Next Wednesday Mrs. P. and myself start from town, and hope to
enjoy the pleasure of drinking Tea in Charles Street on Thursday.
Deyverdun, who is returned to England with Lord Middleton, means to
be of the party: that is to say he will get into the machine, when we
mount the chaise, and will keep company with us in the journey. We
mean to live with you and upon you, but as Mrs. P. is large and your
house is small, I should think, if you procured us two bed-chambers
and a dining-room in the neighbourhood of Charles Street, _we should
have more room to swing a cat_. However, I submit every arrangement
to your wise Counsels, and am,
Dear Madam, ever yours,
E. G.
[Sidenote: ANXIETY FOR MRS HOLROYD.]
225.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Spinham lands, Nov. 9th, 1774.
I am not a little uneasy in not hearing either Monday or Tuesday from
S. P. Is Mrs. H. worse either in health or spirits? Has she tryed
the Cold bath, or does she at least hear the sound of it with less
reluctance? I am still of opinion that Bath in every respect would be
the best place for her _to make some stay in_, and if my intreaties
or authority could have any weight, I would wish you to give them
their full force. I am now (Mrs. Porten and Deyverdun are with me)
above half-way on my journey. As your father is infirm and sister a
female, shall I secure you a Lodging, &c.? By this time I suppose Sir
Thomas is Knight of Sussex. _Cedat fortunæ Ratio._ Adieu.
My Compliments to the Ladies Cambridge. I have used their Parent like
a Dog; but it was unavoidable.
226.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Bath, Nov. 13th, 1774.
I arrived at Bath, Thursday night, and saw the Pater and Sorella[262]
the next morning: the former in my opinion surprizingly well. They
gave me very satisfactory information as to health and designs. If
you really arrive the eighteenth, we shall have one week together in
this enchanted spot, where the Goddess of Pleasure is supposed, by
the vulgar, to hold her Court. You may possibly see Guise, but I fear
Clarke will not be prevailed on to leave Town. I have most strongly
pressed him, and I think you will call on him in your passage,
wherein I suppose of course you will lodge in Bentinck Street. I
conclude: my coffee-house materials are most vile, and I hope this
will not find you at Sheffield. My fellow travellers, Aunt and
Deyverdun, are well, and Mrs. G. has almost choaked us with kindness
and good things. Adieu.