Chapter I: Preface

Though many notices of Miss Edgeworth have appeared from time to time, nothing approaching to a Life of her has been published in this country. As I have had the good fortune to have access to an unpublished memoir of her, written by her stepmother, as well as to a large number of her private letters, I am enabled to place what I hope is at least an authentic biography before the reader. Besides much kindness received from the members of Miss Edgeworth's family, I have also to acknowledge my obligations for help afforded in the preparation of this little book to Mrs. George Ticknor and Miss Ticknor of Boston, U. S. A., Mrs. Le Breton, Sir Henry Holland, Bart., the Rev. Canon Holland, the Rev. Dr. Sadler and Mr. F. Y. Edgeworth.

H. Z.

LONDON, August, 1883.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

PAGE

INTRODUCTORY 9

CHAPTER II.

EARLY YEARS 17

CHAPTER III.

GIRLHOOD 28

CHAPTER IV.

WOMANHOOD 42

CHAPTER V.

"PRACTICAL EDUCATION"--CHILDREN'S BOOKS 52

CHAPTER VI.

IRISH AND MORAL TALES 73

CHAPTER VII.

IN FRANCE AND AT HOME 88

CHAPTER VIII.

FASHIONABLE AND POPULAR TALES 116

CHAPTER IX.

VISIT TO LONDON--MR. EDGEWORTH'S DEATH 144

CHAPTER X.

LATER NOVELS--GENERAL ESTIMATE 161

CHAPTER XI.

VISITS ABROAD AND AT HOME 193

CHAPTER XII.

MR. EDGEWORTH'S MEMOIRS PUBLISHED--1821 TO 1825 214

CHAPTER XIII.

1826 TO 1834 237

CHAPTER XIV.

LAST YEARS 269

MARIA EDGEWORTH.