Frances Burney

Camilla; Or, A Picture of Youth (1796) is a novel by Frances Burney. Both satirical and serious, comedic and Gothic, Burney’s novel helped establish her reputation as one of the most popular writers of eighteenth-century England. Referred to in Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey (1803) and Maria Edgeworth’s Belinda (1801), Camilla; Or, A Picture of Youth was a popular and critically acclaimed novel that served as inspiration for some of the leading literary figures of the early nineteenth century. After years of silence, Mr. Augustus Tyrold moves to the rural estate of Cleves to be near his brother Sir Hugh, who lives at a local parsonage. Lonely and crippled, Sir Hugh hopes to act as a mentor to his nieces and nephews. He takes a liking to Camilla, the middle daughter, and endeavors to make her his heiress while raising her in his own household. Although initially cautious, Mr. and Mrs. Tyrold eventually send Camilla to live at Sir Hugh’s home, where her uncle decides to host her tenth birthday party. When a lapse in judgement leads to Camilla’s younger sister contracting smallpox, Sir Hugh attempts to remedy the situation by naming Eugenia his heiress instead. Living with her uncle, Eugenia enjoys an unusually thorough education under the tutelage of Dr. Orkbourne, a classical scholar who quickly takes to the enthusiastic and intelligent young girl. Meanwhile, Camilla becomes entangled in a love triangle involving her father’s ward Edgar and her cousin Indiana. Despite the mutual affection between Edgar and Camilla, Indiana has entertained the thought of marrying the handsome, wealthy man from a young age, when Sir Hugh thought it prudent to predict their future marriage. As Sir Hugh’s plans for the Tyrold youths meet increasingly serious obstacles, and as debts threaten the wellbeing of the entire family, Camilla is forced to navigate a world in which decisions seem always to be made in her interest by those with their own in mind. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Frances Burney’s Camilla; Or, A Picture of Youth is a classic of English literature reimagined for modern readers.

Though she is an orphan, Cecilia Beverly is an heiress to a small fortune, which she may keep under the stipulation from her uncle that when Cecilia marries, she will keep her Beverly name, asking her future husband to adopt it as well. After she leaves for London to stay with her guardians, she realizes that each of the three families left to care for her are greedy and vain people. Before arriving to the first pair of guardians, the Harrels, Cecilia visits their friend, Mr. Monckton, for breakfast. Mr. Monckton is stunned when he meets the beautiful, intelligent and wealthy Miss Beverly and is upset that he has married for money instead of waiting to meet a woman like Cecilia. Cecilia knows nothing of his admirations and attends a masquerade ball thrown by Mrs. Harrel. At the masquerade she is unable to meet people because a man dressed as a black demon is following and chasing others away. After she is rescued by a mysterious man masquerading as White Domino, it becomes a pattern in her social life. This man rescues Cecilia again at the opera when two men are fighting over her. She learns his identity is Mortimer Delvile and after spending time with his family, Cecilia begins to fall in love. Unfortunately, Mortimer believes she is engaged to one of the many suitors trying to win her favor. Cecilia must overcome the manipulation and extortion from her guardians and dangerous admirers in order to protect her fortune and find real love. First published in 1782, Cecilia; or Memoirs of an Heiress by Frances Burney is an exciting and wonderful romance. With themes of true love, class, and morality, Cecilia; or Memoirs of an Heiress satirizes the society it is set in. With captivating characters and a compelling plot, this 18th century romance is timeless. This edition of Cecilia; or, Memoirs of an Heiress by Frances Burney features an eye-catching new cover design and is presented in a font that is both modern and readable. With these accommodations, this edition is accessible and appealing to contemporary audiences, restoring Cecilia: or, Memoirs of an Heiress to modern standards while preserving the tender romance and satirical genius of Frances Burney’s work.