succeeded to the family estate in Ireland, where, under his direction, she pursued her studies. Early indicating her taste for literary pursuits, it was the delight of her father to assist in developing her talent, and she in return loved to remain by the domestic hearth, gratifying his earnest but less gifted mind by her literary successes. Her first literary effort was written in conjunction with her father, in 1798, and was entitled, "Essays on Practical Education." But it was in the sphere of fiction that she won her greatest triumphs. The series of her novels began with "Castle Rackrent," in 1801, and continued without interruption till 1817, during which period there appeared from her pen "Belinda," "Popular Tales,"" "Leonora," ""Tales of Fashionable Life," "Patronage," "Harrington," and "Ormond." The last of the series was "Helen," which was published in 1834. On the death of her father, in 1817, her career of authorship was for a time interrupted. When she again took up her pen, it was to complete the memoir begun of his own life, and complete and publish, under the title of "Rosamond" and "Harriet and Lucy," some stories for juvenile readers, which had been begun by him fifty years before. In 1823, Miss Edgeworth spent a fortnight with Scott, at Abbotsford, by whom the visit was subsequently returned at Edgeworth Town. Her career of authorship terminated with the child's story of "Orlandino," which appeared in 1847. With the exception of a trip to the continent, and a short residence at Clifton, she passed the latter years of her life at Edgeworth Town, unspoiled by literary fame, loved in the family circle, and admired by all as a pattern of an intellectual and amiable woman.

Miss Edgeworth died 21st May, 1849.

PREFACE.

S

OME author says that a good book needs no apology; and as a Preface is usually an apology,

a book enters into the world with a better grace without one. I, however, appeal to those readers

who are not gluttons, but epicures in literature, whether they do not wish to see the Bill of Fare. I appeal to monthly critics, whether a Preface that gives a view of the pretensions of the writer is not a good thing. The author may overvalue his subject, and very naturally may overrate the manner in which it is treated; but still he will explain his views, and facilitate the useful and necessary art, which the French call reading with the thumb. We call this hunting a book, a term certainly invented by a sportsman. I leave the reader to choose which he pleases, whilst I lay before him the contents and design of these volumes. Burke supposes that there are eighty thousand readers in Great Britain,—nearly one-hundredth part of its inhabiOut of these we may calculate that ten thousand are nobility, clergy, or gentlemen of the learned professions. Of seventy thousand readers which remain, there are many who might be amused and instructed by books which were not professedly adapted to the classes that have been enumerated. With this view the following volumes have been composed. The title of "POPULAR TALES” has been chosen, not as a presumptuous and premature claim

tants.

to popularity, but from the wish that they may be current beyond circles which are sometimes exclusively considered as polite.

The Art of Printing has opened to all classes of people various new channels of entertainment and information. Amongst the ancients, wisdom required austere manners and a length of beard to command attention; but in our days, instruction, in the dress of innocent amusement, is not denied admittance amongst the wise and good of all ranks. It is therefore hoped that a succession of Stories, adapted to different ages, sexes, and situations in life, will not be rejected by the public, unless they offend against morality, tire by their sameness, or disgust by their imitation of other writers.

RICHARD LOVELL EDGEWORTH.

EDGEWORTH TOWN.