Complete Works of Frances Burney

by Frances Burney

  I acquitted myself with rather a better grace now, and we were much applauded. Not having performers sufficient for a regular plan, we finished with [such] a short, unsatisfactory scene, that they all called out for more. Allen, intending to carry the affair off with a joke, took Barsanti and me each by the hand, and led us on; but whether from shame or what I know not, when she had bowed and we had curtsied, she was wholly at a loss, and could not think of a word to say. So, after keeping the company in a few minutes’ suspense, “In short,” cried she, “you know the rest,” and ran off.

  It is easy to suppose laughs were not spared for this ridiculous attempt.

  * * * * * *

  We all left Chesington with regret; it is a place of peace, ease, freedom, and cheerfulness, and all its inhabitants are good humoured and obliging, and my dear Mr. Crisp alone would make it, to us, a Paradise.

  * * * * * *

  [There is no date or post-mark to a letter which is numbered 8, and addressed by Maria Allen, from Lynn, “to Miss Fan and Suk — Sir Richard Bettenson had, as has been said, sent his ward to travel, about the end of January in this year, making him promise to remain abroad for two years. Maria writes: “Well girls — such a piece of news — if it does but astonish you equal to what it did me in hearing it you won’t have recovered your surprise by the time I see you again — Rishton — my — yes the very identical Martin — Folkes — Lucious (sic) — etc. — Rishton is come over — and now in England — I can’t write any more I must leave you to get over your exclamations and then proceed. — I must skip over all trumpery Lynn occurrences when such a subject as this demands my pen. — Well my journey into Norfolk has more than answer’d all my expence and trouble in hearing this intelligence.” But after all, Maria knows no more than “Rishton is in England!”

  “Old Squire Rolfe,” had “on Friday (the day we came home from Chessington) been at dinner at his son’s in Welbeck Street — when the door open’d and in came [Mr. Rishton].” The Rolfes were “really terrify’d at seeing him as all the company concluded he was then at Thoulouse — he had never mentioned his returning, or even hinted at it — and they all sat in silent astonishment,” for he had mentioned in his last letter liking the place extremely. Martin was looking very well — When asked what could have brought him over in such a hurry? “he smiled, but said nothing to the question.” He had gone to Croome to see Mrs. Jessey “on Sunday, the day Dr. Hawkesworth dined with us.” This is all that Maria can “pick up,” but it is thought that he is in London. His letters are directed to the St. James’s Coffee-house. He has come back at the end of five months; it cannot be with his uncle’s consent “I neither eat drink nor sleep for thinking of it — Whether I am glad or sorry, I shall leave for another opportunity, — or your own clever heads to find out.” Maria wishes Susy, who (she knows) is rich, would pay her milliner’s bill for her; and “you, Fanny, woud enquire what is the newest Parisian cut for the sleeve of a riding-habit.” Little Charlotte is with her at Lynn, but “the Governor” is (happily for Maria) in London. In a postscript— “I don’ t desire my love to Hetty— ‘tho you may give it to her husband.”]

  * * * * * *

  [Queen Square], August.

  Dr. Hawkesworth has this moment left us; he called on my father, who with mama is, at present, at Mrs. Allen’s in Lynn; but he did us the favour to sit here some minutes nevertheless, only Susan and myself at home — The admiration I have of his works, has created great esteem for their author; [though he is too precise to be really agree able, that is, to be natural, like Mr. Crisp and my dear father.]....

  But now I speak of authors, let me pay the small tribute of regret and concern due to the memory of poor Mr. Smart, who died lately in the King’s Bench Prison; a man by nature endowed with talents, wit, and vivacity, in an eminent degree; and whose unhappy loss of his senses was a public as well as private misfortune. I never knew him in his glory, but ever respected him in his decline, from the fine proofs he had left of his better day, and from the account I have heard of his youth from my father, who was then his intimate companion; as, of late years, he has been his most active and generous friend, having raised a kind of fund for his relief, though he was ever in distress. His intellects, so cruelly impaired, I doubt not, affected his whole conduct. In a letter he sent my father not long before his death, to ask his assistance for a fellow sufferer and good offices for him in that charity over which he presides, he made use of an expression which pleased me much, “that he had himself assisted him, according to his willing poverty.”

  I am now devoting all my leisure to the study of Italian. O! what a language of sweetness and harmony!

  Mr. Gray, too, the justly and greatly celebrated Gray is dead! How many centuries had he been spared, if Death had been as kind to him, as Fame will be to his works!

  August

  Dr. King has been with me all this afternoon, amusing himself with spouting Shakespeare, Pope, and others. Though I say amusing himself I must, however, own that it was the only way he had any chance of amusing me; but his visit was unconscionably long, and as I happened to be alone, I had the whole weight of it. For the first time, however, I did not regret Miss Allen’s absence, for she sees the ridiculous part of this man’s character in so strong a light, that she cannot forbear shewing that she despises him every moment. The strongest trait of her own character is sincerity, one of the most noble of virtues, and perhaps, without any exception, the most uncommon. But, if it is possible, she is too sincere: she pays too little regard to the world; and indulges herself with too much freedom of raillery and pride of disdain towards those whose vices and follies offend her. Were this a general rule of conduct what real benefit might it bring to society; but being particular it only hurts and provokes individuals. But yet I am unjust to my own opinion in censuring the first who shall venture, in a good cause, to break through the confinement of custom, and at least shew the way to a new and open path. I mean but to blame severity to harmless folly, which claims pity and not scorn, though I cannot but acknowledge it to be infinitely tiresome, and for any length of time even almost disgustful.

  Dr. King fancies himself a genius for the Theatre; he had the weakness to pretend to show me how Garrick performed a scene of Macbeth! “I generally,” said he, “say to myself how I should perform such and such a part, before I see it; and when Garrick is on the stage, how I should speak such or such a speech; and I am generally so happy to find we agree; but the scene where he fancies he sees the dagger in ‘Macbeth,’ he surprised me in; he has a stroke in that quite new; I had never thought of it; if you will stand here, I will show you.” Stand I did, as well as I could for laughter. Could anything be more absurd? He with his clumsy arms and vacant eyes imitate Mr. Garrick!

  We live very peaceably and quietly; I rise very early, — 5, 6, or 7, my latest hour. I have just finished Middleton’s History of Cicero, which I read immediately after Hooke’s Roman History. It is a delightful book; the style is manly and elegant; and, though he may be too partial to Cicero, the fine writings he occasionally translates of that great man, authorize and excuse his partiality.

  [Many of my father’s Italian friends, and of the English ones he made in Italy, have been here lately; and among them].... Signor Martinelli.... That original genius has been intimate in our family, from my infancy. He is the author of the Lettere familiare e critiche, and is now writing a history of our country in Italian.... He has a most uncommon flow of wit, and with it the utmost bitterness of satire and raillery of ill nature. His vanity and self-conceit exceed every persons I ever saw; and, far from endeavouring to conceal this weakness, he glories in it, and thinks he but does himself justice in esteeming himself the head of whatever company he is in, and [openly] manifesting that he does so. He is not satisfied with priding himself that he speaks to the Great with sincerity, he piques himself upon treating them with rudeness. He was boasting to this effect in his broken English, and said—” I hear the nobleman talk — I give him gre
at attention — I make him low bow — and I say, My Lord! you are a very great man, — but for all that, — a blockhead!”.... He is an admirable story-teller, if he could forbear making himself the hero of all his tales; but the every purport of his speaking is, to acquaint the company of his consequence.

  [MARIA ALLEN to FANNY and SUSAN BURNEY.]

  Dear Toads,

  I have kept an exact Journal ever since I have been out — which is all addressed to the Two Divinities of Queen Square — but I have had no opportunity of remitting it to you, since I left home but propose myself the pleasure of reading it with a proper emphasis and delivery when we meet to browse over a pot of Castalian Porter and a Welsh Rabbit either in Charles Street or Queen Square so I shall keep you in perfect suspence till that time — which will Be next Saturday sen’night — pray let the morning be usher’d in with every public manifestation of Joy — ... I am at present as happy as I can be deprived of Two of the greatest Blessings in life your company and the heart of [Rishton], tho’ I am not quite certain of the latter —

  To rouse your Curiosity, I have seen him — and danced Next Couple to him a whole Evening. I was at Lynn two or three times during which time my Mother received a letter from Madame Griffodiere who informed her that she had received a letter from her Mother at Geneva who had not room for any more in her family nor coud not procure me Lodgings near her so that my boarding with her was renderd impracticable — which really distress’d me very much as I am determined at all events to spend the winter Abroad.

  [Maria then fears she shall “miss of travelling with Mrs. Combe,” but has “another string to her Bow,” which Fanny will find explained in her Journal.]

  My Grandmother will not hear of my Mother’s going abroad, and I believe has absolutely forbid her — and I fancy she [my mother] will stay at Lynn some months this winter.

  [After a commission to Hetty, “Allen” runs on thus: — ]

  You, Mrs. Fanny, I desire to dress neatly and properly — without a hole in either Apron or Ruffles — and go to Madame Griffodieres in Wells Street — and ask if she has received any letter — I desire you all to be at home on Saturday morning to receive me — tho’ as you are very Poor, I believe I shall dine with Hetty — so desire that I may have a boil’d Orlean plomb pudding for my dinner — that is for my own private eating — and some delicate toasted cheese for my supper — and let my bed be well aired. Mind what I say - and don’t be rude and neglect your visitor — or else I shall go to Chesington on Sunday —

  My love to Jem — I am sorry to hear that he has been I’ll — I hope my presence will revive him — pray get the skittle ground marked out — and every thing in order —

  I am yours

  Allen.

  [This letter is addressed to —

  “Miss Burney,

  “Queen’s Square,

  “Frank John (sic) — “Bloomsbury,

  “Turner.” — “London.”

  It has a Thetford stamp, without any date, and a London post-mark of It is endorsed (perhaps by Mme. D’Arblay) “Warham, 1771,” and numbered No. 10, erroneously, as the letter numbered 9 was dated by Maria herself “Novembre le 21, 1771.”]

  * * * * *

  Sept. 15th.

  I had the pleasure to meet Dr. Armstrong yesterday; he is an amazing old man; I believe he is 70, and he yet retains spirits and wit to a great degree; his memory is rather impaired, but his health seems perfect, and he says by starts most excellent things. The general of people at his time of life are confined by infirmities; but he walks out perpetually and always unattended; his conversation is, indeed, very unequal; but he has sallies of humour that are delightful. He has lately made a short tour of Italy; but was past the age of enjoying foreign countries or manners.

  [Here follows more than a page of MS. now mostly obliterated, giving an account of some theatricals held at Queen Square. The date seems to have been 29th of Sept, or Oct. The former date was a Sunday.]

  My father spent a few days lately at Hinchinbroke at Lord Sandwich’s, to meet, Mr. Banks, Captain Cooke, and Dr. Solander, who have just made the voyage round the world, and are going speedily to make another. My father, through his Lordship’s means, made interest for James to go with them, and we have reason to hope he will have a prosperous and agreeable voyage.

  My father has had a happy opportunity of extremely obliging Dr. Hawkesworth. During his stay in Norfolk, he waited upon Lord Orford, who has always been particularly friendly to him. He there, among others, met with Lord Sandwich. His Lordship was speaking of the late voyage round the world and mentioned his having the papers of it in his possession; for he is First Lord of the Admiralty; and said that they were not arranged, but mere rough draughts, and that he should be much obliged to any one who could recommend a proper person to write the Voyage. My father directly named Dr. Hawkesworth, and his Lordship did him the honour to accept his recommendation. The Doctor waited upon Lord Sandwich, and they both returned my father particular thanks for their meeting. Yet I cannot but be amazed, that a man of Lord Sandwiches power, &c., should be so ignorant of men of learning and merit, as to apply to an almost stranger for [a recommendation.] Pity! pity [that those should be most sensible of talents, who cannot reward worth!]

  * * * * *

  My father is at present most diligently studying German. He has an unquenchable thirst of knowledge; and would, if he had time, I believe, be the first linguist in England.

  [Nov. 2.]

  * * * * *

  We have had a charming paquet from Miss Allen, from Paris, containing an ample Journal of her affairs, ever since she left us, and we have since heard that she is arrived at Geneva.

  [On the 21st of November, 1771, Maria was inditing a piteous and dismal letter to Fanny from Geneva, which we curtail, but give, as nearly as we can, in her own words. She conjures Fanny, by their long friendship and the love Fanny bore her, to write by the first courier, and say why she had not a line from England, although she had wrote to her mother from every town where she had stopped. She had sailed from Brighthelmstone, whence she wrote, as also from Dieppe, Rouenne (sic), Paris, and Lyons. She was now at Geneva, fretting away her time in forming the most cruel conjectures, and, besides her uncertainty as to whether her friends were in health, very certain that she had not a penny of money, and was in debt; though she denied herself every necessary. Only her beloved Esther had written to her, but as the letter was written only four days after she left England they might all be dead since then, and she near 700 miles away; indeed, it was too unkind, and she could not help ‘thinking so. She had sent off a large pacquet of her journal from Paris, which Fanny and Susan must have received before now, hut did not think worth answering.

  She had been obliged to borrow five guineas from the best of friends, Mme. Porte, “a most sweet woman,” because she had spent all the money she had for her journey — owing to the advice of “every body” to provide herself with cloaths at Paris and Lyons as they were so much cheaper and better there. After taking so much good advice, Maria found herself without a single penny on arriving at Geneva. Mme. Porte had offered to lend her money, but shame withheld her for some days from borrowing, until necessity compelled her to write a little note. [N.B. — Mme. Porte seems to have known her in England, or elsewhere, previously.] Then Maria fires, and desires to know from Fanny if her lack of money be owing to any impertinance (sic) on the part of her uncles Allen (of Lynn)? She had written to inform them that she was leaving England — had mama sent her letters? Were they so enraged at her quitting England that they refused sending her any supplies? If so, she would take measures accordingly, and either take up money, which she could have very easily, as she should soon be of age, or sell her diamonds, which she was very glad she had with her. After this spirited burst, which is not unworthy of a young heir, Maria proceeds to new plans for spending money. She writes of music lessons which she may take When her “tiney forte” Games and desires Fanny to go to Griffardiere’s, and we
ar them both out to look for some conveyance for her instrument and music — and Fanny is to send her “fordyces” sermons with it. Then the penniless one proposes that Hetty shall buy her any trifles which she wants from England, keeping an account of their cost, and she repay Hetty by sending anything which Hetty may fancy from Geneva, at once, or else bringing it on her return. “ My first commission is a very elegant tea cadet, very like that I bought my mother, and at the same shop, which is in Piccadilly — on the same side as the haymarket — 7 or eight doors farther you will see all sorts of things of inlaid work stand out at the window, buy me a little black ebony inkstand with silver plaited tops to the bottles — and a handle like one to a basket of the same metal — They were new last winter, and then cost 18s and the cadet not more than 12s. These two things and a very pretty naked wax doll with blue eyes, the half crown sort — I fancy at the wax-work in fleet street will be the place — Susey knows the size — Bessy and Charlotte had two ugly ones bought at the mart — and do it up that it will not be broke with cotton all over it and 100 papers. I fancy they will all come in the piano forte case.” If Hetty does not want things from Geneva, Maria will send her “a bill on somebody in London,” as soon as she receives any money — If Fanny and Susey do not answer this letter immediately upon receiving it (she has exactly calculated the time when they will do so) they shall have neither journal nor letter more during her stay at Geneva, were it to last three years. As it did not last quite six calendar months from the date of this letter, one wonders whether the pianoforte went wandering to Geneva, laden with presents for the natives. Maria sends a chill duty to mama, and “let her know all my inquietudes”; but to Dr. Burney Fanny is “not to forget my duty and gratitude, and everything your own heart would dictate to your dear father.” Molly Stancliffe, (her maid and subconfidante) stands by Maria as she writes, “with her hair dress’d” [turned up over a cushion, like a lady’s] “and powder’d, in a very elegant dishabille á la Genevoise”; natheless she disdains not to ask to be “remembered” to Dr. Burney’s Betty. This letter is addressed by Maria, in her best writing, to “Miss Fanny Burney, at Dr. Burney’s, Queen Square, Bloomsbury, London, Angleterre,” and bears the stamp of “Geneve,” with “pp” (for par Paris), an English post-mark of Dec. 2 and a London “five o’clock” mark.]