Changed now was Streatham! the value of its chief seemed first made
known by his loss; which was long felt; though not, perhaps, with the
immediate acuteness that would have been demonstrated, if, at that
period, the deprivation of the female chieftain had preceded that of
the male. Still Mr. Thrale, by every friend of his house and family;
and by every true adherent to his wife, her interest, her fame, and her
happiness, was day by day, and week by week, more and more missed and
regretted.
Dr. Burney was one of the first and most earnest to hasten to the
widowed lady, with the truest sympathy in her grief. His daughter, who,
for some previous months, had been wholly restored to the paternal
roof,—the Thrales themselves having been fixed, for the last winter
season, in Grosvenor Square,—flew, in trembling haste, the instant she
could be received, to the beloved friend who was now tenderly enchained
to her heart; and at this moment was doubly endeared by misfortune; and
voluntarily quitting all else, eagerly established herself at Streatham.
Dr. Johnson, who was one of Mr. Thrale’s executors, immediately resumed
his apartment; cordially and gratefully bestowing on the remaining
hostess every minute that she could desire or require of his time and
his services. And nothing could be wiser in counsel, more zealous in
good offices, or kinder of intention, than the whole of his conduct in
performing the duties that he deemed to devolve upon him by the will of
his late friend.
But Dr. Burney, as he could only upon his stated day and hour make one
in this retirement, devoted himself now almost exclusively to his