Page:Notable Irishwomen.djvu/55

 at £30,000, and she was attended by four black female slaves.

Though the "noble house" in Charles Street, Berkeley Square, belonged to her mother, the Dowager Lady Galway, it was to all intents and purposes, Miss Monckton's. It was she who received the guests and did the honours, while Lady Galway sat by the fire in a little round white cap, flat to her head, and only spoke to those who were brought up to her.

Fanny Burney, the authoress of "Evelina," relates how Miss Monckton come to see her at Brighthelmstone, as Brighton was spelt in those days. She describes her as being between 30 and 40, very short, very fat, but handsome, with very bright eyes; she was splendidly and fantastically dressed, and "evidently and palpably desirous of gaining notice and admiration." Miss Burney adds, "She has an easy levity in her air and manner, that speaks all to be comfortable within, and her rage of seeing anything curious may be satisfied, if she pleases, by looking into a mirror." Miss Monckton told one story which Fanny Burney pronounced to be extremely worth relating. It was about the Duke of Devonshire, who happened to be at an assembly, and was standing close to a very fine glass lustre. By carelessly lolling back, he knocked the lustre down and it was broken to atoms. The people of the house, be it said, were