ABSTRACT
The intimate acquaintance with the Irish peasantry shown in her books was gained by a life spent among them at Edgeworthstown, and devoted to their interests. She acted as agent for her father, and after his death for her brothers, and when their improvidence made it necessary for them to sell the estate, she bought it with the fortune she had made by writing. She inaugurated many schemes for the benefit of her tenantry, but was repaid with scant gratitude. To the end she would never take the head of her own table, but always treated her stepmother as mistress of the house.
