Fanny Burney - Diary and Letters

(To Mr. Crisp.) Friday, July 30 This seems a strange, unseasonable period for my undertaking, but yet, my dear daddy, when you have read my conVersation with Mr. Sheridan, I believe you will agree that I must have been wholly insensible, nay, almost ungrateful, to resist encouragement such as he gave me–nay, more than encouragement, [...]

When Mrs. Thrale joined us, Mr. Seward told us he had just seen Dr. Jebb.–Sir Richard, I mean,–and that he had advised him to marry. “No,” cried Mrs. Thrale, “that will do nothing for you; but if you should marry, I have a wife for you.” “Who?” cried he, “the S. S.?” “The S. S.?–no!–she’s [...]

Sunday, June 20,-While I was sitting with Mr. Thrale, in the library, Mr. Seward entered. As soon as the first inquiries were over, he spoke about what he calls our comedy, and he pressed and teazed me to set about it. But he grew, in the evening, so queer, so ennuy`e, that, in a fit [...]

We had at breakfast a scene, of its sort, the most curious I ever saw. The persons were Sir Philip, Mr. Seward, Dr. Delap, Miss Streatfield, Mrs. and Miss Thrale, and I. The discourse turning I know not how, upon Miss Streatfield, Mrs. Thrale said, “Ay I made her cry once for Miss Burney as [...]

At dinner we had three persons added to our company,–my dear father, Miss Streatfield, and Miss Brown. Miss Brown, as I foresaw, proved the queen of the day. Miss Streatfield requires longer time to make conquests. She is, indeed, much more really beautiful than Fanny Brown; but Fanny Brown is much more showy, and her [...]

Streatham, Sunday, June 13. After church we all strolled the grounds, and the topic of our discourse was Miss Streatfield. Mrs. Thrale asserted that she had a power of captivation that was irresistible; that her beauty, joined to her softness, her caressing manners, her tearful eyes, and alluring looks, would insinuate her into the heart [...]

Saturday, May 29.  After breakfast, Mrs. and Miss Thrale took me to Widget’s, the milliner and library-woman on the Steyn.  After a little dawdling conversation, Captain Fuller came in to have a little chat.  He said he had just gone  through a great operation–”I have been,” he said, “cutting off the hair of all my [...]

After tea, the bishop, his lady, Lord Mordaunt, and Mrs. H– seated themselves to play at whist, and Mr. Murphy, coming Up to me, said, “I have had no opportunity, Miss Burney, to tell you how much I have been entertained this morning, but I have a great deal to say to you about it; [...]

We afterwards went on the parade, where the soldiers were mustering, and found Captain Fuller’s men all half intoxicated, and laughing so violently as we passed by them, that they could hardly stand upright.  The captain stormed at them most angrily; but, turning to us, said, ” These poor fellows have just been paid their [...]

Streatham, May, Friday.  Once more, my dearest Susy, I will attempt journalising, and endeavour, according to my promise, to keep up something of the kind during our absence, however brief and curtailed. To-day, while Mrs. Thrale was chatting with me in my room, we saw Mr. Murphy drive into the courtyard.  Down stairs flew Mrs. [...]

On Thursday, while my dear father was here, who should be announced but Mr. Murphy; the man of all other strangers to me whom I most longed to see. He is tall and well made, has a very gentlemanlike appearance, and a quietness of manner upon his first address that, to me, is very pleasing.  [...]

Streatham, February.-I have been here so long, MY dearest Susan, Without writing a word, that now I hardly know where or how to begin, But I will try to draw up a concise account of what has passed for this last fortnight, and then endeavour to be more minute. Mrs. Thrale and Dr. Johnson vied [...]

On Monday last, my father sent a note to Mrs. Cholmondeley, to propose our waiting on her the Wednesday following; she accepted the proposal, and accordingly on Wednesday evening, my father, mother, and self went to Hertford-street.  I should have told you that Mrs. Cholmondeley, when My father some time ago called on her, sent [...]

Now to this grand visit, which was become more tremendous than ever because of the pamphlet business, and I felt almost ashamed to see Sir JOShua, and could not but conclude he would think of it too. My mother, who changed her mind, came with me.  My father promised to come before the Opera was [...]

Monday was the day for our great party; and the Doctor came home, at Mrs Thrale’s request, to meet them. The party consisted of Mr. C–, who was formerly a timber-merchant, but having amassed a fortune of one million of pounds, he has left off business.  He is a good-natured busy sort of man. Mrs. [...]