I happened to be standing by Dr. Johnson when all the ladies came in; but, as I dread him before strangers, from the staring attention he attracts both for himself and all with whom he talks, I endeavoured to change my ground.  However, he kept prating a sort of comical nonsense that detained me some minutes whether I would or not; but when we were all taking places at the breakfast-table I made another effort to escape.  It proved vain; he drew his chair next to mine, and went rattling on in a humorous sort of comparison he was drawing of himself to me,—­not one word of which could I enjoy, or can I remember, from the hurry I was in to get out of his way.  In short, I felt so awkward from being thus marked out, that I was reduced to whisper a request to Mr. Swinerton to put a chair between us, for which I presently made a space:  for I have often known him stop all conversation with me, when he has ceased to have me for his next neighbour.  Mr. Swinerton who is an extremely good-natured young man, and so intimate here that 1 make no scruple with him, instantly complied, and placed himself between us.

But no sooner was this done, than Dr. Johnson, half seriously, and very loudly, took him to task.

“’How now, sir! what do you mean by this?  Would you separate me from Miss Burney?

Mr. Swinerton, a little startled, began some apologies, and Mrs. Thrale winked at him to give up the place; but he was willing to oblige me, though he grew more and more frightened every minute, and coloured violently as the Doctor continued Is remonstrance, which he did with rather unmerciful raillery, 244

upon his taking advantage of being in his own house to thus supplant him, and cram; but when he had borne it for about ten minutes, his face became so hot with the fear of hearing something worse, that he ran from the field, and took a chair between Lady De Ferrars and Mrs. Thrale.

I think I shall take warning by this failure, to trust only to my own expedients for avoiding his public notice in future.  However it stopped here; for Lord De Ferrars came in, and took the disputed place without knowing of the contest, and all was quiet.

Miss Burney will not be persuaded To dance.

.....  Late as it was, it was settled we should go to the ball,
the last for the season being this night.   My own objections
about going not being strong enough to combat the ado my
mentioning them would have occasioned, I joined in the party,
without demur.

The ball was half over, and all the company seated to tea.  Mr. Wade(156) came to receive us all, as usual, and we had a table procured for us, and went to tea ourselves, for something to do.  When this repast was over, the company returned to their recreation.  The room was very thin, and almost half the ladies danced with one another, though there were men enough present, I believe, had they chosen such exertion; but the Meadowses at balls are in crowds.  Some of the ladies were in riding habits, and they made admirable men.  ’Tis tonnish to be so much undressed at the last ball.