Mrs. M⸺.
Concerning Mrs. M. the writer does not appear to have been qualified to say a great deal from personal knowledge. It is the less necessary, as her character, accomplishments, and manners, have been a fertile theme with a great many modern writers.
In conversation she was lively, communicative, and exceedingly agreeable. She possessed the highest polish of good breeding, as well indeed she might, and it was no unpleasant circumstance in the parties which both frequented, to listen to the sprightly dialogue concerning times which were gone by, between Horace Walpole and herself. Mrs. M. retained the dress of the old school, which afforded a whimsical contrast to the more modern habiliments of those females, by whom she was constantly surrounded.
Every thing about Mrs. E. C. tended to inspire reverence and esteem.
She possessed dignity without pride, simplicity without affectation, learning without pedantry, good breeding without any of its tinsel ornaments. She received the homage, which by common consent was on all occasions paid her, with ease and gracefulness; and she communicated what she knew (and she knew a great deal indeed) with affability and good humour, explained what was difficult with readiness, and never discovered any impatience of contradiction.
Mrs. C. received unfeigned tributes of admiration from a great many of the most illustrious characters of her country, but none paid her more particular attention than the late honoured and revered Bishop Porteus. He was an excellent judge of mental endowments, both natural and acquired; and it was the esteem which both combined to conciliate, that rendered her society so grateful at London-House and at Fulham. She was always employed on some subject or object of benevolence, and though her own means of beneficence were circumscribed, her recommendation and introduction to the great and powerful had no inconsiderable influence, and from a long catalogue of meritorious names, might Mrs. C. reasonably expect (as indeed she received) the warmest acknowledgments of gratitude.
But of this illustrious lady it would perhaps be superfluous to say more. Her literary life and private character have been communicated to the public by one eminently qualified to form a due estimate of their value. But the object, at least one object of these Memoirs, is to bring to recollection the distinguished personages of both sexes, to whom a personal introduction was obtained, from no other claims or pretensions than an ardent love and pursuit of learning. The honour of a not unfrequent meeting with this lady, was too flattering and too gratifying to be passed over unnoticed and unacknowledged.
Differ opus livida turba tuum.