Page:Austen Lady Susan Watson Letters.djvu/227

TO

THE QUEEN’S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

Madam,

It was the knowledge that your Majesty so highly appreciated the works of Jane Austen which emboldened me to ask permission to dedicate to your Majesty these volumes, containing as they do numerous letters of that authoress, of which, as her grand-nephew, I have recently become possessed. These letters are printed, with the exception of a very few omissions which appeared obviously desirable, just as they were written, and if there should be found in them, or in the chapters which accompany them, anything which may interest or amuse your Majesty, I shall esteem myself doubly fortunate in having been the means of bringing them under your Majesty’s notice.

I am, Madam,

Your Majesty’s very humble

and obedient subject,

BRABOURNE.