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Mr。 Edgeworth was one of those people born to get their own way。
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Every one seems to have felt the influence of his strong character。 It was
not only with his family and his friends that he held his ownthe tenants
and the poor people rallied to his command。 To be sure； it sounds like
some old Irish legend to be told that Mr。 Edgeworth had so loud a voice
that it could be heard a mile off； and that his steward； who lived in a lodge
at that distance from the house； could hear him calling from the drawing…
room window； and would come up for orders。
In 1778； says Miss Edgeworth retrospectively； when England was
despatching her armies all over the world； she had no troops to spare for
the defence of Ireland then threatened with a French invasion； and the
principal nobility and gentry embodied themselves volunteers for the
defence of the country。 The Duke of Leinster and Lord Charlemont were
at the head of the 'corps which in perfect order and good discipline
rendered their country respectable。' The friends of Ireland； profiting by
England's growing consideration for the sister country； now obtained for
her great benefits for which they had long been striving； and Mr。 Grattan
moved an address to the throne asserting the legislative independence of
Ireland。 The address passed the House； and； as his daughter tells us； Mr。
Edgeworth immediately published a pamphlet。 Miss Edgeworth
continues as follows； describing his excellent course of action： 'My
father honestly and unostentatiously used his utmost endeavours to
obliterate all that could tend to perpetuate ill…will in the country。 Among
the lower classes in his neighbourhood he endeavoured to discourage that
spirit of recrimination and retaliation which the lower Irish are too prone
to cherish。 They are such acute observers that there is no deceiving them
as to the state of the real feeling of their superiors。 They know the signs
of what passes within with more certainty than any physiognomist； and it
was soon seen by all those who had any connection with him that my
father was sincere in his disdain of vengeance。' Further on； describing
his political feelings； she says that on the subject of the Union in
parliamentary phrase he had not then been able to make up his mind。
She describes with some pride his first speech in the Irish House at two
o'clock in the morning； when the wearied members were scarcely awake
to hear it； and when some of the outstretched members were aroused by
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their neighbours to listen to him！ 'When people perceived that it was not
a set speech；' says Miss Edgeworth； 'they became interested。' He stated
his doubts just as they had occurred as he threw them by turn into each
scale。 After giving many reasons in favour of what appeared to be the
advantages of the Union； he unexpectedly gave his vote against it； because
he said he had been convinced by what he had heard one night； that the
Union was decidedly against the wishes of the majority of men of sense
and property in the nation。 He added （and surely Mr。 Edgeworth's
opinion should go for something still） that if he should be convinced that
the opinions of the country changed； his vote would be in its favour。
His biographer tells us that Mr。 Edgeworth was much complimented
on his speech by BOTH sides； by those for whom he voted； and also by
those who found that the best arguments on the other side of the question
had been undoubtedly made by him。 It is a somewhat complicated
statement and state of feeling to follow； to the faithful daughter nothing is
impossible where her father is concerned。 This vote； I believe； cost Mr。
Edgeworth his peerage。 'When it was known that he had voted against the
Union he became suddenly the idol of those who would previously have
stoned him；' says his devoted biographer。 It must not； however； be
forgotten that Mr。 Edgeworth had refused an offer of L3000 for his seat for
two or three weeks； during that momentous period when every vote was of
importance。 Mr。 Pitt； they say； spent over L2；000；000 in carrying the
measure which he deemed so necessary。
IV
As a rule people's books appeal first to one's imagination； and then
after a time； if the books are good books and alive； not stuffed dummies
and reproductions； one begins to divine the writers themselves； hidden
away in their pages； and wrapped up in their hot…press sheets of paper； and
so it happened by chance that a printed letter once written by Maria
Edgeworth to Mrs。 Barbauld set the present reader wondering about these
two familiar names； and trying to realise the human beings which they
each represented。 Since those days Miss Edgeworth has become a
personage more vivid and interesting than any of her characters； more
familiar even than 'Simple Susan' or 'Rosamond of the Purple Jar。' She
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has seemed little by little to grow into a friend； as the writer has learnt to
know her more and more intimately； has visited the home of that home…
loving woman； has held in her hands the delightful Family Memoirs； has
seen the horizons； so to speak； of Maria Edgeworth's long life。 ＇Now
published and edited by Mr。 Hare （Nov。 1894）。＇ Several histories of
Miss Edgeworth have been lately published in England。 Miss Zimmern
and Miss Oliver in America have each written； and the present writer has
written； and various memoirs and letters have appeared in different
magazines and papers with allusions and descriptions all more or less
interesting。 One can but admire the spirit which animated that whole
existence； the cheerful； kindly； multiplied interest Maria Edgeworth took
in the world outside； as well as in the wellbeing of all those around her。