*At length I am a little more at liberty. Clarke went out of town
this morning. Instead of going directly into Derbyshire, where he
would have been overwhelmed with visits, &c. he has taken his Sister,
brother, and aunts, to a little Villa near Farnham, in which he has
the happiness of having no neighbourhood. If my esteem and friendship
for Godfrey had been capable of any addition, it would have been
very much encreased by the manner in which he felt and lamented his
father's death.* Incredible as it sounds to the generality of sons,
and as it ought to sound to most fathers, he considered the old
Gentleman as a friend. *He is now in very different circumstances
than before; instead of an easy and ample allowance, he has taken
possession of a great Estate, with low rents and high incumbrances. I
hope the one may make amends for the other: under your conduct I am
sure they would, and I have freely offered him your assistance, in
case he should wish to apply for it.
In the mean time I must not forget my own affairs, which seem to be
covered with inextricable perplexity. R. Way, as I mentioned about a
Century ago, promised to see Lovegrove and his Attorney, and to oil
the wheels of the Arbitration. As yet I have not heard from him. I
have some thoughts of writing _myself_ to the Jockey, stating the
various steps of the affair, and offering him, with polite firmness,
the _immediate_ choice of Chancery or Arbitration.
For the time, however, I forget all these difficulties, in the
present enjoyment of Deyverdun's Company; and I glory in thinking,
that, although my house is small, it is just of a sufficient size to
hold my real friends, male and _female_; among the latter My Lady
holds the very first place.*
Apropos of My Lady, Harry Hobart the other day gave me a _very
pleasing hint_, which he received from his wife. If there is any
foundation for it, I sincerely congratulate you.
*We are all quiet.--American business is suspended, and almost
forgot. The other day we had a brisk report of a Spanish War.[232] It
was said they had taken one of the Leeward Islands. It since turns
out that we are the Invaders, but the invasion is trifling.* Batt and
Sir John not returned. Are you alone? I have received another dozen
of handkerchiefs, and you, by this time, have got your books and
silver spoons, which Caplin has sent by the coach. Adieu.
*_Bien obligé non_ (at present) for your invitation. I wish My Lady
and you would come up to our Masquerade the 3rd of May.[233] The
finest thing ever seen. We sup in a transparent temple that costs
£450.*
[232] This probably refers to an attempt on the part of the
English to collect sugar duties at the island of Toracola (Crabb
Island) near Porto Rico, and the reply of the governor of
Porto Rico that the island belonged to Spain. In the _Morning
Chronicle_ for April 12, 1774, it was reported "that the
Spaniards had bombarded the town of Kingston in Jamaica."
[233] The masquerade was given at the Pantheon, by Boodle's Club.
[Sidenote: IN VELVET AND RUFFLES.]
195.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
April 21st, 1774.