I am most seriously uneasy with regard to what you say of Mrs. H.,
her health, her spirits and her thinness. I wish she may receive
benefit from Dr. Pepys's prescription, but am of opinion that change
of air and amusements would prove the best Physician. Recollect the
service our little tour was to her, consider that the evenings are
growing long and Sheffield Place affords no variety of objects or
company. _You know she loves Bath_, which is now in season, and I
should think that place would fill up the gloomy vacuity between this
time and Christmas. *If among a crowd of acquaintances one friend can
afford you any comfort, I am quite at your service there.*
[Sidenote: LEAVING BERITON.]
You know as much as I do of Lord Verney's tythe. Harris has not
answered that part of my letter; probably he had not seen his
Lordship. I write to him by this post to enquire into that matter,
& to order him absolutely _to lett the Underwood_, and, if he can,
to prevail on the Tenants to pay something more for the liberty of
cutting the hedges. Whatever is done about the sale must be _done
quickly_, and on that account I fear not so well. The Goslings are
impatient. I know not how to ask them for another year, and to take
up so large a sum for one Year only would be attended with much
difficulty and expence. They wish, if I cannot speedily dispose of
Bucks, I would pay off part by the sale of the New River share, for
which I know they have a hankering. It is a most delicious bit of
Property, and I should be sorry to part with it for such a price as
one commonly gets by a forced sale. If they would give me a _rotund_
sum for both, it might perhaps tempt. I wish to hear from you soon.
Everything is hastening to a dissolution. Winton has taken my stock
(_all_ the horses), but the appraisement came short of what I
expected (not quite £1000). I believe many of the things, live and
dead, were old. Last Monday I went with Mr. Scott to Weyhill fair,
and sold my hops pretty well. The sheep are moving off very fast. My
Corn, a noble stock, will be threshed out and sold _sous les Yeux
de_ Mr. Luff. The household furniture will be sold by auction after
my departure, but I reserve a great deal (most assuredly the three
pictures) for my house in Town. Hugonin undertakes the repairs, so
that I see nothing which can prevent my quitting this damned place in
about a fortnight or three Weeks. As soon as I have deposited Mrs. G.
at Bath, I shall be quite my own Master. Adieu.