Burney

Famous quotes containing the word burney:

    The laws of custom make our [returning a visit] necessary. O how I hate this vile custom which obliges us to make slaves of ourselves! to sell the most precious property we boast, our time;—and to sacrifice it to every prattling impertinent who chooses to demand it!
    —Frances Burney (1752–1840)

    We came home from the ridotto so late, or rather so early, that it was not possible for me to write. Indeed we did not go ... till past eleven o’clock: but nobody does. A terrible reverse of the order of nature! We sleep with the sun, and wake with the moon.
    —Frances Burney (1752–1840)

    This perpetual round of constrained civilities to persons quite indifferent to us, is the most provoking and tiresome thing in the world, but it is unavoidable in a country town, where everybody is known.... ‘Tis a most shocking and unworthy way of spending our precious irrecoverable time, to those who know not its value.
    —Frances Burney (1752–1840)