Tuesday next will certainly produce his presence or an Epistle.
334.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
1778.
For _Tuesday_ read _Wednesday_. I think I may reach S. P. by dinner
time; but do not wait. My Lady's inconstancy disarranges me much,
but it is far better that I should be disarranged, than that her
gentle spirit should be grieved. Yet, why cannot she live quiet, and
solitary at Brighton?
335.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Monday night, January 26th, 1778.
What can I say? No news or business. Lord G.'s great misfortune
has procured him a respite.[383] We shall soon have something of a
brush to-morrow on his first appearance.[384] Lord N. seems in high
spirits: we hear no more of conciliatory propositions. I received
to-day a huge pacquet, a Theological answer written by a _mere_ Irish
parson.[385] Adieu. I embrace my Lady, and wait with impatience.
I hope your eyes are not the worse for a little fatigue. I love a
dutiful aunt. It is now half an hour past nine. I have been hard at
work since dinner, and am just setting out for Lady Payne's Assembly,
with half the fine Bs at it, after which, I shall perhaps sup with
Charles, &c., at Almack's.
[383] Lady George Germain (formerly Miss Diana Sambrooke) died of
the measles, January 15, 1778.
[384] Gibbon voted against the Government (February 2) for
Fox's motion, "That no more of the Old Corps be sent out of the
Kingdom." The motion was rejected by 259 to 165.
[385] Probably, _A Reply to the Reasonings of Mr. Gibbon_, etc.,
by Smyth Loftus, M.A., Vicar of Coolock. Dublin, 1778.
336.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Feb. 23, 1778.
*You do not readily believe in præternatural miscarriages of letters;
nor I neither. Listen, however, to a plain and honest narrative.
This morning after breakfast, as I was ruminating on _your_ silence,
Thomas, my new footman, with confusion in his looks, and stammering
on his tongue, produced a letter reasonably soiled, which he was to
have brought me the day of his arrival, and which had lain forgotten
from that time in his pocket. To shorten as much as possible the
continuance, I immediately inquired, whether any method of conveyance
could be devised more expeditious than the post, and was fortunately
informed of your Coachman's intentions.* In your observations on the
opposition, &c., I desiderate somewhat of your usual moderation. I
suppose you imagine that a reluctant effort of reason is at once to
efface past errors, to command present acquiescence, and to inspire
future confidence.
[Sidenote: ATTEMPTS AT CONCILIATION.]
*You probably know the heads of the plan; an act of parliament,
to declare that we never _had_ any intention of taxing America:
another act, to empower the Crown to name commissioners, authorized
to suspend hostilities by sea and land, as well as all obnoxious
acts; and, in short, to grant every thing, except Independence.[386]
Opposition, after expressing their doubts whether the lance
of Achilles could cure the wound which it had inflicted, could
not refuse their assent to the principles of conduct which they
themselves had always recommended. Yet you must acknowledge, that
in a business of this magnitude there may arise several important
questions, which, without a spirit of faction, will deserve to be
debated: whether Parliament ought not to name the Commissioners?
whether it would not be better to repeal the obnoxious acts
ourselves? I do not find that the World, that is, a few people whom
I happen to converse with, are much inclined to praise Lord N.'s
ductility of temper. In the service of next Friday,[387] you will,
however, take notice of the injunction given by the Liturgy: "And all
the people shall say after the _minister_, Turn us again, O Lord, and
so shall we be turned."
While we considered whether we shall negociate, I fear the French
have been more diligent. It is positively asserted, both in private
and in Parliament, and not contradicted by the Ministers, that on the
5th of this month a treaty of Commerce[388] (which naturally leads to
a war) was signed at Paris with the Independent States of America.
What do you think of the tardyness of administration? Yet there
still remains a hope that England may obtain the preference. The two
greatest countries in Europe are fairly running a race for the favour
of America;* and I fear our _Lord_ has more bottom than foot. Adieu.
Am not I very good? but you must not expect a repetition of such
exalted Virtue. Your Eyes? I embrace My lady, &c. I have written to
all: no answers. I will see Cadell.