After the loss of my poor friend, I begin to be a little relieved
from the load of business and anxiety which his confidence has
devolved upon me in conjunction with Mr. Skipwith, and with
assistance the affairs of poor Clarke will soon be brought into a
regular method, which in time may enable us to discharge our trust
and to deliver a very noble Estate from a very heavy incumbrance of
debt. I now propose to spend the ten days that remain before the
meeting of Parliament,[278] at Up-park. The change of air will not I
fancy do me any harm either in mind or body; I mention the latter, as
I find Sir Stanier betrayed me. The Gout has now asserted his rights
in an unquestionable manner, but on this occasion he has exercised
them in a very gentle manner, and I can say with truth, that I find
myself rather benefitted than injured by his transient visit. I hope
you may be able to send me as good an account of the Rheumatism.
The Willow Garland you sent me has not much disconcerted my
Philosophy, and indeed the sanctity of the Lady, had a little
prepared me for, and reconciled me to, the disappointment. I am
only sorry that the ill-success of a negociation conducted with so
much ability and of so promising an appearance should have given
you a disgust for the honourable profession of Ambassadress. On the
contrary, I should hope that in the well-furnished market we might,
either now or hereafter, find the opportunity of retrieving our first
miscarriage.
Sir Stanier and Lady Porten exhibit a very pretty picture of conjugal
fondness and felicity, and yet they have been married very near three
weeks.
I have now, dear Madam, sent you the Christmas Draught, and hope
the short delay has not been attended with the least inconveniency
to you. It was occasioned by the obstinacy of Winton, who obliged
me to distress for rent. Hugonin obeyed very spirited orders with
skill and alacrity, and the well-timed chastisement has rendered
the Brute perfectly tame and submissive. His character indeed is of
much less consequence to me than his substance, which is of a very
responsible nature. Excuse me for dwelling a moment on so trifling
and disagreeable a subject.
I am, Dear Madam,
Most truly yours,
E. GIBBON.
I set out about twelve o'clock, take a dinner and bed with the
Cambridges and dine to-morrow at Up-park.
[278] Parliament met January 19, 1775.
237.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
18th January, 1775.
I received at Up-park your _long expected rescript_. Yesterday I
returned to town. Our party was numerous. Lady F. proposed to have
her brothers,[279] Sir Thomas and Lady Miller, &c. But so uncertain
are human affairs that accidents disapointed her. In their room we
had the fox-hunting friends of Sir Harry. Lord Egremont, who is civil
and sensible; General Pitt with his wife, a determined Sportsman
(I mean Sportswoman) who hunted all the morning and slept all the
evening. On my return I slept with Hugonin. He was lamentable, as you
may suppose, about Winton's repairs, &c. Yet I am satisfied Winton
is cowed, and my Repairs which were represented as a most dreadful
account leave Hug. in debt to me. They are all furious against
Jolliffe, and Lutterel endeavours to prove that the Lord of Buriton
is the real Lord of the Manor of Petersfield. I think I am obliged to
him. Will you have some matches? they may entertain My Lady whom I
salute.
Lord Beauchamp[280]--Lady F. Wyndham.
Mr. T. Conway--Lady Holland[281] (when brought to bed).
I did hear two more, but I fear confusion and mistake. When do you
come to town? Hugonin intends to meet you. Wednesday Evening. Such a
fog as I never saw in London.
[279] Sir M. Featherstonhaugh married, in 1746, Sarah
Lethieullier, who died in 1788. One of her brothers was Benjamin
Lethieullier, M.P. for Andover. See note to Letter 230.
[280] Lord Beauchamp, at this time a widower, married, in May
22, 1776, as his second wife, Lady Isabella Shepheard, eldest
daughter of the last Lord Irvine.
[281] Lady Mary Fitzpatrick, daughter of the first Earl of Upper
Ossory, married, in 1766, Stephen Fox, second Lord Holland. She
died October 6, 1778, without marrying a second time.
238.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Boodle's, Jan. 31st, 1775.
*Sometimes people do not write because they are too idle, and
sometimes because they are too busy. The former was usually my case,
but at present it is the latter. The fate of Europe and America seems
fully sufficient to take up the time of one Man; and especially of
a Man who gives up a great deal of time for the purpose of public
and private information. I think I have sucked Mauduit and Hutcheson
very dry; and if my confidence was equal to my eloquence, and my
eloquence to my knowledge, perhaps I might make no very intolerable
Speaker. At all events, I fancy I shall try to expose myself.
Semper ego auditor tantum? nunquamne reponam?
For my own part, I am more and more convinced that we have both the
right and the power on our side, and that, though the effort may be
accompanied with some melancholy circumstances, we are now arrived
at the decisive moment of persevering, or of losing for ever both
our Trade and Empire. We expect next Thursday or Friday to be a
very great day. Hitherto we have been chiefly employed in reading
papers, and rejecting petitions. Petitions were brought from London,
Bristol, Norwich, &c., &c., framed by party, and designed to delay.
By the aid of some parliamentary quirks, they have been all referred
to a separate inactive committee, which Burke calls a Committee of
Oblivion, and are now considered as dead in law. I could write you
fifty little House of Commons stories, but from their number and
nature they suit better a conference than a letter. Our general
divisions are about 250 to 80 or 90.*
Gilbert was with me this morning. He has been with the Tythe Owner,
whom Martin knows very well. The former seems inclined to sell but by
auction. I wish you would send for Gilbert and settle something with
him. I must soon write to Mrs. G. What must I say? When do you fix
the rent of Newhaven? Remember Lady Day approaches: and we must say
something definitive to Martin. Caplin knows not any proper servant,
but will be so kind as to enquire, for his friend Mr. H. What wages,
&c., do you give? Adieu. I embrace My Lady.