We are at last going to quit Rome, and altho' every reason for not
writing much or often looks suspicious from an old offender like
me, yet at present a laudable avarice of time makes me regret every
moment I am not rambling about a place I am so soon to take my leave
of.
I shall be obliged to draw (at as long a sight as I can) for two
hundred pounds: not that I have run into any new expences I did not
foresee before, but merely from a prudence which I think a proper one
in the very nice situation into which the Florence affair has thrown
me. I am sure I can have the money from Barazzi here, as Grand has
renewed my credit upon him, but tho' I hope and believe he has done
it equally upon the other Bankers, I am not at all sure of it, and
might find myself exposed to the refusal of the banker at Venice,
and without any acquaintance there who could vouch for my character
and circumstances. As I hope to carry away a good £150 I am at least
sure of getting to Genoa, where I have some previous knowledge of
the banker, and where in case of any difficulty I could call on
Celesia. I hope this precaution, which appeared to me in the light of
a necessary one, will not be inconvenient to you. It shall make no
alteration in the plan I laid down in my letters from Naples, and you
may depend upon it, Dear Sir, that neither in point of time nor of
money I will any ways exceed it.
I can scarce hope to receive any more letters from you, which reduces
me to the necessity of chusing for myself. I shall however write to
you, Dear Sir, from Bologna, Genoa, and one or two places in France
to acquaint you with my motions till I have the pleasure before the
end of June of embracing you and Mrs. Gibbon at Beriton.
I am, Dear Sir,
Most truly yours,
E. G.
Lyons is the only place I can think of where you can direct to me to
the post-house.
[Sidenote: DISAPPOINTMENT WITH VENICE.]
44.
_To his Stepmother._
Venice, April the 22nd, 1765.