I hasten to acknowledge what I value—a note from you. But why remind me of my advancing years by supposing me capable of forgetting a promise to Miss Owenson, which, at the period of my second climacteric, would have been a suspicion of my honour and an insult to my gallantry. Think you, that because I approach my year of jubilee,—because the freezing hand of Time has checked the rapid course of my circulation, and seized in his cold grasp a heart whose ardour would once have bid defiance to his icicles,—that, therefore, my memory and truth must have taken flight with my passions and left your unfortunate correspondent a mere caput mortuum—if you think so, you err, for my vanity has survived and could not be more highly gratified than by your acceptance of my labours.
The book, such as it is, is the true and unadulterated offspring of
Irish feelings, and as such too congenial to your own, not to excite your
attention and demand your indulgence. Our works differ, however, in a point the
widest in the world—yours much the most difficult—all the talent of
inventive genius must be cultivated by
you—anything in the nature of invention would destroy my reputation. You
must invent incident, I need only tell it; you must combine events. My events
are already combined, and I have only to recite them. You must describe
passions which you never felt; I felt all the passion I have to describe. You
write to please; I write
| 386 | LADY MORGAN'S MEMOIR. |
However, my vanity is not like other people’s, for it is perfectly candid, and desires me to tell you that I think you will like the book—at least, I like it myself, and that is all that can be expected by any author.
The second part will rise from the dead, I trust, in January next; and a most flattering letter received from the Prince of Wales, at once feeds my ambition and promotes my courage—so on I go—and heaven send me a good deliverance; there will be ten parts, one hundred portraits, thirty vignettes, all comprised in two volumes—eleven engravings, very superior, to those you see, will honour the next number; but I do not think anything can much exceed Bush and Curran in the last, except Durginan and Napper Tandy in the next part. You see, gentlemen must keep bad company on those occasions.
You greatly mistake if you suppose the ravenous appetite you mention can be at all sated by my morsel—it will only be a mere lunch; I hope, however, it may increase your appetite, and give you relish for the second course which I am cooking for your table.
I wish you a happy Christmas, as I entertain no doubt you will have a merry one; and if the good wishes of Lady B &c., can add to your pleasures, be sure you possess them.
