It seems Mrs. Phipps had the art to persuade him that she had the disposal of what was then called a hyaena—­that is, an heiress—­an immense Jamaica heiress, in whom she was willing to give or sell her interest to Charles Fox.  Without having perfect confidence in the obliging proposal, the great statesman thought the thing worth looking after, and became so earnest in it, that Mrs. Phipps was desirous to back out of it for fear of discovery.  With this view she made confession one fine morning, with many professions of the deepest feelings, that the hyaena had proved a frail monster, and given birth to a girl or boy—­no matter which.  Even this did not make Charles quit chase of the hyaena.  He intimated that if the cash was plenty and certain, the circumstance might be overlooked.  Mrs. Phipps had nothing for it but to double the disgusting dose.  “The poor child,” she said, “was unfortunately of a mixed colour, somewhat tinged with the blood of Africa; no doubt Mr. Fox was himself very dark, and the circumstance might not draw attention,” etc. etc.  This singular anecdote was touched upon by Foote, and is the cause of introducing the negress into the Cozeners,[192] though no express allusion to Charles Fox was admitted.  Lady ------ tells me that, in her youth, the laugh was universal so soon as the black woman appeared.  It is one of the numerous hits that will be lost to posterity.  Jack Fuller, celebrated for his attempt on the Speaker’s wig, told me he was editing Foote, but I think he has hardly taste enough.  He told me Colman was to be his assistant.[193]

Went down in the morning to Montagu House, where I found the Duke going out to suffer a recovery.[194] I had some fancy to see the ceremony, but more to get my breakfast, which I took at a coffee-house at Charing Cross.

I sat to Northcote, who is to introduce himself in the same piece in the act of painting me, like some pictures of the Venetian school.  The artist is an old man, low in stature, and bent with years—­fourscore at least.  But the eye is quick and the countenance noble.  A pleasant companion, familiar with recollections of Sir Joshua, Samuel Johnson, Burke, Goldsmith, etc.  His account of the last confirms all that we have heard of his oddities.

Dined with Mr. Arbuthnot, where met Duke of Rutland, Lord and Lady Londonderry, etc. etc.  Went to hear Mrs. Arkwright at Lady Charlotte Greville’s.  Lockhart came home to-day.

May 10.—­Another long sitting to the old Wizard Northcote.  He really resembles an animated mummy.[195] He has altered my ideas of Sir Joshua Reynolds, whom, from the expressions used by Goldsmith, Johnson, and others, I used to think an amiable and benevolent character.  But though not void of generosity, he was cold, unfeeling, and indifferent to his family:  so much so that his sister, Miss Reynolds, after expressing her wonder at the general acceptance which Sir Joshua met with in society, concluded with, “For me, I only see in him a dark gloomy tyrant.”  I own this view of his character hurt me, by depriving me of the pleasing vision of the highest talents united with the kindest temper.  But Northcote says his disagreeable points were rather negative than positive—­more a want of feeling than any desire to hurt or tyrannise.  They arose from his exclusive attachment to art.