4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. – twelve – Woman!’ said he.

When Mr Banks and Dr Solander went away, he said to them good bye – good bye.

He never looked at his Dress, though it was on for the first Time. Indeed he appears to be a perfectly rational and intelligent man, with an understanding far superiour to the common race of us cultivated gentry: he could not else have borne so well the way of Life into which he is thrown.

When the man brought him the two Beers, I forgot to mention that in returning them, one hit against the other, and occasioned a little sprinkling. He was shocked extremely – indeed I was afraid for his fine Cloaths, and would have pin’d up the wet Table Cloth, to prevent its hurting them – but he would not permit me; and, by his manner seemed to intreat me not to trouble myself! – however, he had thought enough to spread his Napkin wider over his knee.

Before 6, the Coach came. Our man said ‘Mr Omai’s servant.’ He heard it at once, and answered ‘very well.’ He kept his seat about 5 minutes after, and then rose and got his Hat and sword. My Father happening to be talking to Mr Strange, Omai stood still, niether chusing to interrupt him, nor to make his Compliments to any body else first. When he was disengaged, Omai went up to him, and made an exceeding fine Bow, – the same to mama – then seperately to every one in the company, and then went out with Jem to his Coach.

He must certainly possess an uncommon share of observation and attention. I assure you every body was delighted with him. I only wished I could have spoken his Language. His Hands are very much tattooed, but his Face is not at all. He is by no means handsome, though I like his Countenance.

The Conversation of our House has turned ever since upon Mr Stanhope and Omai – the 1st with all the advantage of Lord Chesterfield’s Instructions, brought up at a great school, Introduced at 15 to a court,8 taught all possible accomplishments from an Infant, and having all the care, expence, labour and benefit of the best Education that any man can receive, – proved after it all a meer pedantic Booby: – the 2d with no Tutor but Nature, changes after he is grown up, his Dress, his way of Life, his Diet, his Country and his friends; – and appears in a new world like a man who had all his life studied the Graces, and attended with unremitting application and diligence to form his manners, to render his appearance and behaviour politely easy, and thoroughly well bred: I think this shews how much more Nature can do without art, than art with all her refinement, unassisted by Nature.

25. From Journal 28 February 1775

Yesterday morning, my mother, Susan and self, accompanied by Mr Twining, went to Sir Joshua Reynolds’ to see his Pictures.1 We were very much delighted; the ease and elegance of this Painter seem unrivalled among English Artists.

But what most delighted me, was the beautiful Mrs Sheridan, who is taken seated at a Harp, a whole Figure, in Character of Saint Cecelia, a denomination she greatly merits.2 My Father is to supply Sir Joshua with some Greek music to place before her.

We then went to Miss Reid,3 to see her paintings, which, in Crayons, seem nearly to reach perfection; their not standing appears to me the only inferiority they have to Oil Colours: while they are new, nothing can be so soft, so delicate, so blooming.

26. From Letter to Samuel Crisp 2 March 1775 and Journal 1775

Signora Agujari, detta Bastardini, sent very particular Compliments to my Father by Dr Matty, of the [British] Museum, regretting that she had not seen him when he was Abroad, and very much desiring to be Introduced to his Acquaintance.1 It was somewhat remarkable, that this is the second Capital Female singer who has sent to solicit my Father’s Acquaintance.

An Evening was accordingly appointed, and Mr Burney and Hetty came here to meet this silver side lady, who is reckoned, next to Gabriella the greatest singer in the world.2

Dr Matty, who is a little, formal man, very civil, and very affected, Handed the Bastardini into the Room, she is of middle stature, and a little Lame; she has a very good Complection, and was well, not absurdly, Painted; she has fine, expressive, languishing Eyes, and all together is a handsome Woman, and appears about 4 or 5 and Twenty.

She was Accompanied by Signor Colla, who is maître de musique à la Cour at Parma,3 and who attends her in her Travels, and is, like her, pensioned by the Duke. He is a Tall, thin, spirited Italian, full of fire, and not wanting in Grimace.

We were all of us excessively eager to hear her sing, but as it was not convenient to offer her her Pantheon-price of 50 Guineas a song,4 we were rather fearful of asking that favour: however, my Father ventured to hint at it to Signor Colla; who told us that she certainly would sing – but that she had a bad cold, and slight sore Throat!

As to Signor Colla, he was so Civil to my Father! talked so much of his Fame Abroad, and of the ardent Desire which he had of the Honour of knowing so celebrated a person! It seems he Composes for Agujari, who he suffers not to sing any music but his own. He talked of her as of the greatest Wonder of the World, – ‘c’est une prodige!’5 He said that Nature had been so very lavish of its gifts to her, that he had had hardly any trouble in teaching her – every thing was ready done!

One very ridiculous circumstance I cannot forebear mentioning: Susette had, I know not how, understood by Dr Maty, that Signora Agujari was married to Signor Colla: This she told to Hetty and me, and we therefore concluded that it was only a foreign custom, that she still kept her name; as it is the case with many other singers. Well, when my sister was asked to play, she pleaded want of Practice, and said to Agujari that she had other Things to mind than Harpsichords. –6

‘Et qu’avez vous donc, Mlle?’ demanded the Bastardini. ‘Des Enfans!’7 answered Hetty. ‘Ah Diable!’ exclaimed she, (for that is her favourite Exclammation) ‘et vous etes si juine encore! and combien en avez vous?’

‘J’en ai trois.’ answered Hetty –

‘Ah Diable! C’est bien extraordinaire!’

‘Avez vous une Enfant?’ asked Hetty, –

She stared – and after some Gestures of surprise, said ‘Moi! – je ne suis pas mariée, moi!’

Hetty was quite confounded, – she begged her pardon, and said ‘mais en verité j’ai toujours cru que ce monsieur étoit votre epoux!’

‘Non, Mlle’ answered the Bastardini, ‘c’est mon maître.’8 And looked very dignified.

This was a very ridiculous mistake, however, she took it good naturedly, and without being offended, as it was evident that it was not designed.

Dr Maty has assured us that she bears an unexceptionable character,9 and that she is therefore visited by his Wife and Daughters. She has been strongly recommended to him from abroad.

Her Behaviour was very proper, and she displayed none of her airs, though it was not difficult to see that she could behave otherwise; for she betrayed, perhaps involuntarily, a consciousness of her greatness, superiority and consequence by a thousand little speeches and looks. I believe that she allows Gabriella to be a Rival; all the rest of the world she holds in Contempt. She has not even the curiosity to hear any singing but her own. She said she had not been once to the opera; and when we asked her if she had ever heard Rausini,10 she answered ‘No! mais on dit qu’il Chante joliment.’!11 My Father asked her how she liked Galluci, a new woman who sings at the Pantheon, as well as Agujari. She answered that she had never heard her! that she went into her own Room the moment she had done singing herself.