_June 4._--To go on with Saturday evening. We left the Whalleys at nine,
and then proceeded to Sir J. C--, who had invited us to a concert at his
house.
We found such a crowd of chairs and carriages we could hardly make our
way. I had never seen any of the family, consisting of Sir J. and three
daughters, but had been particularly invited. The two rooms for the
company were quite full when we arrived, and a large party was standing
upon the first floor landing-place.
Just as I got up stairs, I was much surprised to hear my name called by
a man's voice, who stood in the crowd upon the landing-place, and who
said,
“Miss Burney, better go up another flight (pointing up stairs)--if
you'll take my advice, you'll go up another flight, for there's no room
anywhere else.”
I then recollected the voice, for I could not see the face, of Lord
Mulgrave, and I began at first to suppose I must really do as he said,
for there seemed not room for a sparrow, and I have heard the Sharp
family do actually send their company all over their house when they
give concerts. However, by degrees we squeezed ourselves into the outer
room, and then Mrs. Lambart made way up to me, to introduce me to Miss
C--, who is extremely handsome, genteel, and pleasing, though tonish,
and who did the honours, in spite of the crowd, in a manner to satisfy
everybody.
After that, she herself introduced me to her next sister, Arabella, who
is very fat, but not ugly. As to Sir J., He was seated behind a door in
the music-room, where, being lame, he was obliged to keep still, and
I never once saw his face, though I was upon the point of falling over
him; for, at one time, as I had squeezed just into the music-room, and
was leaning against the door, which was open, and which Lord Althorp,
the Duchess of Devonshire's brother, was also lolling against, the
pressure pushed Sir James's chair, and the door beginning to move,
I thought we should have fallen backwards. Lord Althorp moved off
instantly, and I started forwards without making any disturbance, and
then Mr. Travell came to assure me all was safe behind the door, and
so the matter rested quietly, though not without giving me a ridiculous
fright.
Mr. Travell, ma'am, if I have not yet introduced him to you, I must tell
you--'is known throughout Bath by the name of Beau Travell; he is a most
approved connoisseur in beauty, gives the ton to all the world, sets
up young ladies in the beau monde, and is the sovereign arbitrator of
fashions, and decider of fashionable people. I had never the honour of
being addressed by him before, though I have met him at the dean's and
at Mrs. Lainbart's. So you may believe I was properly struck.
Though the rooms were so crowded, I saw but two faces I knew--Lord
Huntingdon, whom I have drank tea with at Mrs. Cholmley's.[124] and Miss
Philips; but the rest were all showy tonish people, who are only to be
seen by going to the rooms, which we never do.
Some time after, Lord Mulgrave crowded in among us, and cried out to me,
“So you would not take my advice!”