PRINTED FOR F. C. AND J. RIVINGTON, AND J. JOHNSON J. HATCHARD, PICCADILLY; By Law and Gilbert, St. John's-square, Clerkenwell. PREFACE. IT has for some time been in contemplation to publish a slight sketch of the Life of the late Mrs. Trimmer, from an idea that it might be interesting to those who are acquainted with her writings, and also from the hope, that a recital of the virtues which adorned her character might be beneficial to others. The delay which has taken place in the publication was, in the first instance, occasioned by the doubt whether the Journal of her Prayers and Meditations should be introduced in its original form, and af terwards by the difficulty of making selec tions from it. This Journal was written in the most secret hours of retreat, and without the least intention of the writer that it should meet the eye of any human being besides herself. For many years it was never seen by any other person, but as the events which she had recorded became less recent, she occasionally read passages to her children, and a few other persons. Hearing them express great satisfaction in what was thus communicated, and finding that some under afflicting circumstances were soothed and comforted, and likewise reaping benefit by recurring to it herself from time to time, she was unwilling to destroy it, and left it behind her without any injunctions or directions what ever. |