I am still alive, and in spite of the influenza perfectly well.
But why have you not at least written _one_ line in so very long
a space of time? All that I can say on the subject is to declare
with the utmost sincerity that not a single morning has arisen
without my forming the resolution to write before the evening, and
that not a single evening post-bell has rang without sounding the
alarm to my conscience. In the mean time, days, hours and weeks
have imperceptibly rolled away: a perpetual hurry and long days of
Parliamentary business, the whole world coming to town at once, and a
great deal of occupation at home relative to my History, which will
come out some time after Christmas. In a word, I do not like to write
to you, but I want very much to see you. Have you totally forgot your
promise of making me a visit in town? I can lodge you, &c., without
the smallest inconveniency, and I am sure that after getting the
better of so formidable an enemy as you have done, nothing would be
so likely to give the last polish as a change of air, of situation
and of company. Be so kind as to send me an _answer_ and not a
compliment, on this subject.
Mrs. Porten is still well and young. Her sister-in-law has got and
lost a child. The former wishes to be remembered to you. You see
the honour which Mr. Eliot[316] has acquired. I am amazed how he
condescended to accept of it. The Member of St. Germans might lurk
in the country, but the knight of Cornwall must attend the House of
Commons.--I salute from a distance all Bath friends: and particularly
the Colonel,[317] Mrs. G[ould], Fanny, Birds, dogs, &c., &c.
I am, Dear Madam,
Ever yours,
E. GIBBON.
[316] Mr. Eliot, on the death of Sir J. Molesworth, was elected
M.P. for Cornwall. Miss Burney, in 1781, speaks of meeting "Mr.
Eliot, knight of the shire of Cornwall, a most agreeable, lively,
and very clever man." He was one of the pall-bearers at the
funeral of Sir Joshua Reynolds. He was also a friend of Johnson,
to whom he lent Defoe's _Memoirs of Captain Carleton_, a book
which the Doctor had never seen (Boswell's _Life of Johnson_, ed.
G. B. Hill, 1887, vol. iv. pp. 334-344).
[317] Colonel Gould.
270.
_To his Stepmother._
December 24th, 1775.