"Were I to flatter myself with the possibility of success in such combat, it would indeed be presumption"

In this quote, Anne Seward is revealing her humility and self-awareness. She is acknowledging that if she were to entertain the idea of succeeding in a difficult task, it would be an act of conceit and anticipation. She is aware of her own restrictions and is not going to overestimate her own abilities. Seward is demonstrating her humbleness and her understanding that she is not foolproof. She is also showing her respect for the problem of the job at hand, and her acknowledgment that it is not something to be taken lightly. Seward's quote is a reminder to all of us to be simple and to acknowledge our own limitations. It is a tip to not overstate our own capabilities and to be aware of the trouble of the tasks we carry out.