Aprefacetothefirsteditionof“JaneEyre”beingunnecessary,Igavehissededitiondemandsafewwordsbothofaowledgmentandmiscellaneousremark.

    Mythanksaredueinthreequarters.

    TothePublic,fortheindulgehasinedtoaplaihfewpretensions.

    TothePress,forthefairfielditshosuffragehasopeoanobscureaspirant.

    TomyPublishers,fortheaidtheirtact,theirenergy,theirpracticalsenseandfrankliberalityhaveaffordedanunknownandunreehor.

    ThePressandthePublicarebutvaguepersonificationsforme,andImustthanktheminvagueterms;butmyPublishersaredefinite:soarecertaingenerouscriticswhohaveencedmeasonlylarge-heartedandhigh-mindedmenknowhowtoenceastrugglingstraothem,i.e.,tomyPublishersandtheselectReviewers,Isaycordially,Gentlemen,Ithankyoufrommyheart.

    HavingthusaowledgedwhatIowethosewhohaveaidedandapprovedme,Iturntoanotherclass;asmallone,sofarasIknow,butnot,therefore,tobeoverlooked.Imeaimorousfewwhodoubtthetendencyofsuchbooksas“JaneEyre:”inwhoseeyeswhateverisunusualiswrong;whoseearsdeteeachprotestagainstbigotry—thatparentofcrime—aninsulttopiety,thatregentofGodoh.Iwouldsuggesttosuchdoubterscertainobviousdistins;Iwouldremindthemofcertainsimpletruths.

    ventionalityisnotmorality.Self-righteousnessisnion.Toattackthefirstisnottoassailthelast.TopluckthemaskfromthefaceofthePharisee,isnottoliftanimpioushandtotheofThorns.

    Thesethingsanddeedsarediametricallyopposed:theyareasdistinctasisvivirtue.Mentoooftenfouheyshouldnotbefounded:appearanceshouldakenfortruth;narrowhumandoes,thatooela