Piozzi, Hester Lynch Thrale

Autograph letter signed ("H.L. Piozzi"), 1 1/2 pages on a bifolium (9 1/8 x 7 1/4 in.; 232 x 184 mm), Bath, "Wednesday Night," to Reverend Doctor [Francis] Randolph; lightly browned, formerly folded, clean tears in fore-edge without loss, two small mends at gutter fold. Blue cloth folding-case, gilt-stamped title label on spine.

Francis Randolph (1752–1831), proprietor and minister of Octagon and Laurel Chapels, prebendary of Bristol, husband of Mary. Piozzi discusses the India Sudara "a sort of demi god who inhabits the river in the form of a crocodile and the people fancy him a half brother. I once met with a story how some Girl told Sir Joseph Banks that she had an uncle of this description, & she called him BlueKing I remember, and threw Presents into the stream which she said he accepted & wore." She then goes on to discuss "Cuttery, who makes such a figure in the works of the Old Travellers; as female parent of those numerous Capts one hears so much about from East Indians ..."