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I rejoice Mrs. Crewe is in town. I hope you will see her often. No one can be more genial to you. joice, too, Mr. Coxe has got hold of you. I know his friendly zeal will be at work to do all that is in his power to cheer you, and my dearest father has all the kind consideration for others that leads to accepting good offices. Nothing is so cruel as rejecting them. My Monsieur was very sorry to see so little of you, but he would not disappoint my expectations of his return. He did not imagine what a gem he brought me into the bargain. My own "little gem," as Etty (ill-naturedly) calls the poor gentleman, is blithe and well,

F. D'A.

Dr. Burney to Madame d'Arblay.

Monday, February 6, '97.

MY DEAR FANNY,-I shall prepare a scrap for parcellina, which will contain a communication of Mrs. Crewe's further ideas about a periodical paper. You have her first sketch, and here she displays great fertility of resources. All I ever said to her about your notions was that you thought her plan a good one, and pregnant with much matter for putting it in execution. She is very eager about it, and talks to Windham, the Duchess of Portland, &c., about it; and thinks, without being political, it may improve taste, morals, and manners. Her notion is that Sir Hugh would be an admirable successor to Sir Roger de Coverley. He is quite popular; and traits of his character, and benevolence and simplicity, sayings and "bothers," now and then would be delightful. I told her that I thought you would never have courage or activity sufficient to be the principal editor of such a paper; but that, if well arranged and under an able conductor, you

would have no objection to contribute your mite now and then did I go too far?

The answer to inquiries of poor Lord Orford on Saturday were bad, and

hope of his recovery.

to-day the papers say there is little

His papers are left (say the newswriters) to the care of Lord Cholmondely, Mr. Owen Cambridge, and Mr. Jerningham.

I am glad you like my varses. If they should be good for anything, people would say, "you have met with your desert."

I shall like to see some of our Chevalier's effusions before he was John Bullified—I believe I have a few in an old Almanac des Muses.'

I think I can report (a little) progress in my astronomic poem, but am more and more frightened every day in seeing more of the plan of the building I have to construct, of which little more than a corner had caught my eye at first. Above six hundred lines are now added to what I read to you, and yet I am now only arrived at Ptolemy. To describe his system in verse will be very difficult, as technical Greek words are unwieldy in our monosyllabic measures. I think, if I could a little get up my spirits and perseverance, this business would fasten on me. But, alas, 'tis too late in the day for amendment of any sort !

I am glad you have taken up your tale in dialogue. It pleased me, I remember, but seemed too simple for our stage; but, as a tale, I have no doubt but you will make it most pleasantly interesting. On! On!

How does the poor dear little gentleman? You cannot be so dull with him as we are without him. However backward in speech, he is certainly eloquent in countenance and tones of voice. Give him, with my be

nediction, as many kisses as you think his due, and as I should give him if on my knee.

Madame d'Arblay to Dr. Burney.

C. B.

Bookham, February, '97.

I HARDLY know whether I am most struck with the fertility of the ideas Mrs. Crewe has started, or most gratified by their direction: certainly I am flattered where most susceptible of pleasure, when a mind such as hers would call me forth from my retirement to second views so important in their ends, and demanding such powers in their progress. But though her opinion would give me courage, it cannot give me means. I am too far removed from the scene of public life to compose anything of public utility in the style she indicates. The " manners as they rise," the morals or their deficiencies, as they preponderate, should be viewed, for such a scheme, in all their variations, with a diurnal eye. For though it may not be necessary this gentleman-author should be a frequenter himself of public places, he must be sufficiently in the midst of public people, to judge the justice of what is communicated to him by his correspondents. The plan is so excellent it ought to be well adopted, and really fulfilled. Many circumstances would render its accomplishment nearly impossible for me: wholly to omit politics would mar all the original design; yet what would be listened to unabused from a writer who is honoured by a testimony such as mine of having resigned royal service without resigning royal favour? Personal abuse would make a dreadful breach into the peace of my happiness; though censure of my works I can endure with tolerable firmness: the latter I submit to as

the public right, by prescription; the former I think authorised by no right, and recoil from with mingled fear and indignation.

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I could mention other embarrassments as to politics— but they will probably occur to you, though they may esMrs. Crewe, who is not so well versed in the history and strong character of M. d'Arblay, to whom the misfortunes of his general and friend are but additional motives to invincible adherence. And how would Mr. Windham, after his late speech, endure a paper in which M. de Lafayette could never be named but with respect and pity? You will feel, I am sure, for his constancy and his honour; his profession de foi in politics is exactly, he says, what you have so delightfully drawn in what you call your Lilliputian verses, and his attachment, his reverence, his gratitude for our King, are like my own. His arm, his life is at his service-as I have told the Princess Augusta, and he has told Lord Leslie.

To a paper of such a sort, upon a plan less extensive, I feel no repugnance, though much apprehension. I have many things by me that, should I turn my thoughts upon such a scheme, might facilitate its execution; and there my admirable mother's-and, let me proudly say, her admirable godmother's-work might and should, as I know she wishes, appear with great propriety; but even this is a speculation from which my agitated and occupied heart at present turns aside, from incapability of attention; for I am just now preparing our little darling for his first sufferings and first known danger: he is to be inoculated about a week hence.

Do, I entreat, dearest Sir, tell Mrs. Crewe I am made even the happier by her kind partiality. Had matters been otherwise situated, how I should have delighted in any scheme in which she would have taken a part!

I long to see the six hundred lines: pray work up Ptolemy, but don't ask me how! I can hardly imagine anything more difficult for poetry.

F. D'A.

Madame d'Arblay to Dr. Burney.

Bookham, March 16, '97,

MY DEAREST PADRE,-Relieved at length from a terror that almost from the birth of my little darling has hung upon my mind, with what confidence in your utmost kindness do I call for your participation in my joy that all alarm is over, and Mr. Ansel has taken his leave! I take this large sheet, to indulge in a Babiana which "dea gandpa" will, I am sure, receive with partial pleasure, upon this most important event to his poor little gentleman.

When Mr. Ansel came to perform the dreaded operation, he desired me to leave the child to him and the maid but my agitation was not of that sort. I wished for the experiment upon the most mature deliberation; but while I trembled with the suspense of its effect, I could not endure to lose a moment from the beloved little object for and with whom I was running such a risk.

He sat upon my lap, and Mr. Ansel gave him a bit of barley-sugar, to obtain his permission for pulling off one sleeve of his frock and shirt. He was much surprised at this opening to an acquaintance-for Mr. Ansel made no previous visit, having sent his directions by M. d'Arblay. However, the barley-sugar occupied his mouth, and inclined him to a favourable interpretation, though he stared with upraised eyebrows. Mr. Ansel bid Betty hold him a plaything at the other side, to draw off his eyes from what was to follow; and I began a little history to him of the mis

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