Evelina

Fanny Burney

Description

Even in the highly stratified social hierarchy of eighteenth-century England, it was possible for an outcast to rise through the ranks and find true love amongst the affluent upper classes. That's exactly what Evelina, the plucky illegitimate daughter of a prominent aristocrat, is able to accomplish. This funny feel-good novel is sure to please fans of Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters.

Sujets

• Romance

Informations

• Publié par: The Floating Press
• Date de parution: 01 juillet 2011
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781775453628
• Langue: English

Extrait

EVELINA
OR, THE HISTORY OF A YOUNG LADY'S ENTRANCE INTO THE WORLD
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FANNY BURNEY
 
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Evelina Or, the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World First published in 1778 ISBN 978-1-77545-362-8 © 2011 The Floating Press and its licensors. All rights reserved. While every effort has been used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in The Floating Press edition of this book, The Floating Press does not assume liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in this book. The Floating Press does not accept responsibility for loss suffered as a result of reliance upon the accuracy or currency of information contained in this book. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Many suitcases look alike. Visit www.thefloatingpress.com
Contents
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Dedication Preface Letter I - Lady Howard to the Rev. Mr. Villars Letter II - Mr. Villars to Lady Howard Letter III - Lady Howard to the Rev. Mr. Villars Letter IV - Mr. Villars to Lady Howard Letter V - Mr. Villars to Lady Howard Letter VI - Lady Howard to the Rev. Mr. Villars Letter VII - Lady Howard to the Rev. Mr. Villars Letter VIII - Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars Letter IX - Mr. Villars to Evelina Letter X - Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars Letter XI - Evelina in Continuation Letter XII - Evelina in Continuation Letter XIII - Evelina in Continuation Letter XIV - Evelina in Continuation Letter XV - Mr. Villars to Evelina Letter XVI - Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars Letter XVII - Evelina in Continuation Letter XVIII - Evelina in Continuation Letter XIX - Evelina in Continuation Letter XX - Evelina in Continuation Letter XXI - Evelina in Continuation Letter XXII - Evelina in Continuation Letter XXIII - Evelina in Continuation Letter XXIV - Mr Villars to Evelina Letter XXV - Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars Letter XXVI - Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars Letter XXVII - Lady Howard to the Rev. Mr. Villars Howard Grove Letter XXVIII - Mr Villars to Lady Howard Letter XXIX - Mr. Villars to Evelina Letter XXX - Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars Letter XXXI - Lady Howard to Sir John Belmont, Bart Letter XXXII - Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars Letter XXXIII - Evelina in Continuation Letter XXXIV - Evelina in Continuation Letter XXXV - Sir John Belmont to Lady Howard Letter XXXVI - Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars Letter XXXVII - Mr. Villars to Evelina Letter XXXVIII - Mr. Villars to Lady Howard Letter XXXIX - Mr. Villars to Evelina Letter XL - Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars Letter XLI - Evelina to Miss Mirvan Letter XLII - Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars Letter XLIII - Evelina in Continuation Letter XLIV - Evelina in Continuation Letter XLV - Evelina in Continuation Letter XLVI - Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars Letter XLVII - Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars Letter XLVIII - Evelina in Continuation Letter XLIX - Mr. Villars to Evelina Letter L - Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars Letter LI - Evelina in Continuation Letter LII - Evelina in Continuation Letter LIII - Evelina in Continuation Letter LIV - Evelina in Continuation Letter LV - Evelina in Continuation Letter LVI - Mr. Villars to Evelina Letter LVII - Evelina to Miss Mirvan Letter LVIII - Evelina to Miss Mirvan Letter LIX - Evelina in Continuation Letter LX - Evelina in Continuation Letter LXI - Evelina in Continuation Letter LXII - Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars Letter LXIII - Evelina in Continuation Letter LXIV - Evelina in Continuation Letter LXV - Evelina in Continuation Letter LXVI - Evelina in Continuation Letter LXVII - Mr. Villars to Evelina Letter LXVIII - Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars Letter LXIX - Evelina in Continuation Letter LXX - Evelina in Continuation Letter LXXI - Evelina in Continuation Letter LXXII - Evelina in Continuation Letter LXXIII - Mr. Villars to Evelina Letter LXXIV - Lady Belmont to Sir John Belmont Letter LXXV - Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars Letter LXXVI - Evelina in Continuation Letter LXXVII - Evelina in Continuation Letter LXXVIII - Evelina in Continuation Letter LXXIX - Evelina in Continuation Letter LXXX - Evelina in Continuation Letter LXXXI - Evelina in Continuation Letter LXXXII - Evelina in Continuation Letter LXXXIII - Mr. Villars to Evelina Letter LXXXIV - Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars Endnotes
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To Dr. Burney
Oh, Author of my being!-far more dear To me than light, than nourishment, or rest, Hygeia's blessings, Rapture's burning tear, Or the life-blood that mantles in my breast!
If in my heart the love of Virtue glows, 'T was planted there by an unerring rule; From thy example the pure flame arose, Thy life, my precept,-thy good works, my school.
Could my weak pow'rs thy num'rous virtues trace, By filial love each fear should be repress'd, The blush of Incapacity I'd chace, And stand, Recorder of thy worth, confess'd:
But since my niggard stars that gift refuse, Concealment is the only boon I claim; Obscure be still the unsuccessful Muse, Who cannot raise, but would not sink, thy fame.
Oh! of my life at once the source and joy! If e'er thy eyes these feeble lines survey, Let not their folly their intent destroy; Accept the tribute-but forget the lay.
Dedication
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To the Authors of the Monthly and Critical Reviews.
GENTLEMEN, The liberty which I take in addressing to you the triflingproduction of a few idle hours, will doubtless move your wonder,and probably your contempt. I will not, however, with the futility ofapologies, intrude upon your time, but briefly acknowledge the motivesof my temerity; lest, by a premature exercise of that patience whichI hope will befriend me, I should lessen its benevolence, and beaccessary to my own condemnation.
Without name, without recommendation, and unknown alike to successand disgrace, to whom can I so properly apply for patronage, as tothose who publicly profess themselves Inspectors of all literaryperformances?
The extensive plan of your critical observations,-which, not confinedto works of utility or ingenuity, is equally open to those of frivolousamusement,-and, yet worse than frivolous, dullness,-encourages meto seek for your protection, since,-perhaps for my sins!-it intitlesme to your annotations. To resent, therefore, this offering, howeverinsignificant, would ill become the universality of your undertaking;though not to despise it may, alas! be out of your power.
The language of adulation, and the incense of flattery, though thenatural inheritance, and constant resource, from time immemorial,of the Dedicator, to me offer nothing but the wistful regret that Idare not invoke their aid. Sinister views would be imputed to all Icould say; since, thus situated, to extol your judgment, would seemthe effect of art, and to celebrate your impartiality, be attributingto suspecting it.
As magistrates of the press, and Censors for the public,-to whichyou are bound by the sacred ties of integrity to exert the mostspirited impartiality, and to which your suffrages should carry themarks of pure, dauntless, irrefragable truth-to appeal to your MERCY,were to solicit your dishonour; and therefore,-though 'tis sweeterthan frankincense,-more grateful to the senses than all the odorousperfumes of Arabia,-and though
It droppeth like the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath,-
I court it not! to your justice alone I am intitled, and by that Imust abide. Your engagements are not to the supplicating authors;but to the candid public, which will not fail to crave
The penalty and forfeit of your bond.
No hackneyed writer, inured to abuse, and callous to criticism,here braves your severity;-neither does a half-starved garretteer,
Oblig'd by hunger-and request of friends,-
implore your lenity: your examination will be alike unbiassed bypartiality and prejudice;-no refractory murmuring will follow yourcensure, no private interest will be gratified by your praise.
Let not the anxious solicitude with which I recommend myself to yournotice, expose me to your derision. Remember, Gentlemen, you were allyoung writers once, and the most experienced veteran of your corps may,by recollecting his first publication, renovate his first terrors,and learn to allow for mine. For though Courage is one of the noblestvirtues of this nether sphere; and though scarcely more requisite inthe field of battle, to guard the fighting hero from disgrace, thanin the private commerce of the world, to ward off that littleness ofsoul which leads, by steps imperceptible, to all the base train ofthe inferior passions, and by which the too timid mind is betrayedinto a servility derogatory to the dignity of human nature! yet isit a virtue of no necessity in a situation such as mine; a situationwhich removes, even from cowardice itself, the sting of ignominy;-forsurely that courage may easily be dispensed with, which would ratherexcite disgust than admiration! Indeed, it is the peculiar privilegeof an author, to rob terror of contempt, and pusillanimity of reproach.
Here let me rest- and snatch myself, while I yet am able, from thefascination of EGOTISM:-a monster who has more votaries than everdid homage to the most popular deity of antiquity; and whose singularquality is, that while he excites a blind and involuntary adoration inalmost every individual, his influence is universally disallowed, hispower universally contemned, and his worship, even by his followers,never mentioned but with abhorence.
In addressing you jointly, I mean but to mark the generous sentimentsby which liberal criticism, to the utter annihilation of envy,jealousy, and all selfish views, ought to be distinguished.
I have the honour to be, GENTLEMEN, Your most obedient Humble Servant, ——
Preface
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IN the republic of letters, there is no member of such inferior rank,or who is so much disdained by his brethren of the quill, as thehumble Novelist; nor is his fate less hard in the world at large,since, among the whole class of writers, perhaps not one can be namedof which the votaries are more numerous but less respectable.
Yet, w