I admit the justice of your kind reproaches, and without attempting
any idle excuses, I will endeavour to prove my repentance by my
amendment. We are now (Holroyd and myself) very busy, but with much
less success than I could wish. Though it has been mathematically
demonstrated to the Goose, that at twenty-two, he would make near 3
pr. cent. of his money, the Goose, for such he most truly is, after a
long shuffling dilatory suspense, without being able to find out his
own foolish mind, has this morning told me that he must at least for
the present decline it. We immediately proceed to an Advertisement,
and the Oracle has made the value of the thing so clear even to
me that I am almost as sanguine as himself. We are soon to have a
Conference about Beriton. He thinks the map you have sent will be
of use, and prevent his losing his Way, when he goes down with me
about Easter, as he will certainly do. As from Bricknall's slowness
it was impossible to let the Farms at Lady Day, they can only be let
at Michaelmas: and we, however reluctantly, go through another and
last Harvest. I am doubly anxious that it should be the last, not
only to have my own affairs in a smaller compass and clearer order,
but likewise to release you, dear Madam, from a melancholy situation,
which your affection for me has persuaded you to undertake.
[Sidenote: SIR RICHARD WORSLEY.]
*Sir Richard Worsley[170] is just come home. I am sorry to see many
alterations, and little improvement. From an honest wild English
buck, he is grown a _philosopher_. Lord Petersfield displeases every
body by the affectation of consequence: the young baronet disgusts
no less by the affectation of wisdom. He speaks in short sentences,
quotes Montaigne, seldom smiles, never laughs, drinks only water,
professes to command his passions, and intends to marry in five
months. The two lords, his uncle as well as Jemmy, attempt to show
him that such behaviour, even were it reasonable, does not suit this
country. He remains incorrigible, and is every day losing ground
in the good opinion of the public, which at his first arrival ran
strongly in his favour. Deyverdun is probably on his journey towards
England, but is not yet come.*
The attention of the Public is much engaged about the Marriage
Bill. The Princes of the Blood will lose their natural rights,
and a most odious law will be forced upon Parliament. I do not
remember ever to have seen so general a concurrence of all ranks,
parties, and professions of men. Administration themselves are the
reluctant executioners, but the King will be obeyed, and the bill is
universally considered as his, reduced into legal or rather illegal
form by Ld. Mansfield and the Chancellor. By the bye, the Duke of
Manchester told me the other day that since the bill Lady Waldegrave
has authorized all her friends to declare that she _is_ married. The
Duke and Duchess of C[umberland] are in town, but live in princely
solitude. He drives her about the streets in a Phaeton, and they have
sometimes concerts to which none but the Luttrel family are admitted.
I am, Dear Madam,
Ever yours,
E. G.
[170] Sir R. Worsley succeeded to the baronetcy on the death, in
1768, of Sir Thomas Worsley. He was M.P. for Newport, Isle of
Wight, 1774-84, and for Newtown, Isle of Wight, 1790-1802. He
was sworn a privy councillor, and made Governor of the Island in
January, 1780. He was also Comptroller of the Royal Household. He
published his _History of the Isle of Wight_ in 1781. In 1782,
on the accession to office of the Rockingham administration, he
was deprived of the Governorship of the Island in favour of the
Duke of Bolton. As Diplomatic Resident at Venice, he made the
collections and sketches which are reproduced in the _Museum
Worsleyanum_ (2 vols., 1794-1803). He died in 1805. His only son
predeceased him. His estates passed, through his only sister,
Henrietta Frances (married to John Bridgman-Simpson, Esq.), to
her only child, Henrietta, who married the Earl of Yarborough.
132.
_To his Stepmother._
Pall Mall, April 8th, 1772.