Inclosed I send you what you desire. Believe me I have not forgotten,
how much, in every sense of the word, I feel myself indebted to you.
I wish that all of us in publick and private affairs had a less
melancholy prospect before us; but courage and Philosophy must assist
us. Letters (I do not mean Epistles) are in every state of life an
amusement, a comfort or a resource.
The Holroyds are still in Yorkshire, I expect them in about ten days;
and have some thoughts with Mrs. Porten of making them a visit next
month. I carry down a good deal of lumber, and shall work reasonably
hard.
I am, Dear Madam,
Ever yours,
E. G.
350.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Monday Evening, 29th June, 1778.
With a trembling hand I inclose a letter from Hugonin in its pure
and original state--_Return it with proper directions_; or answer it
yourself, which would please me much better.--I suppose there are
complaints of my silence. I am however by four and twenty hours less
guilty than I seem----
I expect an account of your meeting and motions; and some
encouragement might attract Aunt Kitty and myself in the course of
next week----
[Sidenote: KEPPEL'S ATTACK ON FRENCH FRIGATES.]
What think you of Keppel?[405] We are pleased on the whole: yet some
Ministers such as Ld. Mansfield and Wedd[erburn] affect to talk
doubtfully about a War. Adieu.
[405] Admiral Keppel, who left Portsmouth early in June, fell in
with two French frigates, the _Licorne_ and the _Belle Poule_,
on June 17, 1778. The first he captured, the second was driven
ashore. This action began the war with France.
[Sidenote: COXHEATH CAMP.]
351.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Wednesday evening, July 1st, 1778.
Your plan of operations is clear and distinct; yet, notwithstanding
your zeal, and the ideas of Ducal discipline, I think you will be
more and longer at S. P. than you imagine. However, I am disposed
to advance my journey as much as possible. I want to see you; my
martial ardour makes me look to Coxheath,[406] necessity obliges me
to think of Beriton, and I feel something of a very new inclination
to taste the sweets of the Country. Aunt Kitty shares the same
sentiments; but various obstacles will not allow us to be with you
before Saturday, or perhaps Sunday evening; I say _evening_, as we
mean to take the cool part of the day, and shall probably arrive
after Supper. Keppel's return[407] has occasioned infinite and
inexpressible consternation, which gradually changes into discontent
against him. He is ordered out again with three or four large ships
as reinforcement; 2 of 90, 2 of 74, and the 50th Regiment as marines.
In the mean time the French, with a superior fleet, are masters of
the sea; and our homeward-bound East and West India trade is in the
most imminent danger. Adieu.
[406] Summer encampments were established at Salisbury, Bury
St. Edmunds, Winchester, Warley, and Coxheath in Kent. At the
last-named place were stationed the 1st battalion of Royals, 2nd,
14th, 18th, 59th, and 65th Regiments of Foot, the 1st Regiment of
Dragoons, and twelve regiments of militia. Coxheath was visited
by the king and queen in November, 1778.
[407] Papers captured on a French frigate showed Keppel that a
fleet superior to his own lay in Brest harbour. He therefore
retired to Portsmouth. "And now," writes Walpole, July 4, 1778,
"Mr. Keppel is returned, we learn that the East and West Indian
fleets, worth four millions, are at stake, and the French
frigates are abroad in pursuit of them."
352.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Bentinck-street, July 7th, 1778.
*Expect me----when you see me; and do not regulate your active
motions by my uncertainty. Saturday is impossible. The most probable
days are, Tuesday or Friday next. I live not unpleasantly, in a
round of Ministerial dinners; but I am impatient to see my white
house at Brighton. I cannot find that Sheffield really has the same
attractions for you. Lord North, as a mark of his gratitude, observed
the other day, that your Regiment would make a very good figure in
North Carolina. Adieu. I wrote two lines to Mitchel lest he should
think me dead.*
353.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Thursday Evening, July, 1778.
O Lord! O Lord!--I am quite tired of Parliament and sigh for the
country. I talked of being at S. P. next Saturday; I shall think
myself fortunate if I reach it that day sen'night. Many bills are
sent to the Lords, the forms of their house will consume some days,
the Ch.'s temper[408] may destroy more time, and the prorogation will
not take place before the 17th. In the meanwhile every body is going
out of town, and the danger of not getting a house will probably
force me to stay, and, after all, this place is not uncomfortable.
Adieu. No news. I embrace my Lady.
Adam talks of accompanying me.
[408] Lord Thurlow became Lord Chancellor in June, 1778,
succeeding Earl Bathurst.
354.
_To his Stepmother._
Sheffield Place, July 19th, 1778.