“Streatham, January 1st, 1782.—­Sophy Streatfield has begun the new year nicely with a new conquest.  Poor dear Doctor Burney! he is now the reigning favourite, and she spares neither pains nor caresses to turn that good man’s head, much to the vexation of his family; particularly my Fanny, who is naturally provoked to see sport made of her father in his last stage of life by a young coquet, whose sole employment in this world seems to have been winning men’s hearts on purpose to fling them away.  How she contrives to keep bishops, and brewers, and doctors, and directors of the East India Company, all in chains so, and almost all at the same time, would amaze a wiser person than me; I can only say let us mark the end!  Hester will perhaps see her out and pronounce, like Solon, on her wisdom and conduct.”

As this lady has excited great interest, and was much with the Thrales, I will add what I have been able to ascertain concerning her.  She is frequently mentioned in Madame D’Arblay’s Diary: 

“Streatham, Sept. 1778.—­To be sure she (Mrs. Thrale) saw it was not totally disagreeable to me; though I was really astounded when she hinted at my becoming a rival to Miss Streatfield in the Doctor’s good graces.

“‘I had a long letter,’ she said, ’from Sophy Streatfield t’other day, and she sent Dr. Johnson her elegant edition of the ‘Classics;’ but when he had read the letter, he said ’she is a sweet creature, and I love her much; but my little Burney writes a better letter.’  Now,’ continued she, ’that is just what I wished him to say of you both.’”

“Streatham, Sept. 1779.—­Mr. Seward, you know, told me that she had tears at command, and I begin to think so too, for when Mrs. Thrale, who had previously told me I should see her cry, began coaxing her to stay, and saying, ’If you go, I shall know you don’t love me so well as Lady Gresham,’—­she did cry, not loud indeed, nor much, but the tears came into her eyes, and rolled down her fine cheeks.

“‘Come hither, Miss Burney,’ cried Mrs. Thrale; ’come and see Miss Streatfield cry!’

“I thought it a mere badinage.  I went to them, but when I saw real tears, I was shocked, and saying, ‘No, I won’t look at her,’ ran away frightened, lest she should think I laughed at her, which Mrs. Thrale did so openly, that, as I told her, had she served me so, I should have been affronted with her ever after.

“Miss Streatfield, however, whether from a sweetness not to be ruffled, or from not perceiving there was any room for taking offence, gently wiped her eyes, and was perfectly composed!”

“Streatham, June, 1779.—­Seward, said Mrs. Thrale, had affronted Johnson, and then Johnson affronted Seward, and then the S.S. cried.

“Sir Philip (Clerke).—­Well, I have heard so much of these tears, that I would give the universe to have a sight of them.

“Mrs. Thrale.—­Well, she shall cry again, if you like it.