THRALE, Hester Lynch (1741-1821). 3 autograph letters, two signed with initials, to Frances Burney, Streatham, [June, 1780?], 'End of December 1780'and 13 February 1782, the first opening 'My sweet friend will think I neglect her ... but I have so much upon my spirits ... Mr Thrale looks like death', talking about going to the 'Boro' [probably her town-house in Deadman's Place, Bankside, which had been attacked by the mob in the Gordon riots], 'Johnson is happy with the measure, if nobody else is', the second containing gossip about Mary Pitches, Mrs Holroyd who has become Baroness Sheffield etc., and ending 'Continue your friendship & fondness and don't stay away till you care not when you return - when you begin to hate me ... your father has forsaken us too'; the third writing just after she has read Cecilia, 'How shall I begin my lovely Burney? with the Book in general? it is most bewitchingly interesting! or with the Characters? They are so shaded, so varied, so discriminated - one wonders! - or with the Heroine, who pleases me better than almost any Heroine I have read of. Cecilia deserved Lord Orville & you have now of your own making, a Country dance like Hogarth's with the two genteely-turned figures at the End - shewing alike your Skill to mark Elegance as Deformity', adding 'How I am obliged to my sweet Friend for raising up a new Train of Ideas before my half-exhausted understanding. These last Vexations come at a bad Time: the Cup was full before - & Johnson will dye too, I mean within the Year & I shall be stript of all' ending 'Farewell sweetest and most ingenious Burney! gather your Laurels and wear them while they are green', 9 pages, 4to (240 x 188mm). APPARENTLY ALL UNPUBLISHED. (3)