Tales and Novels Volume 07
Edgeworth, Maria, 1767-1849
English
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Below is a summary of Tales and Novels Volume 07
TALES AND NOVELS
BY MARIA EDGEWORTH.
IN TEN VOLUMES. WITH ENGRAVINGS ON STEEL.
VOL. VII.
PATRONAGE.
PATRONAGE.
"Above a patron--though I condescend
Sometimes to call a minister my friend."
TO THE READER.
My daughter again applies to me for my paternal _imprimatur_; and I hope
that I am not swayed by partiality, when I give the sanction which she
requires.
To excite the rising generation to depend upon their own exertions for
success in life is surely a laudable endeavour; but, while the young mind
is cautioned against dependence on the patronage of the great, and of
office, it is encouraged to rely upon such friends as may be acquired by
personal merit, good manners, and good conduct.
RICHARD LOVELL EDGEWORTH.
_Edgeworthstown,
Oct. 6, 1813._
PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION.
The public has called for a third _impression_ of this book; it was,
therefore, the duty of the author to take advantage of the corrections
which have been communicated to her by private friends and public censors.
Whatever she has thought liable to just censure has in the present edition
been amended, as far as is consistent with the identity of the story. It is
remarkable that several incidents which have been objected to as impossible
or improbable were true. For instance, the medical case, in Chapter XIX.
A bishop was really saved from suffocation by a clergyman in his diocese
(no matter where or when), in the manner represented in Chapter X. The
bishop died long ago; and he never was an epicure. A considerable estate
was about seventy years ago regained, as described in Chapter XLII., by the
discovery of a sixpence under the seal of a deed, which had been coined
later than the date of the deed. Whether it be advantageous or prudent
to introduce such singular facts in a fictitious history is a separate
consideration, which might lead to a discussion too long for the present
occasion.
On some other points of more importance to the writer, it is necessary here
to add a few words. It has been supposed that some parts of PATRONAGE were
not written by Miss Edgeworth. This is not fact: the whole of these volumes
were written by her, the opinions they contain are her own, and she is
answerable for all the faults which may be found in them. Of ignorance
of law, and medicine, and of diplomacy, she pleads guilty; and of making
any vain or absurd pretensions to legal or medical learning, she hopes,
by candid judges, to be acquitted. If in the letters and history of her
lawyer and physician she has sometimes introduced technical phrases, it
was done merely to give, as far as she could, the colour of reality to
her fictitious personages. To fulfil the main purpose of her story it
was essential only to show how some lawyers and physicians may be pushed
forward for a time, without much knowledge either of law or medicine; or
how, on the contrary, others may, independently of patronage, advance
themselves permanently by their own merit. If this principal object of the
fiction be accomplished, the author's ignorance on professional subjects is
of little consequence to the moral or interest of the tale.
As to the charge of having drawn satirical portraits, she has already
disclaimed all personality, and all intention of satirizing any profession;
and she is grieved to find it necessary to repel such a charge. The author
of a slight work of fiction may, however, be consoled for any unjust
imputation of personal satire, by reflecting, that even the grave and
impartial historian cannot always escape similar suspicion. Tacitus says
that "there must always be men, who, from congenial manners, and sympathy
in vice, will think the fidelity of history a satire on themselves; and
even the praise due to virtue is sure to give umbrage."
_August 1, 1815._
PATRONAGE.
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