“‘Why,’ said I, ’I want her to go on in a new path—­I want her to write a comedy.’

“‘But,’ said Mrs. Montagu, ’one thing must be considered; Fielding, who was so admirable in novel writing, never succeeded when he wrote for the stage.’”

“Very well said,” cried Dr. Johnson “that was an answer which showed she considered her subject.”

Mrs. Thrale continued : 

“‘Well, but `a propos,’ said Mrs. Montagu, ’if Miss Burney does write a play, I beg I may know of it; or, if she thinks proper, see it; and all my influence is at her service.  We shall all be glad to assist in spreading the fame of Miss Burney.’”

I tremble for what all this will end in.  I verily think I had best stop where I am, and never again attempt writing:  for after so much honour, so much success—­how shall I bear a downfall?

Dr. Johnson’s compliments and gross speeches.

Monday, Sept. 21.-I have had a thousand delightful conversations with Dr. Johnson, who, whether he loves me or not, I am sure seems to have some opinion of my discretion, for he speaks of all this house to me with unbounded confidence, neither diminishing faults, nor exaggerating praise.

Whenever he is below stairs he keeps me a prisoner, for he does not like I should quit the room a moment; if I rise he constantly calls out, “Don’t you go, little Burney!”

Last night, when we were talking of compliments and of gross speeches, Mrs. Thrale most justly said, that nobody could make either like Dr. Johnson.  “Your compliments, sir, are made seldom, but when they are made they have an elegance unequalled; but then when you are angry! who dares make speeches so bitter and so cruel?”

Dr. J.-Madam, I am always sorry when I make bitter speeches, and I never do it, but when I am insufferably vexed.

Mrs. T-Yes, Sir; but you suffer things to vex you, that 105

nobody else would vex at.  I am sure I have had my share of scoldings from you!

Dr. J-It is true, you have ; but you have borne it like an angel, and you have been the better for it.

Mrs. T.-That I believe, sir:  for I have received more instruction from You than from any man, or any book:  and the vanity that you should think me worth instructing, always overcame the vanity(71) of being found fault with.  And so you had the scolding, and I the improvement.

F.B.-And I am sure both make for the honour of both!

Dr J.-I think so too.  But Mrs. Thrale is a sweet creature, and never angry; she has a temper the most delightful of any woman I ever knew.

Mrs. T-This I can tell you, sir, and without any flattery—­ I not only bear your reproofs when present, but in almost everything I do in your absence, I ask myself whether you would like it, and what you would say to it.  Yet I believe there is nobody you dispute with oftener than me.