but how largely is our interest increased, when we find that the
figures which fill the most prominent positions in the foreground
of these pictures, are those of the most noble, most gifted, and
Most distinguished men of the day! To mention but a few




Page xiii

MADAME D'ARBLAY.
BY LORD MACAULAY.

Frances Burney was descended from a family which bore the name of
Macburney, and which, though probably of Irish origin, had been
long settled in Shropshire and was possessed of considerable
estates in that county. Unhappily, many years before her birth,
the Macburneys began, as if of set purpose and in a spirit of
determined rivalry, to expose and ruin themselves. The heir
apparent, Mr. James Macburney offended his father by making a
runaway rnatch with an actress from Goodman's -fields - The old
gentleman could devise no more judicious mode of wreaking
vengeance on his undutiful boy than by marrying the cook. The
cook gave birth to a son, named Joseph, who succeeded to all the
lands of the family, while James was cut off with a shilling. The
favourite son, however, was so extravagant that he soon became as
poor as his disinherited brother. Both were forced to earn their
bread by their labour. Joseph turned dancing-master and settled
in Norfolk. James struck off the Mac from the beginning of his
name and set up as a portrait painter at Chester. Here he had a