Piozzi’s seventh wedding annivesary party

Streatham 28 July 1790

We have kept our seventh Wedding Day, and celebrated our Return to this House with prodigius Splendor and Gayety.

Seventy People eat at our Expence, Thirty six of which dined at an immensely long Table in the Library [36 in the library, 12 in Mr Piozzi's dressing room] —The Plate so fine too, the China so showy, all so magnificent, and at the Time of Dinner Horns Clarin &c wch afterwards performed upon the Water in our new Boat that makes such a beautiful, such an elegant Figure.

Never was a pleasanter Day seen, nor Weather half as favourable: the Setting Sun, the full moon rising, were wonderfully happy Additions; and at Night the Trees & Front of the House were illuminated with Colour’d Lamps, that called forth our Neighbours from all the adjacent Villages to admire & enjoy such Diversion.

Many Friends swear that not less than a Thousand Men Women & Children might have been counted in the House & Grounds, where tho’ all were admitted, nothing was stolen, lost, broken, or even damaged—a Circumstance almost incredible; & which gave Mr Piozzi a high Opinion of English Gratitude and respectful Attachment.

Hester Lynch Thrale.
Published in Thraliana entry dated 28 July 1790.