Thomas Henry Lister, Granby: a novel

Caroline—a fictional character—is asked if she can improvvisare in Italian.

Performer Name:
 
Performance Venue:
 
Performance Date:
 
Author:
Lister, Thomas Henry
Date Written:
 
Language:
English
Publication Title:
Granby: a novel
Article Title:
 
Page Numbers:
1:127-129
Additional Info:
 
Publisher:
Henry Colburn
Place of Publication:
London
Date Published:
1826

Text:

[127] Caroline was much amused with Lady Harr- [128] iet. She had never before seen anything like her; and though led by the previous conversation to look for a character widely differing from the rational generality, she was by no means prepared for that diverting breadth of singularity which she now witnessed in the little flighty “minauderies” of this very original lady. Her surprise and amusement were still increased, when, on being introduced to Lady Harriet, she shook her warmly by both hands, saying, “I think I shall like you—if I don't I'll tell you—you will like me, I know—new people always do.” She then began to talk to her with great seeming interest, and asked her in the course of conversation, (probably with a view of sounding her capacity,) a multitude of very uncommon and unconnected questions; “Whether she believed in craniology?” “Whether she could improvvisare in Italian?” “Whether she had studied the theory of apparitions?” “Whether she considered music to be "the food of love?"” “What perfume she [129] was most partial to?” and, “What was her opinion of Mr. Perkins's new invented steam engine?”

Notes:

 
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