“Sir.,—­As you were at once the bookseller and friend of Dr. Johnson, who always spoke of your character in the kindest terms, I could wish you likewise to be the publisher of some Anecdotes concerning the last twenty years of his life, collected by me during the many days I had opportunity to spend in his instructive company, and digested into method since I heard of his death.  As I have a large collection of his letters in England, besides some verses, known only to myself, I wish to delay printing till we can make two or three little volumes, not unacceptable, perhaps, to the public; but I desire my intention to be notified, for divers reasons, and, if you approve of the scheme, should wish it to be immediately advertized.  My return cannot be in less than twelve months, and we may be detained still longer, as our intention is to complete the tour of Italy; but the book is in forwardness, and it has been seen by many English and Italian friends.”

On July 27th, 1785, she writes from Florence: 

“We celebrated our wedding anniversary two days ago with a magnificent dinner and concert, at which the Prince Corsini and his brother the Cardinal did us the honour of assisting, and wished us joy in the tenderest and politest terms.  Lord and Lady Cowper, Lord Pembroke, and all the English indeed, doat on my husband, and show us every possible attention.”

On the 18th July, 1785, she writes again to Mr. Cadell:—­“I am favoured with your answer and pleased with the advertisement, but it will be impossible to print the verses till my return to England, as they are all locked up with other papers in the Bank, nor should I choose to put the key (which is now at Milan) in any one’s hand except my own.”

She therefore proposes that the “Anecdotes” shall be printed first, and published separately.  On the 20th October, 1785, she writes from Sienna: 

“I finished my ‘Anecdotes of Dr. Johnson’ at Florence, and taking them with me to Leghorn, got a clear transcript made there, such as I hope will do for you to print from; though there may be some errors, perhaps many, which have escaped me, as I am wholly unused to the business of sending manuscripts to the press, and must rely on you to get everything done properly when, it comes into your hands.”

Such was the surviving ascendency of Johnson, or such the placability of her disposition, that, but for Piozzi’s remonstrances, she would have softened down her “Anecdotes” to an extent which would have destroyed much of their sterling value.

Mr. Lysons made the final bargain with Cadell, and had full power to act for her.  She writes thus to Cadell: 

“Rome, 28th March, 1786.

“SIR,—­I hasten to tell you that I am perfectly pleased and contented with the alterations made by my worthy and amiable friends in the ‘Anecdotes of Johnson’s Life.’  Whatever is done by Sir Lucas Pepys is certainly well done, and I am happy in the thoughts of his having interested himself about it.  Mr. Lysons was very judicious and very kind in going to the Bishop of Peterboro’, and him and Dr. Lort for advice.  There is no better to be had in the world, I believe; and it is my desire that they should be always consulted about any future transactions of the same sort relating to, Sir, your most obedient servant,