_Streatham, Sept._--Our Monday's intended great party was very small,
for people are so dispersed at present in various quarters: we had,
therefore, only Sir Joshua Reynolds, two Miss Palmers, Dr. Calvert, Mr.
Rose Fuller, and Lady Ladd.[58] Dr. Johnson did not return.
Sir Joshua I am much pleased with: I like his countenance, and I like
his manners; the former I think expressive, and sensible; the latter
gentle, unassuming, and engaging.
The dinner, in quantity as well as quality, would have sufficed for
forty people. Sir Joshua said, when the dessert appeared, “Now if
all the company should take a fancy to the same dish, there would be
sufficient for all the company from any one.”
After dinner, as usual, we strolled out: I ran first into the hall for
my cloak, and Mrs. Thrale, running after me, said in a low voice,
“If you are taxed with 'Evelina,' don't own it; I intend to say it is
mine, for sport's sake.”
You may think how much I was surprised, and how readily I agreed not to
own it; but I could ask no questions, for the two Miss Palmers followed
close, saying,
“Now pray, ma'am, tell us who it is?”
“No, no,” cried Mrs. Thrale, “who it is, you must find out. I have told
you that you dined with the author; but the rest you must make out as
you can.”
Miss Thrale began tittering violently, but I entreated her not to betray
me; and, as soon as I could, I got Mrs. Thrale to tell me what all
this meant. She then acquainted me, that, when she first came into the
parlour, she found them all busy in talking of “Evelina,” and heard that
Sir Joshua had declared he would give fifty pounds to know the author!
“Well,” said Mrs. Thrale, “thus much, then, I will tell you; the author
will dine with you to-day.”
They were then all distracted to know the party.
“Why,” said she, “we shall have Dr. Calvert, Lady Ladd, Rose Fuller, and
Miss Burney.”
“Miss Burney?” quoth they, “which Miss Burney?”
“Why, the eldest, Miss Fanny Burney; and so out of this list you must
make out the author.”