An English Lady in Paris: the Diary of Frances Anne Crewe 1786

At the end of the 18th century John Crewe was a rich landowner, had an illustrious pedigree, and was a Member of Parliament, but it was his wife, Frances Anne, who was to glisten and shine, to draw about her the famous and talented, and to leave her mark in letters, diaries and memoirs. Her looks were said to be flawless, and exquisitely perfect. "The most completely a beauty of any woman I ever saw", wrote Fanny Burney. Sheridan said "She was in truth the handsomest of the set". Sir Joshua Reynolds painted her when she was just 12; then twice afterwards. The beauty and wealth of Mrs Crewe ensured a place as a leading light of the 'ton', but she also had character and personality to match. There was a spice of devilry about her, a bohemian dash of unconventionality, and a quick wit. She was daring and flirtatious with men, yet wore a look of baptismal innocence. As one of London?s most successful society hostesses she attracted to her home politicians, writers, artists, and musicians. Only one person compared with Mrs Crewe: Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire. They moved in the same circles, received the same people to their salons and so were drawn together: both were regarded as eminently beautiful and the epitome of style. Their sparkling characters sealed their relationship: as Frances Anne was daring and devilish, so was Georgiana broad-minded and tolerant; as the former was warm and friendly, so did the latter exude an enthusiasm of affection. In 1786 she kept a record of a visit to Paris. Written just after the American war of Independence and just prior to the French Revolution, the diary is full of incident, information and insight. She describes the clothes, the coaches and the shops; eating out, theatres and balls. She meets Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and the Marquis de Lafayette. Though she moved in high circles still she was able to spot the seeds of revolution: ?It is actually a Measure of Government, not merely to Wink at Excesses, but even to furnish the poorer Sort with Money to produce them; for the more Debauched Men are, the more Abject and the more Contented under their Slavery they become, and, deluded by the false Glare of Riot and Intemperance the less likely are they to form Reflections which in the End might be Dangerous to their Tyrant! I know it is the Fashion to say that the lower Classes of People in France are happy and Contented ? I own I have my doubts about it.?