Further conjectures were still starting, and all were engaged in aiding them and enjoying them, when suddenly a violent knocking at the door was followed by the most unexpected entrance of the queen and the Princess Amelia!

Universal was the start, and most instantaneous and solemn the silence ! I felt almost guilty, though not for myself: my own invariable method of avowing all my proceedings saved me from the smallest embarrassment on my own account in this meeting; but I was ashamed to appear the leader in a walk so new as that of leaving the Lodge in an evening, and to have induced any others to follow my example. The queen looked extremely surprised, but not at me, whom she knew she should encounter; and the two gentlemen hardly could settle whether to make humble explanations, or frank ridicule, of the situation in which they were caught. The queen, however, immediately put them at their ease, speaking to them with marked civility, and evidently desirous not to mar what she found intended as a private frolic, by any fears of her disapprobation.

She did not stay long, and they soon followed her to the Lodge. I also returned, and at night the queen owned to me, but very good-humouredly, that she had never been more astonished than at sight of the equerries that evening, and asked me how it came to pass.

"Mrs. Delany, ma'am," I answered, "as she had taken away their tea-maker, thought she could do no less than offer them tea for once at her own table."

And here the matter rested. But the enterprise has never been repeated. . 443

MR. TURBULENT ON COURT ROUTINE.

Dec. 13.-Our dinner was as usual, the Smelts, Messrs. de Luc and Turbulent, and Miss Planta; and the last only was gone when Mr. and Mrs. Hayes arrived. Mrs. Hayes is a really pretty as well as a pretty sort of woman,(228) and modest, well-bred, and sensible - and the afternoon, with the assistance of Mr. Smelt, did very well. They went early home, and both the Smelts were called to the queen's rooms; M. de Luc said he must retire to write down " some thoughts upon an experiment in his head," and only Mr. Turbulent remained.

I found the partner of my confinement a man of uncommon capacity, but something there was hung about him, or hung about me, that prevented my assimilating-with him in anything. I saw he was endowed with great powers of agreeability; but I thought him obtrusive ; and that alone is a drawback to all merit, that I know not how to pass over. He spoke his opinions with great openness, equally upon people and things ; but it seemed rather from carelessness than confidence, and I 'know him too little to feel obliged in his trust.

The talk was chiefly upon mere general subjects, till by 'some accident the approaching birth-day of the queen was mentioned. He then inquired of me how I should like the state business of that day?

I told him I knew nothing of what I had to expect from it. He undertook readily to inform me. He said I was to be sumptuously arrayed, to sit in one of the best rooms at St. James's, and there to receive all the ladies of the queen in particular, and to do the honours to all the gentlemen also, belonging to the establishment.

I laughed, and told him he had painted to me a scene of happiness peculiarly adapted to my taste!

He did not concern himself to examine whether or not I was serious, but said he supposed, of course, the dignity of such a matter of state could not be disagreeable to me, and added, he should take the liberty to wish me joy of the day, among the rest, when it arrived, and to see me in my glory. After this he said, "You have now nearly seen the whole of everything that will come before you: in a very short time you will have passed six months here, and then you will know your life for as many, and twice and thrice as many years.

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You will have seen everybody and everything, and the same round will still be the same, year after year, without intermission or alteration."

AN EQUERRY ON THE COURT CONCERT.

Dec. 26-Colonel Goldsworthy ran on, till General Bud'e reminded him it was time they should appear in the concertroom.

"Ay," cried he, reluctantly, "now for the fiddlers! There I go, plant myself against the side of the chimney, stand first on one foot, then on the other, hear over and over again all that fine squeaking, and then fall fast asleep, and escape by mere miracle from flouncing down plump in all their faces."

"What would the queen say if you did that?"

"O, ma'am, the queen would know nothing of the matter; she'd only suppose it some old double bass that tumbled."

" Why, could not she see what it was?"

"O no! ma'am, we are never in the room with the queen! that's the drawing-room, beyond, where the queen sits; we go no farther than the fiddling-room. As to the queen, we don't see her week after week sometimes. The king, indeed, comes there to us, between whiles, though that's all as it happens, now Price is gone. He used to play at backgammon with Price."

"Then what do you do there?"

"Just what I tell you—nothing at all, but stand as furniture. But the worst is, sometimes, when my poor eye-peepers are not quite closed, I look to the music-books to see what's coming; and there I read 'Chorus of Virgins:' so then, when they begin, I look about me. A chorus of virgins, indeed! why, there's nothing but ten or a dozen fiddlers! not a soul beside! it's as true as I'm alive ! So then, when we've stood supporting the chimney-piece about two hours, why then, if I'm not called upon, I shuffle back out of the room, make a profound bow to the harpsichord, and I'm off."

DR. HERSCHFL's LARGE TELESCOPE.

Dec. 3o.-This morning my dear father carried me to Dr. Herschel. That great and very extraordinary man received us with almost open arms, He is very fond of my father, who is one of the Council of the Royal Society this year, as well as 445

himself, and he has much invited me when we have met at the Lodge or at Mr. de Luc's.

At this time of day there was nothing to see but his instruments: those, however, are curiosities sufficient. His immense new telescope, the largest ever constructed, will still, I fear, require a year or two more for finishing, but I hope it will then reward his labour and ingenuity by the new views of the heavenly bodies, and their motions, which he flatters himself will be procured by it. Already, with that he has now in use, he has discovered fifteen hundred universes ! How many more he can find who can conjecture? The moon, too, which seems his favourite object, has already afforded him two volcanoes ; and his own planet, the Georgium sidus,(229) has now shewn two satellites. >From such a man what may not astronomy expect, when an instrument superior in magnitude to any ever yet made, and constructed wholly by himself or under his own eye, is the vehicle of his observation?

I wished very much to have seen his sister, whose knowledge in his own science is so extraordinary, and who herself was the first discoverer of the last comet ; but she had been up all night, and was then in bed.

Mr. Smelt joined us by appointment ; and the Bishop of Worcester came afterwards, with Dr. Douglas, to whom I was then introduced. He is the famous editor, who has published and revised and corrected so many works: among them the last voyage round the world.

By the invitation of Mr. Herschel, I now took a walk which will sound to you rather strange : it was through his telescope and it held me quite upright, and without the least inconvenience ; so would it have done had I been dressed in feathers and a bell hoop—such is its circumference. Mr. Smelt led the way, walking also upright ; and my father followed. After we were gone, the bishop and Dr. Douglas were tempted, for its oddity, to make the same promenade.

ILLNESS, AND SOME REFLECTIONS IT GAVE RISE TO.

Wednesday, Jan. 10, 1787.-This morning, when I was hurrying to the queen, I met Mr. Fairly, who said he was waiting to see me. Very melancholy he looked-very much changed from what I had seen him. His lady, to whom he is much attached,

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is suffering death by inches, from the most painful of all complaints, a cancer. His eldest son, who seems about twelve years old, was with him. He was going, he said, to place him at Eton.

The day following I was taken very ill myself; a'bilious fever, long lurking, suddenly seized me, and a rheumatism in my head at the same time. I was forced to send to Mr. Battiscombe for advice, and to Miss Planta to officiate for me at night with the queen.

Early the next morning Miss Planta came to me from the queen, to desire I would not be uneasy in missing my attendance, and that I would think of nothing but how to take care of myself. This, however, was not all, for soon after she came herself, not only to my room, but to my bedside, and, after many enquiries, desired me to say sincerely what I should do if I had been so attacked at home.

A blister, I said, was all I could devise; and I had one accordingly, which cured the head, and set me at ease. But the fever had been long gathering, and would not so rapidly be dismissed. I kept my bed this day and the next. The third day I was sufficiently better to quit my bed and bedroom ; and then I had not only another visit from the queen, but also from the two eldest princesses.

Tuesday, Jan. 16-Was the day appointed for removing to town for the winter; from which time we were only to come to Windsor for an occasional day or two every week.

I received a visit, just before I set out, from the king. He came in alone, and made most gracious enquiries into my health, and whether I was sufficiently recovered for the journey.

The four days of my confinement, from the fever after the pain, were days of meditation the most useful: I reflected upon all my mental sufferings in the last year; their cause seemed inadequate to their poignancy. In the hour of sickness and confinement, the world, in losing its attractions, forfeits its regrets :-a new train of thinking, a new set of ideas, took possession of all my faculties ; a steady plan, calm, yet no longer sad, deliberately formed itself in my mind; my affliction was already subsided; I now banished, also, discontent. I found myself as well off, upon reflection, as I could possibly merit, and better, by comparison, than most of those around me. The beloved friends of my own heart 447

had joined me unalterably, inviolably to theirs —who, in number, who, in kindness, has more?

Now, therefore, I took shame to myself, and resolved to be And my success has shown me how far less chimerical than it appears is such a resolution. To be patient under two disappointments now no longer recent;—to relinquish, without repining, frequent intercourse with those I love;—to settle myself in my monastery, without one idea of ever quitting it; to study for the approbation of my lady abbess, and make it a principal source of content, as well as spring of action; -and to associate more cheerily with my surrounding nuns and monks;—these were the articles which were to support my resolution.

I thank God I can tell my dearest friends I have observed them all; and, from the date of this illness to the time in which I am now drawing out my memorandums, I can safely affirm I know not that I have made one break with myself in a single promise here projected.

And now, I thank God, the task is at an end;-what I began from principle, and pursued from resolution, is now a mere natural conduct. My destiny is fixed, and my mind is at ease; nay, I even think, upon the whole, that my lot Is, altogether, the best that can betide me, except for one flaw in its very vitals, which subjects me at times, to a tyranny wholly subversive of all power of tranquillity.

(213) Dr. Joseph Warton, author of the "Essay on the Genius and Writings of Pope." He was headmaster of Winchester school-ED.

(214) Jacob Bryant, the distinguished classical scholar and author; born 1715; died 1804. His principal work was "A New System or an Analysis of Ancient Mythology," published in 1774. During the last part of his life he resided at Cypenham, in Farnham Royal, near Windsor. One of Bryant's friends said of him that "he was a very good scholar, and knew all things up to Noah, but not a single thing in the world beyond the Deluge!"-ED.

(215) Aim'e Argand, inventor of the argand lamp.-ED.

(216) Madame de Genlis was governess to the children of the Duke D'Orl'eans (Philippe 'egalit'e), and, there is no doubt, his mistress. The beautiful Pamela, who married Lord Edward Fitzgerald, was generally supposed to be her daughter by the duke, but this appears to be questionable.-ED.

(217) William Herschel, the famous astronomer. He was the son of a German musician, and in early life followed his father's profession, which he afterwards abandoned for the study of astronomy. He received much encouragement from George III., was knighted in 1816, and died at Slough, near Windsor, in 1822. His monster telescope, mentioned in the text, was completed in 1787, and was forty feet in length.-ED.

(218) Maria Sophie de la Roche was a German authoress of sentimental novels, of some distinction in her day, but now chiefly remembered as the friend of Wieland and Goethe. The history of the attachment between her andWieland is very pretty, very idyllic, and very German. Sophie was born in 1731, and the idyll commenced when she was nineteen, and Wieland only seventeen years old. it lasted some time, too, for a passion so very tender and tearful; but the fate;, and, more particularly, the parents, were unpropitious, and after about three years it came to an end, the heart-broken Sophie consoling herself by marrying M. de la Roche shortly afterwards. Her friendship with Wieland, however was maintained to the end of her days, he editing the first and last productions of her pen—the "History of Fr'aulein von Sternheim," published 1771, and "Melusinens Sommerabende," 18o6. Madame de la Roche died in 1807-ED.

(219) Madame de la Fite had, however, translated her friend's "History of Fr'aulein von Sternheim" into French, and the translation had been published in 1773.-ED.

(220) "Clelia" and "Cassandra" were celebrated heroic romances of the seventeenth century, the former (in ten volumes) written by Mdlle Scud'eri, the latter by the Sieur de la Calprende. One of the most constant and tiresome characteristics of the heroes and heroines of the romances of this school, is the readiness with which they seize every opportunity of recounting, or causing their confidential attendants to recount, their adventures, usually with the utmost minuteness of detail-ED.

(221) See P. 434.-ED.

(222) Mrs. Schwellenberg found her health better in London, and was prolonging her stay there in consequence. -ED,

(223) The reader will scarcely need to be told that allusion is made here to the Prince of Wales, afterwards George 1V.-ED.

(224) It is hardly worth remembering, except for Fanny's sake; however, it has the merit of brevity, and here it is.

"THE GREAT COAT.

"Thrice honour'd Robe! couldst thou espy The form that deigns to show thy worth; Hear the mild voice, view the arch eye, That call thy panegyric forth;

"Wouldst thou not swell with vain delight? With proud expansion sail along? And deem thyself more grand and bright Than aught that lives in ancient song,

"Than Venus' cestus, Dian's crest, Minerva's helmet, fierce and bold, Or all of emblem gay that dress'd Capricious goddesses of old? "Thee higher honours yet await:- Haste, then, thy triumphs quick prepare, Thy trophies spread in haughty state, Sweep o'ei the earth, and scoff the air.

"Ah no!—retract!—retreat!—oh stay! Learn, wiser, whence so well thou'st sped; She whose behest produced this lay By no false colours is misled.

"Suffice it for the buskin'd race Plaudits by pomp and shew to win; Those seek simplicity and grace Whose dignity is from within.

"The cares, or joys, she soars above That to the toilette's duties cleave; Far other cares her bosom move, Far other joys those cares relieve.

"The garb of state she inly scorn'd, Glad from its trappings to be freed, She saw thee humble, unadorn'd, Quick of attire,—a child of speed.

"Still, then, thrice honour'd Robe! retain Thy modest guise, thy decent ease; Nor let thy favour prove thy bane By turning from its fostering breeze.

"She views thee with a mental eye, And from thee draws this moral end:— Since hours are register'd on high, The friend of Time is Virtue's friend."

For this precious production Fanny received quite as much as it was worth,—the thanks of the queen, who added, "Indeed it is very pretty—only! I don't deserve it." -ED.

(225) Captain James Burney had married, on the 6th of September, 1785, Miss Sally Payne, daughter of Mr. Thomas Payne, bookseller.-ED.

(226) "Mr. Turbulent" is the name given in the "Diary" to the Rev. Charles de Guiffardiere, a French Protestant minister, who filled the office of French reader to the queen and princesses.-ED.

(227) Mrs. Delany had been for a short time indisposed.-ED.

(228) The queen had spoken of Mrs. Hayes as a "very pretty kind of woman," and desired Fanny to invite her to tea.-ED.

(229) Herschel had discovered this planet in 1781, and named it in honour of the king.-ED.

END OF VOL. 1.