The office which f.a.n.n.y shared with that "old hag," Mrs.
Schwellenberg, was that of keeper of the robes, and she entered upon her new duties in the month Of July, 1786.
Dress had always been one of the last subjects about which she troubled herself, and her want of experience in this all-important matter was graciously taken into consideration by the queen. The duties of the place were lightened, or, at least, altered in her favour. The difficulties with respect to jewellery, laces, and Court habiliments, and the other routine business belonging to the dress manufactory appertained to her colleague, Mrs. Schwellenberg; the manual labours and cares devolved upon the wardrobewomen; while from herself all that officially was required was a.s.siduous attention, unremitting readiness for every summons to the dressing--room, not unfrequent long readings, and perpetual sojourn at the palace.[189]--ED.]
ROYAL GENEROSITY to MRS. DELANY.
f.a.n.n.y BURNEY TO DR. BURNEY
St. James"s-place,
Aug. 24.
I must tell you, dearest sir, a tale concerning Mrs. Delany, which I am sure you will hear with true pleasure. Among the many inferior losses which have been included in her great and irreparable calamity,[190] has been that of a country house for the summer, which she had in Bulstrode, and which for the half of every year was her constant home. The Duke of Portland behaved with the utmost propriety and feeling upon this occasion, and was most earnest to accommodate her to the best of his power, with every comfort to which she had been accustomed; but this n.o.blest of women declared she loved the memory of her friend beyond all other things, and would not suffer it to be tainted in the misjudging world by an action that would be construed into a reflection upon her will, as if deficient in consideration to her. She steadily, therefore, refused all offers, though made to her with even painful earnestness, and though solicited till her refusal became a distress to herself
This transaction was related, I believe, to their majesties and Lady Weymouth, the d.u.c.h.ess"s eldest daughter, was commissioned to wait upon Mrs. Delany with this message, That the queen was extremely anxious about her health, and very apprehensive lest continuing in London during the summer should be prejudicial to it: she entreated her, therefore, to accept a house belonging to the king at Windsor, which she should order to be fitted up for her immediately; and she desired Lady Weymouth to give her time to consider this proposal, and by no means to hurry her; as well as to a.s.sure her, that happy as it would make her to have one she so sincerely esteemed as a neighbour, she should remember her situation, and promise not to be troublesome to her. The king, at the same time, desired to be allowed to stand to the additional expenses incurred by the maintenance of two houses, and that Mrs. Delany would accept from him 300 pounds a year.
It would be needless to tell you how Mrs. Delany was touched by this benevolence. Yet she dreaded accepting what she feared would involve her in a new course of life, and force her into notice and connexions she wished to drop or avoid. She took the time the queen so considerately gave her for deliberation, and she consulted with some of her old friends. They all agreed there must be no refusal, and Lady Weymouth was made the messenger of her majesty"s offer being accepted.
The house, therefore, is now fitting up, and the king sees after the workmen himself.
A few days ago, Miss Planta[191] was sent from the queen, with very kind inquiries after Mrs. Delany"s health, and information that she would receive a summons very soon. She told her, also, that as the house might still require a longer time in preparation than would suit Mrs. Delany to wait in London, the queen had ordered some apartments in the Castle, which lately belonged to Prince Edward, to be got ready with all speed, that she might reside in them till her own house was finished.
This is the state of her affairs. I am now with her entirely. At first I slept at home; but going after supper, and coming before breakfast, was inconvenient, and she has therefore contrived me a bed-room....
f.a.n.n.y BURNEY TO MRS. LOCKE.
St. James"s-place,
Aug. 29.
All our movements are at present uncertain; Mrs. Delany"s Windsor house is still unfinished, but I suppose it will be fit for her reception by the beginning of next week, and I have the happiest reasons for hoping she will then be fit for it herself. Her maid has been to see what forwardness it is in, and this was her report:--She was ordered to wait upon Miss Goldsworthy,[192] by the king"s direction, who heard of her being sent to inspect the house; and there she received commands, in the name of both king and queen, to see that Mrs. Delany brought with her nothing but herself and clothes, as they insisted upon fitting up her habitation with everything themselves, including not only plate, china, gla.s.s, and linen, but even all sort of stores--wine, sweetmeats, pickles, etc. Their earnestness to save her every care, and give her every gratification in their power, is truly benevolent and amiable.
They seem to know and feel her worth as if they had never worn crowns, or, wearing, annexed no value to them.
A VISIT TO MRS. DELANY.
Windsor, Sat.u.r.day, Nov. 25--I got to Hounslow almost at the same moment with Mrs. Astley, my dear Mrs. Delany"s maid, who was sent to meet me.
As soon as she had satisfied my inquiries concerning her lady, she was eager to inform me that the queen had drunk tea with Mrs. Delany the day before, and had asked when I should come, and heard the time; and that Mrs. Delany believed she would be with her again that evening, and desire to see me. This was rather fidgetting intelligence. I rather, in my own mind, thought the queen would prefer giving me the first evening alone with my dear old friend. I found that sweet lady not so well as I had hoped, and strongly affected by afflicting recollections at sight of me. With all her gentleness and resignation, bursts of sorrow break from her still whenever we are alone together, for the d.u.c.h.ess of Portland was a boson" friend to her.
Miss Port.[193] who is a truly lovely girl, received me with her usual warmth of joy, and was most impatient to whisper me that "all the princesses intended to come and see me." She is just at the age to doat upon an ado, and nothing so much delights her as the thought of my presentations.
Mrs. Delany acquainted me that the queen, in their first interview, upon her coming to this house, said to her, "Why did not you bring your friend Miss Burney with you?"
My dear Mrs. Delany was very much gratified by such an attention to whatever could be thought interesting to her, but, with her usual propriety, answered that, in coming to a house of her majesty"s, she could not presume to ask anybody without immediate and express permission. "The king, however," she added, "made the very same inquiry when I saw him next."
_Sunday, Nov. 26._--So now the royal encounters, for a while at least, are out of all question. n.o.body came last night, though Mrs. Delany I saw, and Miss Port. I heard, in continual expectation; but this morning, Mr. Battis...o...b.., apothecary to the household, called, and said that an express arrived from Germany yesterday afternoon, with an account of the death of the queen"s youngest brother.
The queen,--whose domestic virtues rise upon me every hour, is strongly attached to all her family, and in much affliction at this news; for though this brother was quite a boy when she left Germany, he has twice been to visit her in, England. None of the royal family will appear till the mourning takes place; the queen, perhaps, may shut herself up still longer.
At night, quite incog. quite alone, and quite privately, the king came, and was shut up with Mrs. Delany for an hour. It is out of rule for any of the family to be seen till in mourning, but he knew she was anxious for an account of the queen. I had a very narrow escape of being surprised by him, which would have vexed me, as he only meant to see Mrs. Delany by herself, though she says he told her he was very glad to hear I was come.
ROYAL CURIOSITY ABOUT MISS BURNEY.
_Thursday, Dec. 1._--To-day the queen sent Miss Planta to tell Mrs.
Delany that if she would not yet venture to the Lodge, she would come to her in the evening. Mrs. Delany accepted the gracious offer, and, at tea-time, she came, as well as the king, and spent two hours here.
Mrs. Delany told me afterwards, that the queen was very low-spirited, and seemed to wish for nothing but the solace of sitting perfectly quiet. She is a sweet woman, and has all the domestic affections warm and strong in her heart.
Nevertheless they talked of me, she says, a good deal--and the king asked many questions about me. There is a new play, he told Mrs.
Delany, coming out; "and it is said to be Miss Burney"s!" Mrs. Delany immediately answered that she knew the report must be untrue. "But I hope she is not idle?" cried the king. "I hope she is writing something?"
What Mrs. Delany said, I know not; but he afterwards inquired what she thought of my writing a play?
"What," said he, "do you wish about it, Mrs. Delany?"
Mrs. Delany hesitated, and the queen then said,
"I wish what I know Mrs. Delany does--that she may not; for though her reputation is so high, her character, by all I hear, is too delicate to suit with writing for the stage."
Sweet queen! I could have kissed the hem of her garment for that speech, and I could not resist writing it.
Mrs. Delany then said,
"Why My opinion is what I believe to be Miss Burney"s own; that It is too public and hazardous a style of writing for her quiet and fearful turn of mind."
I have really the grace to be a little ashamed of scribbling this, but I know I can scribble nothing my dear father will be more curious to hear.
_Sat.u.r.day, Dec. 3_--This morning we had better news of the princess--and Mrs. Delany went again to the Lodge in the evening, to the queen. When Mrs. Delany returned, she confirmed the good accounts of the Princess Elizabeth"s amendment. She had told the queen I was going to-morrow to Thames Ditton, for a week; and was asked many questions about my coming back, which the queen said she was sure I should be glad to do from Mrs.
Walsingham to Mrs. Delany. O most penetrating queen!
She gratified Mrs. Delany by many kind speeches, of being sorry I was going, and glad I was returning, and so forth. Mrs. Delany then told her I had been reading "The Clandestine Marriage" to her, which the queen had recommended, and she thanked her majesty for the very great pleasure she had received from it.
"O then," cried the queen, "if Miss Burney reads to you, what a pleasure you must have to make her read her own works!"