Mr. Butler, will come to us, and
independently of the pleasure they will have, I am sure, in your
society, I own I wish that you should become acquainted with them,
especially as we are unlucky at this moment in not having any of my
brothers at home. My brother-in-law, Mr. Butler, is, as you will find, a
man of literature and learning, besides being all that you will like in
other respects, from the truth and rectitude and simplicity of his
character.

"I am much obliged to you for the letters you were so good as to enclose
to me. Of all our friends in Boston and Cambridge, we shall, I hope,
have time to inquire further and to converse.

"There was only one thing in your letter which did not give us pleasure;
and we trust that after your arrival, and after you have had some hours
to reflect, and a night quietly to sleep upon it, you will repent and
recant, and give up your _cruel purpose_ of giving us only one day. Mrs.
Edgeworth will remonstrate with you, I think, more effectually than I
can; and in the mean time I promise to allow you till the morning after
your arrival to become sufficiently acquainted with the ways of the
house and family, before I turn to you, as I shall (I warn you) at
breakfast, for your _ultimatum_.

"I am, dear Madam, (for the present,)

"Your much obliged and grateful

"MARIA EDGEWORTH.

"P.S. It must increase my interest in making your acquaintance, my dear
Mrs. F., to know that you are sister to Mr. Benjamin R., whose talents I
with great reason admire, and for whose kindness and agreeable letters I
have equally great reason to be grateful."

* * * * *

The cordiality and frankness of this letter made us all desirous of
visiting the writer. We were much struck with the manner in which Mrs.
Edgeworth was mentioned and made of importance as the lady of the house,
when the whole place was the property of Miss Edgeworth, and she was at
least thirty years older than her step-mother. Mr. Edgeworth had been
dead several years, and his son had become so embarrassed in his affairs
as to be obliged to sell his patrimonial estate; and to prevent its
passing into the hands of strangers, Miss Edgeworth had bought it, and
made her step-mother mistress of the establishment, whilst she lived
with her as a daughter. They were on the very best terms, each admiring
and