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form a just estimate of the real reward of virtue； or the real punishment of
vice。 That the great are not as happy as they seem； that the external
circumstances of fortune and rank do not constitute felicity； is asserted by
every moralist： the historian can seldom； consistently with his dignity；
pause to illustrate this truth； it is therefore to the biographer we must have
recourse。 After we have beheld splendid characters playing their parts on
the great theatre of the world； with all the advantages of stage effect and
decoration； we anxiously beg to be admitted behind the scenes； that we
may take a nearer view of the actors and actresses。
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Some may perhaps imagine that the value of biography depends upon
the judgment and taste of the biographer； but on the contrary it may be
maintained； that the merits of a biographer are inversely as the extent of
his intellectual powers and of his literary talents。 A plain unvarnished
tale is preferable to the most highly ornamented narrative。 Where we see
that a man has the power； we may naturally suspect that he has the will to
deceive us； and those who are used to literary manufacture know how
much is often sacrificed to the rounding of a period； or the pointing of an
antithesis。
That the ignorant may have their prejudices as well as the learned
cannot be disputed； but we see and despise vulgar errors： we never bow to
the authority of him who has no great name to sanction his absurdities。
The partiality which blinds a biographer to the defects of his hero； in
proportion as it is gross； ceases to be dangerous； but if it be concealed by
the appearance of candour； which men of great abilities best know how to
assume； it endangers our judgment sometimes； and sometimes our morals。
If her Grace the Duchess of Newcastle； instead of penning her lord's
elaborate eulogium； had undertaken to write the life of Savage； we should
not have been in any danger of mistaking an idle； ungrateful libertine for a
man of genius and virtue。 The talents of a biographer are often fatal to
his reader。 For these reasons the public often judiciously countenance
those who； without sagacity to discriminate character； without elegance of
style to relieve the tediousness of narrative； without enlargement of mind
to draw any conclusions from the facts they relate； simply pour forth
anecdotes； and retail conversations； with all the minute prolixity of a
gossip in a country town。
The author of the following Memoirs has upon these grounds fair
claims to the public favour and attention； he was an illiterate old steward；
whose partiality to THE FAMILY； in which he was bred and born； must be
obvious to the reader。 He tells the history of the Rackrent family in his
vernacular idiom； and in the full confidence that Sir Patrick； Sir Murtagh；
Sir Kit； and Sir Condy Rackrent's affairs will be as interesting to all the
world as they were to himself。 Those who were acquainted with the
manners of a certain class of the gentry of Ireland some years ago； will
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want no evidence of the truth of honest Thady's narrative； to those who are
totally unacquainted with Ireland； the following Memoirs will perhaps be
scarcely intelligible； or probably they may appear perfectly incredible。
For the information of the IGNORANT English reader； a few notes have
been subjoined by the editor； and he had it once in contemplation to
translate the language of Thady into plain English； but Thady's idiom is
incapable of translation； and； besides； the authenticity of his story would
have been more exposed to doubt if it were not told in his own
characteristic manner。 Several years ago he related to the editor the
history of the Rackrent family； and it was with some difficulty that he was
persuaded to have it committed to writing； however； his feelings for 'THE
HONOUR OF THE FAMILY；' as he expressed himself； prevailed over his
habitual laziness； and he at length completed the narrative which is now
laid before the public。
The editor hopes his readers will observe that these are 'tales of other
times；' that the manners depicted in the following pages are not those of
the present age； the race of the Rackrents has long since been extinct in
Ireland； and the drunken Sir Patrick； the litigious Sir Murtagh； the fighting
Sir Kit； and the slovenly Sir Condy； are characters which could no more be
met with at present in Ireland； than Squire Western or Parson Trulliber in
England。 There is a time when individuals can bear to be rallied for their
past follies and absurdities； after they have acquired new habits and a new
consciousness。 Nations； as well as individuals； gradually lose attachment
to their identity； and the present generation is amused； rather than offended；
by the ridicule that is thrown upon its ancestors。
Probably we shall soon have it in our power； in a hundred instances； to
verify the truth of these observations。
When Ireland loses her identity by an union with Great Britain； she
will look back； with a smile of good…humoured complacency； on the Sir
Kits and Sir Condys of her former existence。
1800。
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CASTLE RACKRENT
MONDAY MORNING ＇See GLOSSARY 1＇。
Having； out of friendship for the family； upon whose estate； praised be
Heaven！ I and mine have lived rent…free time out of mind； voluntarily
undertaken to publish the MEMOIRS OF THE RACKRENT FAMILY； I
think it my duty to say a few words； in the first place； concerning myself。
My real name is Thady Quirk； though in the family I have always been
known by no other than 'Honest Thady；' afterward； in the time of Sir
Murtagh； deceased； I remember to hear them calling me 'Old。 Thady；' and
now I've come to 'Poor Thady'； for I wear a long greatcoat winter and
summer； which is very handy； as I never put my arms into the sleeves；
they are as good as new； though co