Your illness really alarmed me. To be taken in so sudden and violent
a manner. If you had not assured me that you was so much better, I
would have set out immediately for Beriton. I hope you have had some
advice better than Harvey's. I hope too that Mrs. Gibbon tries to
hinder you from going out in the cold. I say tries, because I know
that with regard to going out you are a most ungovernable patient.
At last Maty and I have downright quarrelled. He behaved so very
contemptuously to me. Never made the least excuse for having eked
out two weeks into two months, left two letters I wrote him since,
without any answers, never came near me, that at last I desired him
to send back my manuscript. He did so. I then wrote him a letter to
explain my behaviour. He answered it by another politely bitter. So
_tout est fini_!
I return you, Dear Sir, my sincerest thanks for telling me of my
faults. I shall always consider it the truest proof of your affection
for me. I hope you do not impute my not writing to Mrs. Gibbon to the
least want of regard for her. I should be the most ungrateful of men,
if I did not love and respect her like my own mother. But I really
thought that in a union like yours, writing to one was writing to
both. However, dear Sir, it is enough that you think it an omission,
for me to repair it by the very next post.
I endeavour to see no company in town but such as you yourself would
approve of. Mrs. Cilesia's and Mrs. Hayes's are the two houses I
frequent the most. The former has promised to introduce me to Lady
Harvey's[24] Assembly, where ('tis true though wonderful) there is no
card-playing, but very good company and very good conversation. I am
also to meet at Mrs. Cilesia's the great David Hume. I shall seek
his acquaintance without being discouraged by Maty.
I have answered Bordot's letter. He desires a present relief, a
quick release, and a good place in England. The first alone is in
my power. I beg you would give him Five Guineas and deduct it upon
the Christmas quarter of my Allowance. I do not doubt but you will
do something for him, as I really think his situation deserves pity.
This cessation of the prisoner's allowance shows, I think, better
than fifty monitors to how low an ebb the French are reduced. I
cannot help pitying them too. I do not think it necessary to have
no compassion, in order to be a good Englishman. My unfashionable
politicks are that a war can hardly be a good one, and a peace hardly
a bad one. My sincerest love and regard wait upon Mrs. Gibbon.
I am, Dear Sir,
With the highest regard and best wishes for your health
Your most affectionate son and humble servant,
(E.) GIBBON.
P.S.--The Barometer was broke on the road. You will lay it upon me.
I lay it upon François, and François upon Henry who packed up the
things. Shall I buy another? Numbers 15553, 15554 Blanks.
[24] Lady Hervey, the beautiful "Molly Lepel," daughter of
Brigadier-General Nicholas Lepel, was the widow of John, Lord
Hervey, the "Sporus" of Pope's Prologue to the _Satires_,
and the Boswell of George II. and Queen Caroline. Married in
October, 1720, she was the mother of four sons, three of whom in
succession became Earl of Bristol. She died September 2, 1768.
17.
_To his Father._
1760.