Another lady, whose accomplishments he never de-
nied, came to our house one day covered with diamonds,
feathers, &c., and he did not seem inclined to chat with
her as usual. I asked him why ? when the company
was gone. '' Why ; her head looked so like that of a



piozzi. 105

woman who shows puppets," said he, " and her voice
so confirmed the fancy^ that I could not bear her to-
day ; when she wears a large cap^ I can talk to her."
. When the ladies wore lace trimmings to their clothes^
he expressed his contempt of the reigning fashion in
these terms: — ''A Brussels trimming is like bread
sauce^" said he, " it takes away the glow of colour from
the gown, and gives you nothing instead of it; but
sauce was invented to heighten the flavour of our food,
and trimming is an ornament to the manteau, or it is
nothing. Learn," said he, " that there is propriety or
impropriety in every thing, how slight soever, and get
at the general principles of dress and of behaviour ; if
you then transgress diem, you will at least know that
they are not observed."

144. Mrs. PioxxVs Account of her Rupture with

Johnson.
All these exactnesses in a man who was nothing less
than exact himself, made him extremely impracticable
as an inmate, though most instructive as a companion,
and useful as a friend. Mr. Thrale, too, could some-
times overrule his rigidity, by saying coldly, " There,
there, now we have had enough for one lecture. Dr.
