If the weather with you is only half as uncomfortable as it is in
town, Beriton must indeed be a most dismal place. We are cut in
two with the cold, and buried in the deepest snow that ever I saw
in London. This circumstance makes my presence with you the less
necessary, as it would not be possible for Bricknall or any body else
to do anything in the surveying way. As soon as I see a possibility
I shall write to him to undertake it, and shall beg Hugonin to
assist him with his directions. The Woods (an account of which he
has given me) amount to £3500. It was about what I expected. I
had a letter from Hugonin, to whom I excused me not attending the
Court. He desires to become my tenant for a field. I am ignorant of
circumstances, but _think_ he would not ask anything improper.
The business of settling the Beriton title, with the Lawyer here,
seems to be now the most urgent affair. I hope, but cannot promise,
that by the end of next week it may be sufficiently advanced to allow
me to come down. I most truly pity poor Mrs. W., and should think
that if Beriton is so insupportable to her, she might come up by
herself in the Machine. I hope her spirits, your health and Patton's
gout are all better.
Will you be so good as to order Tregus up to town with the horse.
He must bring him to Wisdom's Livery Stable, Park Lane, Hyde Park
Corner, who is prepared to receive him.
I am, dear Madam,
Most truly yours,
E. G.
100.
_To his Stepmother._
Pall Mall, February 25th, 1771.