Observations and Reflections Made in the Course of a Journey through France, Italy, and Germany

These entertaining and fascinating Observations give a unique insight into an intelligent and witty woman's experiences in late eighteenth-century Europe.

Hester Lynch Piozzi (Author)

9781108018821, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 21 October 2010

396 pages
21.6 x 2.2 x 14 cm, 0.5 kg

In the second volume of Piozzi's Observations, the travels continue from Naples and into Germany before the return to England. Well educated and accustomed to society and activity, Hester relished her intellectual collaboration and close friendship with Samuel Johnson, developed during her first marriage to the successful but stifling Henry Thrale. Yet as Johnson became ill he was increasingly demanding of her attention as a nurse and they became susceptible to society gossip. Hester's second marriage, to Italian musician Gabriel Mario Piozzi in 1784, was therefore extremely liberating. The European travels recounted in these volumes were an escape, and Hester revelled in her experiences, a joy which shows through clearly in this development of her own, non-Johnsonian literary tone. The books were well received, even being read at court by Queen Charlotte and Fanny Burney. For more information on this author, see http://orlando.cambridge.org/public/svPeople?person_id=piozhe

Journey through Italy
Journey through Germany.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: general [DSB]