I remained one day more in town, to have the chance of talking over
my negociation with the Lord Chancellor; but the multiplicity of his
Lordship's important engagements did not allow of it; so I left the
management of the business in the hands of Sir Joshua Reynolds.
Soon after this time Dr. Johnson had the mortification of being informed
by Mrs. Thrale, that, 'what she supposed he never believed,' was true;
namely, that she was actually going to marry Signor Piozzi, an Italian
musick-master. He endeavoured to prevent it; but in vain. If she would
publish the whole of the correspondence that passed between Dr.
Johnson and her on the subject, we should have a full view of his
real sentiments. As it is, our judgement must be biassed by that
characteristick specimen which Sir John Hawkins has given us: 'Poor
Thrale! I thought that either her virtue or her vice would have
restrained her from such a marriage. She is now become a subject for
her enemies to exult over; and for her friends, if she has any left, to
forget, or pity.
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