Tales and Novels, vol 7

Tales and Novels, Vol. VII, by
Maria Edgeworth

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Title: Tales and Novels, Vol. VII Patronage
Author: Maria Edgeworth

Release Date: September, 2005 [EBook #8937] [Yes, we are more than
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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