Since my last we have had an alarm, a very terrible one indeed. On
Sunday Clarke was better than I had yet seen him, and said that he
felt himself getting well apace. He slept several hours in the night,
but about five o'clock the Monday morning, he was seized with a fit
so very violent that it totally deprived him of his speech and almost
of his senses; a blister and plaister to his feet were immediately
applied, and Turton was called in to consult with Dr. Thomas his
ordinary Physician.
They both judged him in the most imminent danger, and particularly
were alarmed by a numbness (which he complained of as soon as he
could speak), and which was the same symptom as had proved the
forerunner of his father's apoplexy. He recovered however from his
fit, and even from the immediate consequences of it sooner than could
have been expected, was perfectly sensible last night, and this
morning appears even chearful and easy. But his Physicians still
think him in danger of a Relapse, and to his friends the prospect is
still shocking. You will easily forgive me for not writing on any
other subject. Adieu.
209.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
August the 20th, 1774.
I begin with what I am sure will interest you the most,
notwithstanding your own schemes, I mean the state of Clarke's
health. It is surprisingly well, as likewise his spirits, both far
better than by his own account they have been for many months. The
recovery is indeed perfect; may it be lasting. But his Doctors have
still their fears.
[Sidenote: A NEW MAN FOR THE COUNTY.]
Now to your designs, I have turned them on every side and will give
you my opinion as distinctly as so very slight a knowledge of your
county will permit.
1. I cannot yet think you ripe for a county member.[245] Five years
are very little to remove the obvious objection of a _novus homo_,
and of all objections it is perhaps the most formidable, as it rouzes
the foolish pride and envy of all the animals--bears, hogs, asses and
Rhinoceroses who have slept in the country for some generations. To
these only (who by the courtesy of England are called Gentlemen) are
you as yet known, and by these you will never be liked. Seven more
years of an active life will spread your fame among the great body of
Freeholders at large, and to them you may one day offer yourself on
the most honourable footing, that of a candidate whose real services
to the County have deserved and will repay the favor which he then
solicits. You must recollect, too, some very good reason you gave me
yourself, why the attempt might be more convenient and the success
more desirable seven years hence than at present.
2. Consider that you are rising in rebellion against an establishment
which, however feeble, always fights with very great advantages. When
a vacancy happens--either by death or resignation, any Gentleman who
thinks himself qualified has a natural right to offer his services,
and as he may succeed without envy, so he may retreat without
shame. Your _prise d'armes_ must hurt you, I think, if you were not
victorious. _People grumble_; Englishmen love to grumble, and are
satisfied with having done it. You see many obstacles. Goodwood[246]
reluctant, Ld. Ash.[247] hostile, the green plumb[248] probably
interested, and a large previous subscription backed by strong
interest. As to the multitude, you cannot conceive the effect of the
magic sounds, _disturbing the peace of the County_.
3. To all this you oppose 'hur own if hur can catch hur.' But
I should much distrust the strength of your desired Ally.[249]
Unpleasant recollections, a stately and supposed proud behaviour, a
solitary life, since he never troubles himself with County meetings,
must, I should apprehend, very greatly diminish his popularity, and
conceal those abilities which you so justly value, but which few of
your country boors are qualified to understand or esteem. Is the mere
Dorset[250] interest a _commanding one_?
4. You say that you are not apprehensive at Lewes of a horrid silence
or hiss. Perhaps not. But should you be so easily satisfied? Who do
you design should propose you at the nomination meeting? for much
depends on that, not only as to the hopes of success, but even the
dignity and propriety of the declaration. The person to move and the
person to second it (for both are necessary) should be distinguished
in the County, either by character or property; Minden[251] would
certainly do very well. You will tell me that your connection is not
sufficiently formed to request such a favour. But is not that a proof
that things are yet unripe?
5. If you proceed, which upon the whole, I strongly dissuade, I would
(in case of a favourable answer from Minden) immediately epistolize
or rather visit Goodwood. I would declare my intention of taking the
_sense_ (if any can be found) of the General meeting, requesting
that if it should prove favourable to Lord G. L[ennox] and myself,
we might previously agree to advertise and act together. A refusal
would permit you to retreat with honour, consent would enable you to
advance with vigour and confidence, and even the proposal would place
you on the _much desired footing_ of a future Candidate. After all,
for God's sake remember the expence, and do not trust your fortune
and your passions to the danger of a Contest.
Duane after a very long delay has at last given his opinion
concerning the tythes, and the opinion is favourable. He thinks the
title, _clear, safe, and even compellable_, but directs that the
original grants of James the first's time should be searched for
in the proper office and copied. This will be attended with some
expence, but it cannot be avoided. Newton, whom I saw to-day, writes
by this post to Matthews and sends him the opinion. So that in a
short time we may I think either come to an amicable conclusion, or
meet them in arms on _firm ground_. I hear nothing of the insurance.
Cream cheese will be welcome.--To my Lady and the monstrous Maria,
_salut_.
[245] Mr. Holroyd proposed to stand for the county of Sussex.
He apparently hoped that he might represent the eastern half,
and relied on the influence of the Duke of Dorset at Buckhurst.
But the Richmond influence carried both east and west, and Mr.
Holroyd withdrew his candidature. The members returned were Sir
Thomas S. Wilson and Lord George H. Lennox.
[246] The Duke of Richmond.
[247] Probably Lord Ashburnham, of Ashburnham Place, near Battle
in Sussex.
[248] Probably William Hall, second Viscount Gage, who married
Elizabeth Gideon, sister of Sir Sampson Gideon, afterwards Baron
Eardley of Spalding, and is said to have introduced the greengage
into Sussex. See Letter 210.
[249] Lord George Germain.
[250] John Frederick, third Duke of Dorset, who succeeded his
uncle in 1769, was appointed Ambassador at Paris in 1783. He died
in 1799.
[251] Probably refers to Lord George Germain, who was M.P. for
East Grinstead, and possessed estates in Sussex. See note to
Letter 181.
210.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Saturday evening.
[Sidenote: THE VICTORY OF ROMANZOW.]
I am in a violent hurry--Clarke is extremely well--I have sent you
the Deputation. The old Lady expects to hear from me _soon_. I wish
your Geographer was arrived, and that Gilbert had discovered the
Tythe owners. *By your submission to the voice of reason, you eased
me of a heavy load of anxiety. I did not like your enterprize.*
'Who is the green plumb?' Why the brother-in-law of Sampson to be
sure.[252] As to papers, I will shew you I can keep them safe till
we meet. *What think you of the Turks and Russians? Romanzow is a
great Man. He wrote an account of his amazing success to Mouskin
Pouskin[253] here, and declared his intention of retiring as soon
as he had conducted the army home; desiring that Pouskin would send
him the best plan he could procure of an English Gentleman's farm.
In his answer, Pouskin promised to get it; but added, that at the
same time he should send the Empress _a plan of Blenheim_, a handsome
Compliment, I think. My Lady and Maria, as usual.* Where is my Cheese?
[252] See note to Letter 209.
[253] The Russian Ambassador in London.
211.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Bentinck Street, Sept. 10th, 1774.
*Since Heberden is returned, I think the road lyes plain before you;
I mean the Turnpike road. The only party which in good sense can be
embraced is, without delay, to bring My Lady to B[entinck] S[treet],
where you may inhabit two or three nights, and have any advice
(Turton, Heberden, &c.) which the town may afford, in a case that
most assuredly ought not to be trifled with. Do this as you value our
good opinion. The Cantabs[254] are strongly in the same sentiments.
There can be no apprehension of late hours, &c. as none of Mrs. H.'s
raking acquaintance are in town.* As to Burtenshaw's Manifesto, I can
form no judgement of an imperfect fragment, except that it appears
to me very artful. The case relative to you I have reconsidered, but
find no reason to alter my opinion.
1st. An answer on your side cannot be necessary, since he had no
right to single you out.
2dly. It cannot be expedient, since a fellow of so much passion and
cunning will surely in the end either provoke you or entangle you
in an unworthy contest. If however you have given him hopes of an
answer, I would positively declare to him that it should be the last,
and that no consideration should tempt me to a reply.
You give me no account of the Works. When do you inhabit the library?
_Turn over--great things await you._
[Sidenote: OFFER OF A SEAT IN PARLIAMENT.]
*It is surely infinite condescension for a Senator to bestow his
attention on the affairs of a Juryman. A Senator? Yes, sir, at last
_Quod nemo promittere Divum auderet, volvenda dies en! attulit
ultro._* About ten days ago Eliot spent an hour with me, talked
sensibly of his will, and his children, and requested that I would
be Executor to the one and Guardian to the other. I consented to
accept an office which indeed I consider as an essential duty of
social life. We parted. *Yesterday morning, about half an hour after
seven, as I was destroying an army of Barbarians, I heard a double
rap at the door, and my Cornish friend was soon introduced. After
some idle conversation he told me, that if I was desirous of being in
Parliament, he had an _independent_ seat very much at my service.*
You may suppose my answer, but my satisfaction was a little damped
when he added that the expence of the election would amount to about
£2400, & that he thought it reasonable that we should share it
between us. I paused, and, recovering myself, hinted something of
Parental extravagance, and filial narrowness of circumstances and
want of ready money, and that I must beg a short delay to consider
whether I could with prudence accept of his intended favour, on
which I set the highest value. His answer was obliging, that he
should be very much mortified if a few hundred pounds should prevent
it, and that he had been afraid to offend me by offering it on less
equal terms. His behaviour gave me courage to propose an expedient,
which was instantly accepted with cordiality and eagerness, that when
his second son John (who is now thirteen) came of age I would restore
to him my proportion of the money.
I am not disposed to build Castles in Spain, but I think my conduct
prudent. Before that time my own honest industry or the deaths of
old Ladies _may_ make me a richer man: or else I can offer (some
years hence) a fair and liberal bargain, that I will settle Beriton
on John, in case I have no children, with the proviso that on the
birth of a child, I shall pay him the money with legal interest. The
agreement will be easy for me, and advantageous to them. *This is
a fine prospect opening upon me, and if next spring I should take
my seat, and publish my book, it will be a very memorable Era in my
life. I am ignorant whether my Borough will be Leskeard[255] or St.
Germains. You despise Boroughs, and fly at nobler game. Adieu.*
[254] Probably the Cambridges of Twickenham.
[255] ibbon was M.P. for Liskeard.
212.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Bentinck Street, Sept. 14th, 1774.
You must not suppose that I mean to keep up with you _this Prussian
firing_ of four times in a minute, a letter every other day. I shall
now hold my tongue for some time. Burtenshaw's end I like better than
his beginning. Your expedient is excellent, honourable and safe:
therefore execute it without delay, and think no more about the
whole business. I receive your congratulations; as to consequences,
your scheme has the most apparent, mine the most real generosity,
but there is not any hurry for either.--_Clarke_ is returned, very
indifferent the first day, but now perfectly well, at least for the
present. Wilbraham is likewise come up to make some preparations and
to buy a little gold chain (vulgo a ring) for his squirrel. Both
salute you.--The World may now be in flames when it pleases, provided
the Sun fire office be safe; your Man was with me this morning; a
very compleat puppy!--Not a word of _My Lady!_ is she quite lively
and spleepy? Nor a word about the _Journey to town_; there never was
a more rational proposal, indeed there never was. From My Lady _I
pass to the cheese_. It was divine in every respect but immortality.
I fear the season is too far advanced for another--Enquire.
213.
_To his Stepmother._
Bentinck Street, Sept. 17th, 1774.