Introduction to far. Etfgcworth. 179 



right to be done, that the service cannot be 

 attended without inspiring an earnest desire 

 that the custom prevailed in every family. 

 The time occupied is not of such duration as 

 to interfere either with the pleasure or business 

 of the heads of the house, or the duty of their 

 dependants and servants. 



We were so fortunate as to meet with Mrs. 

 Ruxton, sister to Mr. Edgeworth, who, learning 

 our route, and justly anticipating the wish we 

 must naturally have for an opportunity of pay- 

 ing our compliments to a family so highly re- 

 spected, kindly favored us with an introduc- 

 tion. 



However strange it may appear, there are 

 persons in Ireland much disposed to find fault 

 with Miss Edgeworth for exposing the foibles 

 of her countrymen. They affect to consider this 

 as a want of due partiality to her native land. 

 Ridicule in general is the most powerful and 

 successful rod for the correction of folly : some- 

 times it succeeds where the soundest reasoning 

 and most persuasive admonition would be treat- 

 ed with indifference. The judgment must be 

 greatly perverted indeed which is not alive to 

 the warm and generous sympathy that dictates 

 all the effusions of Miss Edgeworth' s pen. 



N 2 



