FANNY BURNEY to MRS. THRALE.
Chesington, Nov. 4.
I had no other adventure in London, but a most delightful incident has
happened since I came hither. We had just done tea on Friday, and Mrs.
Hamilton, Kitty, Jem, and Mr. Crisp, were sitting down to cards, when we
were surprised by an express from London, and it brought a “Whereas we
think fit” from the Admiralty, to appoint Captain Burney to the command
of the “Latona,” during the absence of the Honourable Captain Conway.
This is one of the best frigates in the navy, of thirty-eight guns, and
immediately, I believe, ready for service. Jem was almost frantic with
ecstacy of joy: he sang, laughed, drank to his own success, and danced
about the room with Miss Kitty till He put her quite out of breath. His
hope is to get out immediately, and have a brush with some of the
Dons, Monsieurs, or Mynheers, while he is in possession of a ship of
sufficient force to attack any frigate he may meet.
(Mrs. Thrale wrote to Fanny from Streatham, Dec. 22:--)
I have picked up something to please you; Dr. Johnson pronounced an
actual eulogium upon Captain Burney, to his yesterday's listeners--how
amiable he was, and how gentle in his manner, etc., tho' he had lived so
many years with sailors and savages.