Beschreibung:

Autograph letter signed with initials to Hester Lynch Thrale [Piozzi], written shortly after the death of Henry Thrale.
London]: "Tuesday" [but 17 April 1781]. 3pp., folded sheet (227 x 190 mm). Addressed to "Mrs. Thrale / Brighton / Sussex" on the address leaf. Condition : hole from opening crudely patched. Provenance : Burney family descendants, sale; Sotheby's London, 15 July 1998, lot 51, £1955. important letter from burney to thrale offering comfort shortly after her husband's death . Following the death of Henry Thrale, Mrs. Thrale removed to Brighton, writing on 14 April to Burney complaining of her "four new masters," i.e. the executors of the estate, writing "…all I fear is that I shall turn Vixen among 'em…" Here Burney replies to Thrale, agreeing to finish her work on Cecilia at Streathem and offering comfort to the distressed widow. She writes, in part: "…it has revived all my eagerness to see you, which was damped by fear & sadness, because it has revived my spirits with the hope of being some little consolation to you. I shall come to you, therefore, once again with cheerfulness, my true and warm affection shall merit all your confidence, -- a proof of friendship which out of my own Family have I never sought but from you, -- & you will find, I am sure, some relief in your perplexities by discussing them with your trusty & zealous little Tyo … That these people should plague you, already! -- Don't fear turning Vixen, -- you will be less in danger by & bye, when less in affliction, for though sorrow is no angry passion, it disorders the mind, & fits it for receiving with equal readiness & bitterness every impression that offers…" Early Journals and Letters , IV:174 (identifying the letter as part of a grangerized copy of Diary & Letters of Madame D'Arblay, but since removed).