*You see by the date of my letter where I am. I arrived here
in company with the Duke of Bridgewater,[31] the Marquis of
Tavistock,[32] Lord Ossory[33] and a Mr. Leigh, about three in the
afternoon, after a tedious but pleasant passage of about nine hours.
We were forced to come in here, not being able to make Calais. I have
hired a chaise, & propose setting out to-morrow, but alone, as the
road will not supply horses for our number. I hope to be at Paris
either Thursday or Friday. Writing in the midst of noise and hurry &
being just ready to go to supper, you will excuse my ending abruptly.*
I am, Dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately,
E. GIBBON.
[31] Francis Egerton, third and last Duke of Bridgewater
(1736-1803), with the assistance of Brindley, developed the canal
system of the north of England.
[32] The Marquis of Tavistock, who married, in June, 1764, Lady
E. Keppel, was killed in the hunting-field in 1767.
[33] John, second and last Earl of Ossory, married, in 1769, the
Duchess of Grafton. Anne Liddell, daughter of Lord Ravensworth,
married to the Duke of Grafton in January, 1756, was separated
from her husband in 1765. Her daughter by Lord Ossory was born
in 1768; her divorce from the duke, and her marriage with Lord
Ossory, took place in March, 1769.
21.
_To his Stepmother._
Paris, February the 12th, 1763.