Fanny Burney visited Bath frequently. Two years after Evelina was published in 1778 she stayed for a few weeks at 14 South Parade with Mr and Mrs Thrale, the friends of Dr Johnson. And from 1815-18 she lived at 23 Great Stanhope Street. She had written to a friend: ‘I wish to live in Bath, wish it devoutly, for at Bath we shall live, or nowhere in England. Bath is… the only place for us since here, all the year round there is always the town at command and always the country for prospect, exercise and delight.’ (Fanny Burney lived for much of her adult life in France, which is why she did not live in Bath permanently.)