The Chevalier and myself, after a pretty tedious journey, which his
conversation did not render less so, arrived in town Sunday evening.
We have got our old lodgings in Charles Street. Hugonin arrived a
few minutes afterwards, tired of the country, and he seems to be
now tired of the town. I have not yet got the lottery tickets. I
shall certainly buy yours, but my forgetfulness of leaving money in
my bureau may perhaps hinder me from buying my own myself. We have
no great news in town, but that, one day, Sir George Elkin, a man
of family and fortune, has married Miss Roach, a woman of the town.
Everybody pities him. He is but eighteen: unluckily they were married
in Scotland. She stayed five days with him, the sixth she ran away
and came up to London. I beg you would assure Mrs. Gibbon of my
respects. I hope to see you the latter end of the week.
I am, Dear Sir,
With the greatest respect,
Your most obedient servant and dutiful son,
E. GIBBON.
[Sidenote: A VISIT TO LONDON]
12.
_To his Stepmother._
November, 1758.