In 1760, Mr. Burney quitted Lynn for London, and took a house in
Poland-street; a situation which had been fashionable in the
reign of Queen Anne, but which, since that time, had been
deserted by most of its wealthy and noble inhabitants. He
afterwards resided in St. Martin's- street, on the south side of
Leicestersquare. His house there is still well known, and will
continue to be well known as long as our island retains any trace
of civilisation ; for it was the dwelling of Newton, and the
square turret which distinguishes it from all the surrounding
buildings was Newton's observatory,

Mr. Burney at once obtained as many pupils of the most
respectable description as he had time to attend, and was thus
enabled to support his family, modestly indeed, and frugally, but
in comfort and independence. His professional merit obtained for
him the degree of Doctor of Music from the University of
Oxford;(4) and his works on subjects connected with art gained
for him a place, respectable, though certainly not eminent, among
men of letters.

The progress of the mind of Frances Burney, from her ninth to her
twenty-fifth year, well deserves to be recorded, When her
education had proceeded no further than the hornbook, she lost
her mother, and thenceforward she educated herself. Her father
appears to have been as bad a father as a very honest,
affectionate and sweet-tempered man can well be. He loved his
daughter dearly ; but it never seems to have occurred to him that
a parent has other duties to perform to children than that of
fondling them. It would indeed have been impossible for him to
superintend their education himself. His professional engagements