House of smoke

Posted 14 September 2009 - 12:07am by David Thrale

15: Novr Brynbella 1804.]

Our Architect here one Sillito by Name has cured our House of Smoke and now it is really quite in Perfection I think; new furnished & new drest so: all the People are coming to see it all day long—Yet my Master feels tired & wishes for a Town I perceive and some common Chat We tell him he’s in Love With Miss Rochfort for Fun—& I made this Nonsense to Day to divert him.

Rondeau verses1

But for this silly Toe—poor Piozzi cries,
I’d not stay here to sell my Corn and Hay à;
I think indeed it would be far more wise
To go to Bath and sing with Dorotèa,
But for this silly Toe:
Nay quoth his Wife, all that is but a Joke;
We could not stay in our own House for smoke,
Enough to smother all the Folk
But for this Sillito

Written by Hester Lynch Thrale. Thraliana entry dated 15 November 1804.

  1. 1. Rondo: An 18th century musical form.
Hester Thrale's spelling, grammar, punctuation and capitalisation, some of which may not conform to today's standards, are reproduced faithfully throughout. More writings by her »