The wild Irish girl (Mothers of the novel)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1850. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... PREFATORY ADDRESS. "Inasmuch as all knowledge beginneth with Experience, therefore is the beginning of new knowledge, and the increase of experience, the beginning of the increase of knowledge."-- Hobbes, Vol. iv. p. 50.* The author of the following tale having lived to be once more the proprietor of some of her earliest literary productions, and thus, as it were, to become her own posterity (the only posterity she may, haply, ever reach,) has been tempted to re-publish the "Wild Irish Girl," (no longer extant) by the liberal offer and encouragement of an eminent Publisher. She has also been further induced to do so, by the gracious desire of some dear old contemporary readers, who were as young when they first read, as was the author, when she wrote it. They, however, may mistake the memory of their own pleasant sensations, at the time, for the merits of the * Molesworth Edition. work, and give it the distinction, of a traditional favour, they will probably be unable to perpetuate to their succeeding generations. But "the gentlemen of the trade," "Les Fermiers de notre talent," (as a noble French author styled his publishers,) always know the true state of the Literary Tariff, and the quality of the commodity which has a chance of bringing in a fair profit; and it may be left to one of the most enterprising Factors in the literary market to abide the result of his own speculation. Still, as far as our gloriole d'autewr is concerned, the policy of a re-publication of an early work is always hazardous! A first book, like a first love, is generally a thing to be a little ashamed of,--a juvenile indiscretion, (more pleasant in its passage than in its retrospect); and in the attempt of the Editor of the present edition of " The Wild...