Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-05-15
A RELIC OF THE LAST CENTURY.

In our obituary VS. notice the demzo, at her resi-
dence in Piccadilly, OF uesther Maria Flscountesa
Keith, in her 95th year, Tha remarkable lady was
the last remaining link between the present genera
ton and that brilliant literary circle which eongrega
ted round johnson 1T the hosptable mansion OF Mrs.
Thrale, ut SrreRtham. Vscountess Keith was the
eldest daughter of Henry Thrale the husband Of
Hesther Salisbury, afterwards known to the world
nv the name of her second husband, Mrs. Piozzi."
a. The child OF his most valued friends, Hestber Ma
ria enjoyed large share of the attention vi johnson,
who was her early instructor and in whose memoirs
her name frequently oocara ss "Queeney,' term OF
endearnen conferred upcn her BY tho great phlloso
pher.
During her girihood she was surrounded BY Key.
uolds Garrick, Burke, Gi5bon, Boswell, Beauclerk,
Langton, Siddon. Burney aud Montague. johnson
was her curly tutor, and Bareti her Italian MASTER
From her mother she learned cultivate intellectual
pursuits and from her father che derived those ster'
ling qualities which belong especially to the high
toned English character. On the death OF the latter
and the marriage Of her mother to Signor fioz1l.
with whom shs e2spt meny years IN foreign traVeIl
Miss Thrale was deprived OF der home. Deng MI
nor and restricted to small allowances, she retired
to q deserted houss of her fathers, al Brighton, with
NO other companion than 90 old and faithful house
KEEPER Here she applied herself to e severe course
of study and TO the acquisition OF many braionss OF
knowledge rare in woman at all times, ana CO.
pecsly 80 In the lees cultivated Gays OF tne ias' ce
fury.
When the time arrived appointed by her father for
her majority, abe established herself In handsome
house in London with her younger sisters, VINO were
many years her Juniors But before this period che
had lost her guardian and valued preceptor, the IT,
Iustrious Johnson whose death bed she assduously
attended. She frequently dwelt upon that soemn
scene in after years. The sage at their last inter
view, said "&y dear child, we part forever IN ms
world let part as Christians should; let US pray
together" He then uttered prayer Of isrvent PIE
ty aud deep Affection invoking The blessing Of hea'
ven upon his pupil. In the year lsoS Miss tGraie
became the wife OF George Keith E'phinssone, VS.
count Keith one of the most distinguished OF .Iose
commanders by whom the naval houors OF dreat
Britain we're 80 greatly eEeea durg Inc ,bs nsr
sonal friend of The royal family his VILE was 'o0n 'n
truduced into the highest circles.
viscouniess Keith, who was in Scotland When sne
received tidngs of her mothers illness, inetanly TO-
paired to Bath to attend her death.oed. Vtcoun'esS
Keith resided for many years on hsr husband pro-
perty Of Tulliallan in Cackmsnnanshrs, where sne
was the generous and unweared beuefactress OF tne
poor. In 1923 she became WIDOW; ana ID iooi ne
only child, Genrgianna, was married 10 John Augus
tus Villiers, second of the Earl OF jersey ny
former wife vscount Keith had daughter, Mar
garet, now the wife of the distinguished dipio'
-laist Count de Flahault- During many years
ViscounIess Keith held distinguished position ID
the highest circles Of the fashionable world out lot
the after part of her life she retired altogether
from society, and limited her intercourse to lew ola
and intimate friends. Her time was divided between
her religious duties and works OF unostentatous anu
active benevolence. Until within lew Gays OF ner
death che enjoyed much health az the inlrm'ties
of her great age allowed. She was attended by her
afeotionate daughter with the most watchiul care
and, when the time came for her removal from this
world, her last moment. were calm and tranquil;
Besides her daughter already mentioned l.he hon'
Mrs Villiars) Visoouness Keith is survivsd oy two
sisters Miss Thrae, Of Ashgrove, near Seven oaKs
and Mrs. Mostyn, resident at Brlghton.-lEne H'A
paper.