FCA

TO THE

HONORABLE JULIA AUGUSTA MAYNARD

This Tale

IS DEDICATED,

AS A TOKEN OF SINCÈRE REGARD;

BY

THE AUTHOR.

INTRODUCTION.

It may seem strange that another work

SO

soon

6

from my pen

should appear · Charlotte Corday' having scarcely yet become known to the public. “The Idler Reformed' was finished last Christmas

twelvemonth, and, therefore, it would not be just were I accused of hasty composition ; nor do I think it necessary to detain it “en cachet,” because its sister work is before the public.

Certain that, having pledged my word as to the age of The Idler Reformed,' I shall be believed, I am more impatient than afraid of launching it forth, I will not say upon the ocean of criticism, but upon the ocean of opinions ; and, oh, kind readers, even if ye be more gifted

more intelligent, think of the young author's anxiety, as her name becomes more and more familiar to the public ear.

1

Friends, who are acquainted with my history, remember how ardently I love my chosen career, how dear to me is the new, the changing, feverish, uncertain existence which, amidst all its disadvantages, has a mine of hidden pleasure for