One of the most characteristic feats or freaks of this extraordinary woman was the celebration of her eightieth birthday by a concert, ball, and supper, to between six and seven hundred people, at the Kingston Rooms, Bath, on the 27th January, 1820. At the conclusion of the supper, her health was proposed by Admiral Sir James Sausmarez, and drunk with three times three. The dancing began at two, when she led off with her adopted son, Sir John Salusbury, dancing (according to the author of "Piozziana," an eyewitness) "with astonishing elasticity, and with all the true air of dignity which might have been expected of one of the best-bred females in society."

When fears were expressed that she had done too much, she replied, "No; this sort of thing is greatly in the mind; and I am almost tempted to say the same of growing old at all, especially as it regards those of the usual concomitants of age, viz. laziness, defective sight, and ill-temper."

"So far from feeling fatigued or exhausted on the following day by her exertions," remarks Sir James Fellowes, in a note on this event, "she amused us by her sallies of wit and her jokes on 'Tully's Offices,' of which her guests had so eagerly availed themselves." Tully was the cook and confectioner, the Bath Gunter, who provided the supper.

Mrs. Piozzi died in May, 1821. Her death is circumstantially communicated in the following letter;

"DEAR MISS WILLOUGHBY,

"Hot Wells, May 5th, 1821.

It is my painful task to communicate to you, who have so lately been the kind associate of dearest Mrs. Piozzi, the irreparable loss we have all sustained in that incomparable woman and beloved friend.

"She closed her various life about nine o'clock on Wednesday, after an illness of ten days, with as little suffering as could be imagined under these awful circumstances. Her bedside was surrounded by her weeping daughters: Lady Keith and Mrs. Hoare arrived in time to be fully recognized; Miss Thrale, who was absent from town, only just before she expired, but with the satisfaction of seeing her breathe her last in peace.

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Nothing could behave with more tenderness and propriety

than these ladies, whose conduct, I am convinced, has been much misrepresented and calumniated by those who have only attended to one side of the history; but may all that is past be now buried in oblivion Retrospection seldom improves our view of any subject. Sir John Salusbury was too distant, the close of her illness being so rapid, for us to entertain any expectation of his arriving in time to see the dear deceased.

"He only reached Clifton late last night. I have not yet seen him; my whole time has been devoted to the afflicted ladies. To you, who so well know my devoted attachment to Mrs. Piozzi, it is quite superfluous to speak of my own feelings, which I well know will become more acute, as the present hurry of business, in which we are all engaged, and the extreme bodily fatigue I have undergone, producing a sort of stupor in my mind, subsides. A scheme of rational happiness founded on dear Mrs. Piozzi's intentions of residing at Clifton, which I had too fondly, and perhaps foolishly, indulged, her great age being considered, is all overthrown, and a sad and aching void will usurp the place; but God's will be done! A few years more, from the apparently extraordinary vigor of her constitution, I had hoped to enjoy in her enchanting society; these will now be passed in regret; but they will also soon pass away, and all regrets will cease with me, as with the beloved being I must ever lament. You will probably see in the papers the last tribute I could render her of my true regard. It is highly appreciated, and warmly approved by her daughters, the most acceptable praise that can reach the heart of "Dear Miss Willoughby's obedient humble servant,

"P. S. PENNINGTON.

"I am fatigued to death with writing, but feel a solace in addressing you. Probably you will suppose the accident to the leg was the cause of this sudden catastrophe? Not at all; it was perfectly cured, and the manner in which it healed, contrary to all expectation, was considered a proof— a fallacious one it turned out Inof the purity and strength of her constitution. flammation in the intestines, over which medicine had no power, was the cause of her death. The accident to the leg, which in produced great alarm, excited

a younger subject might have none."

Mrs. Pennington* told a friend that Mrs. Piozzi's last words were: "I die in the trust and the fear of God." When she was attended by Sir George Gibbes, being unable to articulate, she traced a coffin in the air with her hands and lay calm. Her will and testamentary papers may help to clear up some disputed points in her biography.

The Will of Hester Lynch Piozzi, dated the 29th day of March, 1816, makes Sir John Salusbury Piozzi Salusbury heir to all her real and personal property with the exception of the following bequests:

"To Sir James Fellowes, Two Hundred Pounds; to Mr. Alexander Leak, One Hundred Pounds; to his Son, Alexander Piozzi Leak, One Hundred Pounds; and to my maid-servant, Elizabeth Jones, One Hundred Pounds.

"Moreover, I do hereby make it my Request to the aforementioned Sir James Fellowes, that he will permit me to join his name with that of the aforesaid John Salusbury Piozzi Salusbury in the execution of these my settled purposes, and that they will cause to be duly paid my few debts and legacies, and that they will be careful to commit my body (wheresoever I may die) to the vault constructed for our remains by my second husband, Gabriel Piozzi, in Dymerchion Church, Flintshire.

"And I do hereby nominate, constitute, and appoint the aforesaid Sir James Fellowes, and the aforesaid John Salusbury Piozzi Salusbury, Joint Executors of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former Wills by me made at any time. (Signed) HESTER LYNCH PIOZZI.

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"In the presence of," &c.

"The last Will and Testament of Hester Lynch Piozzi was this day opened by us at No. 36 Crescent, Clifton, in the presence of Viscountess Keith, Mr. and Mrs. Merrick Hoare, and Miss Thrale.

"JOHN SALUSBURY PIOZZI SALUSBURY, "JAMES FELLOWES."

'Sunday, 6th May, 1821."

Frequently mentioned in Miss Seward's Correspondence as the beautiful

and agreeable Sophia Weston.

"Memorandum.

· After I had read the Will, Lady Keith and her two sisters present, said they had long been prepared for the contents and for such a disposition of the property, and they acknowledged the validity of the Will.

"JAMES FELLowes.”

Copy of a Letter of Requests of the late Mrs. Piozzi, dated Weston-Super-Mare, Monday, October 18th, 1819.

"MY DEAR FRIENDS AND EXECUTORS, This is a Letter of Requests; not formally attested, but I should suppose you would nevertheless hold it sacred; as I only forbear making it a Codicil from a notion of disturbing a testamentary disposition so favorable to Sir John Salusbury by any awkward additions. It is then my request that if you find a gold repeating watch in my possession, you send it to William Augustus Conway, Esq., for whom, I bought it; his name inside.

"If you find a Viner's patent alarum, give it to George Angelo Bell, for whom I bought it; his name is inside. My mother's portrait, by Zoffany, should go to Lady Keith, who alone of my family can remember her; Mr. Thrale's picture to his daughter who still bears his name. Sir James Fellowes has often promised me his assistance; I hope he will not at the last moment deny the requests of a friend he was once so partial to. I hope Sir John Salusbury will not consider these trifles and my clothes to as any sensible diminution of what he will obtain as residuary legatee to his affectionate aunt,

Elizabeth Bell

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(Signed) HESTER LYNCH PIOZZI."

Copy of a note found with the Will of the late Mrs. Piozzi:

"Penzance, 10th October, 1820.

"MY DEAR GENTLEMEN, Feeling unwell this evening, and full of apprehensions that I shall die before we meet again; I beg leave to request your care of a little red box deposited in my hands by Mr. Conway, last March or April; it has his name engraved in brass upon the top, as I received it, Miss Williams being witness; and I wrote William Augustus Conway on the bottom, to assure him I would keep it safe. The contents are (as he told me) of value to him, - letters, papers, &c. Pray be at

tentive to them, and give him his box again untouched, as you value your own honor and that of your poor departed friend,

"(Signed) HESTER LYNCH PIOZZI.”

“SIR, As one of the Executors of my late revered friend Mrs. Piozzi, I take the liberty of placing in your hands the accompanying draft (for £100), which was presented to me by that lady only two days before her death. I am very ready to acknowledge the acceptance of many acts of kindness during her life, but must decline appropriating to myself what I consider a posthumous benefaction, which more properly belongs to her heirs. Be good enough to dispose of the same as you may deem right.

"I have the honor to be, &c.

6 Bath, May 7th, 1821."

"W. A. CONWAY.

"York Hotel, May 8th, 1821.

"Sir James Fellowes presents his compliments to Mr. Conway and begs to acknowledge the receipt of his letter of yesterday, with its enclosure.

"Sir James hopes that Mr. Conway will be assured of his readiness to do justice to his feelings and to appreciate as he ought the handsome manner in which they have been expressed on the loss of so sincere a friend as the lamented Mrs. Piozzi.

"Sir James Fellowes will be under the painful necessity of returning to Clifton to-morrow, and will then consult with Sir John Salusbury and the relatives of the family, on the subject of Mr. Conway's letter."

The following correspondence was also found amongst the testamentary papers:

"SIR, I will not trouble you with apologies for this intrusion by an entire stranger to you, since I am well persuaded that I am writing to a gentleman and a man of honor, whose feelings will not only plead my excuse, but also advocate my request. I am informed that the papers and letters of my inestimable and lamented friend, Mrs. Piozzi, are deposited in your hands, and I