I am afraid you will be angry at seeing a letter instead of me, but
indeed I knew not how disagreeable it was, travelling in this season.
I am besides invited to Mrs. Wray's and Mr. Darrel's for next Monday
and Wednesday. Do you think these reasons sufficient? (I beg you
would tell it me freely.) If you do not I will endeavour to come down
the latter end of next week; as I suppose my being there Christmas
Day is of no consequence.
I have seen Dr. Maty. _La La._ He made little or no excuse for having
deferred writing, but has already criticised it with sense and
severity. He finds it as I hoped; good, in general, but many faults
in the detail.[23]
I have dined once with M. Cilesia, with whom I am extremely pleased;
he has wit and learning, and speaks French like a Parisian. But pray
have you heard the shocking pretensions of Mlle. de Vaucluse? A prior
marriage with him, or at least a promise of Marriage with a vast
forfeiture. I do not know the particulars, but she pushes the affair
vigorously at Genoa, and disperses a Memoire, which I hope to see. If
she is not an Imposture, how criminal it makes the husband and how
unhappy the wife.
I believe it is needless to assure Mrs. Gibbon of my sincerest love
and regard. Pray tell her Sir W. Milner is in town. I shall execute
all her and your commissions.
I am, Dear Sir,
With the greatest regard,
Your most obedient and affectionate servant and son,
E. GIBBON.
[23] On his return from Lausanne Gibbon completed his _Essai
sur l'étude de la Littérature_, his first published work. The
manuscript was submitted to Dr. Maty in 1758, and by his advice
partly rewritten and wholly revised. It was published in French,
with a letter to the author from Dr. Maty, in 1761. The essay is
printed in _The Miscellaneous Works of Edward Gibbon_ (ed. 1814),
vol. iv. pp. 1-93.
[Sidenote: HIS FIRST LITERARY VENTURE]
16.
_To his Father._
New Bond Street, December the 30th, 1758.