“What invitation, Miss Burney, is here, for genius to display itself!—Everybody, I hear, is at work for Mrs. Siddons; but if you would work for her, what an inducement to excel you would both of you have!—Dr. Burney—.”
“Oh, pray, ma'am,” cried I, “don't say to him—”
“Oh, but I will!—if my influence can do you any mischief, you may depend upon having it.”
She then repeated what she had said to my father, and he instantly said,—
“Your ladyship may be sure of my interest.”
I whispered afterwards to know who she was, and heard she Was Lady Lucan.
DR. JOHNSON'S INMATES AT BOLT-COURT.
On Tuesday, Dec. 24, I went in the evening to call on Mrs. Thrale, and tore myself away from her to go to Bolt-court to see Dr. Johnson, who is very unwell. He received me with great kindness, and bade me come oftener, which I will try to contrive. He told me he heard of nothing but me, call upon him who would; and, though he pretended to growl, he was evidently delighted for me. His usual set, Mrs. Williams and Mrs. De Mullins, were with him; and some queer man of a parson who, after grinning at me some time, said,—
“Pray, Mrs. De Mullins, is the fifth volume of 'Cecilia' at home yet? Dr. Johnson made me read it, ma'am.”