1804-1807] A Compliment to Bessy 23 



the family ; and I desire you will give me a more particular 

 account of Kitty's presentation, reception, and appearance. 

 I am, however, more anxious to hear of many other things 

 relating to poor dear Kitty, and which I hope I shall in a day 

 or two either from herself or one of you. . . . 



I believe, my little Fanny, I owe a little of your flattering 

 representation of what Sydney Smith said of me to your good 

 nature. You thought it a pity I should not come in for a 

 little of what F. B. used to call " the delicious essence," and so 

 you very kindly sent me a little. However I am much obliged 

 to you for your kind intention in refreshing my memory 

 with the sound of a compliment, which I must confess has 

 still some power to charm, vain mortals as we are. . . . 



Fanny Allen to her sister Mrs Josiah Wedgwood. 



ALBEMARLE STREET, Saturday [Jan. 28ih, 1804]. 



. . . Kitty and Mackintosh left town this morning, and 

 have left me one of the heaviest hearts I have ever had. I 

 can scarcely bear to think on their kindness to me at present. 

 The whole week has been uncommonly painful, what with 

 the hurry of packing and the uncertainty and expectation 

 of going every day. It was some comfort for me to see 

 that Kitty's spirits kept up very tolerably to the last. I did 

 not see her this morning, but I hear she was pretty cheerful. 

 Mackintosh was rather low, but I trust they will both feel 

 the quitting England but trifling. I should not be much 

 surprised if they were detained a week at Ryde ; in that case 

 Sharp, Horner, and perhaps Sydney Smith, will go down 

 and pass the time with them. That will be very desirable 

 for them, and I cannot but say I should envy them very 

 much that is to say the visitors. I don't know and I 

 almost fear you have not heard from any of us since Kitty's 

 presentation at Court. Miss Stewart drest her uncommonly 

 well and prettily, and she cut an exceeding good figure ; the 

 Queen talked very graciously to her, and she met with very 

 great civility from a great many people on the occasion, 

 particularly from Lady Harrington, who asked her to come 



