(221) See P. 434.-Ed.

(222) Mrs. Schwellenberg found her health better in London, and was prolonging her stay there in consequence. -Ed,

(223) The reader will scarcely need to be told that allusion is made here to the Prince of Wales, afterwards George 1V.-Ed.

(224) It is hardly worth remembering, except for Fanny’s sake; however, it has the merit of brevity, and here it is.

“Thegreat coat.

“Thrice honour’d Robe! couldst thou espy
The form that deigns to show thy worth;
Hear the mild voice, view the arch eye,
That call thy panegyric forth;

“Wouldst thou not swell with vain delight? 
With proud expansion sail along? 
And deem thyself more grand and bright
Than aught that lives in ancient song,

“Than Venus’ cestus, Dian’s crest,
Minerva’s helmet, fierce and bold,
Or all of emblem gay that dress’d
Capricious goddesses of old? 
“Thee higher honours yet await:-
Haste, then, thy triumphs quick prepare,
Thy trophies spread in haughty state,
Sweep o’ei the earth, and scoff the air.

“Ah no!—­retract!—­retreat!—­oh stay! 
Learn, wiser, whence so well thou’st sped;
She whose behest produced this lay
By no false colours is misled.

“Suffice it for the buskin’d race
Plaudits by pomp and shew to win;
Those seek simplicity and grace
Whose dignity is from within.

“The cares, or joys, she soars above
That to the toilette’s duties cleave;
Far other cares her bosom move,
Far other joys those cares relieve.

“The garb of state she inly scorn’d,
Glad from its trappings to be freed,
She saw thee humble, unadorn’d,
Quick of attire,—­a child of speed.

“Still, then, thrice honour’d Robe! retain
Thy modest guise, thy decent ease;
Nor let thy favour prove thy bane
By turning from its fostering breeze.

“She views thee with a mental eye,
And from thee draws this moral end:—­
Since hours are register’d on high,
The friend of Time is Virtue’s friend.”

For this precious production Fanny received quite as much as it was worth,—­the thanks of the queen, who added, “Indeed it is very pretty—­only!  I don’t deserve it.” -Ed.

(225) Captain James Burney had married, on the 6th of September, 1785, Miss Sally Payne, daughter of Mr. Thomas Payne, bookseller.-Ed.

(226) “Mr. Turbulent” is the name given in the “Diary” to the Rev. Charles de Guiffardiere, a French Protestant minister, who filled the office of French reader to the queen and princesses.-Ed.

(227) Mrs. Delany had been for a short time indisposed.-Ed.

(228) The queen had spoken of Mrs. Hayes as a “very pretty kind of woman,” and desired Fanny to invite her to tea.-Ed.

(229) Herschel had discovered this planet in 1781, and named it in honour of the king.-Ed.