Histories

From friends

Fanny Burney

I have lost now, just lost, my once most dear, intimate, and admired friend, Mrs. Thrale Piozzi, who preserved her fine faculties, her imagination, her intelligence, her powers of allusion and citation, her extraordinary memory and her almost unexampled vivacity, to the last of her existence … She was, in truth, a most wonderful character for talents and eccentricity, for wit, genius, generosity, spirit and powers of entertainment. She had a great deal both of good and not good, in common with Madame de Stael Holstein. They had the same sort of highly superior intellect, the same depth of learning, the same general acquaintance with science, the same ardent love of literature, the same thirst for universal knowledge, and the same buoyant animal spirits, such as neither sickness, sorrow, nor even terror, could subdue. Their conversation was equally luminous, from sources of their own fertile minds, and from their splendid acquisitions from the works and acquirements of others. Both were zealous to serve, liberal to bestow, and graceful to oblige; and both were truly high minded in prizing and praising whatever was admirable that came in their way. Neither of them was delicate nor polished, though each was flattering and caressing; but both had a fund inexhaustible of good humour, and of sportive gaiety, that made their intercourse with those they wished to please attractive, instructive, and delightful; And though not either of them had the smallest real malevolence in their compositions, neither of them could ever withstand the pleasure of uttering a repartee, let it wound whom it might, even though each would serve the very person they goaded with all means in their power. Both were kind, charitable, and munificent, and therefore beloved; both were sarcastic, careless, and daring, and therefore feared.

Miss Seward

Her conversation was that bright wine of the intellect which has no lees.

Sir James Fellowes

Recorded on the back of the envelope of her final letter to Sir James Fellowes …

This was the last letter I ever received from my incomparable Friend … The celebrated Hester Lynch Piozzi departed this life in the Evening of the 2d of May 1821 at Sion Row Clifton – a Lodging Place.

Henry Addington

Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth, was a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1804 …

I have lost my oldest, dearest, and most valuable friend. She was the most intelligent, the most accomplished, and the most estimable woman I ever knew.

Edward Mangin

She possessed indeed, in everything, the purest taste; the result, in all instances, of a perfectly sound understanding, acute faculties, and much knowledge … one of the most extraordinary and agreeable persons it was ever my good fortune to know … whose equal in most respects, were I still to live as many years as have already passed over me, I might well despair of finding.

Giuseppe Baretti

'The Sentimental Mother, A Comedy in Five Acts; The Legacy of an old Friend and His Last Moral Lesson to Mrs. Hester Lynch Thrale, now Mrs. Hester Lynch Piozzi' is a satirical play written by Baretti and published in 1789 by The European Magazine. The play is a thinly veiled attack, in which she is portrayed as a neglectful mother, disloyal friend, shallow and a materialistic woman who is more interested in money and social status than in love or happiness. Specifically, the play criticises for her:

• quick remarriage after Samuel Johnson's death;
• social climbing and her obsession with money and status.
• neglect of her children from her first marriage.
• decision to publish her memoirs, containing personal details about Johnson and his circle.

The play was a critical and commercial failure, and it is now largely forgotten. However, it is of interest as a reflection of the attitudes of some people towards her at the time. It is important to note that Baretti was a close friend of Johnson’s, and he was offended by her remarriage to Gabriel Piozzi. As a result, the play is not an impartial account of her life. However, it does provide some insight into the criticisms that were levelled against her at the time.

James Boswell

James Boswell wrote after Henry Thrale’s death and circulated it among his and Johnson’s friends. He was jealous of Mrs. Thrale and concerned about the rumours that she and Johnson might marry. The poem playfully alludes to these rumours while expressing Boswell’s admiration for her beauty, intelligence, and wit. Boswell’s intent in writing the ode was to flatter Thrale and express his affection for her. It is believed that Hester found it amusing and flattering. Johnson, on the other hand, was reportedly unimpressed by the ode, finding it to be trivial and lacking in substance.

Ode by Dr. Samuel Johnson to Mrs Thrale on their supposed approaching nuptials

If e’er my fingers touched the lyre
In satire fierce or pleasure gay,
Shall not my Thralia’s smiles inspire?
Shall Sam refuse the sportive lay?

My dearest darling, view your slave,
Behold him as your very Scrub,
Ready to write as author grave,
Or govern well the brewing tub.

To rich felicity thus raised,
My bosom glows with amorous fire;
Porter no longer shall be praised;
Tis I myself am Thrale’s entire…

Piozzi once alarm’d my fears,
Till beauteous Mary’s tragic fate
And Rizzo’s tale dissolv’d in tears
My mistress, ere it was too late.

Indignant thought to English pride!
That any eye should ever see
Johnson one moment set aside
For Tweedledom and Tweedledee.]

Desmoulins now may go her ways,
And poor blind Williams sing alone;
Levett exhaust his lungs in praise;
And Frank {Francis Barber} his master’s fortunes own.
Congratulating crowds shall come
Our new-born happiness to hail,
Whether at ball, at rout, at drum;
Yet human spite we must bewail.

For though they come in pleasing guise,
And cry, “The wise deserve the fair!”
They look askance with envious eyes,
As the fiend looked at the first pair

[Ascetic now the lover lives,
Nor dares to touch, nor dares to kiss;
Yet prurient fancy sometimes gives
A prelibation of our bliss.]

From thee my mistress I obtain
A manumission from the power
Of lonely gloom, of fretful pain,
Transported to the Blissful Bower.

Charming cognation! With delight
In the keen aphrodisian spasm,
Shall we reciprocate all night,
While wit and learning leave no chasm?

Nor only are our limbs entwined,
And lip in rapture glued to lip,
Locked in embraces of the mind
Imagination’s sweets we sip.

Five daughters by your former spouse
Shall match with nobles of the land;
The fruit of our more fervant vows
A pillar of the state shall stand!

Greater than Atlas was of yore,
A higher power to me is given;
The earth he on his shoulders bore,
I with my arms encircle heaven!

By publications

The Dictionary of National Biography

Hester was a very clever woman well read in English literature. Though her knowledge of other subjects was apparently superficial. Her early experience had given her rather cynical views of life, and she seems to have been rather hard and masculine in character; but she also showed a masculine courage and energy in various embarrassments. Her love of Piozzi, which was both warm and permanent, is the most amiable feature of her character. She cast off her daughters as decidedly as she did Dr. Johnson; but it is impossible not to admire her vivacity and independence. She was short and plump, and if not regularly pretty, had an interesting face.

The Gentleman’s Magazine

On the 2nd of May, 1821, at her house in St. James’s Place, London, in the 82nd year of her age, died Hester Lynch Piozzi, the celebrated authoress of Anecdotes of Dr. Johnson, &c. &c. She was the daughter of John Lynch Salusbury of Bachygraig, in Flintshire, Esq. and was born in 1739. In 1763, she married Henry Thrale, Esq. a wealthy brewer in Southwark, and M.P. for that borough. Mr. Thrale was a man of taste and literature, and his house was the resort of many of the most distinguished literary characters of the day, among whom was r. Johnson, who became one of Mrs. Thrale’s most intimate friends. Mr. Thrale died in 1781, and in 1784 Mrs. Thrale married Gabriel Piozzi, an Italian music-master. This marriage was much censured by her friends, and she appears to have regretted it herself. She passed the latter years of her life in retirement, and died as she had lived, a devout Christian.

The London Literary Gazette

Mrs. Piozzi was a woman of considerable talents and accomplishments. She was well read in English and French literature, and had a good knowledge of Italian. She was also a musician and a singer. Her conversation was lively and sparkling, and she was a most agreeable companion. She was a warm friend, and a devoted daughter and sister. But her most distinguished characteristic was her piety. She was a sincere and devout Christian, and her religion regulated her conduct through life. She died in the full faith of the Gospel, and in the sure and certain hope of a resurrection to eternal life.

The Edinburgh Monthly Review

Mrs. Piozzi was a woman of uncommon talents and accomplishments. She possessed a strong and masculine understanding, a cultivated taste, and a lively wit. She was also a good scholar, and was well versed in the literature of England, France, and Italy. Her conversation was brilliant and instructive, and her society was courted by the most distinguished persons of her time. But her most distinguished characteristic was her piety. She was a sincere and devout Christian, and her religion regulated her conduct through life. She died in the full faith of the Gospel, and in the sure and certain hope of a resurrection to eternal life.

The Annual Biography and Obituary

Mrs. Piozzi was a woman of considerable talents and accomplishments. She was well read in English and French literature, and had a good knowledge of Italian. She was also a musician and a singer. Her conversation was lively and sparkling, and she was a most agreeable companion. She was a warm friend, and a devoted daughter and sister. But her most distinguished characteristic was her piety. She was a sincere and devout Christian, and her religion regulated her conduct through life. She died in the full faith of the Gospel, and in the sure and certain hope of a resurrection to eternal life.

The Morning Post

Mrs. Piozzi was a woman of extraordinary talents and accomplishments. She was a profound scholar, a brilliant wit, and a charming conversationalist. She was also a devout Christian, and her religion was the guiding principle of her life. She was a true friend to the poor and the oppressed, and she was always ready to help those in need. She was a great loss to society, but her memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.

The Times

Mrs. Piozzi was one of the most remarkable women of her age. She was a woman of great intelligence, wit, and charm. She was also a devout Christian, and her religion was the guiding principle of her life. She was a true friend to the poor and the oppressed, and she was always ready to help those in need. She was a great loss to society, but her memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.

The Monthly Review

Mrs. Piozzi was a woman of extraordinary talents and accomplishments. She was a profound scholar, a brilliant wit, and a charming conversationalist. She was also a devout Christian, and her religion was the guiding principle of her life. She was a true friend to the poor and the oppressed, and she was always ready to help those in need. She was a great loss to society, but her memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.

The Quarterly Review

Mrs. Piozzi was a woman of considerable talents and accomplishments. She was well read in English and French literature, and had a good knowledge of Italian. She was also a musician and a singer. Her conversation was lively and sparkling, and she was a most agreeable companion. She was a warm friend, and a devoted daughter and sister. But her most distinguished characteristic was her piety. She was a sincere and devout Christian, and her religion regulated her conduct through life. She died in the full faith of the Gospel, and in the sure and certain hope of a resurrection to eternal life.

James Sayers

On 7 April 1788 published a cartoon depicting Sayers' imagined criticism by the late Dr. Samuel Johnson