Such were the exertions of Dr. Burney, such the concurrent occupations
of the happy new recluse, when suddenly a whirlwind encompassed the
cottage of the latter, that involved its tenants in tremulous disorder.
It was raised by the taking of Toulon, just mentioned in the letter of
Mr. Burke; and began its workings upon the female hermit on the evening
of a day which had brightly dawned upon her, in bringing the junction
of the suffrage of her father upon her pamphlet to that of her life’s
partner.
Her own account of this shock, written to Dr. Burney, will here be
inserted, because it was preserved by the Doctor as characteristic of
the principles and conduct of his new son-in-law.
“_Bookham, 1794._
“TO DR. BURNEY.
“When I received the last letter of my dearest father,
and for some hours after, I was the happiest of human
beings; I make no exception. I think none possible. Not
a wish remained for me—not a thought of forming one!
“This was just the period—is it not always so?—for a
stroke of sorrow to reverse the whole scene! That very
evening, M. d’Arblay communicated to me his desire of
re-entering the army, and—of going to Toulon!
“He had intended, upon our marriage, to retire wholly
from public life. His services and his sufferings, in his
severe military career,—repaid by exile and confiscation,
and for ever embittered to his memory by the murder of
his sovereign, had fulfilled, though not satisfied, the
claims of his conscience and his honour, and led him,
without a single self-reproach, to seek a quiet retreat
in domestic society: but—the second declaration of Lord
Hood no sooner reached this obscure little dwelling;
no sooner had he read the words Louis XVII. and the
Constitution, to which he had sworn, united, than his
military ardour re-kindled, his loyalty was all up in
arms, and every sense of monarchical patriotism now
carries him back to war and public service.
“I dare not speak of myself!—except to say that I have
forborne to distress him by a single solicitation. All
the felicity of that our own chosen and loved retirement,
would effectually be annulled, by the smallest suspicion
that it was enjoyed at the expense of any public duty.
“He is now writing an offer for entering as a volunteer
into the army destined for Toulon; together with a list
of his past services up to his becoming Commandant of
Longwy; and the dates of his various promotions to the
last recorded of Marechal de Camp, which was yet unsigned
and unsealed, when the captivity of Louis XVI. forced the
emigration which brought M. d’Arblay to England.
“This memorial he addresses and means to convey in person
to Mr. Pitt.”
* * * * *
To Dr. Burney, with all his consideration for his daughter, this
enterprise appeared not to be inauspicious; and its spirit and loyalty
warmly endeared to him his new relative: who could not, however, give
proof of the noble verity of his sentiments and intentions, till many
years later; for before the answer of Mr. Pitt to the memorial could be
returned, the attempt upon Toulon proved abortive.
1794.
The Doctor continued in his benevolent post of private Secretary to
the charitable ladies of the Emigrant Clergy Contribution, so long as
the Committee lasted; though with so expert a distribution of time,
that his new office robbed him not of the pleasure to yet enlarge the
elegance of his literary circles, by being initiated into the Blue
parties of Lady Lucan, supported by her accomplished daughter, Lady
Spencer.