*I begin to flag, and though you already reproach me as a bad
Correspondent, I much fear that I shall every week become a more
hardened Sinner. Besides the occasional obstructions of _Clarke and
Deyverdun_, I must entreat you to consider, with your usual candour,
1. The aversion to Epistolary Conversation, which it has pleased the
Demon to implant in my nature. 2. That I am a very fine Gentleman,
a Subscriber to the Masquerade, where you and My Lady ought to come,
and am now writing at Boodle's, in a fine Velvet Coat, with ruffles
of My Lady's chusing, &c.[234] 3. That the aforesaid fine Gentleman
is likewise a Historian; and, in truth, when I am writing a page, I
not only think it a sufficient reason of delay, but even consider
myself as writing to you, and that much more to the purpose than if
I were sending you the tittle tattle of the town, of which indeed
there is none stirring. With regard to America, the Minister seems
moderate, and the House obedient.
Hugonin's last letter, by some very _unaccountable accident_, had
never reached me; so that yours, in every instance, amazed me. I
immediately wrote him groans and approbation. Winton, however, gives
me very little uneasiness. I see that he is a bully, and that I have
a stick. But the cursed business of Lenborough, in the midst of
Study, Dissipation, and friendship, at times almost distracts me.*
R. Way seems to have done nothing with the Jockey, (who indeed is
as strange as Winton himself, singular luck enough I have had) nor
have I yet ventured to cross the Rubicon by writing to him. _I wish
your journey here_ and into Oxfordshire was to take _place soon_, and
yet I hardly know what you could do for me. *I am surely in a worse
condition than before I sold the Estate, and what distresses me is,
that _His ego nec metas rerum, nec tempora pono_.
Both Deyverdun and Clarke wish to be remembered to you. The former,
who has more taste for the Country than ----,[235] could wish to
visit you, but he sets out in a few days for the Continent _with Lord
M[iddleton]_.* Your letter for the latter was immediately mentioned
and very kindly received. He is now at Aldershot with his family, and
on this _occasion only_ I write to him almost every post, as I am
this moment preparing to do. Therefore Adieu.