New Year 1776. May you find it an agreeable introduction to many
happy ones.
P.S.--Messrs. Gosling and Clive will honour your order whenever you
chuse to draw for the last half year, and on every future occasion
I will take care that it shall be ready for your draught, which I
think, once for all, will be the best way of settling it.
272.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
London, January 18th, 1776.
*How do you do? Are you alive? Are you buried under mountains
of snow? I write merely to triumph in the superiority of my own
situation, and to rejoice in my own prudence, in not going down to S.
P., as I seriously but foolishly intended to do last week.* Hugonin
by appointment came to town, but we soon agreed that the expedition
(on his side at least) must be deferred till next summer; for
which time he made a very solemn and, as I believe, a very serious
engagement. We talked over Horn farm, which will be let next month by
auction, and I am only afraid of getting too much money for it. Chalk
woods, &c., settled to admiration, and every thing goes well except
the d----d Lovegrove. However I have had the arrears of rent paid
into Fleet street: which leaves a very moderate balance of interest
against me.
[Sidenote: GLOOMY ASPECT OF AMERICAN AFFAIRS.]
*We proceed triumphantly with the Roman Empire, and shall certainly
make our appearance, before the end of next month. I have nothing
public. You know we have got 18,000 Germans from Hesse Brunswick
and Hesse Darmstadt. I think our meeting will be lively; a spirited
Minority, and a desponding Majority. The higher people are placed,
the more gloomy are their countenances, the more melancholy their
language. You may call this cowardice, but I fear it arises from
_their knowledge_ (a late knowledge) of the difficulty and magnitude
of the business. Quebec is not _yet_ taken. I hear that Carleton is
determined never to capitulate with Rebels. A glorious resolution
if it were supported with 50,000 men. Adieu. I embrace My Lady
and Maria. Make my excuses to the latter for having neglected her
birthday.*
273.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
January 29th, 1776.
Hares &c. arrived safe; were received with thanks, and devoured
with appetite: send more, _id est_, of hares. I believe in my last
I forgot saying any thing of the son of Fergus; his letters reached
him.--What think you of the season? Siberia, is it not? A pleasant
campaign in America. I read and pondered your last and think that
in the place of Lord G. G.[320] you might perhaps succeed; but I
much fear that our Leaders have not a genius which can act at the
distance of 3000 miles. By the bye the little islands of the Bermudas
have just declared in favour of the Congress. You know that a large
draught of Guards are just going to America, poor dear creatures! We
are met; but no business. Next week may be busy; Scotch Militia &c.
Roman Empire (first part) will be finished in a week or fortnight.
At last I have heard Texier;[321] wonderful! Embrace My lady. The
weather too cold to turn over the page. Adieu.
Since this I received your last, and honour your care of the old
Women, a respectable name which in spite of My lady may suit Judges,
Bishops, Generals (_Je gage que j'ai raison_) &c. Several letters
directed to you and enclosed to me, have been franked. Ferguson's
might be among them. I am rejoyced to hear of Maria's inoculation.
I know not when you have done so wise a thing. You may depend upon
getting an excellent house. Adieu.
[320] The Duke of Grafton resigned the Privy Seal November 9, 1775.
Lord Dartmouth succeeded him, and Lord George Germain took Lord
Dartmouth's place as Secretary of State for the Colonies.
[321] Horace Walpole, writing November 23, 1775, says, "A
Monsieur Tessier, of whom I have heard much in France, acted
an entire play of ten characters, and varied his voice, and
countenance, and manner, for each so perfectly, that he did not
name the persons that spoke, nor was it necessary. I cannot
decide to which part he did most justice, but I would go to the
play every night if I could see it so acted."
[Sidenote: PUBLICATION OF HIS HISTORY.]
274.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Bentinck-street, February 9th, 1776.
*You are mistaken about your dates. It is to-morrow _seven-night_,
the 17th, that my book will decline into the World.* I will attend to
Coachman and house, though I could wish that in point of price and
situation you had been a little more explicit.
*I am glad to find that by degrees you begin to understand the
advantage of a civilized city,*--I cannot say as much as Batt and
Cantab, who dined with me, Beauclerck and Lady Di.[322] Adieu. *No
public business; Parliament has sate every day, but we have not
had a single debate.* There is a rumour that Quebec is taken, and
Washington is said to have communicated the news to Howe, but it is
not yet absolutely believed. *I think you will have _your book_ on
Monday. The parent is not forgot, though I had not a single one to
spare.*
[322] Topham Beauclerk and Lady Diana Beauclerk (see note to
Letter 47).
275.
_To his Stepmother._
House of Commons, Wednesday Evening, February, 1776.