The same evening that I sent the Dutchman’s note, we spent at Mrs. Pringle’s. Mr. Seaton, Mr. Crawford, Mrs. Mackintosh and her two sons made her party. Mr. Seaton was all assiduity and attention to my sister. — Mr. Crawford willingly would have been the same, but.... [Mr. Seaton was so much more agreeable, that] no one else could engage her for three minutes. As to the Captain, it would be difficult to decide to whom he addressed his conversation most — we were rival Queens with him, but which was the Statira is doubtful.
Mr. Mackintosh is a very stupid young man, who is, unhappily, possessed of a very great fortune, which could hardly be worse bestowed. He has persuaded himself that he has a [great regard for me, and, moreover, that he has a] genius for poetry, and has made an Acrostick on my name which is very well worth preserving. ’Tis the most laughable stuff I ever saw.
Fancy ne’er painted a more beauteous Mind,
And a more pleasing Face you’ll seldom find;
None with her in Wit can vie,
No, not even Pallas, may I die!
You’ll all know this to be Fanny!
Beautiful, witty and young,
Unskilled in all deceits of Tongue,
Reflecting glory on her Sex,
None can her in Compliments perplex;
Easy in her manners as in her Dress —
You’ll that this is Fanny all must guess.
To complete the elegance and brilliancy of this Acrostick, the paper on which it is wrote is cut out in the shape of a Fan —
After supper, Captain Pringle amused himself with writing ladies names on the glasses, beginning with our’s, and then wrote gentlemen’s under them. Andrew wrote his under mine, Hetty chose Lord Pigot for one, and! Mr. Crisp for another. They had given up the dance which Mr. Seton hinted of to us, but proposed having a farce, in which we were all to perform, and after some time we fixed on— “Miss in Her Teens.” — Mr. Crawford undertook Rodolpho, Andrew, Fribble (which parts had been much better reversed), the Captain, Capt. Flash, Mr. Seaton, the Man, Mrs. Pringle, the Aunt, Hetty, Miss Biddy, and for me, Tag. They were all very eager about it, and fixed a day for a rehearsal; — but when I came home and read the farce, I found the part of Tag was quite shocking — indeed I would not have done it for the universe, and I went and told Mrs. Pringle so directly. She could not accuse me of affectation for the moment she read it attentively she said to her sons she was sure I should not do it; which was very kind of her.....
Not long after this visit we received a note of invitation from Mrs. Debbieg — The Captain went with us [in papa’s coach.] Poor Andrew was gone [to the East Indies. I wish].... he may meet with my dear James. Mr and Mrs. Debieg are a charming couple; and never was there more conjugal happiness visible than in them. They have three children, whom they doat on. Mrs. Debieg is gentle, polite, sensible, engaging — Mr. Debieg is every thing that can render him deserving of such an amiable wife. Mr. Seton lives chiefly with them, and there appears the most affectionate and [true harmony among them all.] Mr. Seton again appeared to me in a more favourable light; his charming sister must reflect honour on all her relations. If the sincerity of this man equal’d his sense, wit, polite and insinuating address, I would not wish Hetty a happier lot than to be his —
[We went to Mr. Lalause’ Benefit] — though with out the least expectation of receiving pleasure, as the play was an old revived one, and performed by a set of Ladies and Gentlemen who never appeared on any Stage before. We went with Mr. Mrs and Miss Strange and some more company of their party, into the same box.
It was most wretchedly performed. It is called Themistocles and Aristides — never were heroes more barbarously murdered. Miss La Lause and her father danced a minuet and Lauer between an act, after which she came into our box.
... When the play was over Mr. Henry Phipps, Hetty’s Masquerade partner came to speak to her. [He is so very agreeable and well bred, that, young as he is, it is a pleasure to hear him converse. The Dutchman also joined us. A bold man he certainly is not, for he looked very, very dejected; but his note, and papa’s and Hetty’s opinion of his being so serious, made me think it right to answer nothing that he said beyond yes or no. However he contrived to hand me to the coach.]
The next morning Mr. Phipps called. He is more properly Mr. Henry Phipps, being the second son of Lord Mulgrave. He is really one of the most amiable, sensible, and well-bred youths I ever saw. It is impossible not to forget while he is talking that he is so young, for he is so very clever and sensible, that not a word escapes him which would not do credit to double his years. [It is a question whether he is most polite or most entertaining.]
Lynn Regis, April 20th.
Is Nobody surprised at the date of this? — Ah, my good and excellent friend, when I last addressed myself to you from fair London town, I very little imagined that my next address would be from Lynn! I have now been here nearly a fortnight, but have not had time or inclination to write to my Journal, nor should I now but from the pleasure that I take in recollecting and relating what passed during the space of time between my last writing and my journey hither. — Sir Lionel Pilkington spent an evening with us.
He is an old and intimate acquaintance of papa’s, a man famous for wit and dry humour. He is also, which is rare with men of that sort, very well bred, for in general they affect a bluntness and conciseness which quite excludes the attention and respect necessary for a polite man. —
On Wednesday evening,... we went to Mrs. Cornelys’ with papa and Miss Nancy Pascall. The magnificence of the rooms, splendour of the illuminations and embellishments, and the brilliant appearance of company exceeded any thing I ever before saw. The apartments were so crowded we had scarce room to move, which was quite disagreeable, nevertheless, the flight of apartments both upstairs and on the ground floor seemed endless.... [The first person that we saw and knew was] Lord Pigota who was in deep mourning. He spoke to papa with his accustomed ease and [pleasantness,] and called Hetty his little friend: neither did he forget little me. He appeared to be of no particular party, and frequently joined us. He asked papa—” Dr. Burney, but when will you come [to one of my Concerts,] and dine with me, with the young ladies?” Papa did not fix any time, and to my great concern I have quitted town before he did, for I had great pleasure in the thought of being of the party. The Rooms were so full and so hot that nobody attempted to dance — I must own this evening’s entertainment more disappointed my expectations than any I ever spent; for I had imagined it would have been the most charming in the world — but papa was but half recovered, [and went — merely that] we should not be disappointed of seeing the apartments. What other father... would have been so very indulgent — [and though] he could not enjoy at all the evening’s entertainment, yet was he all kindness and affection to us — he is one of the few who can be dejected without losing his sweetness of temper. Nevertheless our knowledge of his indisposition prevented our being comfortable....
The next evening, rather late, Mrs. Pringle sent an invitation to my sister and self, to drink tea, sending word she was quite alone. Hetty was out, but I went, and found Mrs. P. and Mr. Seton sitting together, with little Clement Debieg, the latter’s nephew.... Soon after Captain and Mrs. Debieg came, full dressed and in high spirits, [from some great dinner,] I was obliged to make excuses for my appearance, which their chearfulness and good humour soon made me forget. Mr and Mrs. Debieg and Mrs. Pringle went to cards — Mr. Seton and myself declined playing — I never do but at Pope Joan, [Commerce,] or My Sow’s Pig’d! — We therefore entered into a very comfortable conversation: he enquired much after my sister — and regretted her absence. So did every body. Captain Pringle did not come home till supper. I spent a very agreeable evening; the party though small were select, and each in high good humour and spirits. Mr. Debieg appears at every meeting to more and more advantage; he is really a charming man, sensible, well bred, unaffected, and very droll. Mrs. Debieg is happy, very happy I am sure in the possession of the heart of such a man
; and his affectionate,... and obliging behaviour to her, evidently declare her to have retained, though a wife, all the influence and power of a mistress. And this might perhaps be more universally the case, were women more universally such as Mrs. Debieg. She is indeed truly worthy her happy lot — with great dis-advantage of person, for she is actually ugly; her many amiable qualities, the goodness and excellence of her mind, are so marked in her countenance, that she claims a place in the very heart immediately. I quite forget whether I mentioned that at the visit we made to this charming pair, there were of their company two gentlemen of the name of Dundas? — Major Dundas, the younger was much smitten with Hetty; Mr. Dundas the eldest was at that time.... engaged in contesting an election [to be member of Parliament for — .] Mr. Debieg told me that he had gained his cause, and I found that, by way of rejoicing, they intended having a dance at their house; which they fixed to be the next Tuesday, because that was the anniversary of their marriage day, and they invited Mrs and Captain Pringle, and my sister and self to it I answered for one — I knew I might for the other, tho’ I did not choose it — [A formal note followed next day to Miss Burney and Miss Fanny Burney with the invitation for Tuesday. Mrs. Pringle chaperoned us, and we were] almost the first in the room; but I will mention the whole party by name, for indeed they well deserve it. To begin, as I ought, with the women. Mrs. Seaton, a very engaging woman, about twenty-three, widow of Major Seaton, an elder brother of our acquaintance — she is rather handsome, extremely elegant in her manners, and mild and sensible in her conversation. Mrs. Pringle, who was as gay, chatty and clever as usual. Mrs. Debieg herself, who is always charming. Miss Peggy Adams, an old flame of Mr. Seaton’s she is called: she is about twenty-six or seven, ugly in person, and too reserved in manners to permit me to judge of her, but I will imagine she has some remarkable qualities to have engaged Mr. Seaton’s attention, though I cannot wonder he has transfered it to another object, when I see how striking is the difference between them: nevertheless, I am concerned to find this additional proof of the fickleness of his disposition. Miss Stuart, she is about nineteen or twenty, has a fine face in spight of the small pocks, is modest, well-bred, and very silent. Miss Dalrymple, who we have frequently seen at Mrs. Pringle’s. She too, is reported to be an old flame of Mr. Seaton’s — she is about twenty-eight or nine, rather handsome, lisps affectedly, simpers designedly, and looks conceitedly. She is famed for never speaking ill to any one’s face, or well behind their backs. An amiable character. Miss Burney and Miss Fanny Burney — sweet charming young creatures! — I need not describe. Now to the men. I must begin with Mr. Debieg, for whom I have conceived a great regard: he was all spirits and sweetness, and made, with his other half s assistance, all his company happy. Sir Harry Seaton, the eldest brother of Mr. Seaton and Mrs. Debieg: he is very unlike either; grave, reserved, silent, yet perfectly well-bred, and very attentive; and there is something in his manners prévenant. Mr. Dundas, to whose successful election we owe this meeting, almost the same words I have used for Sir Harry Seaton would suit him, save only he was less reserved, rather. Major Dundas, his younger brother, very unlike him; — conceited, talkative, coxcombical. Mr. John Dundas, a Cousin to these gentlemen, a well-behaved man, nothing extraordinary. Mr. Adams, very sensible, very polite, and very agreeable, — the most so, Mr.
Debieg excepted, of the whole party. Mr. — Adams, his younger brother, a well-behaved good sort of young man. Mr. Farquar, he is..... very droll and a favourite rather of Hetty’s [for his pleasantry.] Mr. Robinson, a very handsome young man, and also.... agreeable, — tolerably, at least Captain Pringle, who has lately rather risen in my opinion, as he has forbore giving himself the airs he formerly did: he seems less conceited, and speaks less in a rhodomantide manner, and is also less liberal of flattery and compliments. Mr. Alexander Seaton, I need not give his character — indeed I could not — I once thought I knew it — I now am sure I am ignorant of it. I believe I have mentioned the whole party; and though my account may be very faulty, it is such as I think.
We.... began dancing about 9 o’clock: — then, when the company stood up, Mr. Seaton took my hand.... He was as entertaining and agreeable as ever: seemed in high spirits, and danced extremely well; though he was scarse a moment silent. I told him of my frolick for Friday; of going to Lynn — he seemed sorry. He very gravely, with an “upon my honour,” assured me that nobody throughout the town would more sincerely regret my absence than himself. I thanked him kindly for his opinion of my friends’ affection! He is perpetually accusing me of mauvaise honte, tho’ in civiller terms, [he exaggerates compliments such as never were put together before. He] often protested that he knows not any living creature who possesses so much modesty with MY parts and talents!! which, for my years exceed all his acquaintances!! he says that till that morning that he had that long conversation with me at our house... he had no conception of my character, and that but for that circumstance, he might never have known my abilities!!! he very frequently and earnestly advises and presses me, as a friend, to join more generally in conversation, etc, etc, etc. Ha! Ha! Ha!
Mr. Seton is artful: I have seen that: he courts my good opinion, and I know why; he flatters me in a peculiar style, always affecting a serious air, and assuring me he speaks his real sentiments: — I some times think he does not know how to do that; — though there is an insinuating air of sincerity in his manner whenever he is serious, which often staggers me, in spight of the prejudice I have conceived against him for his unworthy trifling with so sweet, so amiable a girl as Hetty: — in short, I have no fixed opinion of him. I know he is agreeable to a superior degree; and I believe he is as artful as agreeable.
“But for how long are you going?” said he: I told him for the whole summer. —
“Just now,” said he, “that I have begun to be acquainted with you! I never knew your powers, I believe, [quite completely] till the last time I saw you at Mrs. Pringle’s, when you ventured to open your mouth, while the rest were at cards, and was really so entertaining—”
I would not hear him on this subject, conscious as I am of my deficiency that way: — He admired the philosophy with which I bore this stroke of leaving town — I affected to need none for it.
“What would your sister say in a similar situation?”
“O there’s very little to be said, — she would go as I do.”
“I believe she would have hanged herself first!” [He said this laughingly, but sarcastically.]
Presently we sat down and joined her, when he said to her— “What do you think Miss Fanny says? — She tells me that if it had been your lot to be carried into the country, [thus in the Spring] you would have just taken your garters and hanged yourself!”
I railed at him to no purpose, he absolutely insisted I had told him so! — Hetty did not know which to believe. He ran on with more stuff to the same purpose; Hetty looked at me; — I cleared myself, and insisted on his clearing me: —
“Well” said he, laughing, “I believe I added the garters!”
“Why, did I say any thing at all about hanging?” cried I —
“Nay,” returned he, “when I had given the garters, I was obliged to give a use for them!”
At the end of two dances,.... Mrs. Debieg told us we were to change partners every two dances. [Mr. Seaton then took out Hetty.... and] Mr. John Dundas made his bow to me — These two dances over, Captain Pringle marched to me; — Mr. Farquar to Hetty. The Captain professed much concern at my [approaching] journey — though he so seldom saw me, he said, it was a pleasure to him to know he lived in the same neighbourhood — He rejoiced, however, that we did not both go — then he should have put his whole house in mourning, — now only half of it — etc — etc —
After that I went down two dances with Mr. Robinson..... [We then left off for supper.] During the time of rest, I was happier than in dancing, for I was.... more pleased with the conversations I then had with Mr. Dundas, Mr. Adams and others, than with my partners, [and t
hey all in turn came to chat with me, with as much good humour as if I had been as good a talker as I am a listener. Mr. Dundas the elder and Mr. Adams are quite high conversers. I was never more pleased.]....
When supper was over, all who had voices worth hearing were made to sing — none shone more than Mr. Adams; though in truth he has little or no voice,.... yet he sung with so much taste and feeling, that few very fine voices could give equal pleasure: I cannot but much regret the probability there is of my never seeing him again. I may see many fools ere I see such a sensible man again. Mr. Robinson also sung and showed to advantage his fine teeth and face. — Miss Dalrymple also showed to dis-advantage her conceit and self approbation; — Hetty with one song only gave more pleasure than any other.
Poor Mrs. Pringle, who hates musick, unless it be Maggy Lauder, was on the rack of impatience and vexation all the time. She is seldom silent three minutes, yet seldom speaks without applause; therefore this musical entertainment was absolute torture to her. For the life of me I could not forbear laughing. She gave as many hints against singing as she possibly could, but nobody would take them — between every song she cried; “Pray gentlemen and ladies take breath! Upon my word you ought not to suffer for your complaisance—” Still they were not tired; more eagerly than before, she cried out— “Why, God bless me; you’ll kill yourselves! pray, Mr. Debieg, speak! — Mr. Adams and Miss Dalrymple are so very polite, that they won’t consider themselves; — but we ought!” Finding this also fail, quite out of patience she exclaimed—” Why Lord! good folks, this is all very fine, but you should not give us too much of it! let us have a little conversation — Mr. Debieg, why won’t you talk? — Come, Sir Harry, I am sure, is of my side; Lord bless us, what’s to become of our tongues?” Mr. Seaton did not let his be idle; his whole attention was confined to Hetty, and his conversation more flattering than ever; — equally so at least. Well might he be proud of engaging her as he did, for she met with the most flattering and apparent approbation of every one present....
Complete Works of Frances Burney Page 458