Had I not promised you some account of my proceedings by to-night's
post, I should have deferred it till Tuesday, for though I have seen
much I have done little or nothing. Houses rise to my enquiry every
moment, but where is a perfect house or perfect man to be found?
Lady Rous's is one of the most pleasing (Bentinck Street),[177] but
I neither like the offices nor two pair of stairs. Mrs. Bernard's
worthy Tenant (Sir Everard) declares that he will neither suffer
any one to see his house nor quit it till the last extremity of the
law. The Lord of Petersfield,[178] to whom I am indebted for three
blank Visets, has sent me word of a house in Argyle Street which I
am to see Monday, as well as another strongly recommended by a Lady
in Mrs. Porten's street (Newman Street). My wise friends check my
impatience: my foolish ones, whom on this occasion I think wiser,
encourage it; however I will do nothing rash.--Henry means to go down
to Beriton next week; he has left some things there which he fears
will be swept away in the general inundation. Wherever you are, dear
Madam, whether at the proud Up-park or the humble Maple Durham, I beg
my best Compliments to the natives, and the earliest intelligence of
your intended motions, which I much fear it will be out of my power
to attend without losing sight of my enchanted palaces.
I am, Dear Madam,
Most truly yours,
E. G.
[177] Sir John Rous, M.P. for Suffolk, died October 31, 1771, and
from his widow Gibbon took 7 Bentinck Street, where he lived till
September, 1783.
[178] William Jolliffe, M.P. for Petersfield, Commissioner of
Trade and Plantations.
155.
_To his Stepmother._
Pall Mall, Dec. 2nd, 1772.