11-17-60

PREFACE.

ELEVEN years have nearly elapsed, since the pious Writer of the following papers exchanged mortality for eternal life. It was generally known by her intimate friends, that she had left to posterity a record of the gracious dealings of God towards her; and it was sanguinely hoped, that this record would soon be given to the religious world. These hopes, however, were destined for a season to undergo a painful disappointment. Lady MAXWELL had intrusted her papers to the care of the Honourable Miss NAPIER, with a solemn injunction, that after her Ladyship's decease they should be transmitted to one of the Wesleyan Ministers: but she neither specified any individual, nor fixed on any particular period, when this obligation should be discharged. Thus, a liberty seemed to be allowed for the exercise of choice and discretion; and a delay, in delivering up the Manuscripts, was the too natural consequence,

A 2

The feelings, also, were deeply interested in this delay. Miss N. had long been an inmate in the house of her illustrious relative; had enjoyed the benefit of her pious counsel, · holy example, and fervent prayers; and when left to lament her loss, felt an almost idolatrous attachment to every thing in her possession, which had belonged to her departed friend. This attachment was frequently assigned to the Editor, as the principal, if not the only reason, for the detention of these papers: for, though Miss N. readily acknowledged that her Ladyship's injunction was, on her part, binding, and determined to obey it; yet, she indulged a desire to retain the valuable deposit. until the period of her own dissolution.

Six years passed away, and nothing had, as yet appeared, to gratify the ardent expectation of her Ladyship's numerous friends; when the Rev. W. ATHERTON, a gentleman who had been honoured with a personal acquaintance, yielding to frequent and earnest solicitations, attempted "A SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF LADY MAXWELL." This valuable Memoir was first published in the Methodist Magazine, in the latter end of the year 1816. Its author, considering he had to lament the want of original documents,

has certainly delineated the exalted character with great fidelity; and, though he regretted the want of "a master's hand," has executed his task in a manner highly honourable to, himself. A great part of this Memoir, which, with a few omissions, afterwards appeared in a respectable Scottish monthly publication, has been introduced into the present work.

Still more recently, even while the Editor was preparing these volumes for the press, a work, entitled "A CHRISTIAN SKETCH OF LADY MAXWELL," was announced to the public. This, at first, excited in his mind a degree of curiosity. He hoped, however, that additional information would thus be communicated, which might enable him to illustrate more fully those manuscripts which were then passing under his review; and he, of course, eagerly procured the work. Happily for him, he was already in possession of ample materials, or his mortification, like that of many others, must have been great. He found this "Christian Sketch," though coming before the public under the disguised pretensions of an original work, little more than a mangled, unfair, and, in his estimation, very disingenuous reprint of the Memoir to which he has already alluded.

4

It was during the Editor's residence in Edinburgh, that he became personally acquainted with Miss NAPIER, and the acquaintance had not long been formed, before he was requested to visit her, on a sick and dying bed. It was then he first learnt the nature of that engagement into which she had entered, and received from her, repeated assurances, that it should be sacredly regarded. After a tedious and painful affliction, she was removed by death; and the manuscripts, with which she had been intrusted, were, by her appointment, presented to the Editor, in the most obliging manner. These included her Ladyship's Diary, and the Letters addressed to Lady HOPE. For most of the other Letters he is indebted to the kindness of Mrs. MORTIMER, formerly Miss RITCHIE, one of her Ladyship's correspondents.

On the nature of Lady MAXWELL'S writings, it is now unnecessary for him to give an opinion, but he may, perhaps, be indulged to state the principle by which he has been chiefly guided, in making the present selection. The Diary included a period of fortytwo years, and extended over two thousand three hundred quarto pages, closely written; and the Letters in his possession amounted