Author's Preface to the Second Edition
While I acknowledge the success of the present work to have been greater than I anticipated, and the praises it has elicited from a few kind critics to have been greater than it deserved, I must also admit that from some other quarters it has been censured with an asperity which I was as little prepared to expect, and which my judgment, as well as my feelings, assures me is more bitter than just. It is scarcely the province of an author to refute the arguments of his censors and vindicate his own productions; but I may be allowed to make here a few observations with which I would have prefaced the first edition, had I foreseen the necessity of such precautions against the misapprehensions of those who would read it with a prejudiced mind or be content to judge it by a hasty glance.
My object in writing the following pages was not simply to amuse the Reader; neither was it to gratify my own taste, nor yet to ingratiate myself with the Press and the Public: I wished to tell the truth, for truth always conveys its own moral to those who are able to receive it. But as the priceless treasure too frequently hides at the bottom of a well, it needs some courage to dive for it, especially as he that does so will be likely to incur more scorn and obloquy for the mud and water into which he has ventured to plunge, than thanks for the jewel he procures; as, in like manner, she who undertakes the cleansing of a careless bachelor's apartment will be liable to more abuse for the dust she raises than commendation for the clearance she effects. Let it not be imagined, however, that I consider myself competent to reform the errors and abuses of society, but only that I would fain contribute my humble quota towards so good an aim; and if I can gain the public ear at all, I would rather whisper a few wholesome truths therein than much soft nonsense.
As
the story of Agnes Grey was accused of extravagant over-colouring in those very
parts that were carefully copied from the life, with a most scrupulous
avoidance of all exaggeration, so, in the present work, I find myself censured
for depicting
I
would not be understood to suppose that the proceedings of the unhappy
scapegrace, with his few profligate companions I have here introduced, are a specimen
of the common practices of society - the case is an extreme one, as I trusted
none would fail to perceive; but I know that such characters do exist, and if I
have warned one rash youth from following in their steps, or prevented one
thoughtless girl from falling into the very natural error of my heroine, the
book has not been written in vain. But, at the same time, if any honest reader
shall have derived more pain than pleasure from its perusal, and have closed
the last volume with a disagreeable impression on his mind, I humbly crave his
pardon, for such was far from my intention; and I will endeavour to do better
another time, for I love to give innocent pleasure. Yet, be it understood, I
shall not limit my ambition to this - or even to producing 'a perfect work of
art': time and talents so spent, I should consider wasted and misapplied. Such
humble talents as God has given me I will endeavour to put to their greatest
use; if I am able to amuse, I will try to benefit too; and when I feel it my
duty to speak an unpalatable truth, with the help of God, I
