Yesterday afternoon about half an hour past five a young _Lady_[336]
was introduced into the world, and though her sex might be considered
an objection, she was received with great politeness. She is
perfectly well, as likewise My Lady, who eat a whole chicken for her
dinner to-day. How do you like Essex ladies? Have they resisted the
attacks of two and twenty years? I hope they will not detain you
from Bentinck Street much longer, and I rather consider my having no
letter to-day as a good sign.
I am, Dear Madam,
Most truly yours,
E. GIBBON.
[336] Louisa, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Holroyd.
288.
_To his Stepmother._
25th September, '76.
At a large Meeting of the most considerable Wits of the two Islands,
it was agreed that Rouen Ducks have white feathers, but this is not
the whole business of this letter. The Gibbon has so often declared
an intention of letting Mrs. Gibbon know that he is well without
so doing, that it is just determined to acquaint her he exists.
Moreover Mrs. H. and the Brat are quite well, and Mrs. H. wishes
for an opportunity of promoting eloquence in Mrs. Gibbon on Gothic
Architecture.
It is a certain fact that the Gibbon exists, and that his resolutions
have been as usual much better than his intentions. He looks back
with pleasure and regret on the time with Mrs. Gibbon, and most
sincerely hopes that as she has now conquered all the Lyons upon the
road, she will no longer entertain any apprehensions of the Journey.
Mrs. Porten is well, and I believe has written. The other day I told
her that there was an Irish edition of the Decline. Her question
amused me. "Do you understand it?" She supposed it was published
in the Irish language. The natives have printed it very well, and
the notes at the bottom take up much less space than I could have
imagined.
Ever yours,
E. GIBBON.
289.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Saturday, ¾ past eleven, 19 Oct. 1776.
I have waited so long that the bell is tolling in my ear, but I know
you would swear----
By the enclosed you will see Sir Hugh's impediments, and if the
rest of his letter requires any answer you may amuse yourself with
scratching it out.
*For the present I am so deeply engaged that you must renounce the
hasty apparition at S. P.; but if you should be very impatient I will
try (after the meeting) to run down between the friday and monday,
and bring you the last Editions of things.--At present _nought_ but
expectation. The attack on me is begun, an anonymous eighteen-penny
pamphlet, which will get the author more Glory in _the next World_
than in this. The Heavy troops, Watson[337] and another, are on their
march. No news from Richard Way. Adieu.*
[337] _An Apology for Christianity, in a Series of Letters to
Edward Gibbon, Esq._, by Richard Watson, D.D. (afterwards Bishop
of Llandaff). Gibbon had a great respect for Dr. Watson, at this
time Professor of Divinity at Cambridge, as "a prelate of a
large mind and liberal spirit." He writes (November 2, 1776) to
"express his sense of the liberal treatment which he has received
from so candid an adversary."
[Sidenote: FEARS OF WAR WITH FRANCE.]
290.
_To his Stepmother._
Ampthill Park, Oct. 24th, 1776.