Soon after, he turned to Charlotte, ... put his finger on the word ‘Evelina,’ and saying, _she knew what it was_, bade her write down the name, and send the man to Lowndes’, as if for himself. When William returned, he took the book from him, and the moment he was gone, opened the first volume--and opened it upon the _ode_! [dedicating the book to himself]. How great must have been his astonishment at seeing himself so addressed! He looked all amazement, read a line or two with great eagerness, and then, stopping short, he seemed quite affected, and the tears started into his eyes: dear soul! I am sure they did into mine. * * * * * My father, when he took the books back to Streatham, actually acquainted Mrs. Thrale with my secret. He took an opportunity, when they were alone together, of saying that, upon her recommendation, he had himself, as well as my mother, been reading ‘Evelina.’ “Well!” cried she, “and is it not a very pretty book? and a very clever book? and a very comical book?” “Why,” answered he, “’tis well enough; but I have something to tell you about it.” “Well? what?” cried she; “has Mrs. Cholmondely found out the author?” “No,” returned he, “not that I know of; but I believe _I_ have, though but very lately.” “Well, pray let’s hear!” cried she, eagerly; “I want to know him of all things.” How my father must laugh at the _him_! He then, however, undeceived her in regard to that particular, by telling her it was “_our Fanny_!” * * * * * [Sidenote: Dr. Johnson’s comment.] Mrs. Thrale ... at last ... mentioned ‘Evelina.’ [During F. B.’s first visit to Streatham]. “Yesterday at supper,” said she, “we talked it all over, and discussed all your characters; but Dr. Johnson’s favorite is Mr. Smith. He declares the fine gentleman _manqué_ was never better drawn, and he acted him all the evening, saying ‘he was all for the ladies!’ He repeated whole scenes by heart. O, you can’t imagine how much he is pleased with the book; he ‘could not get rid of the rogue,’ he told me.” [Sidenote: Reynolds’ curiosity.] Sir Joshua, who began it one day when he was too much engaged to go on with it, was so much caught, that he could think of nothing else, and was quite absent all the day, not knowing a word that was said to him; and, when he took it up again, found himself so much interested in it, that he sat up all night to finish it! Sir Joshua, it seems, vows he would give fifty pounds to know the author! FRANCES BURNEY: ‘Diary and Letters.’ * * * * * [Sidenote: Frances meets Sheridan.] And now I must tell you a little conversation which I did not hear myself till I came home; it was between Mr. Sheridan and my father. “Dr. Burney,” cries the former, “have you no older daughters? Can this possibly be the authoress of ‘Evelina’?” And then he said abundance of fine things, and begged my father to introduce him to me.