Itisremarkablethattothelastheentertainedafixedcontemptforallthosemodesoflifeandthosestudieswhichtendtoemancipatethemindfromtheprejudicesofaparticularageoraparticularnation。Offoreigntravelandofhistoryhespokewiththefierceandboisterouscontemptofignorance。"Whatdoesamanlearnbytravelling？IsBeauclerkthebetterfortravelling？WhatdidLordCharlemontlearninhistravels，exceptthattherewasasnakeinoneofthepyramidsofEgypt？"Historywas，inhisopinion，tousethefineexpressionofLordPlunkett，anoldalmanack;historianscould，asheconceived，claimnohigherdignitythanthatofalmanack—makers;andhisfavouritehistorianswerethosewho，likeLordHailes，aspiredtonohigherdignity。HealwaysspokewithcontemptofRobertson。Humehewouldnotevenread。HeaffrontedoneofhisfriendsfortalkingtohimaboutCatiline’sconspiracy，anddeclaredthatheneverdesiredtohearofthePunicwaragainaslongashelived。
Assuredlyonefactwhichdoesnotdirectlyaffectourowninterests，consideredinitself，isnobetterworthknowingthananotherfact。Thefactthatthereisasnakeinapyramid，orthefactthatHannibalcrossedtheAlps，areinthemselvesasunprofitabletousasthefactthatthereisagreenblindinaparticularhouseinThreadneedleStreet，orthefactthataMr。
SmithcomesintothecityeverymorningonthetopofoneoftheBlackwallstages。Butitiscertainthatthosewhowillnotcracktheshellofhistorywillnevergetatthekernel。Johnson，withhastyarrogance，pronouncedthekernelworthless，becausehesawnovalueintheshell。Therealuseoftravellingtodistantcountriesandofstudyingtheannalsofpasttimesistopreservemenfromthecontractionofmindwhichthosecanhardlyescapewhosewholecommunioniswithonegenerationandoneneighbourhood，whoarriveatconclusionsbymeansofaninductionnotsufficientlycopious，andwhothereforeconstantlyconfoundexceptionswithrules，andaccidentswithessentialproperties。
Inshort，therealuseoftravellingandofstudyinghistoryistokeepmenfrombeingwhatTomDawsonwasinfiction，andSamuelJohnsoninreality。
Johnson，asMr。Burkemostjustlyobserved，appearsfargreaterinBoswell’sbooksthaninhisown。Hisconversationappearstohavebeenquiteequaltohiswritingsinmatter，andfarsuperiortotheminmanners。Whenhetalked，heclothedhiswitandhissenseinforcibleandnaturalexpressions。Assoonashetookhispeninhishandtowriteforthepublic，hisstylebecamesystematicallyvicious。Allhisbooksarewritteninalearnedlanguage，inalanguagewhichnobodyhearsfronthismotherorhisnurse，inalanguageinwhichnobodyeverquarrels，ordrivesbargains，ormakeslove，inalanguageinwhichnobodyeverthinks。ItisclearthatJohnsonhimselfdidnotthinkinthedialectinwhichhewrote。Theexpressionswhichcamefirsttohistongueweresimple，energetic，andpicturesque。Whenhewroteforpublication，hedidhissentencesoutofEnglishintoJohnsonese。HislettersfromtheHebridestoMrs。ThralearetheoriginalofthatworkofwhichtheJourneytotheHebridesisthetranslation;anditisamusingtocomparethetwoversions。"Whenweweretakenupstairs，"saysheinoneofhisletters，"adirtyfellowbouncedoutofthebedonwhichoneofuswastolie。"
Thisincidentisrecordedinthejourneyasfollows:"Outofoneofthebedsonwhichweweretoreposestartedup，atourentrance，amanblackasaCyclopsfromtheforge。"SometimesJohnsontranslatedaloud。"TheRehearsal，"hesaid，veryunjustly，"hasnotwitenoughtokeepitsweet"then，afterapause，"ithasnotvitalityenoughtopreserveitfromputrefaction。"
Mannerismispardonable，andissometimesevenagreeable，whenthemanner，thoughvicious，isnatural。Fewreaders，forexample，wouldbewillingtopartwiththemannerismofMiltonorofBurke。Butamannerismwhichdoesnotsiteasyonthemannerist，whichhasbeenadoptedonprinciple，andwhichcanbesustainedonlybyconstanteffort，isalwaysoffensive。AndsuchisthemannerismofJohnson。
Thecharacteristicfaultsofhisstylearesofamiliartoallourreaders，andhavebeensooftenburlesqued，thatitisalmostsuperfluoustopointthemout。Itiswellknownthathemadelessusethananyothereminentwriterofthosestrongplainwords，Anglo—SaxonorNorman—French，ofwhichtherootslieintheinmostdepthsofourlanguage;andthathefeltaviciouspartialityfortermswhich，longafterourownspeechhadbeenfixed，wereborrowedfromtheGreekandLatin，andwhich，therefore，evenwhenlawfullynaturalised，mustbeconsideredasbornaliens，notentitledtorankwiththeking’sEnglish。Hisconstantpracticeofpaddingoutasentencewithuselessepithets，tillitbecameasstiffasthebustofanexquisite，hisantitheticalformsofexpression，constantlyemployedevenwherethereisnooppositionintheideasexpressed，hisbigwordswastedonlittlethings，hisharshinversionssowidelydifferentfromthosegracefulandeasyinversionswhichgivevariety，spirit，andsweetnesstotheexpressionofourgreatoldwriters，allthesepeculiaritieshavebeenimitatedbyhisadmirersandparodiedbyhisassailants，tillthepublichavebecomesickofthesubject。
Goldsmithsaidtohim，verywittily，andveryjustly，"Ifyouweretowriteafableaboutlittlefishes，doctor，youwouldmakethelittlefishestalklikewhales。"NomansurelyeverhadsolittletalentforpersonationasJohnson。Whetherhewroteinthecharacterofadisappointedlegacy—hunteroranemptytownfop，ofacrazyvirtuosooraflippantcoquette，hewroteinthesamepompousandunbendingstyle。Hisspeech，likeSirPiercyShafton’sEuphuisticeloquence，betrayedhimundereverydisguise。EupheliaandRhodocleatalkasfinelyasImlacthepoet，orSeged，EmperorofEthiopia。ThegayCorneliadescribesherreceptionatthecountry—houseofherrelations，insuchtermsasthese:"Iwassurprised，afterthecivilitiesofmyfirstreception，tofind，insteadoftheleisureandtranquillitywhicharurallifealwayspromises，and，ifwellconducted，mightalwaysafford，aconfusedwildnessofcare，andatumultuoushurryofdiligence，bywhicheveryfacewasclouded，andeverymotionagitated。"ThegentleTranquillainformsus，thatshe"hadnotpassedtheearlierpartoflifewithouttheflatteryofcourtship，andthejoysoftriumph;buthaddancedtheroundofgaietyamidstthemurmursofenvyandthegratulationsofapplause，hadbeenattendedfrompleasuretopleasurebythegreat，thesprightly，andthevain，andhadseenherregardsolicitedbytheobsequiousnessofgallantry，thegaietyofwit，andthetimidityoflove。"SurelySirJohnFalstaffhimselfdidnotwearhispetticoatswithaworsegrace。ThereadermaywellcryoutwithhonestSirHughEvans，"Ilikenotwhena’omanhasagreatpeard:Ispyagreatpeardunderhermuffler。"[ItispropertoobservethatthispassagebearsaverycloseresemblancetoapassageintheRambler（No。20）。Theresemblancemaypossiblybetheeffectofunconsciousplagiarism。]
Wehadsomethingmoretosay。Butourarticleisalreadytoolong;andwemustcloseit。Wewouldfainpartingoodhumourfromthehero，fromthebiographer，andevenfromtheeditor，who，illashehasperformedhistask，hasatleastthisclaimtoourgratitude，thathehasinducedustoreadBoswell’sbookagain。Aswecloseit，theclub—roomisbeforeus，andthetableonwhichstandstheomeletforNugent，andthelemonsforJohnson。ThereareassembledthoseheadswhichliveforeveronthecanvasofReynolds。TherearethespectaclesofBurkeandthetallthinformofLangton，thecourtlysneerofBeauclerkandthebeamingsmileofGarrick，Gibbontappinghissnuff—boxandSirJoshuawithhistrumpetinhisear。Intheforegroundisthatstrangefigurewhichisasfamiliartousasthefiguresofthoseamongwhomwehavebeenbroughtup，thegiganticbody，thehughmassyface，seamedwiththescarsofdisease，thebrowncoat，theblackworstedstockings，thegreywigwiththescorchedforetop，thedirtyhands，thenailsbittenandparedtothequick。Weseetheeyesandmouthmovingwithconvulsivetwitches;weseetheheavyformrolling;wehearitpuffing;andthencomesthe"Why，sir！"and"Whatthen，sir？"andthe"No，sir！"andthe"Youdon’tseeyourwaythroughthequestion，sir！"
Whatasingulardestinyhasbeenthatofthisremarkableman！Toberegardedinhisownageasaclassic，andinoursasacompanion。Toreceivefromhiscontemporariesthatfullhomagewhichmenofgeniushaveingeneralreceivedonlyfromposterity！
Tobemoreintimatelyknowntoposteritythanothermenareknowntotheircontemporaries！Thatkindoffamewhichiscommonlythemosttransientis，inhiscase，themostdurable。Thereputationofthosewritings，whichheprobablyexpectedtobeimmortal，iseverydayfading;whilethosepeculiaritiesofmannerandthatcarelesstable—talkthememoryofwhich，heprobablythought，woulddiewithhim，arelikelytoberememberedaslongastheEnglishlanguageisspokeninanyquarteroftheglobe。
MADAMED’ARBLAY
（January1843）
DiaryandLettersofMadameD’Arblay。Fivevols。8vo。
London:1842。
THOUGHtheworldsawandheardlittleofMadameD’Arblayduringthelastfortyyearsofherlife，andthoughthatlittledidnotaddtoherfame，therewerethousands，webelieve，whofeltasingularemotionwhentheylearnedthatshewasnolongeramongus。Thenewsofherdeathcarriedthemindsofmenbackatoneleapovertwogenerations，tothetimewhenherfirstliterarytriumphswerewon。Allthosewhomwehadbeenaccustomedtorevereasintellectualpatriarchsseemedchildrenwhencomparedwithher;forBurkehadsateupallnighttoreadherwritings，andJohnsonhadpronouncedhersuperiortoFielding，whenRogerswasstillaschoolboy，andSoutheystillinpetticoats。Yetmorestrangediditseemthatweshouldjusthavelostonewhosenamehadbeenwidelycelebratedbeforeanybodyhadheardofsomeillustriousmen，who，twenty，thirty，orfortyyearsago，were，afteralongandsplendidcareer，bornewithhonourtothegrave。
Yetsoitwas。FrancesBurneywasattheheightoffameandpopularitybeforeCowperhadpublishedhisfirstvolume，beforePorsonhadgoneuptocollege，beforePitthadtakenhisseatintheHouseofCommons，beforethevoiceofErskinehadbeenonceheardinWestminsterHall。Sincetheappearanceofherfirstwork，sixty—twoyearshadpassed;andthisintervalhadbeencrowded，notonlywithpolitical，butalsowithintellectualrevolutions。Thousandsofreputationshad，duringthatperiod，sprungup，bloomed，withered，anddisappeared。Newkindsofcompositionhadcomeintofashion，hadgoneoutoffashion，hadbeenderided，hadbeenforgotten。ThefooleriesofDellaCrusca，andthefooleriesofKotzebue，hadforatimebewitchedthemultitude，andhadleftnotracebehindthem;norhadmisdirectedgeniusbeenabletosavefromdecaytheonceflourishingschoolsofGodwin，ofDarwin，andofRadcliffe。Manybooks，writtenfortemporaryeffect，hadrunthroughsixorseveneditions，andhadthenbeengatheredtothenovelsofAfraBehn，andtheepicpoemsofSirRichardBlackmore。YettheearlyworksofMadameD’Arblay，inspiteofthelapseofyears，inspiteofthechangeofmanners，inspiteofthepopularitydeservedlyobtainedbysomeofherrivals，continuedtoholdahighplaceinthepublicesteem。Shelivedtobeaclassic。Timesetonherfame，beforeshewenthence，thatsealwhichisseldomsetexceptonthefameofthedeparted。LikeSirCondyRackrentinthetale，shesurvivedherownwake，andoverheardthejudgmentofposterity。
Havingalwaysfeltawarmandsincere，thoughnotablindadmirationforhertalents，werejoicedtolearnthatherDiarywasabouttobemadepublic。Ourhopes，itistrue，werenotunmixedwithfears。WecouldnotforgetthefateoftheMemoirsofDr。Burney，whichwerepublishedtenyearsago。Thatunfortunatebookcontainedmuchthatwascuriousandinteresting。
Yetitwasreceivedwithacryofdisgust，andwasspeedilyconsignedtooblivion。Thetruthis，thatitdeserveditsdoom。
ItwaswritteninMadameD’Arblay’slaterstyle，theworststylethathaseverbeenknownamongmen。Nogenius，noinformation，couldsavefromproscriptionabooksowritten。We，therefore，openedtheDiarywithnosmallanxiety，tremblinglestweshouldlightuponsomeofthatpeculiarrhetoricwhichdeformsalmosteverypageoftheMemoirs，andwhichitisimpossibletoreadwithoutasensationmadeupofmirth，shame，andloathing。Wesoon，however，discoveredtoourgreatdelightthatthisDiarywaskeptbeforeMadameD’Arblaybecameeloquent。Itis，forthemostpart，writteninherearliestandbestmanner，intruewoman’sEnglish，clear，natural，andlively。Thetwoworksarelyingsidebysidebeforeus;andweneverturnfromtheMemoirstotheDiarywithoutasenseofrelief。Thedifferenceisasgreatasthedifferencebetweentheatmosphereofaperfumer’sshop，fetidwithlavenderwaterandjasminesoap，andtheairofaheathonafinemorninginMay。Bothworksoughttobeconsultedbyeverypersonwhowishestobewellacquaintedwiththehistoryofourliteratureandourmanners。ButtoreadtheDiaryisapleasure;toreadtheMemoirswillalwaysbeatask。
Wemay，perhaps，affordsomeharmlessamusementtoourreaders，ifweattempt，withthehelpofthesetwobooks，togivethemanaccountofthemostimportantyearsofMadameD’Arblay’slife。
ShewasdescendedfromafamilywhichborethenameofMacburney，andwhich，thoughprobablyofIrishorigin，hadbeenlongsettledinShropshire，andwaspossessedofconsiderableestatesinthatcounty。Unhappily，manyyearsbeforeherbirth，theMacburneysbegan，asifofsetpurposeandinaspiritofdeterminedrivalry，toexposeandruinthemselves。Theheirapparent，Mr。
JamesMacburney，offendedhisfatherbymakingarunawaymatchwithanactressfromGoodman’sFields。Theoldgentlemancoulddevisenomorejudiciousmodeofwreakingvengeanceonhisundutifulboythanbymarryingthecook。ThecookgavebirthtoasonnamedJoseph，whosucceededtoallthelandsofthefamily，whileJameswascutoffwithashilling。Thefavouriteson，however，wassoextravagant，thathesoonbecameaspoorashisdisinheritedbrother。Bothwereforcedtoearntheirbreadbytheirlabour。Josephturneddancing—master，andsettledinNorfolk。JamesstruckofftheMacfromthebeginningofhisname，andsetupasaportraitpainteratChester。HerehehadasonnamedCharles，wellknownastheauthoroftheHistoryofMusic，andasthefatheroftworemarkablechildren，ofasondistinguishedbylearning，andofadaughterstillmorehonourablydistinguishedbygenius。
Charlesearlyshowedatasteforthatart，ofwhich，atalaterperiod，hebecamethehistorian。HewasapprenticedtoacelebratedmusicianinLondon，andappliedhimselftostudywithvigourandsuccess。HesoonfoundakindandmunificentpatroninFulkGreville，ahighbornandhighbredman，whoseemstohavehadinlargemeasurealltheaccomplishmentsandallthefollies，allthevirtuesandallthevices，which，ahundredyearsago，wereconsideredasmakingupthecharacterofafinegentleman。Undersuchprotection，theyoungartisthadeveryprospectofabrilliantcareerinthecapital。Buthishealthfailed。ItbecamenecessaryforhimtoretreatfromthesmokeandriverfogofLondon，tothepureairofthecoast。Heacceptedtheplaceoforganist，atLynn，andsettledatthattownwithayoungladywhohadrecentlybecomehiswife。
AtLynn，inJune1752，FrancesBurneywasborn。Nothinginherchildhoodindicatedthatshewould，whilestillayoungwoman，havesecuredforherselfanhonourableandpermanentplaceamongEnglishwriters。Shewasshyandsilent。Herbrothersandsisterscalledheradunce，andnotwithoutsomeshowofreason;forateightyearsoldshedidnotknowherletters。
In1760，Mr。BurneyquittedLynnforLondon，andtookahouseinPolandStreet;asituationwhichhadbeenfashionableInthereignofQueenAnne，butwhich，sincethattime，hadbeendesertedbymostofitswealthyandnobleinhabitants。
HeafterwardsresidedinSaintMartin’sStreet，onthesouthsideofLeicesterSquare。Hishousethereisstillwellknown，andwillcontinuetobewellknownaslongasourislandretainsanytraceofcivilisation;foritwasthedwellingofNewton，andthesquareturretwhichdistinguishesitfromallthesurroundingbuildingswasNewton’sobservatory。
Mr。Burneyatonceobtainedasmanypupilsofthemostrespectabledescriptionashehadtimetoattend，andwasthusenabledtosupporthisfamily，modestlyindeed，andfrugally，butincomfortandindependence。HisprofessionalmeritobtainedforhimthedegreeofDoctorofMusicfromtheUniversityofOxford;
andhisworksonsubjectsconnectedwithhisartgainedforhimaplace，respectable，thoughcertainlynoteminent，amongmenofletters。
TheprogressofthemindofFrancesBurney，fromherninthtohertwenty—fifthyear，welldeservestoberecorded。Whenhereducationhadproceedednofurtherthanthehornbook，shelosthermother，andthenceforwardsheeducatedherself。Herfatherappearstohavebeenasbadafatherasaveryhonest，affectionate，andsweettemperedmancanwellbe。Helovedhisdaughterdearly;butitneverseemstohaveoccurredtohimthataparenthasotherdutiestoperformtochildrenthanthatoffondlingthem。Itwouldindeedhavebeenimpossibleforhimtosuperintendtheireducationhimself。Hisprofessionalengagementsoccupiedhimallday。Atseveninthemorninghebegantoattendhispupils，andwhenLondonwasfull，wassometimesemployedinteachingtillelevenatnight。Hewasoftenforcedtocarryinhispocketatinboxofsandwiches，andabottleofwineandwater，onwhichhedinedinahackneycoach，whilehurryingfromonescholartoanother。TwoofhisdaughtershesenttoaseminaryatParis;butheimaginedthatFranceswouldrunsomeriskofbeingpervertedfromtheProtestantfaithifshewereeducatedinaCatholiccountry，andhethereforekeptherathome。Nogoverness，noteacherofanyartorofanylanguage，wasprovidedforher。Butoneofhersistersshowedherhowtowrite;
and，beforeshewasfourteen，shebegantofindpleasureinreading。
Itwasnot，however，byreadingthatherintellectwasformed。
Indeed，whenherbestnovelswereproduced，herknowledgeofbookswasverysmall。Whenattheheightofherfame，shewasunacquaintedwiththemostcelebratedworksofVoltaireandMoliere;and，whatseemsstillmoreextraordinary，hadneverheardorseenalineofChurchill，who，whenshewasagirl，wasthemostpopularoflivingpoets。Itisparticularlydeservingofobservationthatsheappearstohavebeenbynomeansanovel—
reader。Herfather’slibrarywaslarge;andhehadadmittedintoitsomanybookswhichrigidmoralistsgenerallyexcludethathefeltuneasy，asheafterwardsowned，whenJohnsonbegantoexaminetheshelves。Butinthewholecollectiontherewasonlyasinglenovel，Fielding’sAmelia。
Aneducation，however，whichtomostgirlswouldhavebeenuseless，butwhichsuitedFanny’smindbetterthanelaborateculture，wasinconstantprogressduringherpassagefromchildhoodtowomanhood。Thegreatbookofhumannaturewasturnedoverbeforeher。Herfather’ssocialpositionwasverypeculiar。
Hebelongedinfortuneandstationtothemiddleclass。Hisdaughtersseemedtohavebeensufferedtomixfreelywiththosewhombutlersandwaiting—maidscallvulgar。Wearetoldthattheywereinthehabitofplayingwiththechildrenofawig—makerwholivedintheadjoininghouse。YetfewnoblescouldassembleinthemoststatelymansionsofGrosvenorSquareorSaintJames’sSquare，asocietysovariousandsobrilliantaswassometimestobefoundinDr。Burney’scabin。Hismind，thoughnotverypowerfulorcapacious，wasrestlesslyactive;and，intheintervalsofhisprofessionalpursuits，hehadcontrivedtolayupmuchmiscellaneousinformation。Hisattainments，thesuavityofhistemper，andthegentlesimplicityofhismanners，hadobtainedforhimreadyadmissiontothefirstliterarycircles。
WhilehewasstillatLynn，hehadwonJohnson’sheartbysoundingwithhonestzealthepraisesoftheEnglishDictionary。
InLondonthetwofriendsmetfrequently，andagreedmostharmoniously。Onetie，indeed，waswantingtotheirmutualattachment。Burneylovedhisownartpassionately;andJohnsonjustknewthebellofSaintClement’schurchfromtheorgan。Theyhad，however，manytopicsincommon;andonwinternightstheirconversationsweresometimesprolongedtillthefirehadgoneout，andthecandleshadburnedawaytothewicks。Burney’sadmirationofthepowerswhichhadproducedRasselasandTheRamblerborderedonidolatry。Johnson，ontheotherhand，condescendedtogrowloutthatBurneywasanhonestfellow，amanwhomitwasimpossiblenottolike。
Garrick，too，wasafrequentvisitorinPolandStreetandSaintMartin’sStreet。Thatwonderfulactorlovedthesocietyofchildren，partlyfromgood—nature，andpartlyfromvanity。Theecstasiesofmirthandterror，whichhisgesturesandplayofcountenanceneverfailedtoproduceinanursery，flatteredhimquiteasmuchastheapplauseofmaturecritics。HeoftenexhibitedallhispowersofmimicryfortheamusementofthelittleBurneys，awedthembyshudderingandcrouchingasifhesawaghost，scaredthembyravinglikeamaniacinSaintLuke’s，andthenatoncebecameanauctioneer，achimney—sweeper，oranoldwoman，andmadethemlaughtillthetearsrandowntheircheeks。
ButitwouldbetedioustorecountthenamesofallthemenoflettersandartistswhomFrancesBurneyhadanopportunityofseeingandhearing。Colman，Twining，Harris，Baretti，Hawkesworth，Reynolds，Barry，wereamongthosewhooccasionallysurroundedthetea—tableandsupper—trayatherfather’smodestdwelling。Thiswasnotall。ThedistinctionwhichDr。Burneyhadacquiredasamusician，andasthehistorianofmusic，attractedtohishousethemosteminentmusicalperformersofthatage。ThegreatestItaliansingerswhovisitedEnglandregardedhimasthedispenseroffameintheirart，andexertedthemselvestoobtainhissuffrage。Pachierottibecamehisintimatefriend。TherapaciousAgujari，whosangfornobodyelseunderfiftypoundsanair，sangherbestforDr。Burneywithoutafee;andinthecompanyofDr。BurneyeventhehaughtyandeccentricGabrielliconstrainedherselftobehavewithcivility。Itwasthusinhispowertogive，withscarcelyanyexpense，concertsequaltothoseofthearistocracy。Onsuchoccasionsthequietstreetinwhichhelivedwasblockedupbycoronetedchariots，andhislittledrawing—roomwascrowdedwithpeers，peeresses，ministers，andambassadors。Ononeevening，ofwhichwehappentohaveafullaccount，therewerepresentLordMulgrave，LordBruce，LordandLadyEdgecumbe，LordCarringtonfromtheWarOffice，LordSandwichfromtheAdmiralty，LordAshburnham，withhisgoldkeydanglingfromhispocket，andtheFrenchAmbassador，M。DeGuignes，renownedforhisfinepersonandforhissuccessingallantry。ButthegreatshowofthenightwastheRussianAmbassador，CountOrloff，whosegiganticfigurewasallinablazewithjewels，andinwhosedemeanourtheuntamedferocityoftheScythianmightbediscernedthroughathinvarnishofFrenchpoliteness。Ashestalkedaboutthesmallparlour，brushingtheceilingwithhistoupee，thegirlswhisperedtoeachother，withmingledadmirationandhorror，thathewasthefavouredloverofhisaugustmistress;thathehadbornethechiefpartintherevolutiontowhichsheowedherthrone;andthathishugehands，nowglitteringwithdiamondrings，hadgiventhelastsqueezetothewindpipeofherunfortunatehusband。
Withsuchillustriousguestsastheseweremingledallthemostremarkablespecimensoftheraceoflions，akindofgamewhichishuntedinLondoneveryspringwithmorethanMeltonianardourandperseverance。Bruce，whohadwasheddownsteakscutfromlivingoxenwithwaterfromthefountainsoftheNile，cametoswaggerandtalkabouthistravels。OmailispedbrokenEnglish，andmadealltheassembledmusiciansholdtheirearsbyhowlingOtaheiteanlovesongs，suchasthosewithwhichObereacharmedherOpano。
Withtheliteraryandfashionablesociety，whichoccasionallymetunderDr。Burney’sroof，Francescanscarcelybesaidtohavemingled。Shewasnotamusician，andcouldthereforebearnopartintheconcerts。Shewasshyalmosttoawkwardness，andscarcelyeverjoinedintheconversation。Theslightestremarkfromastrangerdisconcertedher;andeventheoldfriendsofherfatherwhotriedtodrawheroutcouldseldomextractmorethanaYesoraNo。Herfigurewassmall，herfacenotdistinguishedbybeauty。
Shewasthereforesufferedtowithdrawquietlytothebackground，and，unobservedherself，toobserveallthatpassed。Hernearestrelationswereawarethatshehadgoodsense，butseemnottohavesuspectedthat，underherdemureandbashfuldeportment，wereconcealedafertileinventionandakeensenseoftheridiculous。Shehadnot，itistrue，aneyeforthefineshadesofcharacter。Buteverymarkedpeculiarityinstantlycaughthernoticeandremainedengravenonherimagination。Thus，whilestillagirl，shehadlaidupsuchastoreofmaterialsforfictionasfewofthosewhomixmuchintheworldareabletoaccumulateduringalonglife。Shehadwatchedandlistenedtopeopleofeveryclass，fromprincesandgreatofficersofstatedowntoartistslivingingarrets，andpoetsfamiliarwithsubterraneancookshops。Hundredsofremarkablepersonshadpassedinreviewbeforeher，English，French，German，Italian，lordsandfiddlers，deansofcathedralsandmanagersoftheatres，travellersleadingaboutnewlycaughtsavages，andsingingwomenescortedbydeputyhusbands。
SostrongwastheimpressionmadeonthemindofFrancesbythesocietywhichshewasinthehabitofseeingandhearing，thatshebegantowritelittlefictitiousnarrativesassoonasshecoulduseherpenwithcase，which，aswehavesaid，wasnotveryearly。Hersisterswereamusedbyherstories:butDr。Burneyknewnothingoftheirexistence;andinanotherquarterherliterarypropensitiesmetwithseriousdiscouragement。Whenshewasfifteen，herfathertookasecondwife。ThenewMrs。Burneysoonfoundoutthatherstepdaughterwasfondofscribbling，anddeliveredseveralgood—naturedlecturesonthesubject。Theadvicenodoubtwaswellmeant，andmighthavebeengivenbythemostjudiciousfriend;foratthattime，fromcausestowhichwemayhereafteradvert，nothingcouldbemoredisadvantageoustoayoungladythantobeknownasanovel—writer。Francesyielded，relinquishedherfavouritepursuit，andmadeabonfireofallhermanuscripts。[Thereissomedifficultyhereastothechronology。
"Thissacrifice，"saystheeditoroftheDiary，"wasmadeintheyoungauthoress’sfifteenthyear。"Thiscouldnotbe;forthesacrificewastheeffect，accordingtotheeditor’sownshowing，oftheremonstrancesofthesecondMrs。Burney;andFranceswasinhersixteenthyearwhenherfather’ssecondmarriagetookplace。]
Shenowhemmedandstitchedfrombreakfasttodinnerwithscrupulousregularity。Butthedinnersofthattimewereearly;
andtheafternoonwasherown。Thoughshehadgivenupnovel—
writing，shewasstillfondofusingherpen。Shebegantokeepadiary，andshecorrespondedlargelywithapersonwhoseemstohavehadthechiefshareintheformationofhermind。ThiswasSamuelCrisp，anoldfriendofherfather。Hisname，wellknown，nearacenturyago，inthemostsplendidcirclesofLondon，haslongbeenforgotten。Hishistoryis，however，sointerestingandinstructive，thatittemptsustoventureonadigression。
LongbeforeFrancesBurneywasborn，Mr。Crisphadmadehisentranceintotheworld，witheveryadvantage。Hewaswellconnectedandwelleducated。Hisfaceandfigurewereconspicuouslyhandsome;hismannerswerepolished;hisfortunewaseasy;hischaracterwaswithoutstain;helivedinthebestsociety;hehadreadmuch;hetalkedwell;histasteinliterature，music，painting，architecture，sculpture，washeldinhighesteem。Nothingthattheworldcangiveseemedtobewantingtohishappinessandrespectability，exceptthatheshouldunderstandthelimitsofhispowers，andshouldnotthrowawaydistinctionswhichwerewithinhisreachinthepursuitofdistinctionswhichwereunattainable。
"Itisanuncontrolledtruth，"saysSwift，"thatnomanevermadeanillfigurewhounderstoodhisowntalents，noragoodonewhomistookthem。"Everydaybringswithitfreshillustrationsofthisweightysaying;butthebestcommentarythatwerememberisthehistoryofSamuelCrisp。Menlikehimhavetheirproperplace，anditisamostimportantone，intheCommonwealthofLetters。Itisbythejudgmentofsuchmenthattherankofauthorsisfinallydetermined。Itisneithertothemultitude，nortothefewwhoaregiftedwithgreatcreativegenius，thatwearetolookforsoundcriticaldecisions。Themultitude，unacquaintedwiththebestmodels，arecaptivatedbywhateverstunsanddazzlesthem。TheydesertedMrs。SiddonstorunafterMasterBetty;andtheynowprefer，wehavenodoubt，JackSheppardtoVonArtevelde。Amanofgreatoriginalgenius，ontheotherhand，amanwhohasattainedtomasteryinsomehighwalkofart，isbynomeanstobeimplicitlytrustedasajudgeoftheperformancesofothers。Theerroneousdecisionspronouncedbysuchmenarewithoutnumber。Itiscommonlysupposedthatjealousymakesthemunjust。Butamorecreditableexplanationmayeasilybefound。Theveryexcellenceofaworkshowsthatsomeofthefacultiesoftheauthorhavebeendevelopedattheexpenseoftherest;foritisnotgiventothehumanintellecttoexpanditselfwidelyinalldirectionsatonce，andtobeatthesametimegiganticandwellproportioned。Whoeverbecomespre—eminentinanyart，inanystyleofart，generallydoessobydevotinghimselfwithintenseandexclusiveenthusiasmtothepursuitofonekindofexcellence。Hisperceptionofotherkindsofexcellenceisthereforetoooftenimpaired。Outofhisowndepartmenthepraisesandblamesatrandom，andisfarlesstobetrustedthanthemereconnoisseur，whoproducesnothing，andwhosebusinessisonlytojudgeandenjoy。Onepainterisdistinguishedbyhisexquisitefinishing。Hetoilsdayafterdaytobringtheveinsofacabbageleaf，thefoldsofalaceveil，thewrinklesofanoldwoman’sface，nearerandnearertoperfection。Inthetimewhichheemploysonasquarefootofcanvas，amasterofadifferentordercoversthewallsofapalacewithgodsburyinggiantsundermountains，ormakesthecupolaofachurchalivewithseraphimandmartyrs。Themoreferventthepassionofeachoftheseartistsforhisart，thehigherthemeritofeachinhisownline，themoreunlikelyitisthattheywilljustlyappreciateeachother。ManypersonswhoneverhandledapencilprobablydofarmorejusticetoMichaelAngelothanwouldhavebeendonebyGerardDouw，andfarmorejusticetoGerardDouwthanwouldhavebeendonebyMichaelAngelo。
Itisthesamewithliterature。Thousands，whohavenosparkofthegeniusofDrydenorWordsworth，dotoDrydenthejusticewhichhasneverbeendonebyWordsworth，andtoWordsworththejusticewhich，wesuspect，wouldneverhavebeendonebyDryden。Gray，Johnson，Richardson，Fielding，areallhighlyesteemedbythegreatbodyofintelligentandwellinformedmen。ButGraycouldseenomeritinRasselas;andJohnsoncouldseenomeritintheBard。FieldingthoughtRichardsonasolemnprig;andRichardsonperpetuallyexpressedcontemptanddisgustforFielding’slowness。
Mr。Crispseems，asfaraswecanjudge，tohavebeenamaneminentlyqualifiedfortheusefulofficeofaconnoisseur。Histalentsandknowledgefittedhimtoappreciatejustlyalmosteveryspeciesofintellectualsuperiority。Asanadviserhewasinestimable。Nay，hemightprobablyhaveheldarespectablerankasawriter，ifhewouldhaveconfinedhimselftosomedepartmentofliteratureinwhichnothingmorethansense，taste，andreadingwasrequired。Unhappilyhesethisheartonbeingagreatpoet，wroteatragedyinfiveactsonthedeathofVirginia，andofferedittoGarrick，whowashispersonalfriend。Garrickread，shookhishead，andexpressedadoubtwhetheritwouldbewiseinMr。Crisptostakeareputation，whichstoodhigh，onthesuccessofsuchapiece。Buttheauthor，blindedbyambition，setinmotionamachinerysuchasnonecouldlongresist。Hisintercessorswerethemosteloquentmanandthemostlovelywomanofthatgeneration。PittwasinducedtoreadVirginia，andtopronounceitexcellent。LadyCoventrywithfingerswhichmighthavefurnishedamodeltosculptors，forcedthemanuscriptintothereluctanthandofthemanager;and，intheyear1754，theplaywasbroughtforward。
Nothingthatskillorfriendshipcoulddowasomitted。Garrickwrotebothprologueandepilogue。Thezealousfriendsoftheauthorfilledeverybox;and，bytheirstrenuousexertions，thelifeoftheplaywasprolongedduringtennights。But，thoughtherewasnoclamorousreprobation，itwasuniversallyfeltthattheattempthadfailed。WhenVirginiawasprinted，thepublicdisappointmentwasevengreaterthanattherepresentation。Thecritics，theMonthlyReviewersinparticular，fellonplot，characters，anddictionwithoutmercy，but，wefear，notwithoutjustice。Wehavenevermetwithacopyoftheplay;but，ifwemayjudgefromthescenewhichisextractedintheGentleman’sMagazine，andwhichdoesnotappeartohavebeenmalevolentlyselected，weshouldsaythatnothingbuttheactingofGarrick，andthepartialityoftheaudience，couldhavesavedsofeebleandunnaturaladramafrominstantdamnation。
Theambitionofthepoetwasstillunsubdued。WhentheLondonseasonclosed，heappliedhimselfvigorouslytotheworkofremovingblemishes。Hedoesnotseemtohavesuspected，whatwearestronglyinclinedtosuspect，thatthewholepiecewasoneblemish，andthatthepassageswhichweremeanttobefine，were，intruth，burstsofthattameextravaganceintowhichwritersfall，whentheysetthemselvestobesublimeandpatheticinspiteofnature。Heomitted，added，retouched，andflatteredhimselfwithhopesofacompletesuccessinthefollowingyear;
butinthefollowingyear，Garrickshowednodispositiontobringtheamendedtragedyonthestage。Solicitationandremonstranceweretriedinvain。LadyCoventry，droopingunderthatmaladywhichseemsevertoselectwhatisloveliestforitsprey，couldrendernoassistance。Themanager’slanguagewascivilyevasive;
buthisresolutionwasinflexible。
Crisphadcommittedagreaterror;buthehadescapedwithaveryslightpenance。Hisplayhadnotbeenhootedfromtheboards。Ithad，onthecontrary，beenbetterreceivedthanmanyveryestimableperformanceshavebeen，thanJohnson’sIrene，forexample，orGoldsmith’sGood—naturedMan。HadCrispbeenwise，hewouldhavethoughthimselfhappyinhavingpurchasedself—
knowledgesocheap。Hewouldhaverelinquished，withoutvainrepinings，thehopeofpoeticaldistinction，andwouldhaveturnedtothemanysourcesofhappinesswhichhestillpossessed。
Hadhebeen，ontheotherhand，anunfeelingandunblushingdunce，hewouldhavegoneonwritingscoresofbadtragediesindefianceofcensureandderision。Buthehadtoomuchsensetoriskaseconddefeat，yettoolittlesensetobearhisfirstdefeatlikeaman。Thefataldelusionthathewasagreatdramatist，hadtakenfirmpossessionofhismind。Hisfailureheattributedtoeverycauseexceptthetrueone。Hecomplainedoftheill—willofGarrick，whoappearstohavedonefortheplayeverythingthatabilityandzealcoulddo，andwho，fromselfishmotives，would，ofcourse，havebeenwellpleasedifVirginiahadbeenassuccessfulastheBeggar’sOpera。Nay，Crispcomplainedofthelanguorofthefriendswhosepartialityhadgivenhimthreebenefitnightstowhichhehadnoclaim。Hecomplainedoftheinjusticeofthespectators，when，intruth，heoughttohavebeengratefulfortheirunexampledpatience。Helosthistemperandspirits，andbecameacynicandahaterofmankind。FromLondonheretiredtoHampton，andfromHamptontoasolitaryandlongdesertedmansion，builtonaCommoninoneofthewildesttractsofSurrey。Noroad，notevenasheep—walk，connectedhislonelydwellingwiththeabodesofmen。Theplaceofhisretreatwasstrictlyconcealedfromhisoldassociates。Inthespringhesometimesemerged，andwasseenatexhibitionsandconcertsinLondon。Buthesoondisappeared，andhidhimselfwithnosocietybuthisbooks，inhisdrearyhermitage。Hesurvivedhisfailureaboutthirtyyears。Anewgenerationspranguparoundhim。Nomemoryofhisbadversesremainedamongmen。Hisverynamewasforgotten。Howcompletelytheworldhadlostsightofhim，willappearfromasinglecircumstance。WelookedforhiminacopiousDictionaryofDramaticAuthorspublishedwhilehewasstillalive，andwefoundonlythatMr。HenryCrisp，oftheCustomHouse，hadwrittenaplaycalledVirginia，actedin1754。Tothelast，however，theunhappymancontinuedtobroodovertheinjusticeofthemanagerandthepit，andtriedtoconvincehimselfandothersthathehadmissedthehighestliteraryhonours，onlybecausehehadomittedsomefinepassagesincompliancewithGarrick’sjudgment。Alasforhumannature，thatthewoundsofvanityshouldsmartandbleedsomuchlongerthanthewoundsofaffection！Fewpeople，webelieve，whosenearestfriendsandrelationsdiedin1754，hadanyacutefeelingofthelossin1782。Dearsisters，andfavouritedaughters，andbridessnatchedawaybeforethehoneymoonwaspassed，hadbeenforgotten，orwererememberedonlywithatranquilregret。ButSamuelCrispwasstillmourningforhistragedy，likeRachelweepingforherchildren，andwouldnotbecomforted。"Never，"
suchwashislanguagetwenty—eightyearsafterhisdisaster，"nevergiveuporalteratittleunlessitperfectlycoincideswithyourowninwardfeelings。Icansaythistomysorrowandmycost。Butmum！"Soonafterthesewordswerewritten，hislife，alifewhichmighthavebeeneminentlyusefulandhappy，endedinthesamegloominwhich，duringmorethanaquarterofacentury，ithadbeenpassed。Wehavethoughtitworthwhiletorescuefromoblivionthiscuriousfragmentofliteraryhistory。Itseemstousatonceludicrous，melancholy，andfullofinstruction。
CrispwasanoldandveryintimatefriendoftheBurneys。Tothemalonewasconfidedthenameofthedesolateoldhallinwhichhehidhimselflikeawildbeastinaden。Forthemwerereservedsuchremainsofhishumanityashadsurvivedthefailureofhisplay。FrancesBurneyheregardedashisdaughter。HecalledherhisFannikin;andsheinreturncalledhimherdearDaddy。Intruth，heseemstohavedonemuchmorethanherrealparentsforthedevelopmentofherintellect;forthoughhewasabadpoet，hewasascholar，athinker，andanexcellentcounsellor。HewasparticularlyfondoftheconcertsinPolandStreet。Theyhad，indeed，beencommencedathissuggestion，andwhenhevisitedLondonheconstantlyattendedthem。Butwhenhegrewold，andwhengout，broughtonpartlybymentalirritation，confinedhimtohisretreat，hewasdesirousofhavingaglimpseofthatgayandbrilliantworldfromwhichhewasexiled，andhepressedFannikintosendhimfullaccountsofherfather’seveningparties。Afewofherletterstohimhavebeenpublished;anditisimpossibletoreadthemwithoutdiscerninginthemallthepowerswhichafterwardsproducedEvelinaandCecilia，thequicknessincatchingeveryoddpeculiarityofcharacterandmanner，theskillingrouping，thehumour，oftenrichlycomic，sometimesevenfarcical。
Fanny’spropensitytonovel—writinghadforatimebeenkeptdown。Itnowroseupstrongerthanever。Theheroesandheroinesofthetaleswhichhadperishedintheflames，werestillpresenttotheeyeofhermind。Onefavouritestory，inparticular，hauntedherimagination。ItwasaboutacertainCarolineEvelyn，abeautifuldamselwhomadeanunfortunatelove—match，anddied，leavinganinfantdaughter。Francesbegantoimagetoherselfthevariousscenes，tragicandcomic，throughwhichthepoormotherlessgirl，highlyconnectedononeside，meanlyconnectedontheother，mighthavetopass。Acrowdofunrealbeings，goodandbad，graveandludicrous，surroundedthepretty，timid，youngorphan;acoarseseacaptain;anuglyinsolentfop，blazinginasuperbcourtdress;anotherfop，asuglyandasinsolent，butlodgedonSnowHill，andtrickedoutinsecond—handfineryfortheHampsteadball;anoldwoman，allwrinklesandrouge，flirtingherfanwiththeairofamissofseventeen，andscreaminginadialectmadeupofvulgarFrenchandvulgarEnglish;apoetleanandragged，withabroadScotchaccent。Bydegreestheseshadowsacquiredstrongerandstrongerconsistence;
theimpulsewhichurgedFrancestowritebecameirresistible;andtheresultwastheHistoryofEvelina。
Thencame，naturallyenough，awish，mingledwithmanyfears，toappearbeforethepublic;for，timidasFranceswas，andbashful，andaltogetherunaccustomedtohearherownpraises，itisclearthatshewantedneitherastrongpassionfordistinction，norajustconfidenceinherownpowers。Herschemewastobecome，ifpossible，acandidateforfame，withoutrunninganyriskofdisgrace。Shehadnotmoneytobeartheexpenseofprinting。Itwasthereforenecessarythatsomebooksellershouldbeinducedtotaketherisk;andsuchabooksellerwasnotreadilyfound。
Dodsleyrefusedeventolookatthemanuscriptunlesshewereintrustedwiththenameoftheauthor。ApublisherinFleetStreet，namedLowndes，wasmorecomplaisant。SomecorrespondencetookplacebetweenthispersonandMissBurney，whotookthenameofGrafton，anddesiredthatthelettersaddressedtohermightbeleftattheOrangeCoffee—house。But，beforethebargainwasfinallystruck，Fannythoughtitherdutytoobtainherfather’sconsent。Shetoldhimthatshehadwrittenabook，thatshewishedtohavehispermissiontopublishitanonymously，butthatshehopedthathewouldnotinsistuponseeingit。WhatfollowedmayservetoillustratewhatwemeantwhenwesaidthatDr。
Burneywasasbadafatherassogood—heartedamancouldpossiblybe。ItneverseemstohavecrossedhismindthatFannywasabouttotakeasteponwhichthewholehappinessofherlifemightdepend，astepwhichmightraisehertoanhonourableeminence，orcoverherwithridiculeandcontempt。Severalpeoplehadalreadybeentrusted，andstrictconcealmentwasthereforenottobeexpected。Onsograveanoccasion，itwassurelyhisdutytogivehisbestcounseltohisdaughter，towinherconfidence，topreventherfromexposingherselfifherbookwereabadone，and，ifitwereagoodone，toseethatthetermswhichshehadmadewiththepublisherwerelikelytobebeneficialtoher。Insteadofthis，heonlystared，burstouta—
laughing，kissedher，gaveherleavetodoassheliked，andneverevenaskedthenameofherwork。ThecontractwithLowndeswasspeedilyconcluded。Twentypoundsweregivenforthecopyright，andwereacceptedbyFannywithdelight。Herfather’sinexcusableneglectofhisdutyhappilycausedhernoworseevilthanthelossoftwelveorfifteenhundredpounds。
AftermanydelaysEvelinaappearedinJanuary1778。PoorFannywassickwithterror，anddursthardlystiroutofdoors。Somedayspassedbeforeanythingwasheardofthebook。Ithad，indeed，nothingbutitsownmeritstopushitintopublicfavour。
Itsauthorwasunknown。Thehousebywhichitwaspublishedwasnot，webelieve，heldinhighestimation。Nobodyofpartisanshadbeenengagedtoapplaud。Thebetterclassofreadersexpectedlittlefromanovelaboutayounglady’sentranceintotheworld。
Therewas，indeed，atthattimeadispositionamongthemostrespectablepeopletocondemnnovelsgenerally:norwasthisdispositionbyanymeanswithoutexcuse;forworksofthatsortwerethenalmostalwayssilly，andveryfrequentlywicked。
Soon，however，thefirstfaintaccentsofpraisebegantobeheard。ThekeepersofthecirculatinglibrariesreportedthateverybodywasaskingforEvelina，andthatsomepersonhadguessedAnsteytobetheauthor。ThencameafavourablenoticeintheLondonReview;thenanotherstillmorefavourableintheMonthly。Andnowthebookfounditswaytotableswhichhadseldombeenpollutedbymarble—coveredvolumes。Scholarsandstatesmen，whocontemptuouslyabandonedthecrowdofromancestoMissLydiaLanguishandMissSukeySaunter，werenotashamedtoownthattheycouldnottearthemselvesawayfromEvelina。Finecarriagesandrichliveries，notoftenseeneastofTempleBar，wereattractedtothepublisher’sshopinFleetStreet。Lowndeswasdailyquestionedabouttheauthor，butwashimselfasmuchinthedarkasanyofthequestioners。Themystery，however，couldnotremainamysterylong。Itwasknowntobrothersandsisters，auntsandcousins:andtheywerefartooproudandtoohappytobediscreet。Dr。Burneyweptoverthebookinrapture。DaddyCrispshookhisfistathisFannikininaffectionateangeratnothavingbeenadmittedtoherconfidence。ThetruthwaswhisperedtoMrs。Thrale;andthenitbegantospreadfast。
Thebookhadbeenadmiredwhileitwasascribedtomenofletterslongconversantwiththeworld，andaccustomedtocomposition。
Butwhenitwasknownthatareserved，silentyoungwomanhadproducedthebestworkoffictionthathadappearedsincethedeathofSmollett，theacclamationswereredoubled。Whatshehaddonewas，indeed，extraordinary。But，asusual，variousreportsimprovedthestorytillitbecamemiraculous。Evelina，itwassaid，wastheworkofagirlofseventeen。Incredibleasthistalewas，itcontinuedtoberepeateddowntoourowntime。
Franceswastoohonesttoconfirmit。Probablyshewastoomuchawomantocontradictit;anditwaslongbeforeanyofherdetractorsthoughtofthismodeofannoyance。Yettherewasnowantoflowmindsandbadheartsinthegenerationwhichwitnessedherfirstappearance。TherewastheenviousKenrickandthesavageWolcot，theaspGeorgeSteevens，andthepolecatJohnWilliams。Itdidnot，however，occurtothemtosearchtheparishregisterofLynn，inorderthattheymightbeabletotwitaladywithhavingconcealedherage。Thattrulychivalrousexploitwasreservedforabadwriterofourowntime，whosespiteshehadprovokedbynotfurnishinghimwithmaterialsforaworthlesseditionofBoswell’sLifeofJohnson，somesheetsofwhichourreadershavedoubtlessseenroundparcelsofbetterbooks。
Butwemustreturntoourstory。Thetriumphwascomplete。Thetimidandobscuregirlfoundherselfonthehighestpinnacleoffame。Greatmen，onwhomshehadgazedatadistancewithhumblereverence，addressedherwithadmiration，temperedbythetendernessduetohersexandage。Burke，Windham，Gibbon，Reynolds，Sheridan，wereamonghermostardenteulogists。
Cumberlandacknowledgedhermerit，afterhisfashion，bybitinghislipsandwrigglinginhischairwheneverhernamewasmentioned。ButitwasatStreathamthatshetasted，inthehighestperfection，thesweetsofflattery，mingledwiththesweetsoffriendship。Mrs。Thrale，thenattheheightofprosperityandpopularity，withgayspirits，quickwit，showythoughsuperficialacquirements，pleasingthoughnotrefinedmanners，asingularlyamiabletemper，andalovingheart，felttowardsFannyastowardsayoungersister。WiththeThralesJohnsonwasdomesticated。HewasanoldfriendofDr。Burney;buthehadprobablytakenlittlenoticeofDr。Burney’sdaughters，andFanny，weimagine，hadneverinherlifedaredtospeaktohim，unlesstoaskwhetherhewantedanineteenthoratwentiethcupoftea。Hewascharmedbyhertale，andpreferredittothenovelsofFielding，towhom，indeed，hehadalwaysbeengrosslyunjust。Hedidnot，indeed，carryhispartialitysofarastoplaceEvelinabythesideofClarissaandSirCharlesGrandison;
yethesaidthathislittlefavouritehaddoneenoughtohavemadeevenRichardsonfeeluneasy。WithJohnson’scordialapprobationofthebookwasmingledafondness，halfgallanthalfpaternal，forthewriter;andthisfondnesshisageandcharacterentitledhimtoshowwithoutrestraint。Hebeganbyputtingherhandtohislips。Buthesoonclaspedherinhishugearms，andimploredhertobeagoodgirl。Shewashispet，hisdearlove，hisdearlittleBurney，hislittlecharacter—monger。Atonetime，hebrokeforthinpraiseofthegoodtasteofhercaps。AtanothertimeheinsistedonteachingherLatin。That，withallhiscoarsenessandirritability，hewasamanofsterlingbenevolence，haslongbeenacknowledged。Buthowgentleandendearinghisdeportmentcouldbe，wasnotknowntilltheRecollectionsofMadameD’Arblaywerepublished。