I have been reprehended by some of the public critics for the _notices_
which I have annexed to my daughter's works. As I do not know their reasons
for this reprehension, I cannot submit even to their respectable authority.
I trust, however, the British public will sympathize with what a father
feels for a daughter's literary success, particularly as this father and
daughter have written various works in partnership.

The natural and happy confidence reposed in me by my daughter puts it in my
power to assure the public that she does not write negligently. I can
assert that twice as many pages were written for these volumes as are now
printed.

The first of these tales, HARRINGTON, was occasioned by an extremely
well-written letter, which Miss Edgeworth received from America, from a
Jewish lady, complaining of the illiberality with which the Jewish nation
had been treated in some of Miss Edgeworth's works.

The second tale, ORMOND, is the story of a young gentleman, who is in some
respects the reverse of Vivian. The moral of this tale does not immediately
appear, for the author has taken peculiar care that it should not obtrude
itself upon the reader.

Public critics have found several faults with Miss Edgeworth's former
works--she takes this opportunity of returning them sincere thanks for the
candid and lenient manner in which her errors have been pointed out. In the
present Tales she has probably fallen into many other faults, but she has
endeavoured to avoid those for which she has been justly reproved.

And now, indulgent reader, I beg you to pardon this intrusion, and, with
the most grateful acknowledgments, I bid you farewell for ever.