I will freely acknowledge that I was not a little surprized and even
vexed at finding by your last letter, that you had conceived so
strong a dislike to my intended journey. But I must add at the same
time that I was equally sensible of the obliging frankness with which
you communicate your objections. The less foundation I can discover
for your apprehensions, the more I am convinced of the delicacy
of your regard. True love is of very timid and even pusillanimous
nature, and can easily transform the most harmless objects into
horrid phantoms which appear to threaten the happiness of those who
are dear to us. But when you have indulged the exquisite sensibility
of friendship, you will, I am sure, make a proper use of your
excellent understanding, and will soon smile at your own terrors. The
constancy and danger of a twenty years' passion is a subject upon
which I hardly know how to be serious. I am ignorant what effect that
period of time has produced upon me, but I do assure you that it has
committed very great ravages upon the Lady, and that at present she
is very far from being an object either of desire or scandal. As a
woman of talents and fortune she is at the head of the literature of
Paris, the station of her husband procures her respect from the first
people of the country, and the reception which I shall meet with
in her house will give me advantages that have fallen to the share
of few Englishmen. When I mention her _house_, I must remove the
misapprehension which seems to have allarmed you. I shall _visit_ but
not _lodge_ there. I have not the least reason to believe that they
think of offering me an apartment, but if they do, I shall certainly
refuse it, for the sake of my own comfort and freedom: So that the
husband will be easy, the world will be mute, and my moral character
will still preserve its immaculate purity.
A moment's reflection will satisfy you that I have as little to
fear from the hatred of the priests as from the love of Madame N.
Whatever might be the wishes of the French Clergy, the wisdom of the
Government and the liberal temper of the Nation have rendered those
monsters perfectly inoffensive. Their own subjects (Voltaire for
instance, who resides near Geneva, but in France) think, converse
and write with the most unbounded freedom: and can you imagine that
an English Protestant, a member of the British Legislature, living
at Paris under the protection of his Minister, and in Society with
their own, will be exposed to the smallest possible danger or even
trouble for having published a profane book in a foreign language and
country? When David Hume (the name, the most abhorred by the Godly)
was at Paris, he was oppressed only with civilities; and the recent
fame of my book is perhaps the circumstance which will introduce me
with the most favour and eclat.
The scheme of passing some months at Paris (though I have patiently
waited till I could execute it with prudence and propriety) has
been formed many years ago. I cannot persuade myself without any
reason that strikes my understanding to renounce an expedition which
promises so much entertainment and information: but it will be a very
considerable alloy to my satisfaction if I leave any uneasiness or
apprehension on your mind. I could very much have wished to fulfil
my promise of an Easter visit; but I imagined that I had already
explained how closely I was confined in town by my daily attendance
on Dr. Hunter's lectures. They prevent my setting out for Paris till
after the 25th instant, by which time I hope we shall have paid the
King's debts.[358] You may depend on receiving regular though concise
intelligence of my motions.
I am, Dear Madam,
Most truly yours,
E. GIBBON.
[358] On April 9, 1777, a message from the king was delivered to
both Houses, asking for the payment of his debts, which amounted
to £600,000. At the same time a Bill "for the better support of
the Royal Household" was introduced, to increase his revenue by
£100,000 a year. A motion for a committee to inquire into the
accounts was rejected; the king's debts were discharged, and the
Government Bill carried.
310.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Atwood's, Saturday night, [April 19th, 1777].
*It is not possible as yet to fix the day of my departure. That
circumstance depends on the state of India, and will not be
determined till the general court of next Wednesday. I know from
the _first_ authority, if the violence of the Proprietors about
the Pigot[359] can be checked in the India house by the influence
of a Government Majority, the Minister does not wish to exert the
omnipotence of Parliament; and I shall be dismissed from hence time
enough to set forwards on Thursday the first of May. On the contrary,
should we be involved in those perplexing affairs, they may easily
detain me till the middle of next month. But as all this is very
uncertain, I direct you and My Lady to appear in town to-morrow
sennight. I have many things to say.* You mistake about the dear
inseparable Caplin. He rides at his ease in the Chaise with his
master, while the Swiss, who will condescend to put on a livery at
Paris, will mount on horseback. *We have been animated this week,
and, notwithstanding the strict œconomy recommended by Charles Fox
and John Wilkes, we have paid the Royal debts.*