Page:Maria Edgeworth (Zimmern 1883).djvu/226

214 and many friends, but the life-spring had snapped, unknown perhaps even to her, certainly unknown to those around her. For she bore up bravely, cheerfully, and was to all appearance as bright as ever. Next to doing good, reading was still her greatest pleasure:—

History gave her particular delight:—

Macaulay's history charmed her, and in all her first enthusiasm she wrote a long letter about it to her old friend Sir Henry Holland. He showed it to Macaulay, who was so struck with its discrimination and ability that he begged to be allowed to keep it. Among all the incidents connected with the publication of his book, nothing, it is said, pleased Macaulay more than the gratification he had contrived to give to Miss Edgeworth as a small return for the enjoyment which, during more than forty years, he had derived from her writings.

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I have just finished Macaulay's two volumes of the History of England with the same feeling that you expressed—regret at coming to the end, and longing for another volume—the most uncommon feeling, I suppose, that readers of two thick octavo volumes of