Her meditated
social extinction amongst them might have been commemorated in the
words of the French epitaph:
"Ci git une de qui la vertu
Etait moins que la table encensee;
On ne plaint point la femme abattue,
Mais bien la table renversee."
Which may be freely rendered:
"Here lies one who adulation
By dinners more than virtues earn'd;
Whose friends mourned not her reputation--
But her table--overturned."
Madame D'Arblay has recorded what took place between Mrs. Piozzi and
herself on the occasion:
_Miss F. Burney to Mrs. Piozzi_.
"Norbury Park, Aug. 10, 1784.
"When my wondering eyes first looked over the letter I received last
night, my mind instantly dictated a high-spirited vindication of the
consistency, integrity, and faithfulness of the friendship thus
abruptly reproached and cast away. But a sleepless night gave me
leisure to recollect that you were ever as generous as precipitate,
and that your own heart would do justice to mine, in the cooler
judgment of future reflection. Committing myself, therefore, to that
period, I determined simply to assure you, that if my last letter
hurt either you or Mr. Piozzi, I am no less sorry than surprised; and
that if it offended you, I sincerely beg your pardon.
"Not to that time, however, can I wait to acknowledge the pain an
accusation so unexpected has caused me, nor the heartfelt
satisfaction with which I shall receive, when you are able to write
it, a softer renewal of regard.
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