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 is grieved to find it necessary to repel such a charge. The author
of a slight work of fiction may, however, be consoled for any unjust
imputation of personal satire, by reflecting, that even the grave and
impartial historian cannot always escape similar suspicion. Tacitus says
that "there must always be men, who, from congenial manners, and sympathy
in vice, will think the fidelity of history a satire on themselves; and
even the praise due to virtue is sure to give umbrage."

_August 1, 1815._