by Fanny Burney, who met her on a few occcasions.

I think these passages are interesting for they give us an insight into the charm of Elizabeth Linley, as exprienced by an eye witness- something that cannot of course be transmitted to us via the medium of oil paints( or in our case, pixels:-)...)

This passage was written after hearing her sing one of Handel's Oratorios at Duruy Lane in April 1773:

The applause and admiration she has met with can only be compared to what is given Mr Garrick. The whole town seems distracted about her. Every other diversion is forsaken. Miss Linley alone engrosses all eyes , ears, hearts… Her voice is soft , sweet, clear and affecting

She then met her in the Green Room at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and wrote:

Had I been for my sins born of the male race ,I should certainly have added one more to Miss Linley’s train.

She is really beautiful; her complexion a clear, lovely animated brown with a blooming colour on her cheeks; her nose, that most elegant of shapes , Grecian ; fine luxurious, easy-settling hair, a charming forehead, pretty mouth , and most bewitching eyes.