Maria Edgeworth, famous as a delineator of I rish character, was of English birth, though of I rish descent, being born at Black Bourton in Oxfordshire in 1767, Her early education also was English ;but in her sixteenth year her father returned to I reland to reside, taking her with him, and thereafter her home was at Edgeworthtown in County Longford, where she died in 1849. She is perhaps even better known as a writer of stories for children stories which have retained in large measure their popularity than as a novelist. Her most notable tale was also the first published Castle Rackrent, issued in 1800 a story based upon facts, and depicting the manners and methods of tnerish squire o TtK emiddle of the eighteenth century. It at once became famous and has become established among the masterpieces of fiction. It abounds in wit, graphic narration, and keen insight into the I rish national character. It is a page torn from the national history of I reland, inimilable, perennially delightful, equally humorous and pathetic, holding up with shrewd wit and keen perception both the follies and the virtues which have madethat history what it has been. A mong her later works, the most important are the Tales from Fashionable Life, among which is The A bsentee, published in 1812. Each of these tales which have been regarded as the earliest examples of the novel with a purpose was written to enforce a moral, but they are not the less charming for their didacticism. The A bsentee, in particular, is a masterpiece worthy to be placed beside Castle Rackrent. (Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don"t occur in the book.) About the Publisher Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, History, Folklore and Mythology. Forgotten Books" Classic Reprint Series utilizes the latest technology to regenerate facsimiles of hist