIGNORANTEnglishreader，afewnoteshavebeensubjoinedbytheeditor，andhehaditonceincontemplationtotranslatethelanguageofThadyintoplainEnglish;butThady’sidiomisincapableoftranslation，and，besides，theauthenticityofhisstorywouldhavebeenmoreexposedtodoubtifitwerenottoldinhisowncharacteristicmanner。SeveralyearsagoherelatedtotheeditorthehistoryoftheRackrentfamily，anditwaswithsomedifficultythathewaspersuadedtohaveitcommittedtowriting;however，hisfeelingsfor’THEHONOUROFTHEFAMILY，’asheexpressedhimself，prevailedoverhishabituallaziness，andheatlengthcompletedthenarrativewhichisnowlaidbeforethepublic。
Theeditorhopeshisreaderswillobservethattheseare’talesofothertimes;’thatthemannersdepictedinthefollowingpagesarenotthoseofthepresentage;theraceoftheRackrentshaslongsincebeenextinctinIreland;andthedrunkenSirPatrick，thelitigiousSirMurtagh，thefightingSirKit，andtheslovenlySirCondy，arecharacterswhichcouldnomorebemetwithatpresentinIreland，thanSquireWesternorParsonTrulliberinEngland。Thereisatimewhenindividualscanbeartoberalliedfortheirpastfolliesandabsurdities，aftertheyhaveacquirednewhabitsandanewconsciousness。Nations，aswellasindividuals，graduallyloseattachmenttotheiridentity，andthepresentgenerationisamused，ratherthanoffended，bytheridiculethatisthrownuponitsancestors。
Probablyweshallsoonhaveitinourpower，inahundredinstances，toverifythetruthoftheseobservations。
WhenIrelandlosesheridentitybyanunionwithGreatBritain，shewilllookback，withasmileofgood-humouredcomplacency，ontheSirKitsandSirCondysofherformerexistence。
1800。
*
CASTLERACKRENT
MONDAYMORNING[SeeGLOSSARY1]。
Having，outoffriendshipforthefamily，uponwhoseestate，praisedbeHeaven！Iandminehavelivedrent-freetimeoutofmind，voluntarilyundertakentopublishtheMEMOIRSOFTHE
RACKRENTFAMILY，Ithinkitmydutytosayafewwords，inthefirstplace，concerningmyself。MyrealnameisThadyQuirk，thoughinthefamilyIhavealwaysbeenknownbynootherthan’HonestThady，’afterward，inthetimeofSirMurtagh，deceased，Iremembertohearthemcallingme’Old。Thady，’andnowI’vecometo’PoorThady’;forIwearalonggreatcoatwinterandsummer，whichisveryhandy，asIneverputmyarmsintothesleeves;theyareasgoodasnew，thoughcomeHolantidenextI’vehaditthesesevenyears：itholdsonbyasinglebuttonroundmyneck，cloakfashion。
[Thecloak，ormantle，asdescribedbyThady，isofhighantiquity。Spenser，inhisVIEWOFTHESTATEOFIRELAND，provesthatitisnot，assomehaveimagined，peculiarlyderivedfromtheScythians，butthat’mostnationsoftheworldancientlyusedthemantle;fortheJewsusedit，asyoumayreadofElias’smantle，etc。;theChaldeesalsousedit，asyoumayreadinDiodorus;theEgyptianslikewiseusedit，asyoumayreadinHerodotus，andmaybegatheredbythedescriptionofBereniceintheGreekCommentaryuponCallimachus;theGreeksalsouseditanciently，asappearedbyVenus’smantlelinedwithstars，thoughafterwardtheychangedtheformthereofintotheircloaks，calledPallai，assomeoftheIrishalsouse;andtheancientLatinsandRomansusedit，asyoumayreadinVirgil，whowasagreatantiquary，thatEvander，whenAEneascametohimathisfeast，didentertainandfeasthimsittingontheground，andlyingonmantles：insomuchthatheuseththeverywordmantileforamantle——
\"Humimantiliasternunt：\"
sothatitseemeththatthemantlewasageneralhabittomostnations，andnotpropertotheScythiansonly。
Spenserknewtheconvenienceofthesaidmantle，ashousing，bedding，andclothing：
’IREN。Becausethecommoditydothnotcountervailthediscommodity;fortheinconvenienceswhichtherebydoarisearemuchmoremany;foritisafithouseforanoutlaw，ameetbedforarebel，andanaptcloakforathief。First，theoutlawbeing，forhismanycrimesandvillanies，banishedfromthetownsandhousesofhonestmen，andwanderinginwasteplaces，farfromdangeroflaw，makethhismantlehishouse，andunderitcoverethhimselffromthewrathofHeaven，fromtheoffenceoftheearth，andfromthesightofmen。Whenitraineth，itishispenthouse;
whenitbloweth，itishistent;whenitfreezeth，itishistabernacle。Insummerhecanwearitloose;inwinterhecanwrapitclose;atalltimeshecanuseit;neverheavy，nevercumbersome。Likewiseforarebelitisasserviceable;forinthiswarthathemaketh（ifatleastitdeservesthenameofwar），whenhestillfliethfromhisfoe，andlurkethintheTHICK
WOODS（thisshouldbeBLACKBOGS）andstraightpassages，waitingforadvantages，itishisbed，yea，andalmosthishouseholdstuff。’]
Tolookatme，youwouldhardlythink’PoorThady’wasthefatherofAttorneyQuirk;heisahighgentleman，andnevermindswhatpoorThadysays，andhavingbetterthanfifteenhundredayear，landedestate，looksdownuponhonestThady;butIwashmyhandsofhisdoings，andasIhavelivedsowillIdie，trueandloyaltothefamily。ThefamilyoftheRackrentsis，Iamproudtosay，oneofthemostancientinthekingdom。Everybodyknowsthisisnottheoldfamilyname，whichwasO’Shaughlin，relatedtothekingsofIreland——butthatwasbeforemytime。MygrandfatherwasdrivertothegreatSirPatrickO’Shaughlin，andIheardhim，whenIwasaboy，tellinghowtheCastleRackrentestatecametoSirPatrick;SirTallyhooRackrentwascousin-
germantohim，andhadafineestateofhisown，onlyneveragateuponit，itbeinghismaximthatacarwasthebestgate。
