916. Mary Russell Mitford to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 5, 247.
Three Mile Cross,
March—, 1842.
I have only read the first volume of Madame D’Arblay’s “Diary.” Dr. Johnson appears to the greatest possible advantage—gentle, tender, kind and true; and Mrs. Thrale—oh, that warm heart! that lively sweetness! My old governess [1] knew her as Mrs. Piozzi, in Wales. She was there as a governess—neglected, uncared for, as governesses too often are; and that sweetest person sought her out, brought her forward, talked to her, wrote to her, gave her heart and hope and happiness. There have been few women who have used riches, and the station that riches give, so wisely as Mrs. Piozzi. I used to ask, “Was she happy?” and the answer was, “I hope so; but her animal spirits were so buoyant—she was so entirely one of those who become themselves cheered by the effort to cheer another—that the question is more difficult to answer than if it concerned one of a temper less elastic.” As to the little Burney, I don’t like her at all, and that’s the truth. A girl of the world—a woman of the world, for she was twenty-seven or thereabout—thought clearly and evidently of nothing on this earth but herself and “Evelina.”
Ever most faithfully yours,
M.R.M.
Text: L’Estrange (2), III, 143.
1. Miss Rowden, afterward Mrs. St. Quintin.
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