the Duke de Sully, and falling very much in love with Henri IV. Now, if I had time and quiet, I am sure I could sell them, and observe, sir, Miss Burney got three thousand pounds for Camilla, but all this will take time."
It is sometimes stated that Sydney Owenson appeared on the stage, but she certainly says nothing of this herself: She mentions that her father often told his girls that he would rather see them picking cockles than be the first prima donnas in Europe. She looked out for a situation as governess or companion to young ladies, and was finally engaged by Mrs. Fetherstonhaugh, of Bracklin Castle. She made her first appearance under very comical circumstances. A little bal d'adieu had been given in her honour by her French dancing master, Monsieur Fontaine. Attired in a white muslin frock, with pink silk shoes and stockings, she was dancing a country dance with a very nice young man to the tune of "Money in both pockets," when the horn of the stage coach was heard in the street. There was no time to change her dress, a warm cloak was thrown over her by Molly, a bonnet was hastily tied under her chin, and she was thrust into a corner of the coach. When she reached her destination, she found that her bundle and portmanteau had gone on in the Kinnegad mail, and she had to make her entrée before her employers in the white muslin
