*An idle Man has no time, and a busy Man very little. As yet the
House of Commons turns out very well to me, and though it should
never prove of any real benefit to me, I find it at least a very
agreeable Coffee-house. We are plunging every day deeper into the
great business of America; and I have hitherto been a zealous,
though silent, friend to the Cause of Government, which, _in this
instance_, I think the Cause of England. I passed about ten days,
as I designed, at Up-park, but was a little disappointed in my
party. Instead of the Brothers I found Lord Egremont and fourscore
fox-hounds. Sir Henry is very civil and good-humoured. But from the
unavoidable temper of youth I fear he will cost many a tear to Lady
F. She consults everybody, but has neither authority nor plan. In my
return I called on the Bayleys and lay at Nursted.
The Troubles of Buriton are perfectly composed, and the Insurgents
reduced to a state, though not a temper, of submission. You may
suppose I heard a great deal of Petersfield. Lutterel means to
convict your friend of Bribery, to transport him for using a second
time old stamps, and to prove that Petersfield is still a part of
the Manor of Buriton. I remain an impartial Spectator.* I like the
Epigram much. Don't you apprehend that the Eliots [are] at Bath?
Their Cornish friends talk of it. If I should run down at Easter,
would you secure me a Wife? It is surely a good Market. Adieu, Dear
Madam.
I am ever yours,
E. G.
[Sidenote: TROOPS SENT TO AMERICA.]
240.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Wednesday Evening (February 8th, 1775).
*I am not damned, according to your charitable wishes, because I
have not acted; there was such an inundation of speakers, young
Speakers in every sense of the word, both on Thursday in the Grand
Committee, and Monday on the report to the house, that neither Lord
George Germaine nor myself could find room for a single word. The
principal men both days were Fox and Wedderburne, on the opposite
sides; the latter displayed his usual talents. The former taking
the vast compass of the question before us, discovered powers for
regular debate, which neither his friends hoped, nor his Enemies
dreaded. We voted an address (304 to 105), of lives and fortunes,
declaring Massachusets Bay in a state of rebellion. More troops, but
I fear not enough, go to America, to make an army of 10,000 men at
Boston; three Generals, Howe, Burgoyne, and Clinton. In a few days
we stop the ports of New England.[282] I cannot write Volumes: but
I am more and more convinced, that with firmness all may go well;
yet I sometimes doubt Lord N[orth]. I am now writing with Ladies
(Sir S. Porten and his Bride), and two card tables, in the Library.
As to my silence, judge of my situation by last Monday. I am on the
Grenvillian Committee of Downton.[283] We always sit from ten to
three and a half; after which, that day, I went into the House, and
sat till three in the morning.* I will shew your letter to Caplin
as well for Porter as footman. I do not understand your new scheme.
_Your drawing-room will never do!_ Write soon about Gilbert.