1804-1807] London Dinner -Par ties 21 



here and, before the evening was over, I think they were of 

 great service to her spirits. . . . 



We had a very grand dinner at Erskine's, 1 and, what 

 I did not expect, I found it very pleasant. The whole 

 house of Kemble was there (with the exception of John 

 Kemble), Nat Bond, a Mr Morrice Lawrence, Sharp, Bod- 

 dington, and ourselves. Erskine was not as lively as he 

 was the day he dined here; he was quite absorbed in 

 Mrs Siddons and to my mind much in love with her. She 

 looked uncommonly handsome, but was much too dignified 

 to be pleasant in conversation. I was very much gratified 

 by seeing her and hearing her talk on acting which she did 

 very unaffectedly. I must not forget to tell you she admired 

 my gown exceedingly. She said she thought it one of the 

 prettiest dresses she ever saw. . . . Mrs Erskine asked 

 Lady Harrington to introduce Kitty, and if she goes she 

 [Lady H. ] has promised to do so. Otherwise she has given in 

 her name to the Lady-in-waiting, and I believe has mentioned 

 to the Queen Kitty's desire of being introduced. Miss 

 Stewart has promised us places to see her if she goes. The 

 Nares dined here on Saturday last; Kitty asked the 

 S. Smiths, Charles Warren, 2 Horner and Sharp 3 to meet 

 them. We had one of the pleasantest and merriest days 

 I have passed for a long time. Mrs Nares looked un- 

 commonly handsome and was in very good spirits, and I 

 hope enjoyed her day very much. Sydney Smith was in 

 his highest spirits, and pleased me particularly by talking 



1 Thomas Erskine (1750 1823), the famous advocate, became 

 Lord Chancellor and a peer about two years after this. 



2 Charles Warren (1767 1823), line engraver and active member 

 of the Society of Arts. He had a great reputation as an illustrator 

 of books, Oil Bias, Don Quixote, etc. 



3 Eichard Sharp (1759 1834), commonly called "Conversation 

 Sharp," was a well-known figure in the literary society of the time. 

 He had known Johnson and Burke in his youth, and was intimate 

 with Mackintosh, Rogers, Wordsworth, Canning, and the Holland- 

 House set. Like Campbell the poet, he had been one of Tom Wedg- 

 wood's best friends. Mackintosh called him the keenest critic he 

 knew. He had made money as a merchant, and as a London hatter. 

 His country home, at Fredley Farm, near Mickleham in Surrey, was 

 a favourite meeting-place for his friends. Boddington was Sharp's 

 partner in his West Indian business. 



