Lazyness is ingenious; but on this occasion mine was provided with
too good an excuse, I mean your own silence. From post to post I
have expected a letter to fix the time and manner of your Journey
to London. I now begin to despair, and am almost inclined to think
that your sedentary life has rivetted your chains, and cut off your
wings. I must therefore try (though a very sedentary animal myself)
whether I cannot visit you at Bath, and as the Easter vacation seems
to promise me the most convenient leisure that I am likely to enjoy
in the whole year, I entertain some thoughts of running down to you
for a few days. The Eliots, who with great difficulty have existed
in town about two months, seem to intend moving towards that place
about the same time. The Holroyds are likewise in town: they have
inoculated their girl, and I understand with the greatest pleasure
that there are some hopes of an increase of family.--As to myself,
I have the satisfaction of telling you that my book has been very
well received by men of letters, men of the world, and even by fine
feathered Ladies, in short by every set of people except perhaps by
the Clergy, who seem (I know not why) to shew their teeth on the
occasion. A thousand Copies are sold, and we are preparing a second
Edition, which in so short a time is, for a book of that price, a
very uncommon event.
I am, Dear Madam,
Ever yours,
E. GIBBON.
277.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Bath, April 11th, 1776.
I write two lines to signify my arrival at this place. Beauclerck's
heart failed him, and he left me in the lurch; but he had made me
take such steps of giving notice, &c., that the journey was become
unavoidable. I propose staying till this Day sen'night and shall
return for the Budget. This morning I saw _Pater_, and do not think
him worse than he has been for these two or three years past. _Soror_
is actually above stairs with Mrs. G. and other Ladies. Though I had
not the opportunity of a whisper, I suppose she desires Compliments.
The place appears full, and they say is lively, but you know how
little its kind of pleasures have the happiness of charming me. I
long to get back to the Library in Bentinck Street, where I shall
speedily but not hastily undertake the second Volume. The Ladies here
do me the honour of admiring me.
[Sidenote: THE NECKERS IN LONDON.]
278.
_To his Stepmother._
London, April 26th, 1776.