"Where have you lived, Sir," aried the Doctor, laughing, what company have you kept, not to know that?"

" and

"Mr. Boswell now, doubly curious, yet always apprehensive of falling into some disgrace with Dr. Johnson, said, in a low tone, which he knew the Doctor could not hear, to Mrs. Thrale: " Pray, Ma'am, what's a Brangton ?-Do me the favour to tell me?-Is it some animal hereabouts?"

Mrs. Thrale only heartily laughed, but without answering: as she saw one of her guests unceasingly fearful of an explanation. But Mr. Seward cried, "I'll tell you, Boswell,-I'll tell you!-if you will walk with me into the paddock: only let us wait till the table is cleared, or I shall be taken for a Brangton, too!"

They soon went off together; and Mr. Boswell, no doubt, was fully informed of the road that led to the usurpation by which he had thus been annoyed.'-p. 196.

There was no compliment conferred by the fashionable circles on the Burney family, which they estimated at greater value, than the privilege of attending some of their most exclusive coteries, especially the Bas Bleu Societies, the memory of which is still familiar amongst us. The original association, from which the name is derived, consisted of a sort of literary meeting, held at Bath, at the house of a lady of fashion, Mrs. Vesey. A gentleman, of the name of Stillingfleet, having been on one occasion invited by the hostess to the meeting, declined to go, alleging as his excuse, that he was not in the habit of displaying a proper equipment for an evening assembly. Pho, pho,' cried the lady, 'don't mind your dress! come in your blue stockings! Mr. Stillingfleet agreed to do so, and, when entering the drawing room in the evening, he proclaimed, that he presented himself in the costume that he was directed to appear in, and from that moment Mrs. Vesey's literary parlour went by no other name than the "Blue Stockings.' Mrs. Vesey subsequently came to London, where the Blue Stocking meetings were kept up with all their pristine spirit, though with a very important loss of the monopoly of the title.

Mrs. Montague gave meetings, which being infinitely more splendid than those of her rival, were more generally known by the description of the Bas Bleu Society. Numerous imitations of these associations were subsequently adopted by other ladies and gentlemen, to all of which the Burney family had access, the fame of the daughter having now received an additional stimulus from the publication of Cecilia.

The number of great names and of events, which increase in interest as we proceed to the conclusion of the third volume, presents to us so wide a field for our contemplation, that we are altogether deterred from attempting, in the space that is yet allowed us, to enter upon any details. The death of Johnson, the elaborate account of the latter days of Burke, the appointment of Miss

Burney to be mistress of the robes to the late Queen Charlotte, her resignation of the office through ill health, and her subsequent marriage with General D'Arblay, form, as it were, so many episodes in this biography, to the execution of which Mad. D'Arblay brings all her best energies. These engaging histories, we lament to say, are far from being always of a joyous description; the account of her marriage, and of the events which it afterwards produced, presents scenes of melancholy interest, such as are well calculated to teach the duty as well as the advantages of bearing misfortune with resignation. Torn from a father whom she adored, married to one who, however exalted, and however worthy to be the husband of such a woman, was yet poor and forced to try his fortune as an adventurous soldier; excluded from the opportunity of cultivating that fertile genius which she so eminently possessed, Miss Burney still bore her calamities with the patience which a vigorous intellect alone could command. Even when dwelling upon the most melancholy portion of the events in which she was a sufferer, her mind still retains its original elasticity, and though oppressed by a sense of the havoc which time has effected upon the best sources of her happiness, she can yet recur with pleasure to scenes which, in earlier times, had been a subject of merriment to her. An instance of this is to be found in the third volume, where she speaks of a mysterious personage, who sought an interview with her under particular circumstances. The story is told with admirable art, and no one but a writer possessed of the truest comic vein, and disposed also to indulge it, could turn to such inva-` luable account, a series of circumstances so apparently insignificant. It appears, that during the spring of 1785, the house of the Doctor was invaded by a burglar, and a sum of no less than 3007. stolen from it. The robber proved to be a discarded servant of his own; but the circumstances under which the plunder had been committed did not afford the necessary degree of proof to convict him, and he was acquitted. About a month after the trial, a lady of rank called on Miss Burney, informing the young lady that she wished to speak with her in strict confidence. As soon as they found themselves together, the visitor carefully searched every corner of the apartment, to find if it was possible for her to be heard by any other than Miss Burney, and being satisfied on this point, she said in a solemn tone, that her purpose in coming was to demand a little secret service; she then pressed Miss Burney to promise, that what was proposed by her to be done, would be undertaken by Miss B. and accomplished. The latter hesitated to comply with so unqualified a demand, when the lady, seemingly much disappointed, with forced civility said 'good morrow, ma'am.' Miss Burney however pacified the visitor and made the required pledge; when the lady, taking out a thick letter-case from her pocket, produced a small parcel, and said, Do me the favour, Ma'am, to slip this trifle into the Doctor's bureau; the first time you see him open

it, and just say, "Sir, this is bank notes for 3007. instead of what that rogue robbed you of; but you must ask no questions; and you must not stare, sir, for it's from a friend that will never be known, so don't be over curious; for it's a friend who will never take it back, if you fret yourself to the bone; so please, Sir, to do what you please with it; either use it, or put it behind the fire, whichever you think the most sensible." And then if he should say, "Pray, Miss, who gave you that impertinent message for me?" you will get into no jeopardy, for you can answer, that you are bound hand and foot to hold your tongue; and then, being a man of honour, he will hold his. Don't you think so, Ma'am?

This eccentric act of benevolence it seems arose from the anxiety of the donor ever since she heard of Dr. Burney's misfortune; she declared, that she could not live on in quietness while she had 3007. and knew that a man of talents, with such a family of geniuses, was robbed of that sum; and that unless she was allowed to make the Doctor this present, she would not answer much longer for retaining a sound mind. Her determination, however, would brook no opposition; the money was received, and the lady turned out to be the munificent Lady Mary Duncan, daughter of the Earl

of Thanet.

It is altogther out of our power to pursue the narrative of Madame D'Arblay farther than to mention, that the deeply lamented subject of this memoir died on the 14th April 1814, made comparatively happy at the most awful of moments, in finding the sincerest proofs of the affection of a family, from whom he amply deserved it by his uniform conduct.

Scattered throughout the pages of these volumes will be found excerpts from the correspondence of Dr. Burney. We know no portion of it which possesses more interest for the reader than that which relates to the family of the present prime minister of England. Having gone to Dover in the year 1799, to witness the embarkation of the expedition against Holland, he stopped for a short time and gave an account of the various modes in which he spent his time. The following letter is of the date of the 9th September 1799:

"I like Lady Grey extremely, notwithstanding she is mother of the vehement parliamentary democrat, Mr. Grey, who is as pleasing, they pretend, as he is violent, which makes him doubly dangerous. She is, indeed, a charming woman, and by everybody honoured and admired; and as she is aunt to our ardent friend Spotty, the Dean of Winchester's daughters, I was sure to be much flattered and féted by all her family. Sir Charles's mother, old Mrs. Grey, now eighty-five, is a great scientific reader and studier, and is even yet in correspondence with Sir Charles Blagden, who communicates to her all the new philosophical discoveries made throughout Europe. What a distinguished race! The democrat himself, but for his democracy, strikingly at their head! Mrs. Grey took to me mightily, and would hardly let me speak to anybody else. Saturday VOL. IV. NO. I. (1833.)

D

we visited Mr. and Lady Mary Churchill, our close neighbours here, and old acquaintance of mine of fifty years' standing or more. Next day, after church, I went with Miss Crewe and Canning-I serving for chaperon -to visit the Shakspeare Cliff, which is a mile and more beyond the town; and a most fatiguing clamber to it I found! We took different roads, as our eye pointed out the easiest paths; and in so doing, on my being all at once missed, Canning and Miss Crewe were so frightened you can't think! as Miss Larolles would say. They concluded I had tumbled headlong down the Cliff! It has furnished a story to every one we have seen ever since; and that arch clever rogue, Canning, makes ample use of it, at Walmer Castle, and elsewhere. 'Is there any news?' if he be asked, his ready answer is, only Dr. Burney is lost again!'

"This day, 5th September, pray mind! I went to Walmer Castle with Mrs. and Miss Crewe, to dine with Lady Jane Dundas—another charming creature, and one of my new flirtations; and Mr. Pitt dined at home. And Mr. Dundas, Mr. Ryder, Lady Susan, Miss Scott, the sister of the Marchioness of Titchfield,* and Canning, were of the party; with the Hon. Colonel Hope, Lady Jane's brother. What do you think of that Ma'am? Mr. Pitt!-I liked this cabinet dinner prodigiously. Mr. Pitt was all politeness and pleasantry. He has won Mrs. Crewe's and even Miss Crewe's heart, by his attentions and good-humour. My translation of the hymn, Long live the Emperor Francis!' was very well sung in duo by Lady Susan Ryder and Miss Crewe; I joining in the chorus. Lady Jane Dundas is a good musician, and has very good taste. I not only played this hymn of Hadyn's setting, but Suwarrow's March to the great minister; and though Mr. Pitt neither knows nor cares one farthing for flutes and fiddles, he was very attentive; and before, and at dinner, his civility to me was as obliging as if I had half a dozen boroughs at my devotion; offering to me, though a great way off him, of every dish and wine; and entering heartily into Canning's merry stories of my having been lost; and Mrs. Crewe's relation of my dolorous three sea voyages instead of one, when I came back from Germany; all with very civil pleasantry.

Monday the 2d. Dine with Sir Charles Grey, and twenty or thirty officers from the camp, for whom he keeps a table, and is allowed ten guineas a day towards that expense alone. Sir Charles placed me on Lady Grey's right hand, and took the liberty of placing himself on mine! What do you say to that, Ma'am? You cannot imagine how cordially and openly he talked to me on all sorts of things that occurred. I only wish he had kept his eldest hopes in better order! However, he is a charming man; very animated, and, for his time in life, very handsome. To Miss Grey,† a very sweet girl of ten or eleven, I gave a copy of the hymn and of the march, and made her try them with me; much to the satisfaction of Sir Charles and his lady. Next day, Lady Grey and her young people came to breakfast with Mrs. Crewe; and Lord Palmerston and his eldest son, Mr. Temple, came in the evening. Lord Palmerston is a great

favourite of Mrs. Crewe; she would have his character stand for the leading one in the periodical works at which she wants you to preside. Wednesday, we visited the castle at Dover, its Roman Towers, and remains, &c.

"Thursday, we go to the camp at Barham Downs, and see Mr. Pitt at Sir Charles Grey's. The Duke of Portland and Lady Mary Bentinck arrive at our house, where they take up their abode. Friday, go with his Grace and the ladies to the parade, where a feu de joie, by two or three thousand militia and regulars, took place for excellent Dutch news. After which, all but the Duke went to the Camp to visit Mr. John Crewe, just appointed Lieutenant-Commandant of the 9th Regiment, and going abroad. The Duke went on horseback to Walmer Castle, and lent me his chaise and four to follow the three ladies, who occupied Mrs. Crewe's demilandau. And I dined very comfortably and sociably with the good and gay Sir Charles and his charming partner, and their engaging young folks. Tis a delightful family; all spirit and agreeability. There were likewise a few select officers. I came home alone in the Duke's carriage and four, in which Canning reports I was again lost!

"Saturday we go encore to Walmer Castle; Lady Mary Bentinck, Mrs. and Miss Crewe, in Mr. Crewe's chaise and four; and Mrs. Churchill and I in the Duke's. His Grace on horseback. The Duke of York was at the Castle; and all were preparing for the third embarkation for Holland, which did not take place till Sunday, the eighth; when we were all called up at five in the morning. The three ladies set out at six for Deal, which is just by Walmer Castle; but the Duke, who took me in his chaise, did not set off till between seven and eight; and we arrived just before the first boat of transports was launched. After seeing five or six launches, in a very high and contrary wind, we gazers all repaired to lunch at Walmer Castle. Mr. Pitt and Mr. Dundas all hurry, but all attention to his Royal Highness the Duke of York; and to the business of the day. But just as we were going to depart, Mr. Pitt pressed us to stay and take a scrambling dinner, that we might see the Duke of York himself launched. This offer was gladly accepted.

༔ ས

"It was truly a scrambling dinner; his Royal Highness, with his aides-de-camp, Lord Chatham, two or three general officers, the Duke of Portland, Mr. Dundas and Lady Jane, and Mrs. Crewe, filled the first table. Lady Mary Bentinck, with her youngest brother, Lord Charles, going also as aide-de-camp to his Royal Highness; Messrs. Ryder and Lady Susan, Miss Scott, Canning, &c. and I filled the second. Canning is delightful in social parties; full of wit and humour. The cannon on the castle battlements of Walmer and of Deal, and those of all the ships, to the number of at least one hundred and fifty, were fired when his Royal Highness embarked. He looked composed, princely, and noble. It was a very solemn and serious operation to all but the military, who went off in high spirits and glee; though there was a violent east wind against them, which must oblige them to roll about all night, if not this following day. I pity the sea-sickness of the fresh water sailors more than their fighting. And so here's my Journal for you up to this day, 9th Sept. 1799. And take note, Lady Jane Dundas, Lady Susan Ryder, and Lady Grey, I regard as my bonnes fortunes in this expedition. All three have pressingly invited me to their houses in town, and begged that our acquaintance may not drop here. And I don't intend to be cruel! But