But nothing could bring back her old patrons, and the social status of her masked balls got lower and lower. Worse than all, the refreshments were not so plentiful as of old, as we may see in the "Citizen's Complaint to the Priestess of Soho," which concludes thus—
"Yet fairy scenes and preparations,
With all your novel decorations,
Are diet fitter, let me tell ye,
To feed the Fancy than the Belly."
In 1778, Carlisle House was again to be sold, but still Madame Cornelys, somehow, kept her clutches on it. She established an "Academy of Sciences and Belles Lettres"—a Library with Newspapers, &c.—and a debating society, open to both Sexes. This "School of Eloquence" collapsed in 1781. Scientific lectures, Joseph Borouwlaski, the Polish Dwarf, and some more Masquerades, were all tried, but without avail, to resuscitate her fallen fortunes. It was said that she gave four and a half Masquerades, the half being accounted for, by the fact that no license had been taken out, and the masquers were ejected.
After 1782 Carlisle House seems to have been shut up; on 28 June 1785, Christie sold the furniture, China, and other effects; and in 1788 the old Mansion was pulled down, and what was the grand Saloon has been altered into a Roman Catholic Chapel, St. Patrick's, Soho.
There is no record of Madame for some years, but we know from Newspaper notices, that in 1792 she took a large house and grounds in Knightsbridge Road, formerly occupied by a dealer in Asses milk, and converted it into a "female archery."
Luck was against her, this failed; she was very old, had fought her fight, and now the refuge for the remainder of her days was the Fleet Prison. There, however, she met with kindness from friends, and help from her daughter, who was very accomplished, and no more is heard of her, until the paragraph in the Times, which heads this memoir.
"Masquerade at Marlboro House.
"At the Duchess of Marlborough's Gala, on Wednesday evening, one of the principal ornaments was the statute of Precedency, elegantly illuminated, in variegated lamps over the grand entrance. Lyon, Clarencieux, and Garter, Kings-at-Arms, in their coats of office, were stationed in the hall, and marshalled the guests upon their arrival. Upon the first landing place, were Her Grace's Vice-Chamberlain, and three Masters of the Ceremonies, attended by deputy Masters, and the Pages of the Presence, and back staircase. In the antechamber, covers were provided for the Lord Mayor, and Sheriffs of London, whose pease were said to be served cold, but his Lordship eat his peaches without hazarding any remarks. His Mace was thought to be one of the finest pieces of sculpture ever executed in pastry. It contained a fine pine-apple in the capital, with a beautiful crown in Naples-biscuit, and his chair was entirely composed of barley sugar drops. In the next room were the Barons and Baronesses, the newly created ones next the door, and the premier Baron very near, but not in contact with the lowest Viscount, in the corridor of the third chamber. The Lord Chamberlain, the Lords of the Bedchamber, the Gold and Silver Sticks, &c., had their wands of the best double refined sugar, excepting the Gold Stick, whose staff was of barley-sugar, or as some say sugar-candy.
"In the inner rooms, according to their rank, and date, were placed the Earls, Marquisses, and Dukes of England. The premier Duke, and E. M., nearest to the Noble Hostess. The Lords on the cross bench were served with some difficulty by Beefeaters, who were obliged to move like the Knights at Chess, which had a very pretty effect. It added to the liveliness, and gaiety of the meeting, that every mask had for its neighbour, on both hands, the same individual it conversed with so frequently at Mr. Hasting's trial, which made the 'I know you,' and 'Who are you?' exceedingly facetious and happy. The Lords of the Bedchamber were in high glee, and spirits, but were discovered by their jokes, some of which were remembered upon former occasions. The Maids of Honour were in perfect character and detected in an instant."—(Times, June 21, 1799.)
Music was much in vogue both publicly and in private. Concerts were plentiful, the most aristocratic, perhaps, being held in Willis's Rooms, of which I will give one Advertisement, relating to a ball.