Transcriber's Note This version on the text cannot represent all the typographical features of the original. Text which was printed in italic is indicated by '_' delimiters as _italic_. Bold text is rendered using '=' as =bold=. The 'oe' ligature appears, in the word 'oeconomy' or 'oeconomist', both as separate letters and in its ligature form. Here, all instances are rendered using the separate 'oe'. The edition from which this text is derived contained a number of printer's errors, based on a comparison with a contemporary edition. These have been corrected. The more detailed note at the end of this text provides an account of any changes made. MEMOIRS OF MISS SIDNEY BIDULPH Extracted from her own Journal, and now first published FRANCES SHERIDAN The Editor of the following sheets takes this opportunity of paying the tribute due to exemplary Goodness and distinguished Genius, when found united in One Person, by inscribing these Memoirs to THE AUTHOR OF CLARISSA AND Sir CHARLES GRANDISON CONTENTS =Volume I= (1) The Editor's Introduction (3) Memoirs of Miss Sidney Bidulph (9) The Journal (11) =Volume II= (141) =Volume III= (287) Cecilia's Narrative &c. being a Supplement to Mrs. Arnold's Journal (423) VOLUME I THE EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION I was invited to pass a month last summer in Buckinghamshire by a friend, who paid annually a visit to his mother: a lady pretty far advanced in years, but extremely chearful, sensible, and well-bred. She lived altogether in the country, in a good old fashioned house, which was part of her jointure; and it was to this hospitable mansion he carried me. The lady received me very politely, as her son's friend; and I have great reason to be obliged to him for the introduction. My friend and I generally dedicated our evenings to the entertainment of this obliging Lady. She loved reading, and was a woman of an excellent taste; but as her years rendered that employment not so easy to her as it had been, her son and myself usually spared her the task, and read to her such authors as she chose for her entertainment; nor was she so confined to particular studies, as not to allow us to vary our subjects as inclination led us.