You are clearly in the right. If seldom, long letters: if short ones,
often. 'Tis perfectly equitable, but now to my old reasons there is
a new one added,--this abominable fine weather which will not allow
me a quiet hour at home, without being liable to the reproaches of
my friends and of my own conscience. It is the more provoking as
it drives me not out of a stinking Apothecary's, but from my own
new clean comfortable dear house, which I like better every week I
pass in it. I now live, which I never did before, and if it would
but rain, should enjoy that unity of study and society, in which I
have always placed my prospect of happiness. Though I do not find my
expences rise higher than I calculated that they would, I have not
yet practised much of that Economy with which the voice of Fame has
complimented me: but at least I keep (in general) better hours than I
ever yet could bring about in London.
With regard to the Cornish journey. I will fairly lay before you the
state of my mind. As we are often tempted to sacrifice propriety
to inclination, I am afraid that I should have deferred it another
summer in favour of Derbyshire. Your company has fixed me, but I
thought when you was in town we had settled it for the autumn. If
you wish to be early in your visit, I will calculate that the Autumn
begins with August, and will then attend you at Bath, or if you chuse
to go _still_ earlier, I will bring you back; for I fancy my stay at
Port Eliott will hardly be so long as yours. I hear nothing of the
Lord of it, but I know that the _copper_ Lockwood impatiently expect
him in town.
Holroyd, who begs to be remembered to you, has got a new scheme of
regulating the Tythe-laws, holds meetings, writes declarations and
employs his great soul and his little body entirely on the business.
Mrs. Porten is, I much fear, in a very bad way: her old complaint,
but the fits more violent and more frequent. We shall not possess her
long.
This morning, the fact is certain, an Address was delivered to Lord
B[ellamont] from the Grand Jury of the County of Dublin, thanking
him for his proper and spirited behaviour. Incomparable Hibernians!
A Judicial Body appointed to maintain and execute the Laws publicly
applaud a man for having broke them.
I am, Dear Madam,
Ever yours,
E. G.
167.
_To his Stepmother._
Bentinck Street, May the 5th, 1773.