My restoration to the character of a Senator has suffered some delay
by the impatience of some strong competitors who have pushed between
me and the door. I have received from the fountain head every kind
of apology and assurance. I believe them to be sincere, and it is a
matter of perfect indifference to me whether I enter the H. of C.
the beginning or the end of the winter. My journey to Bath is not an
object of indifference, and as nearly as I can calculate the business
(for there is business) of the board of trade, I think I shall have
the pleasure of embracing you about the 23rd or 24th of this month.
You mentioned a lodging near your aerial castle (my sole object at
Bath), and I shall be glad if you will secure it for that time.
Poor George Scott died this morning of the consequence of falling
down a flight of stairs at Lord Bathurst's. His life was long and
happy, and his death was not painful. After a false alarm I was glad
to hear that Dr. Delacour was not in the bosom of Abraham. The poor
Colonel is fighting with the monsters of Coventry. I think he will
conquer, but his victory will be dearly purchased.
I am, Dear Madam,
Ever yours,
E. GIBBON.
Young Eliot is in town and dined with me Tuesday. The kindest
enquiries passed reciprocally between Port Eliot and Bentinck Street.
The father does not come till after the Holydays.
410.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
[Dec. 9th], Saturday Night, 1780.
Succeed--and may you say, such another victory would ruin us! The
messenger has returned from the Bog, but Lord B[uckinghamshire][472]
has not yet sent the necessary forms and titles for his creatures;
it will not however be in his favour to delay, that or any other
business much longer, and I wish your entrance into one house was as
secure as the other.
An express has just arrived in nine days from Vienna; the Empress
is dead,[473]--and the Austrian Eagle may soar.--It is confidently
said that the two great fleets are in sight, and expectation is high
and eager. For my own part I do not believe that there ever can be a
sea-fight.
[472] Lord Buckinghamshire was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. The
reference is to Colonel Holroyd's elevation to the Irish peerage
as Lord Sheffield.
[473] The Empress Maria Theresa died November 29, 1780.
[Sidenote: HOLROYD CREATED LORD SHEFFIELD.]
411.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Monday Night, December, 1780.
All delays are at an end--Tuesday--to-morrow the final warrant will
be signed; Friday next, you may salute the Royal paw.
Saturday the gazette will announce his Lordship, and Sunday
(December 24th) I shall set out for Bath. Be resolute and conquer.
We have forgot the fleets, but it is supposed that d'Estaing is in
Brest. It is time that everybody should go to sleep for the Winter.
412.
_To his Stepmother._
Bentinck Street, December 21st, 1780.