The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 07, No. 43, May, 1861

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SONNETTO TENNYSON, AFTER HEARING ABBY HUTCHINSON SING "THE MAY-QUEEN" AT AMBLESIDEI would, my friend, indeed, thou hadst beenhereLast night, beneath the shadowy sycamore,To hear the lines, to me well known before,Embalmed in music so translucent clear.Each word of thine came singly to the ear,Yet all was blended in a flowing stream.It had the rich repose of summer dream,The light distinct of frosty atmosphere.Still have I loved thy verse, yet never knewHow sweet it was, till woman's voice investedThe pencilled outline with the living hue,And every note of feeling proved and tested.What might old Pindar be, if once againThe harp and voice were trembling with hisstrain!

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Autobiography, Letters, and Literary Remains of Mrs. Piozzi (Thrale). Edited, with Notes and an Introductory Account of her Life and Writings, by A. Hayward, Esq., Q.C. In Two Volumes. London, 1861. Reprinted by Ticknor & Fields.

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This unique copy of the Journey through France, etc., is in the possession of Mr. Duncan C. Pell, of Newport, R.I. It is to his liberality that we are indebted for the privilege of laying before the readers of the Atlantic the following portions of Mrs. Piozzi's manuscript.

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It is but four years ago that the Viscountess Keith, Mrs. Piozzi's eldest daughter, died. She was ninety-five years old. Her long life connected our generation with that of Johnson and Burke. She was the last survivor of the Streatham "set,"—for, as "Queeney," she had held a not unimportant place in it. She was at Johnson's death-bed. At their last interview he said,—"My dear child, we part forever in this world; let us part as Christian friends should; let us pray together."

It was in 1808 that Miss Thrale married Lord Keith, a distinguished naval officer.

In The Gentleman's Magazine, for May, 1657, is an interesting notice of Lady Keith. "During many years," it is there said, "Viscountess Keith held a distinguished position in the highest circles of the fashionable world in London; but during the latter portion of her life…. her time was almost entirely devoted to works of charity and to the performance of religious duties. No one ever did more for the good of others, and few ever did so much in so unostentatious a manner."

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Comment on Purg. xvi. 80.