Tales and Novels — Volume 9
Apr 2018 · CLASSICS TO GO · Otbebookpublishing
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About this ebook
Excerpt: "When I was a little boy of about six years old, I was standing with a maid-servant in the balcony of one of the upper rooms of my father's house in London—it was the evening of the first day that I had ever been in London, and my senses had been excited, and almost exhausted, by the vast variety of objects that were new to me. It was dusk, and I was growing sleepy, but my attention was awakened by a fresh wonder. As I stood peeping between the bars of the balcony, I saw star after star of light appear in quick succession, at a certain height and distance, and in a regular line, approaching nearer and nearer. I twitched the skirt of my maid's gown repeatedly, but she was talking to some acquaintance at the window of a neighbouring house, and she did not attend to me. I pressed my forehead more closely against the bars of the balcony, and strained my eyes more eagerly towards the object of my curiosity. Presently the figure of the lamp-lighter with his blazing torch in one hand, and his ladder in the other, became visible; and, with as much delight as philosopher ever enjoyed in discovering the cause of a new and grand phenomenon, I watched his operations. I saw him fix and mount his ladder with his little black pot swinging from his arm, and his red smoking torch waving with astonishing velocity, as he ran up and down the ladder. Just when he reached the ground, being then within a few yards of our house, his torch flared on the face and figure of an old man with a long white beard and a dark visage, who, holding a great bag slung over one shoulder, walked slowly on, repeating in a low, abrupt, mysterious tone, the cry of "Old clothes! Old clothes! Old clothes!" I could not understand the words he said, but as he looked up at our balcony he saw me—smiled—and I remember thinking that he had a good-natured countenance. The maid nodded to him; he stood still, and at the same instant she seized upon me, exclaiming, "Time for you to come off to bed, Master Harrington."
About the author
Maria Edgeworth (1768-1849) was a pioneering Anglo-Irish writer whose works bridged the gap between 18th-century Enlightenment ideals and 19th-century Romanticism. Born in Oxfordshire, England, and later moving to Ireland, Edgeworth was deeply influenced by her father, Richard Lovell Edgeworth, an inventor and educational reformer. Her upbringing in a progressive household imbued her with a keen interest in social issues, education, and gender equality, themes that permeate her extensive body of work.Edgeworth's novels and stories are celebrated for their vivid characterizations and incisive social commentary. She was a trailblazer in children's literature, with works like "The Parent's Assistant" setting new standards for the genre. Her adult fiction, including "Castle Rackrent" and "Belinda," tackled complex issues such as class disparity, colonialism, and women's rights, making her one of the first novelists to address these topics with nuance and empathy.Her influence extended to contemporaries and later writers, including Sir Walter Scott, who credited her with inspiring his own historical novels. Despite her acclaim, Edgeworth was not without controversy; her depictions of Irish life and characters were sometimes criticized for perpetuating stereotypes, reflecting the complexities of her Anglo-Irish identity.Maria Edgeworth's legacy endures as a writer who not only entertained but also provoked thought and debate, challenging her readers to reconsider their views on society and morality. Her innovative spirit and commitment to social progress continue to resonate, making her a figure of enduring relevance in literary history.
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