Fanny Burney (Diary Date 3 August 1778)

SOURCE: Burney, Fanny. "Diary entry for August 3, 1778." In The Diary and Letters of Madame D'Arblay. Vol. 1, edited by Charlotte Barrett with notes by Austin Dobson, pp. 50-53. London: Macmillan, 1904.

In the following excerpt from her diary dated August 3, 1778, Burney recounts in detail the revelation of her authorship of Evelina and the attention she received, including praise from Samuel Johnson.

Susan has sent me a little note which has really been less pleasant to me, because it has alarmed me for my future concealment. It is from Mrs. Williams, an exceeding pretty poetess, who has the misfortune to be blind, but who has, to make some amends, the honour of residing in the house of Dr. Johnson: for though he lives almost wholly at Streatham, he always keeps his apartments in town, and this lady acts as mistress of his house.

"July...