The Diary and Letters of Madame D'Arblay — Volume 2

by Frances Burney

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

452 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 12, 2012

About the author

Also known as Fanny Burney and, after her marriage, as Madame d’Arblay. Frances Burney was a novelist, diarist and playwright. In total, she wrote four novels, eight plays, one biography and twenty volumes of journals and letters.

Reviews

[Rachel Knowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an invaluable resource for the Georgian historian providing an eye-witness account of George III’s illness and recovery of 1788-9 as seen from Fanny Burney’s position as second keeper of the robes to Queen Charlotte. There is a particularly vivid account of how Fanny is chased by the King in the gardens at Kew whilst still under the care of Dr Willis.

The detail of the royal family’s visit to Weymouth was of particular interest to me. The reports of Fanny’s attendance at the trial of Warren Hastings may provide useful insights for anyone researching this, though I found these sections less engaging.