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, happily, uneventfully time flowed on at Edgeworthstown, while abroad Miss Edgeworth's fame was steadily on the increase. But whatever the world might say, however kind, nay flattering, its verdict, this pre-eminently sensible woman did not suffer herself to be deluded by success. That she knew precisely, and gauged correctly, the extent and limits of her power, is proved by a letter written to Mr. Elton Hammond, who had over-zealously defended her from criticism:—

Another letter to the same correspondent deserves quotation, as giving her views on authorship. Mr.