They comprise:—­

1.  Autobiographical Memoirs.

2.  Letters, mostly addressed to the late Sir James Fellowes.

3.  Fugitive pieces of her composition, most of which have never appeared in print.

4.  Manuscript notes by her on Wraxall’s Memoirs, and on her own published works, namely:  “Anecdotes of the late Samuel Johnson, LL.D., during the last twenty years of his life,” one volume, 1786:  “Letters to and from the late Samuel Johnson, LL.D., &c.,” in two volumes, 1788:  “Observations and Reflections made in the course of a journey through France, Italy, and Germany,” in two volumes, 1789:  “Retrospection; or, Review of the most striking and important Events, Characters, Situations, and their Consequences which the last Eighteen Hundred Years have presented to the View of Mankind,” in two volumes, quarto, 1801.

The “Autobiographical Memoirs,” and the annotated books, were given by her to the late Sir James Fellowes, of Adbury House, Hants, M.D., F.R.S., to whom the letters were addressed.  He and the late Sir John Piozzi Salusbury were her executors, and the present publication takes place in pursuance of an agreement with their personal representatives, the Rev. G.A.  Salusbury, Rector of Westbury, Salop, and Captain J. Butler Fellowes.

Large and valuable additions to the original stock of materials have reached me since the announcement of the work.

The Rev. Dr. Wellesley, Principal of New Inn Hall, has kindly placed at my disposal his copy of Boswell’s “Life of Johnson” (edition of 1816), plentifully sprinkled with marginal notes by Mrs. Piozzi.

The Rev. Samuel Lysons, of Hempsted Court, Gloucester, has liberally allowed me the free use of his valuable collection of books and manuscripts, including numerous letters from Mrs. Piozzi to his father and uncle, the Rev. Daniel Lysons and Mr. Samuel Lysons.

From 1776 to 1809 Mrs. Piozzi kept a copious diary and note-book, called “Thraliana.”  Johnson thus alludes to it in a letter of September 6th, 1777:  “As you have little to do, I suppose you are pretty diligent at the ‘Thraliana;’ and a very curious collection posterity will find it.  Do not remit the practice of writing down occurrences as they arise, of whatever kind, and be very punctual in annexing the dates.  Chronology, you know, is the eye of history.  Do not omit painful casualties or unpleasing passages; they make the variegation of existence; and there are many passages of which I will not promise, with AEneas, et haec olim meminisse juvabit.”  “Thraliana,” which at one time she thought of burning, is now in the possession of Mr. Salusbury, who deems it of too private and delicate a character to be submitted to strangers, but has kindly supplied me with some curious passages and much valuable information extracted from it.

I shall have many minor obligations to acknowledge as I proceed.

Unless Mrs. Piozzi’s character and social position are freshly remembered, her reminiscences and literary remains will lose much of their interest and utility.  It has therefore been thought advisable to recapitulate, by way of introduction, what has been ascertained from other sources concerning her; especially during her intimacy with Johnson, which lasted nearly twenty years, and exercised a marked influence on his tone of mind.