I am sorry to inform you that I shall be forced to trespass a
few days beyond the precise term which I had fixed. The constant
attendance on the board of trade almost every day this week, has
obliged me to defer till next Monday a visit of inclination and
propriety to Lord Loughborough (at Mitcham in Surrey). I shall not
return till Wednesday or Thursday, and instead of my Christmas, I
shall eat my new-year's dinner, at the Belvidere. May that new year
prove fortunate to you, to me, and to this weary country, which is
this day involved in a new War. I shall write again about the middle
of next week with a precise account of my motions. I think the
gallant Colonel, who is now Lord Sheffield, will succeed at Coventry
_perhaps_ on the return, certainly on the petition.
I am, Dear Madam,
Ever yours,
E. GIBBON.
413.
_To Lord Sheffield._
_Prophecy of the events of two years._
[Sidenote: December 31st, 1780.]
A profane historian will depart from Bentinck Street, London, and
drink tea, sup and lye at Newbury in Berkshire.
[Sidenote: January 1st, 1781.]
The same historian will gently proceed from Newbury to Bath till he
reaches the aerial cell of the Fairy of the Green, or more probably
the white mountain. It is apprehended that the said Fairy will not be
able to dine that day before four o'clock in the afternoon.
414.
_To his Stepmother._
Bentinck Street, February 24th, 1781.