My poor friend died last Monday, and has left me--together with Mr.
Skipwith--his Executors and Trustees, a very painful and perhaps
thankless office. You will easily suppose that the shock, however
expected, and the hurry of melancholy business, have swallowed up the
remembrance of any lesser disappointment, and indeed engross all my
thoughts. The Holroyds dine with me to-morrow.--You will be so kind
as to excuse the Christmas draught for a week or ten days at farthest.
I am, Dear Madam,
Most truly yours,
E. G.
[Sidenote: DEATH OF GODFREY CLARKE.]
235.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
B. S., Thursday Evening, January 5th, 1775.
Winton has _submitted_,
His whole rent is remitted.
But what is to become of you and My Lady? are you both swallowed up
in the Sussex roads? Deyverdun desires to be remembered. A letter of
business from his Lord M[iddleton], which he daily expects, still
detains him in town. Give him a line _about your motions_ and _tell
him when_ you may be ready to receive him. I say to him, rather than
to me, because I lie Saturday night at Twickenham and dine on Sunday
with the Widow. The 17th (Tuesday se'nnight) I shall be in Bentinck
Street again, as our Parliamentary Campaign opens on Thursday. Adieu.
I write with severall people in the room, and am called away to a
Chess party. Will _Maria excuse_ my silence? but she should early be
taught that men retreat, when young Ladies advance.
I have had two very long days with Skipwith on poor Clarke's affairs;
they are indeed in a very distressed condition, and reckoning the
brother and sister's fortunes, £100,000 will hardly clear them, but
the means are large, my colleague indefatigable, and it is the only
office of friendship now left in my power. I could only wish that our
authority was less circumscribed.
On re-reading Sir Hugh's letter, which I had not yet done, I find
that after Winton's brother arrived they went to Petersfield,
consulted with another Lawyer, and when they had _shamefully and
scandalously_ abused Andrews, paid the money and gave up everything,
Straw demand, &c. They think no more of law, but will pay their rent
quarterly into my own hands only. Cannot I refuse it (it will be
disagreeable), and oblige them to pay it on the _spot to any person_
I shall empower?
236.
_To his Stepmother._
Bentinck Street, January 7th, 1775.