ne Austen came to London to
nurse her brother Henry, who was a clergyman, at his house in
Hans Place, in Chelsea. He was being attended by one of the
Prince Regent's physicians, who seems to have learned in this
way the secret of the authorship of "Mansfield Park" and its
predecessors. The result was that the Prince, who is said to
have been a great admirer of these then anonymous novels, was
graciously pleased to notify Miss Austen, through his
chaplain, Mr. Clarke, that if she had any new novel in hand,
she was at liberty to dedicate it to his Royal Highness.
"Emma" was accordingly dedicated to the Prince. It was
reviewed, along with its author's other novels, in the
"Quarterly," and the anonymous reviewer, who took no notice of
"Mansfield Park," turns out to have been none other than Sir
Walter Scott. In his Diary for March 14, 1826, Sir Walter
further praised Miss Austen's exquisite touch and her gift for
true description and sentiment.

_I.--The Social Amenities of Highbury_

Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and
happy disposition, was the younger of the two daughters of a most
affectionate and indulgent father, and had, in consequence of her
sister's marriage, been mistress of his house from a very early period.
Her mother had died too long ago for her to have more than an indistinct
remembrance of her caresses, and her place had been supplied by Miss
Taylor, who for sixteen years had been in Mr. Woodhouse's family, less
as governess than friend, very fond of both daughters, but particularly
of Emma. For years the two ladies had been living together, mutely
attached, Emma doing just what she liked, highly esteeming Miss Taylor's
judgment, but chiefly directed by her own.

The real evils, indeed, of Emma's situation were the power of having
rather too much her own way, and a disposition to think a little too
well of herself. The danger, however, was at present unperceived, and
did not by any means rank as a misfortune with her.

Sorrow came--a gentle sorrow. Miss Taylor married. It was Miss Taylor's
loss which first brought grief. It was on the wedding-day of this
beloved friend, with the wedding over and the bride-people gone, that
Emma first sat in mournful thought of any continuance. The event had
every promise of happiness for her friend. Mr. Weston was a man of
unexceptionable character, e