We have the honour of transmitting to you a copy of our second edition of your admirable _Narrative Poems on the Female Character_. All who have hearts to feel and understandings to discriminate must earnestly wish you health and leisure to complete your plan. We shall be gratified by a line acknowledging the receipt of the copy through the medium of our friends Messrs. Longman & Co.... We have the honour to be, madam, Your most obedient servants, EASTBURN, KIRK & CO. Mary writes to her father on the receipt of the parcel: “You will easily imagine that I was flattered and pleased with my American packet; but even you can scarcely imagine how much. I never was so vain of anything in my whole life. Only think of their having printed two editions (for the words ‘second edition’ are underscored in their letter) before last October!” The recognition which she received in America so early in her career was never forgotten, and she used to say in after life, “It takes ten years to make a literary reputation in England, but America is wiser and bolder and dares to say at once, ‘This is fine.’” [Illustration] CHAPTER XVIII VERSATILITY AND PLAYFULNESS In a letter to Sir William Elford dated January, 1812, Mary remarks: “I have lived so little with girls of my own age, and have been so much accustomed to think papa my pleasantest companion and mamma my best friend that ... I have escaped unscathed from all the charming folly and delectable romance of female intimacy and female confidence.” Then going on to speak of the usual school training of girls at that period she remarks: “I must observe that in this educating age everything is taught to women except that which is perhaps worth all the rest—the power and the habit of thinking. Do not misunderstand me.... I would only wish that while everything is invented and inculcated that can serve to amuse, to occupy, or adorn youth—youth which needs so little amusement or ornament!—something should be instilled that may add pleasure and respectability to age.”