I was extremely happy to have my dear father with me at Miss Monckton's.
We found Mrs. Siddons, the actress, there. She is a woman of excellent
character, and therefore I am very glad she is thus patronised, since
Mrs. Abington, and so many frail fair ones, have been thus noticed by
the great. She behaved with great propriety; very calm, modest, quiet,
and unaffected---She has a very fine countenance, and her eyes look both
intelligent and soft. She has, however, a steadiness in her manner
and deportment by no means engaging. Mrs. Thrale, who was there,
said,--“Why, this is a leaden goddess we are all worshipping! however,
we shall soon gild it.”
A lady who sat near me then began a dialogue with Mr. Erskine,[167] who
had placed himself exactly opposite to Mrs. Siddons; and they debated
together upon her manner of studying her parts, disputing upon the point
with great warmth, yet not only forbearing to ask Mrs. Siddons herself
which was right, but quite over-powering her with their loquacity, when
she attempted, unasked, to explain the matter. Most vehement praise of
all she did followed, and the lady turned to me, and said,--
“What invitation, Miss Burney, is here, for genius to display
itself!--Everybody, I hear, is at work for Mrs. Siddons; but if you
would work for her, what an inducement to excel you would both of you
have!--Dr. Burney--.”
“Oh, pray, ma'am,” cried I, “don't say to him--”
“Oh, but I will!--if my influence can do you any mischief, you may
depend upon having it.”
She then repeated what she had said to my father, and he instantly
said,--
“Your ladyship may be sure of my interest.”
I whispered afterwards to know who she was, and heard she Was Lady
Lucan.