Mr. Edgeworth was essentially a utilitarian. He was a practical illustration of Bentham’s theories. When he wrote the letter to his daughter, by Mrs. Honora Edgeworth’s death-bed, the stress he lays upon usefulness will easily be observed. [“Continue, my dear daughter, the desire which you feel of becoming amiable, prudent, and of _use_.”] He was a busy man himself, full of projects and plans. He impressed these views on the developing mind of Maria. Mme. de Staël was reported long after to have said Maria was “lost in sad utility”; and the question naturally comes to the mind, when we see the irrepressible imagination of the young girl, just what her life would have been without her father’s peculiar influence.... He checked that superabundance of sentiment which would have endangered her clearness of mind; he kept her stimulated and encouraged to write, by his advice, criticism, and approbation; but it is to be feared that he clipped the wings of fancy, and harnessed Pegasus once again, as the rustics did in an ancient myth. When she failed in her novels to inspire her characters with romantic interest, it was because the paramount influence of her father asserted itself. She was certainly gifted with genius of a high order; but her nature was most affectionate, and long habits of respect and devotion to her father made it absolutely impossible for her to free herself from _his_ views. She was always the dutiful daughter--quite as much so to the last as at the time he wrote her of his desire for the tale on “Generosity.” GRACE A. OLIVER: ‘A Study of Maria Edgeworth.’ * * * * * [Sidenote: Her filial gratitude.] “Nobody can know what I owe to my father: he advised and directed me in everything; I never could have done any thing without him. These are things I cannot be mistaken about, though other people can--I _know_ them.” As she said this the tears stood in her eyes, and her whole person was moved. GEORGE TICKNOR: ‘Life, Letters and Journals.’ Boston: James R. Osgood & Co., 1876. * * * * * [Sidenote: Miss Mitford speaks her mind.] I am perfectly well inclined to agree with you in laying the tiresome parts of her work to her prosing father, who is, Mr. Moore tells me, such a nuisance in society, that in Ireland the person who is doomed to sit next him at dinner is condoled with, just as if he had met with an overturn, or a fall from his horse, or any other deplorable casualty. MARY RUSSELL MITFORD: _Letter to Sir Wm. Elford_, in L’Estrange’s ‘Life of Mary Russell Mitford.’ London: Richard Bentley, 1870. * * * * * [Sidenote: Maria impressed with Irish life.]