in my mind quite delineated an English clergyman, at least of the
present day, fond of and entirely engaged in literature, no man's
enemy but his own. Pray, dear Madam, think of these things.

'Believe me at all times with sincerity
and respect, your faithful and obliged servant,
'J. S. CLARKE, Librarian.'

The following letter, written in reply, will show how unequal the author
of 'Pride and Prejudice' felt herself to delineating an enthusiastic
clergyman of the present day, who should resemble Beattie's Minstrel:--

'Dec. 11.

'DEAR SIR,--My "Emma" is now so near publication that I feel it right
to assure you of my not having forgotten your kind recommendation of
an early copy for Carlton House, and that I have Mr. Murray's promise
of its being sent to His Royal Highness, under cover to you, three
days previous to the work being really out. I must make use of this
opportunity to thank you, dear Sir, for the very high praise you
bestow on my other novels. I am too vain to wish to convince you that
you have praised them beyond their merits. My greatest anxiety at
present is that this fourth work should not disgrace what was good in
the others. But on this point I will do myself the justice to declare
that, whatever may be my wishes for its success, I am strongly haunted
with the idea that to those readers who have preferred "Pride and
Prejudice" it will appear inferior in wit, and to those who have
preferred "Mansfield Park" inferior in good sense. Such as it is,
however, I hope you will do me the favour of accepting a copy. Mr.
Murray will have directions for sending one. I am quite honoured by