Mrs. G. fastened upon me as soon as I got to town, and was in some
measure the cause of some of the blessings you might possibly honour
me with when Yesterday's post arrived at Sheffield. Mrs. G. succeeds
without a Will to Mr. Scott, and though she certainly finds a sum of
money, yet I believe it turns out very short of her expectations. She
means to return to Bath, but you will still I fancy find her here.
I have not as yet got you either footman or stables. The latter
seems almost impossible. In at least twenty yards, my man Henry has
received the _same_ answer; that it is not worth their while to
let them for less than a year: so that I fear you will be reduced
to a livery stable. In consequence of the Advertisement I had five
or six Candidates at my _Lever_, but none tolerable. We shall see
enough. Goose or Couse (what do you call him?) waited on me yesterday
morning; but although the Sultan referred us to his Vizier, he had
not signified to him that the House was agreed for. I assured him it
was; he believed me, and on the morning after your landing will wait
on you with the Inventory and a short paper. The maid, a most usefull
Servant as he says, is apprized of your coming and expects your
servants. So much for business, and indeed so much for everything,
for I have kept so close to Mrs. G. that I don't know a syllable of
news.--If the Fosters are still with you salute them. Tell Mr. Harry
that Mrs. G. has not the honour of being acquainted with any Monkey
whatsoever. Mrs. H.'s watch is in the hands of Trajan, some relation
I presume of the Emperor.
Tandis que tristement sur ce globe qui balance,
J'appercois à pas lents la mort qui s'avance;
Le Francois emporté par de legers desirs,
Ne voit sur ce cadran qu'un circle de plaisirs.
Mrs. H. when in town will, I fancy, be of the Frenchman's way of
thinking. _Ainsi soit il._ Adieu--Yorkshire arrived in town very
gratefull and not entirely dislocated.
[Sidenote: COMFORTS OF HIS NEW HOUSE.]
164.
_To his Stepmother._
Bentinck St., February 11th, 1773.