As we can talk more in an hour than we can write in a day, I shall
only say that I propose myself the pleasure (and a great pleasure it
will really be) of waiting on you on Thursday evening the 16th inst.
If anything should delay my journey two or three days later you shall
certainly have timely notice.
I am, Dear Madam,
Most truly yours,
E. GIBBON.
345.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Bath, 25th April, 1778.
Here I am in close attendance of my Mama, who is better in health,
spirits, &c., than I have known her for some years. Had I attempted
an Easter excuse it would have been very ill received. I am vastly
complaisant, _amuse_ myself in Routes and private parties and
play shilling Whist with the most edifying resignation. The Rooms
and public places I seldom frequent, and claim some merit from a
sacrifice which in reality is none at all. The Paynes are here, and
I contrive to see something of them. Are you acquainted with Dr.
Delacour? In truth there is much kindness in that Jew and much good
sense likewise; he gives as good dinners as the superstition of the
females of his family will permit, and has a proper contempt for all
that a reasonable man ought to despise. I had destined and shall give
a _full_ fortnight to Bath, and shall return to town the latter end
of next week, but as the day is not irrevocably fixed, I do not wish
you to suppose me in Bentinck Street before the Monday or Tuesday
of the week following. I understand with satisfaction that the
Majorina[398] intends to visit the great City. I have much to say and
much for you to do. You may expect to be favoured with some military
instructions. Adieu. I hear from Zara[399] a very tolerable account;
but my proposed visit was respectfully declined. I like the new house
very well.
[398] Mr. Holroyd served as major in the Sussex Militia under
the Duke of Richmond. The militia was in 1778 organized as a
permanent force for the defence of the country.
[399] Miss Sarah Holroyd.
346.
_To his Stepmother._
House of Commons, Wednesday Evening, ten o'clock, '78.
I arrived safe in town, and, after finding most _excellent_ reasons
for two or three days' delay, when I had really very little to do, I
now snatch a moment from a very warm debate to tell you that I found
the H.'s in town. The Major's eyes are not better, but otherwise his
spirits are good, and he becomes his military character. Remember me
to the sister. I sympathise in her distress at my departure. Assure
all my friends, Christians but more especially Jews,[400] of my own
grateful sense of their kindness, but let me say with the utmost
truth, that the part of my Bath visit which I recollect with the
greatest pleasure, are the moments which I spent with you and with
you alone.
The H.'s (I had almost forgot) salute you. They stay till Monday.
I am, Dear Madam,
Ever yours,
E. GIBBON.
[400] Apparently an allusion to Dr. Delacour, Mrs. Gibbon's
doctor at Bath.
347.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Saturday Night, 16th May, 1778.
Before I received your letter, I had just heard from Bath! I can say
nothing on the occasion. Nature and Reason have their respective
provinces; and I ought not to hope either to prevent the effect of
the former, or to hasten that of the latter.
[Sidenote: D'ESTAING'S FLEET.]
I shall expect you about the end of next week, but it will be
highly proper that you should give me some days either in going or
returning. Notwithstanding all you may see in the Papers, you may be
assured that there is not any certain intelligence of D'Estaing's
squadron having passed the straights of Gibraltar.[401] A Court of
Enquiry is ordered and will sit on Monday on Bourgoyne;[402] but I
am not certain whether he has been forbid Court. I attended Ireland
with great alacrity;[403] but the business seems to be compromised.
I do not exactly know in what manner or whether the Constituents on
either side will be satisfied. The Inscriptions shall be considered.
Adieu.
[401] The Comte d'Estaing with the French fleet left Toulon on
April 13, and arrived off Sandy Hook on July 8, 1778.
[402] General Burgoyne was refused admission to the royal
presence. The Court of Enquiry was not held, as the general
officers reported that they could not take cognizance of the
conduct of an officer who was a prisoner on parole to the
Congress. A court-martial was on similar grounds refused.
Finally, on May 26, a motion was proposed for a committee of the
whole House on Saratoga, which gave Burgoyne the opportunity of
defending himself. The motion was opposed by the Government and
rejected.
[403] Counsel and evidence were heard on Irish trade; but,
by a compromise between the opponents and supporters of the
projected bills for the relaxation of the commercial code, and in
consequence of the opposition of English traders, Lord North's
projected concessions were reduced to the smallest proportions
and carried without divisions.
348.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Almack's, Friday, [June 12th, 1778].
*R. Way's letter gave me that sort of satisfaction which one may
receive from a good Physician, who, after a careful examination,
pronounces your case incurable. But no more of that--I take up the
pen, as I suppose by this time you begin to swear at my silence. Yet
litterally (a bull) I have not a word to say. Since D'Estaing's fleet
has passed through the Gut (I leave you to guess where it must have
got out there) it has been totally forgot, and the most wonderful
lethargy and oblivion, of war and peace, of Europe and of America,
seems to prevail. Lord C[hatham]'s funeral was meanly attended,[404]
and Government ingeniously contrived to secure the double odium of
suffering the thing to be done, and of doing it with an ill grace.
The chief conversation at Almack's is about tents, drill-Serjeants,
subdivisions, firings, &c. and I am revered as an old Veteran. Adieu.
When do you return? If it suits your evolutions, aunt Kitty and
myself meditate a Sussex journey next week. I embrace Mylady.*
[404] Lord Chatham died May 11, 1778. The body lay in state in
the Painted Chamber on the 7th and 8th of June, and was buried in
Westminster Abbey on June 9. Parliament was adjourned from June 3
to November 26.
349.
_To his Stepmother._
London, June the 12th, 1778.