Page:Maria Edgeworth (Zimmern 1883).djvu/66

54 It is almost possible, in Miss Edgeworth's works, to venture to point out the passages that have been tampered with, and those where she has been allowed free play. Thus there are portions of Belinda in which she is as much at her best as in Castle Rackrent, or other of her master-pieces. Who but she could have penned the lively description given by Sir Philip Baddeley of the fêtes at Frogmore? How exquisitely is this ill-natured fool made to paint himself, how truthful is the picture, free from any taint of exaggeration. Sir Philip's endeavour to disgust Belinda with Clarence Harvey, his manner of attempting it, and his final proposal, is a very masterpiece of caustic humour.

Belinda was no favourite with Miss Edgeworth. Writing to Mrs. Barbauld some years later, she says:—

And again, after revising it for republication, she says:—

Miss Edgeworth was therefore capable of self criticism. Indeed, at no time did she set even a due value on her own work, still less an exaggerated one. To the day of her death she sincerely believed that all the honour and glory she had reaped belonged of right to her father alone. But there was yet another reason why Miss Edgeworth never liked Belinda. She was staying at Black Castle when the first printed copy reached her. Before her aunt saw it, she contrived to