I must beg you to excuse my not having wrote till now, but knowing
that Mr. Frey had given you an account of my safe arrival by the
first post, I chose to stay some time, that I might be able to give
you a more exact account of my present situation. After a pretty
tiresome journey of eleven days, I got safe to Lausanne. Mr. Frey,
when he had delivered me into Mr. Pavilliard's hands, left the place
and went to Geneva. I have now been with him a month, and during
the whole time have been treated by him with the greatest civility
imaginable. I read French twice every day with him. I already
understand almost all that is said, and can ask for any common things
I want. With regard to other things, the people here are extremely
civil to strangers, and endeavour to make this town as agreeable as
possible. The English here are Mr. Townshend, nephew to the present
Lord Townshend, Lord Huntingtower, Mr. Crofts, and Mr. Umberstone.
I have also been introduced to the Earl of Blessington, who resides
here now with his family, as well as to Madame de Brissoné, to whom
you gave me a letter of recommendation, and who is an extremely
agreeable woman. This is the chief I have to say of the place. As to
the climate, I have reason to think it will agree extremely well with
me. When I was at Calais my books were seized and sent to Paris to be
examined, but a friend there, whom Mr. Frey has wrote to, is to send
them to Lausanne. I must beg my sincere compliments to Miss Ellison.
I am, dear Sir,
With the greatest respect and sincerity,
Your most obedient and most dutiful son,
EDWARD GIBBON.
2.
_To his Aunt, Miss Catherine Porten._[1]
February, 1755.
"Pray remember this letter was not addressed to his mother-in-law,
but his aunt, an old cat as she was to refuse his request."[2]