The post after I received your last letter, I wrote to Eliot to know
whether he had any intention of coming to town from Bath, but his
Lazyness has not yet condescended to answer me. With the frankness
that our friendship permits and requires, I will fairly tell you the
state of the case. If he does not visit London, decency and perhaps
gratitude call upon me to meet him at Bath; but if he relieves me
from that necessity, the Autumn will be a much more convenient time
for me to make my appearance in Charles Street. The season is more
agreable, and I am just at present engaged in a great Historical
Work, no less than a History of the Decline and fall of the Roman
Empire, with the first Volume of which I may very possibly oppress
the public next winter. It would require some pages to give a more
particular idea of it: but I shall only say in general that the
subject is curious, and never yet treated as it deserves, and that
during some years it has been in my thoughts and even under my pen.
Should the attempt fail, it must be by the fault of the execution.
Adieu, Dear Madam; all Compliments, where they are due, and believe
me,
Most truly yours,
E. G.
253.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
June, 1775.
Though Darby's vessel cannot be found, it is pretty clear he is no
impostor. He arrived in his boat at Southampton, and probably left
his ship in some creek of the Isle of Wight. He has now left town,
and is gone, it is said, on a trading voyage to purchase Ammunition
in France and Spain. Do you not admire the lenity of Government? This
day news came that a Ship arrived at Liverpool from Rhode Island.
She sailed the 20th, the day after the Skirmish, and has brought a
general confirmation of it. There was a report this evening of the
arrival of the Sukey[296] from Gage, but it certainly is not true,
and you know as much of the matter as Lord North.
[296] The sloop sent by General Gage from Boston.
254.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
London, June the 17th, 1775.
I have not courage to write about America. We talk familiarly of
Civil War, Dissolutions of Parliament, Impeachments and Lord Chatham.
The boldest tremble, the most vigorous talk of peace. And yet no more
than sixty-five rank and file have been killed. Governor H[utchinson]
assures me that Gage has plenty of provisions fresh and salted,
flour, fish, vegetables, &c.: _hopes_ he is not in danger of being
forced----
What can I know of the Tythes? Gilbert has done nothing. I acquainted
Mrs. G. with it in a very polite Epistle, which she has answered by a
very polite silence.
After calling twice on Sir Richard Sutton, I sent to know when I
could have the honour, &c. He was gone for the summer that very
morning.--My Lady has received Sevigné[297] that is one of the new
volumes; instead of the other, a different book (I fancy Danville's
_Geographie Ancienne_) was sent; as it may be of more use to me than
to her, the error should be mutually rectified. Deyverdun goes next
week. Yesterday I gave a dinner on his account to the Humes, Sir
Charles Thompson and Sir Richard Worsley. He is going to marry the
youngest Miss Fleming:[298] love and £80,000.--This day I sent almost
a _Charte blanche_ to Lovegrove (do not be frightened) offering to
warrant according to Duane's directions or wishing to know what he
should expect as a compensation. The letter was settled between
Newton and me, and if it does no good, will do no harm. Adieu.