J., Sedquest, OF MARIA EDGEWORTH. COMPLETE IN THIRTEEN VOLUMES. VOL. VII. CONTAINING PATRONAGE. BOSTON : SAMUEL H. PARKER, NO. 98, WASHINGTON-STREET; MUNROE AND FRANCIS, NO. 128, WASHINGTON-STREET, BOSTON; 1825. PATRONAGE. BY MARIA EDGEWORTH. "Above a Patron,-though I condescend Sometimes to call a Minister my friend." COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME. 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, chap-. ter xx. A bishop was really saved from suffocation by a clergyman in his diocese, (no matter where or when) in the manner represented, chapter x. The bishop died long ago; and he never was an epicure. A considerable estate was about seventy years ago regained, as described, 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 nehere to add a few words. It has been supposed that some cessary |