Even to his History of Music the Doctor knew not, now, how to turn his
attention; Chesington had so constantly been the charm, as well as the
retreat for its pursuit, and Chesington and Mr. Crisp had seemed so
indissolubly one, that it was long ere the painful resolution could
be gathered of trying how to support what remained, when they were
sundered.
Of the two most intimate of his musical friends after Mr. Crisp, Mr.
Twining of Colchester came less frequently than ever to town; and
Mr. Bewley of Massingham was too distant for any regularity of even
annual meetings. And those friends still within his reach, in whom
he took the deepest interest, Dr. Johnson, Mr. Burke, and Sir Joshua
Reynolds, were too little conversant in music to be usefully sought
at this music-devoted period. They had neither taste nor care for
his art, and not the smallest knowledge upon its subject. Yet this,
though for the moment, nearly a misfortune, was not any impediment
to friendship on either side: Dr. Burney had too general a love of
literature, as well as of the arts, to limit his admiration, any more
than his acquirements, to his own particular cast; while the friends
just mentioned regarded his musical science but as a matter apart; and
esteemed and loved him solely for the qualities that he possessed in
common with themselves.
Compelled was he, nevertheless, to endure the altered Chesington;
where, happily, however, then resided his tender Susanna; whose sight
was always a charm, and whose converse had a balm that enabled him
again to return to his work, though it had lost, for the present,
all voluntary influence over his spirits. But choice was out of the
question; he had a given engagement to fulfil; and there was no place
so sacred from intrusion as Chesington.
Thither, therefore, he repaired; and there, in laborious study, he
remained, till the season for his professional toils called him again
to St. Martin’s-street.
The first spur that urged his restoration to the world, and its ways,
was given through the lively and frequent inquiries made after him
and his history by sundry celebrated foreigners, German, Italian, and
French.