Emma

This versionincludes a detailed introductory annotation on how the book and the plot were created.

We, therefore, bestow no mean compliment upon the author of ' ' Emma,'' when we say that, keeping close to common incidents, an4 to such characters as occupy the ordinary walks of life, she has produced sketches of such spirit and originality, that we never miss the excitation which depends upon a narrative of uncommon events, arising from the consideration of minds, manners and sentiments, greatly above our own. In this class she stands almost alone ; for the scenes of Miss Edgeworth are laid in higher life, varied by more romantic incident, and by her remarkable power of embodying and illustrating national character. But the author of 'Emma' confines herself chiefly to the middling classes of society ; her most distinguished characters do not rise greatly above well-bred country gentlemen and ladies ; and those which are sketched with most originality and precision, belong to a class rather below that standard. - Sir Walter Scott.

'Emma,' perhaps, is the work upon which most suffrages would meet as the most perfect of all her performances. - Margaret Oliphant.