(1789-90.)
MR. FAIRLY'S'MARRIAGE: THE HASTINGS TRIAL,
RUMOURS OF MR. FAIRLY'S IMPENDING MARRIAGE.
Colonel Gwynn told us, at tea-time, of the wonderful
recovery of Colonel Goldsworthy, who has had an almost desperate
illness; and then added that he had dined the preceding day with
him, and met Mr. Fairly, who was coming to Windsor, and all
prepared, when he was suddenly stopped, on the very preceding
evening, by a fresh attack of the gout.
I heard this with much concern, and made many inquiries, which
were presently interrupted by an exclamation of Major Garth, who
was now in waiting: "The gout?" he cried: "nay, then, it is time
he should get a nurse; and, indeed, I hear he has one in view."
Colonel Gwynn instantly turned short, with a very significant
smile of triumph, towards me, that seemed to confirm this
assertion, while it exulted in his own prediction at Cheltenham.
The following morning, while I was alone with my royal mistress,
she mentioned Mr. Fairly for the first time since we left
Weymouth. It was to express much displeasure against him: e had
misled Lord Aylesbury about the ensuing Drawing-room, by
affirming there would be none this month. After saying how wrong
this was, and hearing me venture to answer I could not doubt but
he must have had some reason, which, if known, might account for
his mistake, she suddenly, and with some severity of accent,
said, "He will not come
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here! For some reason or other he does not choose it! He cannot
bear to come!"
How was I amazed! and silenced pretty effectually
She then added, "He has set his head against coming. I know he
has been in town some considerable time, but he has desired it
may not be told here. I know, too, that when he has been met in
the streets, he has called out, 'For heaven's sake, if you are
going to Windsor, do not say you have seen me.'"
Nov. 18.-We were to go to town: but while I was taking my hasty
breakfast Miss Planta flew into the room, eagerly exclaiming,
"Have you heard the news?" I saw, instantly, by her eyes and
manner, what she meant and therefore answered, "I believe so."
"Mr. Fairly is going to be married! I resolved I would tell
you."
I heard the rumour," I replied, "the other day, from Colonel
Gwynn."
"O, it's true!" she cried; "he has written to ask leave; but for
heaven's sake don't say so!"
I gave her my ready promise, for I believed not a syllable of the
matter; but I would not tell her that.
A ROYAL VISIT TO THE THEATRE: JAMMED IN THE CROWD.
We went to town not only for the Drawing-room on the next day,
but also for the play on this Wednesday night,(322) and the party
appointed to sit in the queen's private box, as, on these
occasions, the balcony-box opposite to the royals is called,
dined with Mrs. Schwellenberg,--namely, Mrs. Stainforth, Miss
Planta, Mr. de Luc, and Mr. Thomas Willis,
When we arrived at the playhouse(323) we found the lobby and all
the avenues so crowded, that it was with the utmost difficulty we
forced our way up the stairs. It was the first appearance of the
good king at the theatre since his illness.
When we got up stairs, we were stopped effectually: there was not
room for a fly ; and though our box was not only taken and kept,
but partitioned off, to get to it was wholly impracticable.
Mr. Willis and Miss Planta protested they would go down
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again, and remonstrate with Mr. Harris, the manager; and I must
own the scene that followed was not unentertaining. Mrs.
Stainforth and myself were fast fixed in an angle at the corner
of the stairs, and Mr. de Luc stood in the midst of the crowd,
where he began offering so many grave arguments, with such
deliberation and precision, every now and then going back in his
reasoning to correct his own English, representing our right to
proceed, and the wrong of not making way for us, that it was
irresistibly comic to see the people stare, as they pushed On,
and to see his unconscious content in their passing him, so long
as he completed his expostulations on their indecorum.
Meanwhile, poor Mrs. Stainforth lost her cloak, and in her loud
lamentations, and calls upon all present to witness her distress
(to which, for enhancing its importance, she continually added,
"Whoever has found it should bring it to the Queen's house"), she
occupied the attention of all upon the stairs as completely as it
was occupied by Mr. de Luc for all in 'the passages : but, alas!
neither the philosophic harangue of the one, nor the royal
dignity of the other, prevailed; and while there we stood,
expecting an avenue to be formed, either for our eloquence or our
consequence, not an inch of ground did we gain, and those who had
neither made their way, and got on in multitudes.
Offended, at length, as well as tired, Mrs. Stainforth proposed
our going down, and waiting in the lobby, till Mr. Harris
arrived. Here we were joined by a gentleman, whose manner of
fixing me showed a half-recollection of my face, which I
precisely returned him, without being able to recollect where I
had seen him before. He spoke to Mrs. Stainforth, who answered
as if she knew him, and then he came to me and offered to assist
in getting me to my box. I told him the manager had already been
sent to. He did not, however, go off, but entered into
conversation upon the crowd, play, etc., with the ease of an old
acquaintance. I took the first opportunity to inquire of Mrs.
Stainforth who he was, and heard--Lord Mountmorres, whom you may
remember I met with at the theatre at Cheltenham.
What, however, was ridiculous though was, that, after a
considerable length of time, he asked me who Mrs. Stainforth was,
and I afterwards heard he had made the same inquiry of herself
about me! The difference of a dressed and undressed head had
occasioned, I suppose, the doubt. The moment,
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however, he had completely satisfied himself in this, he fairly
joined me, as if he had naturally belonged to our party. And it
turned out very acceptable, for we were involved in all such sort
of difficulties as our philosopher was the least adapted to
remove.
We now went about, in and out, up and down, but without any power
to make way, the crowd every instant thickening. We then were
fain to return to our quiet post, behind the side-boxes in the
lobby, where we remained till the arrival of the king, and then
were somewhat recompensed for missing the sight of his entrance,
by hearing the sound of his reception: for so violent an huzzaing
commenced, such thundering clapping, knocking with sticks, and
shouting, and so universal a chorus of "God save the king," that
not all the inconveniences of my situation could keep my heart
from beating with joy, nor my eyes from running over with
gratitude for its occasion.
Lord Mountmorres, who joined in the stick part of the general
plaudit, exclaimed frequently, "What popularity is this! how fine
to a man's feelings! yet he Must find it embarrassing." Indeed I
should suppose he could with difficulty bear it, 'Twas almost
adoration! How much I lament that I lost the sight of his benign
countenance, during such glorious moments as the most favoured
monarchs can scarce enjoy twice in the longest life!
Miss Planta and Mr. Willis now returned: they had had no success;
Mr. Harris said they might as well stem the tide of the ocean as
oppose or rule such a crowd. The play now began ; and Lord
Mountmorres went away to reconnoitre, but, presently returning,
said, "If you will trust yourselves with me I will show you your
chance." And then he conducted me to the foot of the stairs
leading to our box, which exhibited such a mass of living
creatures, that the insects of an ant-hill could scarce be more
compact.
We were passed by Lord Stopford, Captain Douglas, and some other
of our acquaintance, who told us of similar distresses; and in
this manner passed the first act! The boxkeeper came and told
Lord Mountmorres he could now give his lordship one seat: but the
humours of the lobby he now preferred, and refused the place:
though I repeatedly begged that we might not detain him. But he
was determined to see us safe landed before he left us.
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Mr. Harris now came again, and proposed taking us another way, to
try to get up some back-stairs. We then went behind the scenes
for this purpose : but here Mr. Harris was called away, and we
were left upon the stage. Lord Mountmorres led me to various
peep-holes, where I could at least have the satisfaction of
seeing the king and royal family, as well as the people, and the
whole was a sight most grateful to my eyes.
So civil, however, and so attentive he was, that a new perplexity
now occurred to me : he had given up his place, and had taken so
much trouble, that I thought, if we at last got to our box, he
would certainly expect to be accommodated. in it. And to take
any one, without previous permission, into the queen's private
box, and immediately facing their majesties, was a liberty I knew
not how to risk ; and, in truth, I knew not enough of his present
politics to be at all sure if they might not be even peculiarly
obnoxious. This consideration, therefore, began now so much to
reconcile me to this emigrant evening, that I ceased even to wish
for recovering our box.
IN THE MANAGER's Box.
When Mr. Harris came back, he said he had nothing to propose but
his own box, which was readily accepted. To this our access was
easy, as it was over the king and queen, and consequently not
desirable to those who came to see them. I too now preferred it,
as it was out of their sight, and enabled me to tell Lord
Mountmorres, who led me to it through the crowd with unceasing
trouble and attention, that till he could get better accommodated
a place was at his service.
He closed instantly with the offer, placing himself behind me ;
but said he saw some of his relations in the opposite stage-box,
Lady Mornington and her beautiful daughter Lady Ann Wellesley,
and, as soon as the act was over, he would go down and persuade
them to make room for him.
I was shocked, however, after all this, to hear him own himself
glad to sit down, as he was still rather lame, from a dreadful
overturn in a carriage, in which his leg had been nearly crushed
by being caught within the coach-door, which beat down upon it,
and almost demolished it.
This anecdote, however, led to another more pleasant; for it
brought on a conversation which showed me his present principles,
at least, were all on the government side. The accident had
happened during a Journey to Chester, in his way to
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Ireland, whither he was hastening upon the Regency business, last
winter: and he went to the Irish House of Peers the first time he
quitted his room, after a confinement of three weeks from this
terrible bruise.
"But how," cried I, "could you stand?"
"I did not stand," he answered; "they indulged me with leave to
speak sitting."
"What a useful opening, then, my lord," cried I, "did you lose
for every new paragraph!" I meant, the cant of "Now I am upon my
legs." He understood it instantly, and laughed heartily,
protesting it was no small detriment to his oratory.
The play was the "Dramatist,"(324) written with that species of
humour in caricature that resembles O'Keefe's performances; full
of absurdities, yet laughable in the extreme. We heard very ill,
and, missing the beginning, we understood still worse: so that,
in fact, I was indebted to my new associate for all the
entertainment I received the whole evening.
When the act was over, the place on which he had cast his eye,
near Lady Mornington, was seized; he laughed, put down his hat,
and composed himself quietly for remaining where he was. He must
be a man of a singular character, though of what sort I know not:
but in his conversation he showed much information, and a
spirited desire of interchanging ideas with those who came in his
way.
We talked a great deal of France, and he related to me a variety
of anecdotes just fresh imported thence. He was there at the
first assembling of the Notables, and he saw, he said impending
great events from that assemblage. The two most remarkable
things that had struck him, he told me, in this wonderful
revolution, were--first, that the French guards should ever give
up their king; and secondly, that the chief spirit and capacity
hither-to shown amongst individuals had come from the
ecclesiastics.
He is very much of the opinion the spirit of the times will come
round to this island. In what, I asked, could be its pretence?--
The game-laws, he answered, and the tithes. He told me, also, a
great deal of Ireland, and enlarged my political knowledge
abundantly,--but I shall not be so generous, my dear friends, as
to let you into all these state matters.
But I must tell you a good sort of quirk of Mr. Wilkes, who,
when the power of the mob and their cruelty were first reciting,
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quarrelled with a gentleman for saying the French government was
become a democracy and asserted it was rather a mobocracy. The
pit, he said, reminded him of a sight he once saw in Westminster
Hall,--a floor of faces.
He was a candidate for Westminster at that time, with Charles
Fox!--thus do we veer about.
At the end of the farce, "God save the king" was most
vociferously called for from all parts of the theatre, and all
the singers of the theatre came on the stage to sing it, joined
by the whole audience, who kept it up till the sovereign of his
people's hearts left the house. It was noble and heart-melting
at once to hear and see such loyal rapture, and to feel and know
it so deserved.
MR. FAIRLY'S MARRIAGE IMMINENT.
NOV. 20.-Some business sent me to speak with Miss Planta before
our journey back to Windsor. When it was executed and I was
coming away, she called out, "O! propos--it's all declared, and
the princesses wished Miss Fuzilier joy yesterday in the
Drawing-room. She looked remarkably well ; but said Mr. Fairly
had still a little gout, and could not appear."
Now first my belief followed assertion;--but it was only because
it was inevitable, since the princesses could not have proceeded
so far without certainty. . . . . .
We returned to Windsor as usual, and there I was, just as usual,
obliged to finish every evening with picquet !--and to pass all
and every afternoon, from dinner to midnight, in picquet company.
Nov. 28.-The queen, after a very long airing, came * in to dress,
and summoned me immediately; and in two minutes the princess
royal entered, and said something in German, and then added, "And
Mr. Fairly, ma'am, begs he may see you a moment, now, if
possible."
This is his first coming to the house since her royal highness's
birthday, just two months ago.
"I am very sorry," was answered coolly, "but I am going to
dress."
"He won't keep you a moment, mamma, only he wants to get on to
St. Leonards to dinner,"
Miss Fuzilier is now there."
"Well, then," she answered, "I'll slip on my powdering-gown, and
see him."
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I found, however, they had already met, probably in the
passage, for the queen added, "How melancholy he looks, does not
he, princess royal?"
"Yes, indeed, mamma!"--They then again talked ' German.
The princess then went to call him ; and I hastened into the next
room, with some caps just then inspecting.
Mr. Turbulent again dined with us, and said, "I find Mr. Fairly
is here to-day? when is he to be married?"
Mrs. Schwellenberg reproved him for talking of "soch things:" she
holds it petty treason to speak of it, as they are both in office
about the Court; though she confessed it would be in a fortnight.
At tea, when the gentlemen--General Budé, Majors Price and Garth,
and Mr. Willis--appeared, she said, "Where be Mr. Fairly?" They
all exclaimed, "Is he here?"
"O, certain, if he ben't gone!"
I then said he had gone on to St. Leonards.
They all expressed the utmost surprise that he should come, and
go, and see none of them.
When they retired, Mrs. Schwellenberg exclaimed, "For what not
stay one night? For what not go to the gentlemen? It looks like
when he been ashamed.--O fie! I don't not like soch ting. And
for what always say contrarie?--always say to everybody he won't
not have her!--There might be something wrong in all that--it
looks not well."
I saw a strong desire to have me enter into the merits of the
case; but I constantly answer to these exclamations, that these
sort of situations are regarded in the world as licensing denials
first, and truancy from all others afterwards.
COURT DUTIES DISCUSSED.
December.-Let me now, to enliven you a little, introduce to you a
new acquaintance, self-made, that I meet at the chapel, and who
always sits next me when there is room,-- Mrs. J--, wife to the
Bishop of K--: and before the service begins, she enters into
small talk, with a pretty tolerable degree of frankness, not much
repressed by scruples of delicacy.
Take a specimen. She opened, the other morning, upon my
situation and occupation, and made the most plump inquiries into
its particulars, with a sort of hearty good humour
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that removed all impertinence, whatever it left of inelegance and
then began her comments.
"Well; the queen, to be sure, is a great deal better dressed than
she used to be; but for all that, I really think it is but an odd
thing for you!--Dear! I think it's something so out of the way
for you!--I can't think how you set about it. It must have been
very droll to you at first. A great deal of honour, to be sure,
to serve a queen, and all that: but I dare say a lady's-maid
could do it better,--though to be called about a queen, as I say,
is a great deal of honour: but, for my part, I should not like
it; because to be always obliged to go to a person, whether one
was in the humour or not, and to get up in a morning, if one was
never so sleepy!--dear! it must be a mighty hurry-skurry life!
you don't look at all fit for it, to judge by appearances, for
all its great honour, and all that."
Is not this a fit bishop's wife? is not here primitive candour
and veracity? I laughed most heartily,--and we have now commenced
acquaintance for these occasional meetings.
If this honest dame does not think me fit for this part of my
business, there is another person, Mlle. Montmoulin, who, with
equal simplicity, expresses her idea of my unfitness for another
part.-- How you bear it," she cries, "living with Mrs.
Schwellenberg!--I like it better living in prison!--'pon
m'honneur, I prefer it bread and water; I think her so cross
never was. If I you, I won't bear it--poor Miss Burney!--I so
sorry!--'pon m'honneur, I think to you oftens!--you so confined,
you won't have no pleasures!--"
Miss Gomme, less plaintive, but more solemn, declared the other
day, "I am sure you must go to heaven for living this
life!"---So, at least, you see, though in a court, I am not an
object of envy.
MR. FAIRLY'S STRANGE WEDDING.
January, 1790.-Mr. Fairly was married the 6th--I must wish
happiness to smile on that day, and all its anniversaries, it
gave a happiness to me unequalled, for it was the birthday of my
Susanna!
One evening, about this time, Mr. Fisher, now Doctor, drank tea
with us at Windsor, and gave me an account of Mr. Fairly's
marriage that much amazed me. He had been called upon to perform
the ceremony. It was by special licence, and at the house of Sir
R- G-.(325) @
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So religious, so strict in all ceremonies, even, of religion, as
he always appeared, his marrying out of a church was to me very
unexpected. Dr. Fisher was himself surprised, when called upon,
and said he supposed it must be to please the lady.
Nothing, he owned, could be less formal or solemn than the whole.
Lady C., Mrs. and Miss S., and her father and brother and sister,
were present. They all dined together at the usual hour,'and
then the ladies, as usual, retired. Some time after, the clerk
was sent for, and then, with the gentlemen, joined the ladies,
who were in the drawing-room, seated on sofas, just as at any
other time, Dr. Fisher says he is not sure they were working, but
the air of common employment was such, that he rather thinks it,
and everything of that sort was spread about as on any common
day--workboxes, netting-cases, etc. Mr. Fairly then asked Dr.
Fisher what they were to do? He answered, he could not tell; for
he had never married anybody in a room before.
Upon this, they agreed to move a table to the upper end of the
room, the ladies still sitting quietly, and then Put on it
candles and a prayer-book. Dr. Fisher says he hopes it was not a
card-table, and rather believes it was only a Pembroke
work-table. The lady and Sir R. then came forward, and Dr.
Fisher read the service.
So this, methinks, seems the way to make all things easy!
Yet--with so little solemnity-without even a room prepared and
empty--to go through a business of such portentous seriousness!--
'Tis truly amazing from a man who seemed to delight so much in
religious regulations and observances. Dr. Fisher himself was
dissatisfied, and wondered at his compliance, though he
attributed the plan to the lady.
The bride behaved extremely well, he said, and was all smile and
complacency. He had never seen her to such advantage, or in such
soft looks, before; and perfectly serene, though her sister was
so much moved as to go into hysterics.
Afterwards, at seven o'clock, the bride and bride-groom set off
for a friend's house in Hertfordshire by themselves, attended by
servants with white favours. The rest of the party, father,
sister, and priest included, went to the play, which happened to
be Benedict.
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A VISIT FROM THE BRIDE.
I shall say nothing of the queen's birthday, but that I had a
most beautiful trimming worked me for it by Miss Cambridge, who
half fatigued herself to death, for the kind pleasure that I
should have my decorations from her hands. If in some points my
lot has been unenviable, what a constant solace, what sweet and
soft amends, do I find and feel in the almost unexampled union of
kindness and excellence in my chosen friends!
The day after the birthday produced a curious scene. To soften
off, by the air, a violent headache, I determined upon walking to
Chelsea to see my dear father. I knew I should thus avoid
numerous visitors of the household, who might pay their devoirs
to Mrs. Schwellenberg.
I missed my errand, and speedily returned, and found many cards
from bed-chamber women and maids of honour; and, while still
reading them, I was honoured with a call from the Bishop of
Salisbury; and in two minutes my dear father came himself.
A pleasant conversation was commencing, when Columb opened the
door, and said, "Colonel Fairly begs leave to ask you how you
do." He had been married but a week before he came into the
midst of all the Court bustle, which he had regularly attended
ever since!
It was a good while before the door opened again - and I heard a
buzz of voices in the passage: but when it was thrown open, there
appeared--the bride herself--and alone! She looked quite
brilliant in smiles and spirits. I never saw a countenance so
enlivened. I really believe she has long cherished a passionate
regard for Mr. Fairly, and brightens now from its prosperity.
I received her with all' the attention in my power, immediately
wishing her joy: she accepted it with a thousand dimples, and I
seated her on the sofa, and myself by her side. Nobody followed;
and I left the bishop to my father, while we entered into
conversation, upon the birthday, her new situation in being
exempt from its fatigues, and other matters of the time being.
I apologised to Mrs. Fairly for my inability to return the honour
of her visit, but readily undertook to inform her majesty of her
inquiries, which she earnestly begged from me,
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RENEWAL OF THE HASTINGS TRIAL:
A POETICAL IMPROMPTU.
Feb. 16-Mr. Hastings's trial re-commenced; and her majesty
graciously presented me with tickets for Mr. Francis, Charlotte,
and myself. She acknowledged a very great curiosity to know
whether my old friends amongst the managers would renew their
intercourse with a Court friend, or include me in the distaste
conceived against herself, and drop their visits. I had not once
been to the trial the preceding year, nor seen any of the set
since the king's illness.
We were there hours before they entered, all spent in a harmony
of converse and communication I never for three hours following
can have elsewhere: no summons impending--no fear of accidental
delay drawing off attention to official solicitude.
At the stated time they entered in the usual form, Mr. Burke
first. I felt so grieved a resentment of his late conduct,(326)
that I was glad to turn away from his countenance. I looked
elsewhere during the whole procession, and their subsequent
arrangement, that I might leave totally to themselves and their
consciences whether to notice a friend from Court or not. Their
consciences said not. No one came; I only heard through
Charlotte that Mr. Windham was of the set.
Mr. Anstruther spoke, and all others took gentle naps! I don't
believe he found it out. When all was concluded, I saw one of
them ascending towards our seats : and presently heard the voice
of Mr. Burke.
I wished myself many miles off! 'tis so painful to see with utter
disapprobation those faces we have met, with joy and pleasure! He
came to speak to some relations of Mr. Anstruther. I was next
them, and, when recovered from my first repugnance, I thought it
better to turn round, not to seem leading the way myself to any
breach. I met his eyes immediately, and curtsied. He only said,
"O! is it you?" then asked how I did, said something in praise
of Mr. Anstruther, partly to his friends and partly to me--heard
from me no reply--and hurried away, coldly, and with a look
dissatisfied and uncordial. I was much concerned; and we came
away soon after.
Here is an impromptu, said to have been written by Mr.
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Hastings during Mr. Grey's speech, which was a panegyric on Mr,
Philip Francis:--
"It hurts me not, that Grey,, as Burke's assessor,
Proclaims me Tyrant, Robber, and Oppressor,
Tho' for abuse alone meant:
For when he call'd himself the bosom friend,
The Friend of Philip Francis,--I con'end
He made me full atonement."
I was called upon, on my return, to relate the day's business.
Heavy and lame was the relation - but their majesties were
curious, and nothing better suited truth.
AN ILLBRED EARL OF CHESTERFIELD.
Our tea-party was suddenly enlarged by the entrance of the Lords
Chesterfield, Bulkley, and Fortescue. Lord Chesterfield brought
in the two latter without any ceremony, and never introduced nor
named them, but chatted off with them apart, as if they were in a
room to themselves: and Colonel Wellbred, to whom all gentlemen
here belong, was out of the room ]if search of a curious
snuff-box that he had promised to show to us. Major Price, who
by great chance was seated next me, jumped up as if so many wild
beasts had entered, and escaped to the other side of the room,
and Mr. Willis was only a sharp looker-on.
This was awkward enough for a thing so immaterial, as I could not
even ask them to have any tea, from uncertainty how to address
them; and I believe they were entirely ignorant whither Lord
Chesterfield was bringing them, as they came In only to wait for
a royal summons.
How would that quintessence of high ton, the late Lord
Chesterfield, blush to behold his successor! who, with much share
of humour, and of good humour also, has as little good breeding
as any mail I ever met with.
Take an instance.-Lord Bulkley, who is a handsome man, is
immensely tall; the major, who is middle-sized, was standing by
his chair, in close conference with him--"Why, Bulkley," cried
Lord Chesterfield, "you are just the height sitting that Price is
standing."
Disconcerted a little, they slightly laughed; but Lord Bulkley
rose, and they walked off to a greater distance. Lord
Chesterfield, looking after them, exclaimed, "What a
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walking steeple he is!--why, Bulkley, you ought to cut off your
legs to be on a level with society!"
When they were all summoned away, except Mr. Willis, who has
never that honour but in private, he lifted up his hands and
eyes, and called out, "I shall pity those men when the book comes
out!--I would not be in their skins!"
I understood him perfectly,--and answered, truly, that I was
never affronted more than a minute with those by whom I could
never longer be pleased.
Miss BURNEY IN A NEW CAPACITY.
March 2.- In one of our Windsor excursions at this time, while I
was in her majesty's dressing-room, with only Mr. de Luc present,
she suddenly said, "Prepare yourself, Miss Burney, with all your
spirits, for to-night you must be reader."
She then added that she recollected what she had been told by my
honoured Mrs. Delany, of my reading- Shakspeare to her, and was
desirous that I should read a play to herself and the princesses;
and she had lately heard, from Mrs. Schwellenberg, "nobody could
do it better, when I would."
I assured her majesty it was rather when I could, as any reading
Mrs. Schwellenberg had heard must wholly have been better or
worse according to my spirits, as she had justly seemed to
suggest.
The moment coffee was over the Princess Elizabeth came for me. I
found her majesty knotting, the princess royal drawing, Princess
Augusta spinning, and Lady Courtown I believe in the same
employment, but I saw none of them perfectly well.
"Come, Miss Burney," cried the queen, " how are your spirits?--
How is your voice?" '
"She says, ma'am," cried the kind Princess Elizabeth, "she shall
do her best!"
This had been said in attending her royal highness back. I could
only confirm it, and that cheerfully-to hide fearfully.
I had not the advantage of choosing my play, nor do I know what
would have been my decision had it fallen to my lot. Her
majesty, had just begun Colman's works, and "Polly Honeycomb" was
to open my campaign.
"I think," cried the queen most graciously, "Miss Burney will
read the better for drawing a chair and sitting down,".
Page 348
" yes, mamma! I dare say so!" cried Princess Augusta and Princess
Elizabeth, both in a moment.
The queen then told me to draw my chair close to her side. I
made no scruples. Heaven knows I needed not the addition of
standing! but most glad I felt in being placed thus near, as it
saved a constant painful effort of loud reading.
"Lady Courtown," cried the queen, "you had better draw nearer,
for Miss Burney has the misfortune of reading rather low at
first."
Nothing could be more amiable than this opening. Accordingly, I
did, as I had promised, my best; and, indifferent as that was, it
would rather have surprised you, all things considered, that it
was not yet worse. But I exerted all the courage I possess, and,
having often read to the queen, I felt how much it behoved me not
to let her surmise I had any greater awe to surmount.
It is but a vulgar performance; and I was obliged to omit, as
well as I could at sight, several circumstances very unpleasant
for reading, and ill enough fitted for such hearers. it went off
pretty flat. Nobody is to comment, nobody is to interrupt; and
even between one act and another not a moment's pause is expected
to be made.
I had been already informed of this etiquette by Mr. Turbulent
and Miss Planta; nevertheless, it is not only oppressive to the
reader, but loses to the hearers so much spirit and satisfaction,
that I determined to endeavour, should I again be called upon, to
introduce a little break into this tiresome and unnatural
profundity of respectful solemnity. My own embarrassment,
however, made it agree with me for the present uncommonly well.
Lady Courtown never uttered one single word the whole time; yet
is she one of the most loquacious of our establishment. But such
is the settled etiquette.
The queen has a taste for conversation, and the princesses a
good-humoured love for it, that doubles the regret of such an
annihilation of all nature and all pleasantry. But what will not
prejudice and education inculcate? They have been brought up to
annex silence to respect and decorum: to talk, therefore, unbid,
or to differ from any given opinion even when called upon, are
regarded as high improprieties, if not presumptions.
They none of them do justice to their own minds, while they
enforce this subjection upon the minds of others. I had not
Page 349
experienced it before ; for when reading alone with the queen, or
listening to her reading to me, I have always frankly spoken
almost whatever has occurred to me. But there I had no other
examples before me, and therefore I might inoffensively be guided
by myself; and her majesty's continuance of the same honour has
shown no disapprobation of my proceeding. But here it was not
easy to make any decision for myself: to have done what Lady
Courtown forbore doing would have been undoubtedly a liberty.
So we all behaved alike - and easily can I now conceive the
disappointment and mortification of poor Mr. Garrick when he read
"Lethe" to a royal audience. Its tameness must have tamed even
him, and I doubt not he never acquitted himself so ill.
THE LONG-FORGOTTEN TRAGEDY: MISS BURNEY AGAIN AS READER.
On Easter Sunday, the 4th of April, when I left my beloved Susan
at St. James's, I left with her all spirit for any voluntary
employment, and it occurred to me I could best while away the
leisure allowed me by returning to my long-forgotten tragedy.
This I have done, in those moments as yet given to my journal,
and it is well I had so sad a resource, since any merrier I must
have aimed at in vain.
It was a year and four months since I had looked at or thought of
it. I found nothing but unconnected speeches, and hints, and
ideas, though enough in quantity, perhaps, for a whole play. I
have now begun planning and methodising, and have written three
or four regular scenes. I mention all these particulars of my
progress, in answer to certain queries in the comments of my
Susan and Fredy, both of old date.
Well (for that is my hack, as "however" is my dear Susanna's), we
set off rather late for Windsor,-Mr. de Luc, Miss Planta, and
myself; Mrs. Schwellenberg stayed in town. . . .
I invited my old beau, as her majesty calls Mr. Bryant, to
dinner, and he made me my best day out of the ten days of our
Windsor sojourn. He has insisted upon lending me some more
books, all concerning the most distant parts of the earth, or on
subjects the most abstruse. His singular simplicity in
constantly conceiving that, because to him such books alone are
new, they must have the same recommendation to me, is
Page 350
extremely amusing; and though I do all that is possible to clear
up the distinction, he never remembers it.
The king, for which I was very sorry, did not come Into the room.
He made it but one visit, indeed, during this week. He then
conversed almost wholly with General Grenville upon the affairs
of France; and in a manner so unaffected, open and manly, so
highly superior to all despotic principles, even while most
condemning the unlicensed fury of the Parisian mob, that I wished
all the nations of the world to have heard him, that they might
have known the real existence of a patriot king.
Another reading took place, and much more comfortably; it was to
the queen and princesses, without any lady-in-waiting. The
queen, as before, condescended to order me to sit close to her
side; and as I had no model before me, I scrupled much less to
follow the bent of my own ideas by small occasional comments.
And these were of use both to body and mind; they rested the
lungs from one invariable exertion, as much as they saved the
mind from one strain of attention.
Our play was "The Man of Business," a very good comedy, but too
local for long life. And another of Colman's which I read
afterwards has the same defect. Half the follies and
peculiarities it satirises are wholly at an end and forgotten.
Humour springing from mere dress, or habits, or phraseology, is
quickly obsolete; when it sinks deeper, and dives into character,
it may live for ever.
I dedicated my Wednesday evening to a very comfortable visit to
our dear James, whose very good and deserving wife, and fine
little fat children, with our Esther and her fair Marianne and
Fanny, all cordially conspired to make me happy. We read a good
deal of Captain Bligh's interesting narrative,(327)
Page 351
every word Of which James has taken as much to heart as if it
were his own production.
I go on, occasionally, with my tragedy. It does not much
enliven, but it soothes me.
COLONEL MANNERS IN HIS SENATORIAL CAPACITY.
April 23.--I shall add nothing at present to my Journal but the
summary of a conversation I have had with Colonel Manners, who,
at our last excursion, was here without any other gentleman.
Knowing he likes to be considered as a senator, I thought the
best subject for our discussion would be the House of Commons; I
therefore made sundry political inquiries, so foreign to My Usual
mode, that you would not a little have smiled to have heard them.
I had been informed he had once made an attempt to speak, during
the Regency business, last winter ; I begged to know how the
matter stood, and he made a most frank display of its whole
circumstances. "Why, they were speaking away," he cried, "upon
the Regency, and so,---and they were saying if the king could not
reign, and recover; and Burke was making some of his eloquence,
and talking; and, says he, 'hurled from his throne,'---and so I
put out my finger in this manner, as if I was in a great passion,
for I felt myself very red, and I was in a monstrous passion I
suppose, but I was only going to say 'Hear! Hear!' but I happened
to lean one hand down upon my knee, in this way, just as Mr. Pitt
does when he wants to speak.- and I stooped forward, just as if I
was going to rise up and begin but just then I caught Mr. Pitt's
eye, looking at me so pitifully; he thought I was going to speak,
and he was frightened to death, for he thought--for the thing
was, he got up himself, and he said over all I wanted to say; and
the thing is, he almost always does; for just as I have something
particular to say, Mr. Pitt begins, and goes through it all, so
that he don't leave anything more to be said about it; and so, I
suppose, as he looked at me so pitifully, he thought I should say
it first, or else that I
Page 352
should get into some scrape, because I was so warm and looking so
red."
Any comment would disgrace this; I will therefore only tell you
his opinion, in his own words, of one of our late taxes.
"There's only one tax, ma'am, that ever I voted for against my
conscience, for I've always been very particular about that; but
that is the bacheldor's tax, and that I hold to be very
unconstitutional, and I am very sorry I voted for it, because
it's very unfair; for how can a man help being a bacheldor, if
nobody will have him? and besides, it's not any fault to be taxed
for, because We did not make ourselves bacheldors, for we were
made so by God, for nobody was born married, and so I think it's
a very unconstitutional tax."
A CONVERSATION WITH MR. WINDHAM AT THE HASTINGS TRIAL.
April 27.-I had the happiness of my dearest Fredy's society in
Westminster Hall--if happiness and that place may be named
together.
The day was mixed: Evidence and Mr. Anstruther weighing it down,
and Mr. Burke speaking from time to time, and lighting it up. O,
were his purpose worthy his talents, what an effect would his
oratory produce! I always hear him with so much concern, I can
scarce rejoice even in being kept awake by him.
The day was nearly passed, and I was eating a biscuit to prevent
an absolute doze while Mr. Anstruther was talking, when, raising
myself from a listening bend, I turned to the left, and perceived
Mr. Windham, who had quietly placed himself by my side without
speaking.
My surprise was so great, and so totally had I given up all idea
of renewing our conferences, that I could scarce refrain
expressing it. Probably it was visible enough, for he said, as
if apologising for coming up, that so to do was the only regale
their toils allowed them. He then regretted that it was a stupid
day, and, with all his old civility about me and my time,
declared he was always sorry to see me there when nothing worth
attention was going forward.
This soon brought us round to our former intimacy of converse ;
and, the moment I was able, I ventured at my usual inquiry about
his own speaking, and if it would soon take place.
Page 353
"No," he answered, with a look of great pleasure, "I shall now
not speak at all.--I have cleared myself from that task, and
never with such satisfaction did I get rid of any!"
Amazed, yet internally glad, I hazarded some further inquiry into
the reason of this change of plan.
They were drawing, he said, to a conclusion, and the particular
charge which he had engaged himself to open was
relinquished.(328) "I have therefore," he cried, "washed my
hands of making a speech, yet satisfied my conscience, my honour,
my promises, and my intentions; for I have declined undertaking
anything new, and no claim therefore remains upon me."
"Well," quoth I, "I am at a loss whether to be glad or sorry."
He comprehended instantly,--glad for Mr. Hastings, or sorry for
not hearing him. He laughed, but said something a little
reproachful, upon my continued interest for that gentleman. I
would not pretend it was diminished; I determined he should find
me as frank as heretofore, and abscond, or abide, as his nerves
stood the firmness.
"You are never, then" (I said afterwards), "to speak here?"
"Once," he answered, "I said a few words--"
"O when?" I cried; "I am very sorry I did not know it, and hear
you,--as you did speak!"
"O," cried he, laughing, "I do not fear this flattery now, as I
shall speak no more."
"But what," cried I, "was the occasion that drew you forth?"
"Nothing very material but I saw Burke run hard, and I wished to
help him."
"That was just," cried I, "what I should have expected from you--
and just what I have not been able not to honour, on some other
occasions, even where I have most blamed the matter that has
drawn forth the assistance."
This was going pretty far:--he could not but instantly feel I
meant the Regency discussions. He neither made me any answer,
nor turned his head, even obliquely, my way.
I was not sorry, however. 'Tis always best to be sincere.
Finding him quite silent, to soften matters as well as I could
with honesty, I began an éloge of Mr. Burke, both warm and true,
as far as regards his wonderful abilities. But he soon
Page 354
distinguished the rigorous precision with which, Involuntarily, I
praised the powers without adverting to their Use.
Suddenly then, and with a look of extreme keenness, he turned his
eyes upon me, and exclaimed, "Yes,--and he has very highly, also
the faculty of being right!" I would the friendship that
dictated this assertion were as unwarped as it is animated.
I could not help saying rather faintly, "Has he?"
Not faintly he answered, "He has!--but not the world alone, even
his friends, are apt to misjudge him. What he enters upon,
however with earnestness, YOU will commonly find turn out as he
represents it."
His genius, his mental faculties, and the natural goodness of his
heart, I then praised as warmly as Mr. Windham could have praised
them himself; but the subject ran me aground a second time, as,
quite undesignedly, I concluded my panegyric with declaring that
I found it impossible not to admire,--nay, love him, through all
his wrong. Ending another total silence and averted head, I
started something more general upon the trial.
His openness then returned, with all its customary vivacity, and
he expressed himself extremely irritated upon various matters
which had been carried against the managers by the judges.
"But, Mr. Windham!" exclaimed I, "the judges!--is it possible you
can enter into such a notion as to suppose Mr. Hastings capable
of bribing them?"
"O, for capable," cried he, "I don't know--"
"Well, leave that word out, and suppose him even willing--can you
imagine all the judges and all the lords--for they must concur--
disposed to be bribed?"
"No; but I see them all determined to acquit Mr. Hastings."
"Determined?--nay, that indeed is doing him very little honour."
"O, for honour!--if he is acquitted--" He stopped,--as if that
were sufficient.
I ventured to ask why the judges and the lords-should make such a
determination.
"From the general knavery and villainy of mankind." was his hard
answer, "which always wishes to abet successful guilt."
"Well!" cried I, shaking my head, "you have not,
Page 355
relinquished your speech from having nothing to say. But I am
glad you have relinquished it, for I have always been most afraid
of you ; and the reason is, those who know how to hold back will
not for nothing come forward. There is one down there, who, if
he knew how ever to hold back, would be great indeed!"
He could not deny this, but would not affirm it. Poor Mr.
Burke!--so near to being wholly right, while yet wholly wrong!
When Mr. Burke mounted the rostrum, Mr. Windham stopped short,
saying, "I won't interrupt you-" and, in a moment, glided back to
the managers' box; where he stood behind Mr. Burke, evidently at
hand to assist in any difficulty. His affection for him seems to
amount to fondness. This is not for me to wonder at. Who was so
captivated as myself by that extraordinary man, till he would no
longer suffer me to reverence the talents I must still ever
admire?
A GLIMPSE OF MRS. PIOZZI.
Sunday, May 2.-This morning, in my way to church, just as I
arrived at the iron gate of our courtyard, a well-known voice
called out, "Ah, there's Miss Burney!"
I started, and looked round--and saw--Mrs. Piozzi! I hastened up
to her; she met my held-out hand with both hers: Mr. Piozzi an
Cecilia(329) were with her--all smiling and good-humoured.
"You are going," she cried, "to church?--so, am I. I must run
first to the inn: I suppose one--may sit--anywhere one pleases?"
"Yes," I cried, "but you must be quick, or you will sit nowhere,
there will be such a throng." This was all;--she hurried on,--so
did I.
I received exceeding great satisfaction in this little and
unexpected meeting. She had been upon the Terrace, and was going
to change her hat, and haste on both sides prevented awkwardness
on either.
Yet I saw she had taken in good part my concluding hand-
presentation at my dear Mr. Locke's:(330) she met me no more
356
with that fiert`e of defiance: it was not-nor can it ever be with
her old cordiality, but it was with some degree of pleasure, and
that species of readiness which evinces a consciousness of
meeting with a good reception.
CAPTAIN BURNEY WANTS A SHIP AND TO GO TO COURT.
May 6.-This being the last Pantheon, I put in my long intended
claim; and it was greatly facilitated by the circumstance of a
new singer, Madame Benda, making her first appearance. My
dearest father fetched me from the Queen's house. Esther and
Marianne kept me places between them. Marianne never looked so
pretty; I saw not a face there I thought equally lovely. And,
oh, how Pacchierotti sung!--How -with what exquisite feeling,
what penetrating pathos! I could almost have cried the whole
time, that this one short song was all I should be able to hear !
At the beginning of the second act I was obliged to decamp.
James, who had just found me out, was my esquire. "Well," he
cried, in our way to the chair, "will there be war with Spain?"
I assured him I thought not.
"So I am afraid!" answered the true English tar. " "However, if
there is, I should be glad of a frigate of thirty-two guns. Now,
if you ask for it, don't say a frigate, and get me one of
twenty-eight!"
Good heaven!--poor innocent James!--
And just as I reached the chair--"But how shall you feel," he
cried, "when I ask you to desire a guard-ship for me, in about
two years' time?"
I could make no precise answer to that! He then added that he
intended coming to Court! Very much frightened, I besought him
first to come and drink tea with me--which he promised.
In my way home, as I went ruminating upon this apparently but
just, though really impracticable demand, I weighed well certain
thoughts long revolving, and of late nearly bursting forth and
the result was this--to try all, while yet there is time.
Reproach else may aver, when too late, greater courage Would
have had greater success. This idea settled my resolutions, and
they all bent to one point, risking all risks.
Page 357
May 10.-This evening, by appointment came our good James and his
wife, and soon afterwards, to my great pleasure, Captain Phillips
joined us. I take it, therefore, for granted, he will have told
all that passed in the business way. I was very anxious to
gather more intelligibly the wishes and requests of poor James,
and to put a stop to his coming to Court without taking such
previous steps as are customary. I prevailed, and promised, in
return, to make known his pretensions.
You may believe, my dear friends, this promise was the result of
the same wish of experiment, and sense of claim upon me of my
family to make it while I may, that I have mentioned. I did--
this very evening. I did it gaily, and in relating such
anecdotes as were amusingly characteristic of a sailor's honest
but singular notions of things: yet I have done it completely;
his wishes and his claims are now laid open--Heaven knows to what
effect! The Court scheme I have also told; and my royal mistress
very graciously informed me, that if presented by some superior
officer there could be no objection; but otherwise, unless he had
some promotion, it was not quite usual.
CAPTAIN BURNEY AND MR. WINDHAM.
May 11.-This morning my royal mistress had previously arranged
for me that I should go to the trial, and had given me a ticket
for my little Sarah(331) to accompany me; and late last night, I
believe after twelve o'clock, she most graciously gave me another
for James. just at this time she could not more have gratified
me than by a condescension to my dear brother. Poor Columb was
sent with the intelligence, and directions for our meeting at
seven o'clock this morning, to Norton-street.
Sarah came early; but James was so late we were obliged to leave
word for him to follow us. He did,--two hours afterwards! by way
of being our esquire; and then told me he knew it would be in
good time, and so he had stopped to breakfast at Sir Joseph
Banks's. I suppose the truth is, it saved him a fresh puff of
powder for some other day.
We talked over all affairs, naval and national, very comfortably.
The trial is my only place for long dialogues! I gave him a new
and earnest charge that he would not speak home concerning the
prosecution to Mr. Winndham, should he join
358
us. He made me a less reluctant promise than heretofore, for
when last with Charlotte at Aylsham he had frequently visited Mr.
Windham, and had several battles at draughts or backgammon with
him; and there is no Such good security against giving offence as
seeing ourselves that our opponents are worth pleasing. Here,
too, as I told James, however we might think all the managers in
the wrong, they were at least open enemies, and acting a public
part, and therefore they must fight it Out, as he would do with
the Spaniards, if, after all negotiation, they came to battle.
He allowed this; and promised to leave him to the attacks of the
little privateer, without falling foul of him with a broadside.
Soon after the trial began Mr. Windham came up to us, and after a
few minutes' chat with me addressed himself to James about the
approaching war. "Are you preparing," he cried, "for a
campaign?"
"Not such one," cried James, "as we had last summer at Aylsham!"
"But what officers you are!" he cried, "you men of Captain Cook;
you rise upon us in every trial! This Captain Bligh,--what
feats, what wonders he has performed! What difficulties got
through! What dangers defied! And with such cool, manly skill!"
They talked the narrative over as far as Mr. Windham had in
Manuscript seen its sketch; but as I had not read it, I could not
enter into its detail.
MR. WINDHAM SPEAKS ON A LEGAL POINT.
Mr. Windham took his seat by my elbow, and renewed one of his old
style of conversations about the trial ; each of us firmly
maintaining our original ground. I believe he has now
relinquished his expectation of making me a convert. He
surprised me soon by saying, "I begin to fear, after all, that
what you have been talking about to me will come to pass."
I found he meant his own speaking upon a new charge, which, when
I last saw him, he exultingly told me was given up. He explained
the apparent inconsistency by telling me that some new change of
plan had taken place, and that Mr. Burke was extremely urgent
with him to open the next charge: "And I cannot," he cried
emphatically, "leave Burke in the lurch!" I both believed and
applauded him so far; but why
)Page 59
are either of them engaged in a prosecution so uncoloured by
necessity?
One chance he had still of escaping this tremendous task, he told
me, which was that it might devolve upon Grey but Burke, he did
not disavow, wished it to be himself. "However," he laughingly
added, "I think we may toss up In that case, how I wish he may
lose! not only from believing him the abler enemy, but to reserve
his name from amongst the active list in such a cause.
He bewailed,---with an arch look that showed his consciousness I
should like the lamentation,--that he was now all unprepared,--
all fresh to begin in documents and materials, the charge being
wholly new and unexpected, and that which he had considered
relinquished.
"I am glad, however," cried I, "your original charge is given up;
for I well remember what you said of it."
"I might be flattered," cried he, "and enough, that you should
remember anything I say--did I not know it was only for the sake
of its subject,"--looking down upon Mr. Hastings.
I could not possibly deny this but added that I recollected he
had acknowledged his charge was to prove Mr. Hastings mean,
pitiful, little, and fraudulent."
The trial this day consisted almost wholly in dispute upon
evidence - the managers offered such as the counsel held
improper, and the judges and lords at last adjourned to debate
the matter in their own chamber. Mr. Burke made a very fine
speech upon the rights of the prosecutor to bring forward his
accusation, for the benefit of justice, in such mode as appeared
most consonant to his own reason and the nature of things,
according to their varying appearances as fresh and fresh matter
Occurred.
The counsel justly alleged the hardship to the client, if thus
liable to new allegations and suggestions, for which he came
unprepared, from a reliance that those publicly given were all
against which he need arm himself, and that, if those were
disproved, he was cleared; while the desultory and shifting
charges of the managers put him out in every method of defence,
by making it impossible to him to discern where he might be
attacked.
In the course of this debate I observed Mr. Windham so agitated
and so deeply attentive, that it prepared me for what soon
followed : he mounted the rostrum-for the third time only since
this trial commenced.
Page 360
His speech was only to a point Of law respecting evidence he kept
close to his subject, with a clearness and perspicuity very
uncommon indeed amongst these orators. His voice, however, is
greatly in his disfavour ; for he forces it so violently, either
from earnestness or a fear of not being heard, that, though it
answered the purpose of giving the most perfect distinctness to
what he uttered, its sound had an unpleasing and crude quality
that amazed and disappointed me. The command of his language and
fluency of his delivery, joined to the compact style of his
reasoning and conciseness of his arguments, were all that could
answer my expectations: but his manner--whether from energy or
secret terror--lost all its grace, and by no means seemed to
belong to the elegant and high-bred character that had just
quitted me.
In brief,--how it may happen I know not,--but he certainly does
not do justice to his own powers and talents in public. He was
excessively agitated: when he had done and dismounted, I saw his
pale face of the most fiery red. Yet he had uttered nothing in a
passion. It must have been simply from internal effort.
The counsel answered him, and he mounted to reply. Here, indeed,
he did himself honour; his readiness of answer, the vivacity of
his objections, and the instantaneous command of all his
reasoning faculties, were truly striking. Had what he said not
fallen in reply to a speech but that moment made, I must have
concluded it the result Of Study, and all harangue learnt by
heart. He was heard with the most marked attention.
The second speech, like the first, was wholly upon the laws of
evidence, and Mr. Hastings was not named in either. He is
certainly practising against his great day. And, in truth, I
hold still to my fear of it; for, however little his manner in
public speaking may keep pace with its promise in private
conversation, his matter was tremendously pointed and severe.
The trial of the day concluded by an adjournment to consult upon
the evidence in debate, with the judges, in the House of Lords.
Mr. Windham came up to the seats of the Commons in my
neighbourhood, but not to me; he spoke to the Misses
Francis,--daughters of Mr. Hastings's worst foe,--and hurried
down.
On my return I was called upon to give an account of the
Page 361
trial to their majesties and the princesses, and a formidable
business, I assure you, to perform.
AN EMPHATIC PERORATION.
May 18.-This morning I again went to the trial of poor Mr.
Hastings. Heavens! who can see him sit there unmoved? not even
those who think him guilty,--if they are human.
I took with me Mrs. Bogle. She had long since begged a ticket
for her husband, which I could never before Procure. We now went
all three. And, indeed, her original speeches and remarks made a
great part of my entertainment.
Mr. Hastings and his counsel were this day most victorious. I
never saw the prosecutors so dismayed. Yet both Mr. Burke and
Mr. Fox spoke, and before the conclusion so did Mr. Windham.
They were all in evident embarrassment. Mr. Hastings's counsel
finished the day, with a most noble appeal to justice and
innocence, protesting that, if his client did not fairly claim
the one, by proving the other, he wished himself that the
prosecutors-that the lords--that the nation at large--that the
hand of God--might fall heavy upon him!
This had a great and sudden effect,-- not a word was uttered.
The prosecutors looked dismayed and astonished ; and the day
closed.
Mr. Windham came up to speak to Misses Francis about a dinner:
but he only, bowed to me, and with a look so conscious---so much
saying, "'TiS your turn to triumph now!: that I had not the spite
to attack him.
But when the counsel had uttered this animated speech, Mrs. Bogle
was so much struck, she hastily arose, and, clapping her hands,
called out audibly, in a broad Scotch accent, "O, charming!" I
could hardly, quiet her till I assured her we should make a
paragraph for the newspapers. I had the pleasure to deliver this
myself to their majesties, and the princesses--and as I was
called upon while it was fresh in my memory, I believe but little
of the general energy was forgotten.
It gave me great pleasure to repeat so striking an affirmation of
the innocence of so high, so injured I believe, a character. The
queen eagerly declared I should go again the next sitting.
Wednesday, May 19.--The real birthday of my royal mistress, to
whom may Heaven grant many, many and prosperous! Dressing, and
so forth, filled up all the morning
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and at night I had a t`ete-`a-t`ete with Charles, till twelve. I
got to bed about five in the morning. The sweet princesses had a
ball, and I could not lament my fatigue.
AN APTITUDE FOR LOGIC AND FOR GREEK.
May 20.-To-day again to the trial, to which I took MISS Young,
her majesty having given me two tickets very late overnight.
Miss Young is singularly, as far as I can see, the reverse of her
eccentric parents she is moderation personified.
Mr. Windham again spoke in the course of this morning's business,
which was chiefly occupied in debating on the admissibility of
the evidence brought forward by the prosecutors. The quickness
and aptness of his arguments, with the admirable facility and
address with which he seized upon those of his opponents, the
counsel, were strong marks of that high and penetrating capacity
so strikingly his characteristic. The only defect in his
speaking is the tone of his voice, which, from exertion, loses
all its powers of modulation, and has a crude accent and
expression very disagreeable.
During the examination of Mr. Anderson, one of Mr. Hastings's
best friends,--a sensible, well-bred, and gentlemanlike man,--Mr.
Windham came up to my elbow.
"And can this man," cried he, presently, "this man--so
gentle---be guilty?"
I accused him of making a point to destroy all admiration of
gentleness in my opinion. "But you are grown very good now!" I
added, "No, very bad I mean!" He knew I meant for speaking ; and
I then gave him burlesqued, various definitions of good, which
had fallen from Mr. Fox in my hearing, the most contradictory,
and, taken out of their place, the most ridiculous imaginable.
He laughed very much, but seriously confessed that technical
terms and explanations had better have been wholly avoided by
them all, as the counsel were sure to out-technicalise them, and
they were then exposed to greater embarrassments than by steering
clear of the attempt, and resting only upon their common forces.
"There is one praise," I cried, "which I am always sure to meet
in the newspapers whenever I meet with your name; and I begin to
quite tire of seeing it for you,-your skill in logic!"
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"O, I thank you," he cried, earnestly "I am indeed quite ashamed
of the incessant misappropriation of that word."
"No, no," cried I; "I only tire of it because they seem to think,
when once the word logic and your name are combined, they have
completely stated all. However, in what little I have heard, I
could have suspected you to have been prepared with a speech
ready written, had I not myself heard just before all the
arguments which it answered."
I then added that I was the less surprise(! at this facility of
language, from having heard my brother declare he knew no man who
read Greek with that extraordinary rapidity--no, not Dr. Parr,
nor any of the professed Grecians, whose peculiar study it had
been through life.
This could be nothing, he said, but partiality.
"Not mine, at least," cried I, laughing, "for Greek excellence is
rather Out Of my sphere of panegyric!"
"
Well," cried he, laughing too at my disclaiming, "'Tis' your
brother's partiality. However, 'tis one I must try not to lose.
I must take to my Greek exercises again."
They will do you a world of good, thought I, if they take you but
from your prosecution-exercises.
MORE TALK WITH MR. WINDHAM.
We then talked of Mr. Burke. "How finely," I cried, "he has
spoken! with what fullness of intelligence, and what fervour!"
He agreed, with delighted concurrence. "Yet,--so much so long!"
I added.
"True!" cried he, ingenuously, yet concerned. "What pity he can
never stop!"
And then I enumerated some of the diffuse and unnecessary
paragraphs which had weakened his cause, as well as his speech.
He was perfectly candid, though always with some reluctance.
"But a man who speaks in public," he said, "should never forget
what will do for his auditors: for himself alone, it is not
enough to think ; but for what is fitted, and likely to be
interesting to them."
"He wants nothing," cried I, "but a flapper."
"Yes, and he takes flapping inimitably."
"You, then," I cried, "should be his flapper."
"And sometimes," said he, smiling, "I am."
"O, I often see," said I, "of what use you are to him. I
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see you watching him,--reminding, checking him in turn,--at
least, I fancy all this as I look into the managers' box, which
is no small amusement to me,--when there is any commotion there!"
He bowed; but I never diminished from the frank unfriendliness to
the cause with which I began. But I assured him I saw but too
well how important and useful he was to them, even without
speaking.
"Perhaps," cried he, laughing, "more than with speaking."
"I am not meaning to talk Of that now," said I, "but yet, one
thing I will tell you: I hear you more distinctly than any one;
the rest I as often miss as catch, except when they turn this
way,--a favour Which you never did me!"
"No, no, indeed!" cried he; "to abstract myself from all, is all
that enables me to get on." And then, with his native candour,
he cast aside prejudice, and very liberally praised several
points in this poor persecuted great man.
I had seen, I said, an initiation from Horace, which had
manifested, I presumed, his scholarship."
"O, ay," cried he, "an Ode to Mr. Shore, who is one of the next
witnesses. Burke was going to allude to it, but I begged him
not. I do not like to make their lordships smile in this grave
business."
"That is so right!: cried I: "Ah, you know it IS you and your
attack I have feared most all along!"
"This flattery"--cried he.
"Do not use that word any more, Mr. Windham," interrupted I; "if
you do, I shall be tempted to make a very shocking speech to
you--the very reverse of flattery, I assure you." He stared,--
and I went on. "I shall say,--that those who think themselves
flattered--flatter themselves.!"
"What?--hey?--How?" cried he.
"Nay, they cannot conclude themselves flattered, without
concluding they have de quoi to make it worth while!"
"Why, there--there may be something In that but not here!--no,
here it must flow simply front general benevolence,--from a wish
to give comfort or pleasure."
I disclaimed all and turned his attention again to Mr. Hastings.
"See!" I cried, "see but how thin--how ill--looks that poor
little uncle of yours!"(332) Again I upbraided him with being
unnatural; and lamented Mr. Hastings's
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change since I had known him in former days. "And shall I tell
you," I added, "something in which you had nearly been involved
with him?"
"Me?--with Mr. Hastings?"
"Yes ! and I regret it did not happen ! You may recollect my
mentioning my original acquaintance with him, before I lived
where I now do." '
"Yes, but where you now....I understand you,--expect ere long you
may see him!"
He meant from his acquittal, and reception at the Queen's house.
And I would not contradict him.
But, however," I continued, "my acquaintance and regard began
very fairly while I lived at home at my father's and indeed I
regret you could not then and so have known him, as I am
satisfied you would have been pleased with him, which now you
cannot judge. He is so gentle-mannered, so intelligent, so
unassuming, yet so full-minded."
I have Understood that," he answered; "yet 'tis amazing how
little unison there may be between mariners and characters, and
how softly gentle a man may appear without, whose nature within
is all ferocity and cruelty. This is a part of mankind of which
you cannot judge--of which, indeed, you can scarce form an idea."
After a few comments I continued what I had to say, which, in
fact, was nothing but another malice of my own against him. I
reminded him of one day in a former year of this trial, when I
had the happiness of sitting at it with my dearest Mrs. Locke, in
which he had been so obliging, with reiterated offers, as to
propose seeing for my servant, etc.-" "Well," I continued, "I was
afterwards extremely sorry I had not accepted your kindness; for
just as we were going away, who should be passing, and turn back
to speak to me, but Mr. Hastings!"
'O!' he cried, 'I must come here to see you, I find!' Now, had
you but been with me at that moment! I own it would have been the
greatest pleasure to me to have brought you together though I am
quite at a loss to know whether I ought, in that case, to have
presented you to each other."
He laughed most heartily,-half, probably, with joy at his escape;
but he had all his wits about him in his answer. "If you," he
cried, "had been between US, we might, for once, have coalesced--
in both bowing to the same shrine!"
(322) Wednesday, November 18.-ED.
(323) Covent Garden.-ED.
(324) A comedy by Reynolds, originally produced at Covent Garden,
May 15, 1789.-ED.
(325) Sir Robert Gunning, the bride's father.-ED.
(326) Fanny refers to Burke's attitude during the Regency
debates, in which, as a member of the opposition, he had
supported Mr. Fox.-ED,
(327) "A Narrative of the mutiny on board his majesty's ship
Bounty; and the subsequent Voyage of part of the Crew, in the
ship's boat, from Tofoa, one of the Friendly Islands, to Timor, a
Dutch settlement in the East Indies. Written by Lieutenant
William Bligh." London, 1790. Lieutenant (afterwards Admiral)
Bligh was appointed to the command of the Bounty in August, 1787.
He sailed from England in December, and arrived at Otaheite,
October 26, 1788, the object of his voyage being to transplant
the bread fruit tree from the South Sea Islands to the British
colonies in the West Indies, with a view to its acclimatisation
there. A delay of more than five months at Otaheite demoralized
the crew, to whom the dolce far mente of life in a Pacific
island, and the Charms of the Otaheitan women, offered greater
attractions than the toils of sea-faring under a somewhat
tyrannical captain. The Bounty left Otaheite April 4, 1789, and
on the 28th of the same month a mutiny broke out under the
leadership of the mater's mate, Fletcher Christian. Captain
Bligh and eighteen of his men were set adrift in the ship's boat,
in which they sailed for nearly three months, undergoing terrible
privations, and reaching the Dutch settlement at Timor, an island
off the east coast of Java, June 14. Bligh arrived in England,
March 14, 1790. The mutineers finally settled in Pitcairn's
island, where their descendants are still living.-ED.
(328) See note ante 263, p. 102.-ED.
(329) Mrs. Piozzi's youngest daughter, who had accompanied her
mother and step-father abroad.-ED. 2 It appears from a note in
(330) It appears from a note in the "Memoirs of Dr. Burney" (vol.
iii. p. 199), that Fanny had once before met Mrs Piozzi since her
marriage, at an assembly at Mrs. Locke's. This meeting must have
taken place Soon after the marriage, as Mrs. Piozzi went abroad
with her husband shortly afterwards.-ED.
(331) Fanny's half-sister.-ED.
(332) An allusion to the personal resemblance between Windham and
Hastings. See ante, p. 149.-ED.
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