*A sudden resolution was taken last night in favour of the Tour
mentioned in my last. We set out, Mr. and Mrs. H., a Mr. Faukier and
myself, next Thursday, and shall dine at Beriton the following day,
and stay there most probably three or four days. A Farmhouse without
either Cook or Housekeeper will afford but indifferent entertainment,
but we must _exert_ and they must _excuse_.* Our Tour will last about
a fortnight, after which my friend presses me to return with him, and
in his present situation, I shall be at a loss how to refuse him.
I am, Dear Madam,
Ever yours,
E. G.
147.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Beriton, September the 25th, 1772.
Blessings on the man (his name is now buried in oblivion) who first
invented the loud trumpet of Advertisements. Blessings on those two
great men, the intrepid Holroyd and the prudent Hugonin, without
whose charitable aid the wretched Gibbon must for ever have grovelled
in the mire of Beriton.
We much depended, as you may remember, on the Rumsey Farmer and the
Distiller. But--_omne quod humanum instabile_. The latter never
replied to the letter which I sent him, the former missed the
appointed Wednesday and threw me into an agony of despair, which
was soon changed into joy on the discovery that I had escaped a
very indifferent Tenant. Many candidates succeeded, a letter from
Norfolk, and farmers of various appearance and from different places.
Luff (I believe he used no foul play) always chose to show the farm,
and then conducted them to Hugonin, who debated the matter with
them over a bowl of Punch and then acquainted me with the result.
It would be tedious and at present of little use to expatiate on
the objections, difficulties, &c. At last a Farmer named Winton
from Shoreham who knows you (by the bye, all the farmers abuse you,
a high compliment!) made his appearance: the father is a man of
substance, 200 a year of his owne, the son a brisk active fellow
about thirty, both of unexceptionable character, and throughout the
whole transaction uncommonly fair and candid. They take all my stock
at an appraisement, sheep excepted (they don't like the sort), and
allow me a year for repairs, about which they gladly take Hugonin for
Umpire, and have not indeed demanded any one unreasonable thing. I
have given at their request a thirty years' lease, and immediately
signed a legal article. Monday sennight the stock will be appraised
by one on each side.
In a word, all is settled and (though I have given up something of
the proposed rent) I should think it one of the most agreeable days
of my life, were it not embittered by the uneasiness I feel on Mrs.
G.'s account. She refused to yield an iota of her pretensions, and
even to allow the Tenant any Rick Yard, or a way from the Lawn into
his farm-yard. She was repeatedly told that every farmer did and
ever would reject the farm on such terms. At length she gave Hugonin
authority to say that she had given up all thoughts of the place: but
her temper both then and since has been very different from what I
could wish it. She is angry if she is not constantly consulted, and
yet takes up everything with such absolute quickness, that we all
dread to consult her. She is at present I fear equally offended with
me, with Hugonin and Mr. Scott. Nothing shall however abate my regard
for her, and as soon as I can discover whether she will fix on Bath
or some country place, she may command every service within my power.
All this _sub sigillo amicitiæ_.
I am summoned to dress. The Jolliffes dine here. Adieu. Every kind
wish to Mrs. H.
[Sidenote: BERITON LET.]
148.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Beriton, 3rd October, 1772.
*I am so happy, so exquisitely happy, at feeling so many Mountains
taken off my shoulders, that I can brave your indignation, and even
the three-forked lightning of Jupiter himself. My reasons for taking
so unwarrantable a step (approved of by Hugonin) were no unmanly
despondency (though it daily became more Apparent how much the farm
would suffer, both in reality and in reputation, by another year's
management),* but the following grounds. 1. The being secure against
repairs for so long a term, and 2. The giving the Tenant a durable
interest to use my land like his own. The Revolutions of this country
may take various turns within that period; nor do I recollect that,
although you fixed on 21 years, you so strongly disaproved of a
longer term. However the Mischief is done; and I can only wish that,
at or about Michaelmas in the year of our Lord God one Thousand seven
hundred and ninety-three, you convince me that Gib-ben knows no more
of country business than Maria, which by that time most probably will
be very true. The rent after deducting Ponds, Yards, &c. (which every
tenant objected to) is very little short of the grand desideratum
twenty and ten, a price which fills the country round with terror
and amazement. The Tenant is confessedly rich, and in this whole
transaction about Covenants, repairs &c., has shewn himself the
reverse of _eminently troublesome_. The father may perhaps be
slovenly, the son who is properly my Tenant is (in H.'s opinion) a
very active, clever, sensible fellow.
But to turn from the past to the future. _My Bucks Tenants_ have all
consented (though 'tis very "_heard_") to pay Church and Poor, but
before they sign the paper, they wish to wait on me, either here or
in London, and Harris hints to me their intended request, "That they
may have the cutting of the Hedges for wood for their own use, but
not to sell any; and to cut such hedges as I think proper, and so
much in the year; to be done in a husband-like manner, and to do all
their own repairs, thatching and everything." On consulting Hugonin,
I found that what they ask is allowed in this part of the country,
so that I am almost enclined by sending them a gracious permission
to secure their signature and prevent the deputation of the Savages.
However I wait for orders. It is of more consequence to consider what
further steps may be taken with regard to the disposal of Lenborough;
for as I now see land, I am very impatient to get ashore. Suppose
_you made Gosling_ acquainted with all difficulties being smoothed
and made him a final offer for--the Mortgage _and_ £5000 shall we
say? It is surely worth it. If he refuses We have no resource but
the hazardous one of a Auction. Think of it: and of the steps to be
taken, and whether in the last case we may not _divide_ with success.
Mrs. G. is now cheerfull and I hope satisfied: but I fancy _will
hardly accept_ of your obliging invitation this year. To-morrow we
appraise the stock. The _week after I carry my_ Hops to Weyhill. On
my return we shall find much to do in settling the plan of selling
my corn during the winter, selecting the choicest furniture and
preparing for _an auction of the rest_. She is then desirous of
going to look about her at Bath, where I shall attend her, and on my
return shall be impatient to examine London in quest of a comfortable
habitation. We shall probably meet when you are on your Surrey (I
suppose Richmond) scheme, and you will find me a sure resource in the
bleak season when you can get nobody else. Adieu.
149.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Beriton, 15th October, 1772.