INTRODUCTORY EPISTLE. vii Ireland and the Irish; but of all changes, that which affects the native literature and genius of the land was to me the most apparent-I might say, the most surprising. I know not whether I can be controverted in the idea I have, that almost the first copyright work published in Dublin after the Union was published by Messrs. Curry and Company, and that work was my first. Although in every sense the little book might be deemed a childish effort, its publication at the period was considered an enterprise for a Dublin publisher. Now, an ardent friend to Ireland as I profess to be, when I see "Coombe Abbey" issue from a Dublin press, in a style that would not disgrace the first houses of London, embellished chiefly by Dublin artists-and thus, thankfully do I record it, the means of drawing forth and employing native genius-and sent forth into the world through the medium of Dublin enterprise and talent, truly from my heart do I wish that the progression of all things else in Ireland-moral, domestic, or commercial-bore some affinity to that which the printing-press has made. May it yet do so! You, who have led the van in raising the depressed genius of Erin from her low estate, will respond to my wish. I have only a few words more to say. It was not my intention to anticipate objections or suggest merits in my work; but two of the former haunt my imagination. I am between two parties -one of which will think the book is not enough of a novel, the other that it is too much so ;-one, that I have appeared too friendly to Popery-the other, that I have not denounced either the system or its adherents, but suffered history to tell its own tale, and carry its own moral. To neither objection am I prepared with an answer, and the judginent of both must go by default. "Coombe Abbey" received in manuscript a commendation it can never receive in print-the only commendation for which I was ever really solicitous. I say it not in ungraciousness to the few perhaps too partial friends who still constitute my public: but to the anxious parent, the young, and the scrupulous, it may be a guarantee for the purity of its sentiments and the right tendency of its narrative to know that a mother's latest sanction rested on the work; and to its author the happiest reflection connected with it is, and for ever shall be, that the perusal from time to time of its chapters cheered the hours of languor; and the hope of its success-amid the brighter and better hopes of a glorious immortality-drew forth again the smile that encouraged my earliest and sanctioned my latest literary efforts. I am, Gentlemen, Your faithful and obliged servant, Dublin, February, 1843. S. B PAGE A visit to Coombe Abbey-Though anticipation is not always real- ized, Lady Edith meets with more there than she expected-History anticipated-The levée of the Princess Elizabeth-It commences The remainder of the day at Coombe Abbey-De Lacy's reminis- The royal visit to the ancient city of Coventry-Lord St. Clare fancies he sees an apparition, and his daughter a rival-The princess experiences at table some of the difficulties attendant on an exalted situation-The procession arrives at the abbey under De Lacy renews the acquaintance commenced at the broken bridge De Lacy encounters an apparition in the cloisters-A scene beneath the old oak of Coombe Abbey, which leads to further perplexities Critical moments interrupted-An affecting explanation between Lord St. Clare and his daughter-De Lacy has nearly run out his A midnight scene on the Thames-A peep under ground-Sketches of characters that are to be supposed now extinct in the world- More matrimonial speculations, which exceedingly alarm Blanche |
