*I am well and happy; two words which you will accept as the
substance of a very long letter; and even as a sufficient excuse for
a very long silence. Yet I really do intend to behave better; and
to prevent the abominable consequence of hours and days and posts
stealing away, till the sum total amounts to a formidable account,
I have a great mind to enter into an agreement, of sending you
regularly every month, a _miniature_ picture of my actual state and
condition on the first day of the aforesaid month.
I am happy to hear of the very beneficial effects you have derived
from your recent friendship with the Goats;[440] and as I cannot
discover in what respect this poor Country is more prosperous or
secure than it was last year, I must consider your present confidence
as a proof that you view the prospect through a purer medium, and
a glass of a more chearful colour. I find myself so much more
susceptible of private friendship than of public spirit, that I am
very well satisfied with that conclusion. My summer has been passed
in the town and neighbourhood, which I still maintain to be the best
society, and the best retirement; the latter, however, has been
sometimes interrupted by the Colonel of Dragoons[441] with a train
of Serjeants, Trumpets, Recruits, &c. &c. My own time is much and
agreeably employed in the prosecution of my business. After doing
much more than I expected to have done within the time, I find myself
much less advanced than I expected: yet I begin to reckon, and as
well as I can calculate, I believe, that in twelve or fourteen
months I shall be brought to bed, perhaps of twins. May they live,
and prove as healthy as their eldest brother.
[Sidenote: DISCLAIMS THE "HISTORY OF OPPOSITION."]
With regard to the little foundling which so many friends or
enemies chose to lay at my door, I am perfectly innocent, even of
the knowledge of that production; and _all_ the faults or merits
of the History of Opposition must, as I am informed, be imputed to
Macpherson, the Author or translator of Fingal.* I am much at a loss
what to say about Mr. Eliot; he is certainly very far from being in
a good state of health or spirits, but I am not Physician enough
to distinguish between the influence of the body and that of the
mind: he feels for the public with the most exquisite sensibility,
and all his sentiments are of the painful kind. He still loiters
in town, which I dare say he will not leave till near the meeting
of Parliament, and will go about the month of November to pass the
_Summer_ in Cornwall. His delay has disconcerted my measures, as I
had resolved (however inconvenient it might be) to make an Expedition
this year to Port Eliot; and had proposed myself the pleasure of
passing some days at Bath on my way. Cornwall must be deferred till
next summer, which will arrange indeed much better with my litterary
projects; but I cannot refuse myself the satisfaction of seeing you
either before the meeting of Parliament or in the Christmas recess.
I am, Dear Madam,
Most truly Yours,
E. GIBBON.
[440] Mrs. Gibbon had recently paid a visit to Abergavenny.
[441] Major Holroyd had raised a regiment of horse, called the
Sussex, or 22nd Regiment of Light Dragoons, of which he was
colonel.
379.
_To Colonel Holroyd._
September, 1779.
I do not despair of passing some days at S. P. before the meeting
of Parliament; but unless I should totally interrupt my business in
a very Critical moment, it is impossible to fix any time which must
undoubtedly be at a _considerable_ distance. No news of Sir John
Ross; Lord Mackartney[442] has written to Lord George [Germain] from
Rochelle; the insolence of d'Estaing's terms made him rather chuse
to surrender at discretion, but he has since received assurance that
private property will be respected.
Lady Spencer, Lady Harriet and D[uchess] of Devonshire behaved like
heroines in the Engagement[443] which they saw very distinctly; the
latter exposed herself to save them. I perfectly approve of Neville
for eldest Captain, and think that Wedderburne cannot be offended.
I am curious to see your Colonel's letter, but you must answer it.
I embrace My Lady; did you scold her very much? She was, as on most
occasions, quite in the right.
[442] Lord Macartney (1737-1806) was at that time Governor and
Captain-General of the Caribbee Islands, and was at his post at
Grenada in July, 1779, when that island was attacked, and, after
a gallant defence, was captured by the French. Macartney was
carried as prisoner of war to France, but was soon exchanged.
Count d'Estaing's terms were that he should hold Macartney
personally responsible for all the consequences of his refusal to
surrender. Such of the inhabitants as were taken in arms would
irrecoverably lose their estates and properties, and the free
coloured people would be reduced to slavery.
[443] The ladies, returning from Spa, embarked at Ostend on the
_Fly_ sloop for Calais. On the voyage the sloop was attacked
(September 17) by two French cutters. After a long engagement the
French were beaten off.
380.
_To Colonel Holroyd._
October 6th, 1779.
I am always in the right, I knew the journey would be of service to
me, and I eat my Pheasant at dinner with a degree of appetite which
I have not known for some days. As to the majestic complaint of the
foot, the event will probably be decided by to-morrow morning, but
as it seems to be better notwithstanding the jolting of the Chaise,
I begin to hope that it may go off without further trouble. In spite
of the Divine Billy Burrel it is certain that Dr. Turton _is_ in
town, and that I shall see him to-morrow. If I am well enough to go
out I must attend a board of trade for which I have found a summons.
You think we are idle----Embrace my Lady in my name and respectfully
salute Miss Cooke, Major Price, &c. By the enclosed you will see that
there is not any authentic news.
381.
_To his Stepmother._
Bentinck Street, October the 27th, 1779.