THIS, MY FIRST WORK, IS INSCRIBED AND DEDICATED, WITH THE SINCEREST ESTEEM AND AFFECTION, MISS JANE PORTER; WHO HAS KNOWN ME FROM MY INFANCY; WHO HAS OFfered a bright model FOR IMITATION, AS A DAUGHTER, a sister, AND A FRIEND;— WHOSE GENIUS IS EQUALLED BY HER ENDEARING VIRTUES, WHO IS THE KIND PATRONESs of merit, THE ADVOCATe of mild, gENUINE PIETY, AND WHOSE OWN GREATNESS, HAS EVER RENDERED HER INACCESSIBLE TO THE PETTY FEELINGS OF RIVALRY |