My father’s German tour has been published this week; in it are inserted proposals for publishing by subscription his History of Music. If he has not 500 subscribers by next Christmas, he declares he will not publish it at all....
I will at least hope, that the German tour will not disgrace its brother of Italy. Mr. Garrick writes that “nothing can be more pleasing to his friends or more agreeable to the public; and that it is clear, interesting, instructive, and delightful.” My father has made a prodigious quantity of presents of this book, though as yet not half the number he did of the Italian the day before that was published, viz.; to Messrs. Garrick, Colman, Woide, Baretti, Strange, Hayes, Crisp, Edwards, Young; to Doctors Shepherd, Hunter, Armstrong, Hawkesworth; to Mr. Fischar, to Lord Sandwich, and to Mr. Burney... and to... his friends abroad. To Signor Millico he sent one immediately as he had insisted on my father’s accepting....
Captain Brydone, who Mr. Beckford brought to one of our concerts, has just published, “A Tour to the Islands of Sicily and Malta, in letters to William Beckford, Esq., from P. Brydone, F.R.S.” I have received very great entertainment from this book; it is written in an easy, natural, and lively style, and is full of anecdotes, observations, and descriptions, and in many places is very philosophical. It discovers throughout a liveliness of imagination, an insatiate curiosity after knowledge, and the most vehement desire of instruction. I very much wish, that the author may continue his acquaintance with my father; for I am sure he must be very agreeable.
Dr. Goldsmith has just brought on the stage a new comedy, called, “She stoops to Conquer” We went to it with Mr and Mrs. Young; it is very laughable and comic; but I know not how it is, almost all diversions are insipid at present to me, except the opera —
Miss Linley is married to Mr. Sheridan. She has entirely given up singing in public, and I am very glad to find that the Queen has taken her under her protection, as private singer to Her Majesty, and allows to her a salary of £600 per ann. I hope this double settlement will ensure her peace for life, though heaven knows how many hearts it may break! I have not seen Barsanti for this age. Her benefit is fixed for the [10th] of this month....
My father came home between four and five, all kindness and indulgence, he asked if we should like to go to the Opera? Mama declined it; but Susan and I were quite in rapture. To the pleasure of hearing such sweet music, — [it was Tamerlano,] — was added the interest we took in its success on account of the composer. We called upon my sister, who was delighted at joining us. There was a very fine house.... The pit and boxes quite full.
Mr. Harris of Salisbury, famous for his Treatises on Music, Happiness, &c., sat just before us [at the Opera,] and was introduced by [Mr. Batt,] a gentleman with him, to my father. I found he was an enthusiast for Sacchini, whose music my father and himself seemed endeavouring which should praise most. “Such ingenious accompaniments, so much taste, such an inexhaustible variety, &c.” Mr. Harris also mentioned that he was acquainted and consequently charmed with the man as well as the musician — I have not heard any Opera that has given me equal pleasure, except Il Cid.
Now for Sunday. They [Sacchini and Millico] came early. Sacchini... was in apparent high spirits, and had an animation in his countenance, that I had thought was foreign to it, as he has hitherto appeared too mild and gentle to be even lively, which however could merely have been owing to his bad health, or else his inquietude about his operas; for this evening he was all spirit. He was seated next to mama, — who, when he found it in vain to address in French or Italian, he said in a very droll voice, “Eh bien! — I most speak Engelise;” then bowing to her, “How do you do, Madam? very well?” This little attempt included, I believe, almost all his English [learning.]
My father then told Sacchini how much he had been charmed with Tamerlanof which he had heard the night before... my father told him that we were all there and equally delighted. Signor Sacchini receives compliments with the graceful modesty of a man by nature diffident, yet by custom inured to them. He then again repeated his exercise. Millico pursued the conversation concerning the opera, and very drolly going to the harpsichord, played a passage in one of the choruses, and mimicked a most terrible man, who in spight of all the instruction he has had, always ruins it. This chorus is exceeding spirited, and though very indifferently performed, has a very fine effect, and is very much admired. “It shews the composer,” said my father, in Italian; “notwithstanding his mildness and sweetness, he breaks out, now and then, with all the Neapolitan fire: he is a Vesuvius at times!”
Mrs and the Miss Ellerkers now entered; the mother is a slow, dawdling, sleepy kind of dame; the daughters are accomplished, and anxious for distinction, and good and well-principled; but very stiff and affected. I like them, nevertheless, for their real enthusiasm for Millico and Sacchini. There is always soul with enthusiasm, though not always sense.... Millico told us that he had received an invitation to go to the Feast for the Sons of the Clergy at... My father told him how [ — ] he would be entertained there.... Miss Ellerker now led the way to the study. Millico, like another Orpheus, was embracing his harp. We all flocked about him, but he would not sing a note till we were all seated. O! how he did sing then! His voice with the harp, how infinitely sweet! the delicacy of his.... piano so affectingly soft! smooth, melting I may say, — the forte clear, well-toned, exactly and nicely in tune. The harp alone is proper to accompany such a voice. He sang to airs, all of his own composition and expressly made for the harp; they are very pretty, but serve as mere outlines for him to fill up. He has lately published them. He told my father, that it was not to get, but simply to save money, that he printed them; for that, wherever he played them, he found so many ladies requested them of him, that he should have been ruined in paying copyists. My sister was next desired to play. She was accompanied by her husband in an... of my fathers which was very much admired....
In the midst of this [performance], two beaus entered; Mr. Grimston, eldest son of Lord Grimston, and his brother. He is just returned from making the grand tour, and I did very much envy him that when he was introduced to Signors Millico and Sacchini he entered into an Italian conversation.
Millico, to our universal satisfaction, was now again called upon to indulge us with his harp, and he immediately complied. He favoured us with the same airs again, which I suppose better suit his instrument than any others. When we had breathed, which we scarcely allowed ourselves to do while he sung, Mr. Burney was requested to play: he was animated, and never played better. It is impossible to express the delight which his performance gave to Millico. His amazing execution really excited in him the most hearty laughs. The Italians cultivate harpsichord-playing so little, giving all their time to the voice, that execution such as Mr. Burney’s appeared miraculous, and when Millico saw him make a fine and long shake with his fourth and little fingers, and then change from finger to finger, while his left hand kept on the subject, he was really almost convulsed.
.. and when it was over, rising from his seat, he clapt his hands and cried with emphasis and in a very droll accent, “It is terrible, I really tink.”
* * * * *
We have returned the Ellerkers’ visit, though they did not return their Entertainment! No music! no Millico! no Sacchini! — everything stupid and heavy.
Miss Barsanti’s Benefit was the 10th.... She however did the Prelude, and acted Sophy in the “Musical Lady.” I think she acquitted herself extremely well;.... with spirit and propriety. She had a very great house. [My dear father took]... tickets of her. I am much pleased that this evening has proved at once so creditable and so profitable to her.
I do not know whether I have ever mentioned the breach that happened some years since between my father and Mr. Greville, occasioned by some dispute, in which the latter conducted himself with so much arrogance that, notwithstanding the very long friendship and intercourse between them, they broke off all acquaintance; and have not met since. But this last week my father received the
following curious note: Query? — [N.B. — I have quite forgot what the query was; but this followed: — ]
“Lord March and Mr. Greville have a small bet upon this, and have both agreed to refer the matter to Dr. Burney’s decision. They will, therefore, be much obliged to him, if he will send his answer to Almack’s.” My father accordingly did; but we have heard no more of it, save only a note of thanks from Mr. Greville. I am always concerned at the breaking of old friends. I am sure that Mr. Greville loves my father, and I doubt not wishes much to renew his intimacy; but he is a haughty man, and must be too sensible that he has acted ill, to be able to make a graceful reparation.
My father’s friend, Mr. Beckford, is just married; we have not seen him since, though he has called. I should like to be acquainted with his bride, who I think must be amiable.
* * * * *
[May.]
Mama is gone to Lynn [already] for the summer;.... Bessy and the sweet Dick are gone with her. I am once more here en maitresse; but, thank Heaven! my dear father is en maitre; I am never half so happy as with him.
We were at the Fund-Play last year. Garrick did King Lear — but too well! He has alarmed us extremely by hinting at a design of leaving the stage next year. I hope he will be prevailed upon to change his resolution. He has been here twice lately, — in most excellent spirits. One morning he called at eight o’clock, and, unfortunately, Sukey and I were not come down stairs. We hurried in vain; for he discovered our laziness and made us monstrously ashamed by his raillery. “I shall tell Mrs. Garrick,” said he, “that I found the Doctor reading Petrarch, in flannels, like a young man — but where, says I, where were the young ladies? where do you think were my favourites? why in bed!”
When he went away, he caught Charlotte in his arms, and ran with her down the steps, and to the corner of the square, protesting he intended taking her off, [as his own Reynolds’s Comedy, which she looks as if she had sat for, he says — ]
* * * * *
Mr. Baretti called here last Sunday. He told my father that Dr. Johnson will be very glad to see him; that he has read both his Tours with great pleasure, and has pronounced him to be one of the first writers of the age for travels! [Such praise from Dr. Johnson, whom my father reveres above all authors living or dead, has given him the highest delight.]
[Here follow six lines, which may be read as saying that F. has had a most earnest and pressing invitation from the Rishtons to pass the summer with them at Teignmouth. “My father, however, does not wish to part with his Librarian at present — but when he goes into Norfolk I fancy and hope I shall make a trip into Devonshire.”
In a letter written from Teignmouth on the 23rd of May, which was given to a man going to Exeter to be posted there, but which was quite forgotten by him until the 28th, Maria urges Fanny not to go to Lynn, but to spend the summer with her at Teignmouth. It is but sixty miles farther; if Dr. Burney can spare Fanny to go to Lynn, he can spare her to go to Teignmouth. She can come in a chaise in twenty-six hours, or if she does not “like the fatigue of that,” there is a “regular machine comes in two days to Exeter, where we would meet you at the Oxford Inn.” She is to stay till September, when Maria will take her up to town, and thence to Lynn in her own chaise.
Fanny need not lay out a penny for Teignmouth, as she must for the visitings at Lynn. Maria herself wears nothing at Teignmouth but “a common linnen gown,” and has not had her hair once dressed since she came there. She writes at the suggestion of Mr. Rishton, who would fain “go out oftner a fishing and shooting,” had his wife any companion. Maria can ask none but Fanny, as her rooms are “so littered with dogs and poultry,” and she can only offer Fanny the room in which her own trunks are kept.]
Sunday, June 13th.
[This day, time was! — gave me birth; but no bells have rung, no guns have fired: I am strangely neglected!]....
My father, Mr and Mrs. Young, Susan, and myself went last Friday to Marybone Gardens... to see.... Signor.... sitting in a box.... Mr. Young was here last night —
Susan and I are extremely comfortable together; and my father who is all kindness.... makes us truly happy —
We are both studying Italian — We are reading [some of the best French works together,] not regularly, but only such parts as are adapted either to our capacity or inclination. We have just finished the Henriade. I am not absolutely in raptures with it; I think Voltaire has made much too free with religion in giving words to the Almighty. I doat on poetry; but cannot allow of even poetical licence giving language human to the Divine Power. For which reason I am more attached to poetry concerning fabulous times; for Jove, Juno, Minerva, Venus, — may talk as much as they please. I am never hurt even at their quarrelling. But a man pretending to believe in revealed Religion, to presume to dictate sentiments to his maker, — I cannot think it right. Nay more, he actually makes his God so very a human creature, as to give up His intended proceedings, upon the prayers of Lewis! It is very well for a Jove or any other fabulous God, to be softened, or enraged, and mutable; but an all-seeing Eye — can it leave anything for another to represent? an all-wise, all-good Power, — can it have any design which is better to be laid aside? But M. Voltaire, [I understand,] is not a man of very rigid principles, [at least not in religion.] —
Sacchini told my father that, when he first came to England, he dined with a person of distinction, along with Seignior Giardini (who loves mischief better than any man alive); and Giardini gave him a lesson that, when he wanted wine and water to drink, he must ask for it in English, by saying, “How do do?” Accordingly, when he was dry, he turned to a servant, and said very civilly, “How do do)” the man made a very low bow, and seemed very much confused; but brought him no wine and water! He was obliged to be patient; but took the first opportunity of saying to another of the men, “How do do?” the man grinn’d, and bowed; but still, no wine and water! he found himself extremely dry, and very much surprised, and perhaps thought he spoke ill; but yet again repeated his demand to a third servant. Upon which il Padrone della casa called out to him, “Mr. Sacchini, you are very civil to my people; how came you to know them all?”
“Moi!” cried he, “j’ai seulement demande á boire?”
“Et que dites-vous pour cela?”— “How do do” Giardini’s lesson was then betrayed; the laugh, I doubt not, was very hearty.
* * * * * * [FROM MRS. RISHTON TO MISS BURNEY.]
[In No. 42, which is dated, June ye 6th, Mrs. Rishton complains that there has been no answer to the foregoing letter or to one to Dr. Burney enclosed in the same frank, a fortnight previously. She repeats the substance of these letters. She begs Fanny to buy Mr. Rishton, “Two Cricket Balls, made by Pett of 7 Oaks — you will get them at any of the great Toy shops, the makers name always stamp’d upon them — ask for the very best sort, which costs 4s or 4s. 6d each — let them weigh 4 oz and qu or 4 oz and 1/2 each, send them by the Exeter post coach. This is followed by a letter of the 13th of June, which claims “the clause in the latter part” of Dr. Burney’s reply, which Maria has just received, “as an absolute promise, for it is impossible you can be A person of such immense consequence that you can be able to work during your Father’s Absence at Lynn without his guiding — unless you are to be the Authoress of the History of Musick — only intend following the plan of Marmontel’s Connoisseur — that is out of great generosity allow the Dr the merit of it — and let it pass in his Name — I own that will be Noble.
— their is one of his scruples which I must endeavour to Answer — as you seem to say it is the principal — that is his fear of your travelling alone — Now really my dear Fanny — I must say with a deep sigh — we don’t Live in an Age for Adventures — Nor have we the men spirit enough to be knight errants — really to my sorrow I say it — I never met with an Adventure in my life — I have travelled from 16 (a critical Age Fanny — ) till I married without meeting with a single occurrence in my travels worth publishing. I have been from London to York and from York to L
ondon — to Bath, Lynn, Brighthelmstone with a long &c., and I am afraid was ever Unnoticed from the Vulgar Crew
‘Full many a flower is born to Blush unseen
‘And waste its sweetness in the desert air.’
Exactly my Case — Fanny — Grey certainly thought of me when he composed those Lines — I own I am fond of them for that reason — but Joking apart I really believe take it in general the Company in a Stage Coach Consists chiefly — of perhaps reputable tradesmen their wives or daughters — or perhaps a mantua Maker or Milliner — but really they are generally good Harmless civil kind of people — who if you can bear with their Nonsense will treat you very well. — It is not the Conveyance for Bucks or Mackeronies — I wonder the Dr has never thought of your travelling to Exeter on a Cow — and feeding on her Milk I have long’d to go a journey that way ever since I read his journel — That I hope your Absence for a Month or six Weeks will not much retard his Book — as you coud not have workd much in the dog-days.” Describing in this letter her enjoyment of the lovely Devonshire scenery, as viewed with Mr. Rishton, she adds, “though if we had set out to visit a pig stye or Brandon Sands I shoud have been happy and delighted in his Company or must have been the most ungrateful Creature breathing.”....
Fanny is given a commission. “ Mr. Rishton begs you wou’d open a bill for him at Nounes — or to make use of his Elegant Expression spring a Tick with him at that Booksellers — let him know the lad is no sharper and send him down — Hawksworth’s Journal — and at the same time — Veneronis Grammar — which tho’ he likes Antoninis very much yet he is told may be useful to him in some respects — but Noune knows the youth is no Sharper — let them be sent as soon as possible — by the Exeter Waggon, if the Work is not Published Mr. R. would be glad to be a Subscriber — Write a long letter with the Books.”]
Complete Works of Frances Burney Page 469
