[Miss Burney's first novel, “Evelina,” had been submitted in
manuscript to the great publisher, Dodsley, who refused to
look at an anonymous work. It was then offered to Lowndes,
who published it. The negotiations with the publisher were
carried on by Fanny's brother Charles, and her cousin,
Edward Burney. These two, with her sisters, and her aunts
Anne and Rebecca (Dr. Burney's sisters), appear to have been
the only persons entrusted with the secret. It will be most
convenient here, at the commencement of--“The Diary,” to
give a few necessary details respecting the Burney family.
By his first wife, Esther Sleepe, Dr. Burney became the
father of seven children:--
1. Esther (“Hetty”), born 1749; married, in 1770, her cousin
Charles Rousseau Burney, eldest son of Dr. Burney's elder
brother, Richard Burney, of Worcester. Hetty's husband is
always called “Mr. Burney” in the “Diary”. He was a
musician.
2. James, the sailor, afterwards Admiral Burney, known to
readers of “Elia.” He was born June 5, 1750; accompanied
the great discoverer, Captain Cook, on his second and third
voyages; served in the East Indies in 1783, after which he
retired from active service. In 1785 he married Miss Sally
Payne, and the rest of his life was devoted to literature
and whist. His “History of the Discoveries in the South Sea
or Pacific Ocean” is still a standard work. James died
November 17, 1821.