The little Curate gave me the other day the pleasure of hearing you
were perfectly well, I send two lines to return the same assurances
with regard to myself. The Levite is now at Chatham, but will have
his ears regaled next week, after Clarke and myself are returned from
Holroyd's, whither we intend to run down to-morrow. In the midst of
our amusements I shall consult the Oracle.--D'Eyverdun is not come
back, nor has he replied a syllable to six letters of mine and
Sir R.'s.[128] Lord Chesterfield, tired with waiting and fruitless
enquiries, has sent his heir abroad under another Governor. I pity
our friend, but fear he will not be able to justify himself either
to his friends or to his own judgment. Jolliffe[129] has bought an
excellent house in Little Argyle Street, very cheap. I had the honour
of seeing in it _Madame la Mére_; vastly like one of the elderly
ladies in Mackbeth. She was wonderfully gracious to me.
Adieu, Dear Madam,
E. G.
[128] Gibbon and Sir Richard Worsley were endeavouring to obtain
for M. Deyverdun a tutorship. He eventually went abroad with the
young Stanhope, afterwards Lord Chesterfield.
[129] Probably Mr. Jolliffe, M.P. for Petersfield, and a country
neighbour of Gibbon. He married, in November, 1769, the only
daughter and heiress of Sir R. Hylton, Bart., of Hylton Castle,
Durham.
76.
_To his Stepmother._
Pall Mall, Thursday evening.