I am always obliged to you for waking me by a friendly pinch from my
silent lethargy, and I think it most prudent to write before I fall
asleep again.
An author must always begin on the subject of his own work, the
subject always most interesting to himself, but on this occasion he
may assume the privilege of friendship and justly believe that it
is not less interesting to you. Your praise has afforded me real
satisfaction, not only because I wish to please you, but as I do not
know any person (where questions of pure learning are concerned) from
whose approbation I should derive more pride. To speak frankly, I am
of your opinion with regard to the improvement of the style, nor is
it very surprizing that my long practice should make a workman more
expert and ready at his trade. I am curious to learn what passage in
Prior you have in your eye: but as the works of that agreeable Poet
are not extremely familiar to me, the resemblance is more probably
the effect of chance than of design. The reception of these two
volumes has been very unlike that of the first, and yet my vanity
is so very dextrous, that I am not displeased with the difference.
The effects of novelty could no longer operate, and the public was
not surprized by the unexpected appearance of a new and unknown
author. The progress of these two volumes has hitherto been quiet and
silent. Almost everybody that reads has purchased, but few persons
(comparatively) have read them; and I find that the greater number,
satisfied that they have acquired a valuable fund of entertainment,
differ the perusal to the summer, the country and a more quiet
period. Yet I have reason to think, from the opinion of some judges,
that my reputation has not suffered by this publication. The Clergy
(such is the advantage of total loss of character) commend my decency
and moderation: but the patriots wish to damn the work and the author.
Mrs. Hester Gibbon is now in town and stays some weeks. Her house
is repairing, and her old friend Mrs. Hutchinson[477] is just
dead, without leaving her anything, at which Hester expresses more
resentment than seems becoming in the character of a Saint. She is
still healthy and sensible, refuses as formerly to enter my house,
but appears pleased with my attentions, and those of Mrs. and Lady
Porten and of Lord and Lady Sheffield, who have all visited her
in Surrey Street. She enquired civilly and even quietly into your
situation, and approved the sentiments which naturally fell from
me.--When I sent you my book I likewise despatched another with a
very polite letter to Port Eliot--A dead silence--I accidentally
called in Spring Gardens to visit the son, and heard that the father
had been three weeks or a month in town. I instantly wrote a note
to express my surprize and concern,--a dead silence of four days
terminated only by a mute, blank, formal visit. Mrs. Eliot however
(they are an odd family) has called upon me this morning to announce
her arrival; and I shall return her visit this evening.
My health this winter has been perfect, without the slightest attack
of the gout, and I rejoyce to hear that you revive with the Spring.
A friend like Mrs. P. was a real loss, and I think with you that in
such an intimate connection the heart is of much more importance
than the head. Embrace in my name Sara and the tame cat. I hope the
former is not offended with, and I am persuaded that the latter
adores, me, but am much disappointed that her Bath residence has not
produced any shining adventures: a pair of small, neat horns might
peep very gracefully out of a laurel crown, which her husband well
deserves, though I think with you that his effusions are too frequent
and precipitate.[478] Adieu, dear Madam. I am still ignorant and
indeed indifferent about the precise moment of my parliamentary
beatification. Lord S. is chaired next Monday at Coventry; but it is
needless to mention that family, as you hear the earliest and most
copious accounts of them. Once more, Adieu!
I am, Dear Madam,
Most truly yours,
E. GIBBON.
[477] Mrs. Hutcheson, whose maiden name was Lawrence, married as
her first husband Colonel Steward. Her second husband, Archibald
Hutcheson, M.P. for Hastings, at the time of his death (1740)
commended her to the guidance of William Law. She was joined
by Miss Hester Gibbon, and the two ladies, in 1743, settled at
King's Cliffe, in a house belonging to Law. There Mrs. Hutcheson
founded a school for boys. She died at the age of ninety-one, in
January, 1781, and, at her own request, was buried at the feet of
Mr. Law.
[478] William Hayley (1745-1820) was a voluminous poet. Byron
(_English Bards and Scotch Reviewers_) attacks him with severity--
"Whether he spin poor couplets into plays,
Or damn the dead with purgatorial praise,
His style in youth or age is still the same,
For ever feeble and for ever tame."
In 1780 he had addressed to Gibbon _An Essay on History, in Three
Epistles_. He married, in 1769, Eliza Ball, daughter of the Dean
of Chichester. The marriage proved unhappy; but it should be
added that Mrs. Hayley adopted her husband's illegitimate son,
who, born in 1780, afterwards became the sculptor, and treated
him as her own child. In 1789 Hayley was separated from his wife,
whose mind had become affected. Hayley was at this time living at
Eartham, in Sussex, a property which he had inherited from his
father.
[Sidenote: HIS ANNUAL TAX TO THE GOUT.]
416.
_To his Stepmother._
Friday, May 30th, 1781.