New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-20
MARIA EDGEWORTH.

A PLEASANT GLIMPSE OF THE NOVELIST
A pretty little story about Miss Edgeworth was
told the other day by an Englishwoman, as fol-
lows:
"Nore than half century ago party or HAPPY
voung people were travelling by train in England.
At one end of their carriage two elderly ladies were
seated One of these small in person and with
plain features would probably have attracted little
or no attention anywhere, so long as she remained
silent As SOON however as she began 10 tdlh inc
charm of her conversation and the intelligence ana
good-humor OF her countenance made every one
forget that she was not blest with out"ai"
beauty Strangers at the beginning of the Journey
the travellers In time began to exchange remarks
with each other and books soon became the SUD-
ect on which young and old evidently preferred 10
talk At last Miss Edgeworth's works were men
toned. they were great favorites with the young
people and they spoke warmly OF the dellght 'hat
Simple Susan and Lazy Lawrence had been 10
them in their chill lish days. Suddenly two OF the
partv looked Al each other and smiled and one OF
them turning 10 the httle old iduE III '"e 0O'''''
said:
We always feel guilty when we hear MISS
Edgeworth spoken Of for when we were cnhdreh
we did such a dreadful thing; we cannot imagine
how we could have been so bold We were very
found Of drawing pictures OF our pet characters
and of course were always trying to Illustrate
The Parents Assistant" And only think We &C
tually made up a packet of what We considered our
best pictures with our Christian names written
under them. and posted it to Miss Edge"ot'n
What must she have thought Of such children?
'can we not fancy how the little ladys kindly
face lighted up with pleasure, as she replied; ana
| can tell you that those drawings are stu care
fully treasured for / am Maria Edgevorth.
The scene changes. 1t is the year lHf. the sew
enty-seventh of Miss Edgeworhs life, and the last
i'm which she visited London. Ii was IN the carry
DAYS Of March thai with her half-siser Mrs. Les
n.y. ma q A |
at a house at the entrance Of kilburn, at that
time still rura-looking village with green fields.
country lanes and little old hunting lodge. wnich
had belonged to Charles H.. still standing JUST OH
the high road The semi-detached villa which they
entered had at its back long garden, when during
the three seasons of the year. used 70 be oaze or
co,or.
'The smoke of London did not then cover every
geraniurn and verbena leaf with black: the great
city WAS still far enough away 70 cause those WHO
went there 70 SPEAK or gons aerS in the gar
don were few ana far between. bur the lttle draw
look nj and sweet to smell. In one window on
table stood pot of tree mignonette' Wnun ~
She went up it. and putting her arms aron n,
il. exclaimed IN her warm hearted Irish way on
during this visit that S the 1ne S aGd s
ready related was toin. IL nee nthmsiastir admrer
of her writings and also As great lover on nov 1
Niss E,drowor,h said she would send 10 Edge,
,yorthefown for "A plant which she trusted would
tallo root i'm suburban garden. Some weeks
later the following letter was received from her,
'''' wv - North Auiley-st.. March 30 1874
"'Dear Mrs H.: My brother. Pakenham Edge
worth undertakes TO carry this mite packet 10
Won as | cannot make time for the pleasure my
saIf Tho packet contains a Celestial rose wnat
ite bofanic name Is cannot say, but suspect thdt
called ,v any other name will look as fair or as
rod and smell as sweet. This Is from my own saE-
1.n M EdgrworthstOWn from which natter my
self YOU will like to have vegetable love My Sis.
Tor ioins i'm kind remembrances TO YOU. Your pot
70 Tnpa
nette is here AT your orders. bur cannot Send II
hv this oppOrtunity my brother rides. ana rldes
a nsttiesome horse. Yours sincerely ~ ,
NV MARIA EDGEWORTH.'
The rose was packed ny Mrs f.. after the good
exarnple of n PROGRESSED florist gardener. so nope
II is an right and may the Celestial rose live TO
nIease YOU and long life to it and YOU
=. We 40 into the country on MONDAY ana say
,rl Thurslav aud then again to Sir john
Herschel's on Saturday and then return only to
pack ur and he off for ever, probably. VI r..
"'This letter Is written in fine and delicate nut
clear handwriting. a half-Sheet or notepaper
folded The int has touching interest, for
Tho nrophecy concerning herself was TOO true. AZ
the end OF April she left London never to return
to i: ,, 800 as .arof,,l,,. tended and u
taking kindly TO it's English soil The present
owner Of the letter feels strongly inclined when at
rare intervals she passes by tho old house. to ring
Tho hell and ask for permission to Walk round the
rarlen-even. perhaps. to beg for a slip from the
irish rose should the hand of time and OF the
stranger have dealt gently with this fragrant me-
mortal of Maria Edgeworth