I have not troubled you during the Winter, as I had frequent
opportunities of hearing of your health, and as I well knew that
neither of us were extremely fond of writing. But it is now time to
put you in mind that the season is approaching when Beriton is the
most tolerable. The Colonel and Mrs. Gould will make us a visit,
and I flatter myself that our last Summer there will not be the
least agreable. I propose being down the first of next month, and,
unless it was inconvenient to you, have a particular reason for
wishing to meet you there. The Clarkes (as you may well suppose) are
impatient, and will expect to hear from me as soon as I get down:
but as your company and assistance will be of the greatest use, I
must make a praevious visit into Sussex, and spend some days with
Holroyd, till you can conveniently come. I must therefore beg the
favour of a line.--My fair Prospects about Lenborough are very much
darkened by many unforeseen accidents. However all will come round
again. D'Eyverdun begs to be remembered to you. He has spent only a
fortnight in England, and sets out again to-morrow night with Mr.
Stanhope.
I am, Dear Sir,
Most sincerely yours,
E. GIBBON.
140.
_To his Stepmother._
Pall Mall, July 2nd, 1772.