One of the most striking parties of this description, after the three
chiefs, was at the residence of the Hon. Miss Moncton; where there
was a still more resplendent circle of rank, and a more distinguished
assemblage of foreigners, than at any other; with always, in addition,
somebody or something uncommon and unexpected, to cause, or to gratify
curiosity.
Not merely as fearful of form as Mrs. Vesey was Miss Moncton; she went
farther; she frequently left her general guests wholly to themselves.
There was always, she knew, good fare for intellectual entertainment;
and those who had courage to seek might partake of its advantages;
while those who had not that quality, might amuse themselves as lookers
on. And though some might be disconcerted, no one who had candour
could be offended, when they saw, from the sprightly good-humour of
their hostess, that this reception was instigated by gay, not studied
singularity.
Miss Moncton usually sat about the middle of the room, lounging on one
chair, while bending over the back of another, in a thin fine muslin
dress, even at Christmas; while all around her were in satins, or
tissues; and without advancing to meet any one, or rising, or placing,
or troubling herself to see whether there were any seats left for them,
she would turn round her head to the announcement of a name, give a nod,
a smile, and a short “How do you do?—” and then, chatting on with her
own set, leave them to seek their fortune.
To these splendid, and truly uncommon assemblages, Dr. Burney and his
daughter accepted, occasionally, some of the frequent invitations with
which they were honoured.
And here they had sometimes the happiness to meet, amidst the nobles
and dames of the land, with all the towering height of his almost
universal superiority, Mr. Burke; who, sure, from the connexions of
the lady president, to find many chosen friends with whom he could
coalesce or combat upon literary or general topics, commonly entered
the grand saloon with a spirited yet gentle air, that shewed him full
fraught with the generous purpose to receive as well as to dispense
social pleasure; untinged with one bitter drop of political rancour;
and clarified from all acidity of party sarcasm.
And here, too, though only latterly, and very rarely, appeared the sole
star that rose still higher in the gaze of the world, Dr. Johnson. Miss
Moncton had met with the Doctor at Brighton, where that animated lady
eagerly sought him as a gem to crown her coteries; persevering in her
attacks for conquest, with an enthusiasm that did honour to her taste;
till the Doctor, surprised and pleased, rewarded her exertions by a
good-humoured compliance with her invitations.
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