Piozzi, Hester Lynch, 1741-1821

Abstract:

The Boswell Collection contains the correspondence, diaries, and manuscripts of author James Boswell; estate records, letters, personal and professional papers, and other materials documenting the lives and careers of ten generations of Boswells and their possession of the barony of Auchinleck; and correspondence relating to the political career of Alexander Bruce, Earl of Kincardine.

Abstract:

The collection contains correspondence of several members of the Burney family, particularly Charles Burney (1726-1814); his children Charles Burney, D. D. (1757-1817), Fanny Burney (1752-1840), and Susanna Burney Philips; and Charles Burney IV (1815-1907). Other major correspondents include Alexandre d'Arblay, William Bewley, Peter Paul Dobree, George Isaac Huntingford, John Kaye, Hester Lynch Piozzi, Thomas Twining, and John Young.

Abstract:

Extra-illustrations in Letters to and from the Late Samuel Johnson... are tipped in throughout the two volumes. The extra-illustrations include letters, engraved portraits, a few tickets and other ephemera, and numerous clippings and manuscript notes by William Dorset Fellowes. They span the years ca. 1746-1847.

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Copies out a ditty--"Pretty Waltzer, Adieu!"

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Piozzi suggests that her addressee will "cut a good losing Figure at the Whist Table next Monday" and offers to lend her copy of Zoonomia (by Erasmus Darwin), a book with "many very fine things in it, and many very strange ones."

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Piozzi writes, "the Frolicks Dear Sir have been blown away by the Wind & starved in the Snow--not so the Dinner at which we hope to see you."

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Piozzi sends the recipient her old letters and writes, "the Prophet's Mess of Blasphemy & Madness is at Mrs. Heaton's." People mentioned: Mrs. Heaton.

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Undated; "Nov. 1796" supplied in graphite at a later date. Dr. Thackeray is gravely ill. The letter ends hurriedly and may be unfinished. People mentioned: Dr. Thackeray and Mrs. Heaton.

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Piozzi still worries about the fate of the landscape painting. The "brawn" she ordered to cure Mr. Piozzi's itching has been lost on the road. Piozzi also remarks on the growing local population. People mentioned: Sophia Hoare, Barclay, Mr. Piozzi, Mr. Moore, Mr. Rogers and Lady Keith.

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Mr. Piozzi continues to complain of gout. Mrs. Piozzi asks Dr. Thackeray to choose and send winter trees for her. People mentioned: Mr. Piozzi, Mr. Moore, "General Lake" (a servant) and Mrs. Thackeray.

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Mr. Piozzi is still ill, but was able to sign a checque repaying Dr. Thackeray for the trees, which Mrs. Piozzi finds comforting. People mentioned: Mr. Piozzi.

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Piozzi complains that the people who sent the trees treated them poorly, but she thanks Dr. Thackeray for his trouble. Mr. Piozzi is in somewhat better health, but wants soda water for his thirst. Mrs. Piozzi thanks Dr. Thackeray for saying she looked younger than her "lovely Contemporary Lady Crewe." People mentioned: Mr. Piozzi and Lady Crewe.

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Piozzi discusses the gout that is all over Mr. Piozzi, and the sickness of all the servants. People mentioned: Mr. Piozzi, Mr. Moore, Selina, Selina's uncle, Mr. Jackson and Jonathan.

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Everyone is ill, and Mr. Piozzi's gout is "shocking." The laborer Harry Hughes was injured in a fall and Mrs. Piozzi is waiting for some wine to arrive. People mentioned: "Poor Richard," Mr. Piozzi, Harry Hughes, Mr. Jackson, Captain Jones, Mr. William Field and Mr. Stroud.

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Piozzi discusses Mr. Piozzi's improved health. The Hoare's are visiting, including Sir Richard Hoare, an antiquarian, who is interested in "some curious Coins" (probably Roman) dug up in the area within the last few decades. Mrs. Piozzi is trying to discover what became of them. People mentioned: Mr. Piozzi, Mr. Merrick Hoare, Mrs. Merrick Hoare, Sir Richard Hoare, Mr. Crane, Vicar Mr. Roberts, Miss Selina, Mrs. Thackeray and Mrs. Thackeray's brother.

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Piozzi writes that Mr. Piozzi's health suddenly worsened soon after her last letter. She herself suffers from bad nerves, but is consoled by the accounts of military victory that "strike some fire" in Mr. Piozzi's eyes. People mentioned: Mr. Crane, Mr. Piozzi, Selina and Mr. Broster.

Scope and Contents: Piozzi's maid Chauncey requests some of Dr. Thackeray's "Electuary," which Mr. Moore cannot make because he has no Roman Wormwood. Piozzi hopes Napoleon's difficulties in Spain, even if he conquers it, will show that he has more "good Fortune" than "good Conduct," and prove that he is an "Empiric rather than a great General or Politician." Mr. Piozzi is cross, but on the whole in much better health. People mentioned: Chauncey, Mr. Moore, Mr. Broster, Lady Williams, Buonaparte, Miss Selina...

Scope and Contents: Piozzi complains that she cannot find the source of a line of poetry, though she believes it may be from Young's Night Thoughts. She details Mr. Piozzi's ill health and the dismal news of Napoleon's triumphs in Spain. She doubts the veracity of tales of monsters in Bell's Evening Messenger, believing they are written with the express intention of frightening "Readers of a particular Class." An "Address to...

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Mr. Piozzi's health worsens. Mrs. Piozzi discusses the threat of Irish rebellion and the "perverse" behavior of the "old King." She enquires after Dr. Thackeray's sister Kilfenora. Mr. Moore says that some of Mr. Piozzi's symptoms are "merely nervous" and don't pose any danger, but Mrs. Piozzi's doubts him, saying Mr. Moore "says some same of the State." People mentioned: Mr. Moore, Mr. Piozzi, the King, Kilfenora and Selina.

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Piozzi begs Dr. Thackeray to come. Mr. Piozzi is vomiting and feverish. Mr. Moore continues the letter on the verso in [50b]. People mentioned: Mr. Piozzi and Mr. Moore.