Mr. Thrale’s death produced no immediate change in the situation of affairs at Streatham.  Dr. Johnson’s visits were as frequent and as protracted as before; Fanny continued to be numbered among the dearest friends of the widow.  Not yet had arisen that infatuation which eventually alienated from Mrs. Thrale the sympathy of her former friends, and subjected her, justly or unjustly, to such severe and general condemnation.  But to this topic we shall revert at a later period.

The great brewer had left his wife and family in affluent 203

circumstances.  The executors to his Will were Dr. Johnson, Mr. Henry Smith, Mr. Cator and Mr. Crutchley, together with Mrs. Thrale.  Of the last-named gentleman we shall hear a good deal in the following pages.  He and Mr. Cator were both chosen members of parliament In the same year—­1784:  Mr. Cator for Ipswich, Mr. Crutchley for Horsham.  Early in the summer following Thrale’s decease the brewery was sold for the handsome sum of 135,000 pounds, to David Barclay, the Quaker, who took Thrale’s old manager, Perkins into Partnership.  Thus was Vfounded the famous house Of Barclay and Perkins.-Ed-]

Young Mr. Crutchley ruffles miss Burney.

Streatham, May.

Miss Owen and I arrived here without incident, which, in a journey of six or seven miles, was really marvellous.  Mrs. Thrale came from the Borough with two of the executors, Dr. Johnson and Mr Crutchley soon after us.  She had been sadly worried, and in the evening frightened us all by again fainting away.  Dear creature! she is all agitation of mind and of body:  but she is now wonnderfully recovered though in continual fevers about her affairs, which are mighty difficult and complicate indeed.  Yet the behaviour of all the executors is exactly to her wish.  Mr. Crutchley, In particular, was he a darling son or only brother could not possibly be more truly devoted to her.  Indeed., I am very happy in the revolution in my own mind in favour of this young man, whom formerly I so little liked; for I now see so much of him, business and inclination uniting to bring him hither continually, that if he were disagreeable to me, I should spend my time in a most comfortless manner.  On the contrary, I both respect and esteem him very highly; for his whole conduct manifests so much goodness of heart and excellence of principle, that he is Un homme comme ill y en a peu; and that first appearance of coldness, pride, reserve, and sneering, all wears off upon further acquaintance, and leaves behind nothing but good-humour and good-will.  And this you must allow to be very candid, when I tell you that, but yesterday, he affronted me so much by a Piece Of impertinence that I had a very serious quarrel with im.

Sunday morning nobody went to church but Mr. Crutchley, Miss
Thrale, and myself; and some time after, when I was 204

sauntering upon the lawn before the house, Mr. Crutchley joined ine.  We were returning together into the house, when, Mrs. Thrale, popping her head out of her dressing-room window, called out,