First published in 1796, Camilla deals with the matrimonial concerns of a group of young people-Camilla Tyrold and her sisters, the daughters of a country parson, and their cousin Indiana Lynmere-and, in particular, with the love affair between Camilla herself and her eligible suitor, Edgar Mandlebert. The path of true love, however, is strewn with intrigue, contretemps and misunderstanding. An enormously popular eighteenth-century novel, Camilla is touched at many points by the advancing spirit of romanticism. As in Evelina, Fanny Burney weaves into her novel strands of light and dark, comic episodes and gothic shudders, and creates a pattern of social and moral dilemmas which emphasize and illuminate the gap between generations.
MADAM,THAT Goodness inspires a confidence, which, by divesting respect of terror, excites attachment to Greatness, the presentation of this little Work, to Your Majesty must truly, however humbly, evince; and though a public manifestation of duty and regard from an obscure Individual may betray a proud ambition, it is, I trust, but a venial–I am sure it is a natural one.
In those to whom Your Majesty is known but by exaltation of Rank, it may raise, perhaps, some surprise, that scenes, characters, and incidents, which have reference only to common life, should be brought into so august a presence; but the inhabitant of a retired cottage, who there receives the benign permission which at Your Majesty’s feet casts this humble offering, bears in mind recollections which must live there while ‘memory holds its seat,’ of a benevolence withheld from no condition, and delighting in all ways to speed the progress of Morality, through whatever channel it could flow, to whatever port it might steer. I blush at the inference I seem here to leave open of annexing undue importance to a production of apparently so light a kind yet if my hope, my view-however fallacious they may eventually prove, extended not beyond whiling away an idle hour, should I dare seek such patronage?With the deepest gratitude, and most heart-felt respect, I am,MADAM,Your Majesty’sMost obedient, most obliged,And most dutiful servant,F. d’Arblay.Bookham,June 28, 1796
To The Queen
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Part 1 Chapter 1 A Family Scene
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Part 1 Chapter 2 Comic Gambols
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Part 1 Chapter 3 Consequences
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Part 1 Chapter 4 Studies of a grown Gentleman
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Part 1 Chapter 5 Schooling of a young Gentleman
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Part 1 Chapter 6 Tuition of a young Lady
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Part 1 Chapter 7 Lost Labour
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Part 2 Chapter 1 New Projects
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Part 2 Chapter 2 New Characters
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Part 2 Chapter 3 A Family Breakfast
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Part 2 Chapter 4 A Public Breakfast
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Part 2 Chapter 5 A Raffle
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Part 2 Chapter 6 A Barn
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Part 2 Chapter 7 A Declaration
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Part 2 Chapter 8 An Answer
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Part 2 Chapter 9 An Explication
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Part 2 Chapter 10 A Panic
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Par 2 Chapter 11 Two Lovers
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Part 2 Chapter 12 Two Doctors
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Part 2 Chapter 13 Two Ways of looking at the same Thing
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Part 2 Chapter 14 Two Retreats
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Part 2 Chapter 15 Two Sides of a Question
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Part 3 Chapter 1 A few kind Offices
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Part 3 Chapter 2 A Pro and a Con
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Part 3 Chapter 3 An Author's Notion of Travelling
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Part 3 Chapter 4 An Internal Detection
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Part 3 Chapter 5 An Author's Opinion of Visiting
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Part 3 Chapter 6 An Author's Idea of Order
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Part 3 Chapter 7 A Maternal Eye
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Part 3 Chapter 8 Modern Ideas of Duty
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Part 3 Chapter 9 A Few Embarrassments
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Part 3 Chapter 10 Modern Ideas of Life
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Part 3 Chapter 11 Modern Notions of Penitence
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Part 3 Chapter 12 Airs and Graces
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Part 3 Chapter 13 Attic Adventures
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Part 4 Chapter 1 A Few Explanations
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Part 4 Chapter 2 Specimens of Taste
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Part 4 Chapter 3 A Few Compliments
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Part 4 Chapter 4 The Danger of Disguise
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