Chapter V: Introduction: By the Earl of Sheffield (5)

I should have wrote to Beriton last post, or even (which I might have done) the post before. I am sorry at present to have so disagreable an excuse for the shortness of my present letter as a new attack in my shoulder, which has confined me to my lodgings yesterday and to-day. If I am not better to-morrow I will certainly have advice about it.

Mrs. Porten has not been well but has recovered. I have met Guise in town with his whole family, who have been exceedingly civil to me.--To-morrow (if I am able) I shall introduce d'Eyverdun[93] to Miss Comarque at the new play, to which she has obliged me to contribute a ticket. The number of separations encrease daily. They talk of Lords and Ladies Bolingbroke,[94] Warkworth,[95] Grosvenor,[96] Sr. James Lowther and Lady,[97] Mr. & Mrs. Onslow, &c. (would you believe it?) Sr. M. & Lady F. Soon, Dear Sir, I will write more at large, till when believe me,

Most truly yours,
E. G.

[93] M. Deyverdun had known Gibbon at Lausanne, and from 1766-69
was a frequent guest at Beriton. With his assistance Gibbon
published the _Mémoires Littéraires de la Grande Bretagne pour
l'an 1767_ (Londres: Chez T. Becket and P. A. de Hondt dans le
Strand, 1767), which were discontinued in 1768, when Deyverdun,
on his friend's recommendation, left England as tutor to the son
of Sir T. Worsley, afterwards the Right Hon. Sir Richard Worsley.
In 1783 Gibbon took up his abode with Deyverdun at the latter's
house at Lausanne. Deyverdun died in July, 1789, leaving his
house and land by will to Gibbon for his life.

[94] Lady Diana Spencer married in 1757 Frederick St. John,
Lord Bolingbroke, the "Bully" who figures in George Selwyn's
correspondence, from whom she was divorced, March 10, 1768. Two
days later she married Topham Beauclerk, grandson of the first
Duke of St. Albans, the friend of Dr. Johnson, and the collector
of a magnificent library. During his long illness she nursed
him, as Johnson, no friendly witness, admits, "with very great
assiduity." He died in 1780. Lady Diana, whose skill as an artist
is frequently alluded to by Walpole, died in 1808.

[95] Hugh, Lord Warkworth, eldest son of Sir Hugh Smithson,
Bart., of Stanwick, who was created Duke of Northumberland in
1766, married July 2, 1764, Lady Anne Stuart, third daughter
of the Earl of Bute. They were divorced in 1779. As Earl Percy
he served in the American War at the battle of Lexington and
elsewhere.

[96] See note to Letter 126.

[97] Sir James Lowther, Bart., first Earl of Lonsdale, married
(1761) Lady Mary Stewart, eldest daughter of the Earl of Bute,
and sister of Lady Warkworth.

[Sidenote: WANT OF FRIENDS IN LONDON.]

48.

_To his Stepmother._

Miss Lake's in St. James's place, January the 18th, 1766.

DEAR MADAM,

I have the pleasure of assuring you that my Rheumatism (or what else you chuse to call it) has again sounded a retreat & left me quite well. However I do still intend to consult a physician by way of precaution, & I think that Physician shall be Heberden.[98] I have seen a number of servants, but believe I shall pitch upon one who seems very clever without having anything of the fine Gentleman, & whose demands surprize me only by their reasonableness. I wrote to his last master at Bath four or five days ago, & expect an answer with some impatience.--I believe I mentioned in my last that I was to introduce d'Eyverdun to Miss C. at the play. They saw each other: the Lady with some apparent pleasure; the Gentleman with as little horror as could be expected. I presented him, proposed a visit, pressed for time & place; & am by her own appointment to carry him to pass the evening with her next Monday. The rest must depend on himself. As to myself; I hardly know myself as yet, in this immense City; & to speak honestly am not as yet very highly entertained. I have had some invitations & expect more, but I must acknowledge, I sometimes regret the small parties where an acquaintance may pass the evening & sup without form or invitation. I have however candor enough to lay these defects rather upon the confined circle of my friends than on the general manners of the Metropolis. Society (no doubt) may be very agreable here, but the avenues to it are fortified with some care, and I wish I may be able to muster up that modest assurance which is so necessary to force them. Several more of my acquaintance Up park, Port Elliott, Hartley,[99] are however come or coming to town & may serve to enliven it. The public diversions are a great ressource, and the Cocoa Tree[100] serves now and then to take off an idle hour. I am not even without hopes of being enrolled in the School of Vice which, notwithstanding the terrors of its name, is as agreable and I believe as innocent a Club as any in this Metropolis. What I want the most, is to be taken off the town and to get into private keeping. You may guess I mean my old scheme of boarding in a genteel family. You know I have talked of Toriano. I wish it may succeed, but the very situation of the man which makes it so agreeable makes it likewise very difficult. Things must be treated with a degree of delicacy. An acquaintance must be formed, and I shall not think this winter ill-spent if it lays a good foundation for next. In the mean time I am looking out for something to stay my stomach. I have heard of a house near Leicester fields which appears tolerable, and of another near Soho whose very situation excludes it.

We wait for Tuesday Sevennight with impatience. Mr. Pitt is in Town and spoke a great while last Tuesday. He is the declared Advocate of the Colonies, but a very equivocal one of the present ministry; tho' great compliments passed between him & Conway.[101] The debate yesterday (which lasted till nine in the evening) was on printing the American papers. The friends to secresy, thought it much better only to leave them upon the table for the inspection and copies of about 500 people.--Almost all the separations come to nothing except that of L. & Lady B. which has taken place already.

I forgot upon the study table some maps which I want to make up into an atlas. Will you be so good, Dear Madam, as to collect all the French or Latin loose maps in the study and send them to me by the first opportunity. Pray do not despise me so far as to give me no commissions.

I am, Dear Madam,
Most truly your's and my father's,
E. GIBBON.

[98] Dr. William Heberden (1710-1801), one of the most famous
physicians of the century, and a distinguished scholar. He was
called by Dr. Johnson "Ultimus Romanorum" (a title which might
be as justly applied to Sir H. Halford), as being "the last of
our learned physicians." He is hailed by Cowper as "virtuous and
faithful," perhaps because, as Dr. G. B. Hill suggests, he bought
and destroyed an unpublished manuscript by Dr. Middleton on _The
Inefficacy of Prayer_.

[99] Up Park, near Stansted in Sussex, the seat of Sir Matthew
Featherstonhaugh, F.R.S., formerly M.P. for Morpeth, at this time
M.P. for Portsmouth; Port Eliot, St. Germans, Cornwall, that of
Gibbon's cousin, Mr. Edward Eliot, M.P. for Liskeard, afterwards
for Cornwall, created in 1784 Baron Eliot of St. Germans; and
Hartley Manduit that of Sir Simeon Stuart, M.P. for the county of
Southampton.

[100] Under Lord Bute, the Ministerial Club, as it was at first
called, used to meet at the Cocoa Tree Tavern, in St. James's
Street. In 1745 it had been the great resort of the Jacobites.
Gibbon describes a supper at the club in his Journal for
November, 1762. [_Memoirs of My Life and Writings--Miscellaneous
Works_, vol. i. p. 154 (second edition, 1814).] By the "School of
Vice" it is more than probable Gibbon meant White's Club, formed
in 1736, at this time the great Tory gaming club. It contained
within its walls an Old and a Young Club, the Old being recruited
from among the members of the Young. Hence, perhaps, arose its
name of the "School of Vice."

[101] The Stamp Act, charging stamp duties on all legal documents
executed in the Colonies, received the royal assent March 22,
1765, and came into operation November 1, 1765. When Parliament
reassembled on January 14, 1766, Pitt attacked the policy of
the Act. General Conway, one of the Secretaries of State, who
replied to him, said that the sentiments which he had expressed
were substantially those of the ministers, and that, for his own
part, he would gladly resign his office if Pitt would take it.
Grenville, who followed, defended the Act, and it was in reply
to him, on the same evening, that Pitt delivered one of the most
eloquent and famous of his speeches. Ireland took a keen interest
in the question, and the debate happens to be fully reported
by two Irish gentlemen, Sir Robert Dean and Lord Charlemont;
otherwise, like many others of the time, it might have passed
without record. In the same session, February 24 to March 17, two
resolutions were carried in both Houses, one declaring the right
of Great Britain to tax the Colonies, the other repealing the
Stamp Act. Two Acts of Parliament expressed these resolutions in
legislative form.

[Sidenote: MARRIAGE OF MR. HOLROYD.]

49.

_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._

Beriton, April 29th, 1767.

DEAR LEGER,

*I happened to-night to stumble upon a very odd piece of intelligence in the St. James's Chronicle; it relates to the marriage of a certain Monsieur Olroy,[102] formerly Captain of Hussars. I do not know how it came into my head that this Captain of Hussars was not unknown to me, & that he might possibly be an acquaintance of yours. If I am not mistaken in my conjecture, pray give my compliments to him, & tell him from me, that I am at least as well pleased that he is married as if I were so myself. Assure him, however, that tho' as a Philosopher I may prefer celibacy, yet as a Politician I think it highly proper that the species should be propagated by the usual method; assure him even that I am convinced, that if celibacy is exposed to fewer miseries, marriage can alone promise real happiness, since domestick enjoyments are the source of every other good. May such happiness, which is bestowed on few, be given to him; the transient blessings of beauties, and the more durable ones of fortune, good sense, and an amiable disposition.

I can easily conceive, and as easily excuse you, if you have thought mighty little this winter of your poor rusticated friend. I have been confined ever since Christmas, and confined by a succession of very melancholy occupations. I was scarce got to Beriton, where I only proposed staying about a fortnight, when a brother of Mrs. Gibbon's died unexpectedly, tho' after a very long and painfull illness. We were scarce recovered from the confusion which such an event must produce in a family, when my father was taken dangerously ill, and with some intervalls has continued so ever since. I can assure you, my dear Holroyd, that the same event appears in a very different light when the danger is serious & immediate; or when, in the gayety of a tavern dinner, we affect an insensibility that would do us no great honor were it real. My father is now much better; but I have since been assailed by a severer stroke--the loss of a friend. You remember, perhaps, an Officer of our Militia, whom I sometimes used to compare to yourself. Indeed the comparaison would have done honor to any one. His feelings were tender and noble, and he was always guided by them: his principles were just and generous, and he acted up to them. I shall say no more, and you will excuse my having said so much, of a man you had not the least knowledge of; but my mind is just now so very full of him, that I cannot easily talk, or even think, of any thing else. If I know you right, you will not be offended at my weakness.

[Sidenote: WITH THE MILITIA.]

What rather adds to my uneasiness, is the necessity I am under of joining our Militia the day after to-morrow. Tho' the lively hurry of such a scene might contribute to divert my ideas, Yet every circumstance of it, and the place itself, (which was that of his residence,) will give me many a painful moment. I know nothing would better raise my spirits than a visit from you; the request may appear unseasonable, but I think I have heard you speak of _an uncle_ you had at Southampton. At all events, I hope you will snatch a moment to write to me, and give me some account of your present situation & future designs. As you are now fettered, I should expect you will not be such a _Hic et ubique_,[103] as you have been since your arrival in England. I stay at Southampton from the 1st to the 28th of May, & then propose making a short visit to town; If you are any where in the neighbourood of it, you may depend upon seeing me. I hope then to concert measures for seeing a little more of you next winter than I have lately done, as I hope to take a pretty long spell in town. I suppose the Goat[104] has often fallen in your way: He has never once wrote to me, nor I to him: in the Country we want materials, and in London we want time. I ought to recollect, that you even want time to read my unmeaning scrawl. Believe, however, my dear Leger, that it is the sincere expression of a heart entirely yours.*

E. GIBBON.

[102] The name was so spelt in the newspapers. John Baker Holroyd
married in 1767 Miss Abigail Way, only daughter of Lewis Way, of
Richmond, Surrey.

[103] The motto of the regiment of light dragoons, called Royal
Foresters, in which Mr. Holroyd had been captain, and which was
disbanded in 1763.

[104] A nickname for Mr. Guise.

50.

_To his Stepmother._

Southampton,[105] May the 8th, 1767.
My birth-day. May I have many happy ones. Amen.

DEAR MADAM,

The post is really going out, at a most inconvenient hour, half after nine in the morning, and as usual I neglected writing the night before. All I can do now is to express the joy I received by your accounts of my father's improvement in point of health, and to return you some portion of joy, by telling you, that on Wednesday morning Mrs. Harrison was safely delivered of a boy. Both mother and child are in the fairest way--The bay horse is sold--the post chaise tempts one very much.

I am, Dear Madam,
Most truly yours,
THE MAJOR.

[105] At Southampton Gibbon attended every spring the monthly
exercise of the militia, of which, by the resignation of his
father and the death of Sir T. Worsley (1768), he eventually
became lieutenant-colonel commandant.

[Sidenote: THE GENERAL ELECTION.]

51.

_To his Father._

Newport, I. of W., December the 1st, 1767.

DEAR SIR,

Here I am, and how much longer I may stay in this little island, Lord knows. Jemmy Worsley is still at Guernsey upon Election business. I have passed four or five days at Stenbury with only Sir Thomas, his son, and Jemmy's sister, rather quietly indeed than agreably. Last night we were summoned to Newport quite unexpectedly, & this morning Sir Thomas is gone to Newtown with three Lawyers in order to fix the boundaries of some borough lands; I expect him back to dinner, as it is the monthly club of the island, & I fear will be a drunken day. Upon the whole this is to me a very unpleasant scene, but I am engaged in it & I can scarce tell how to get away from it. The first step after the conveyances of my borough land are finished, is to oblige the Mayor (Holmes himself) to swear me in a burgess of Newtown; for the constitution of that borough is of a very mixed nature. Mandamus's for this purpose are every day expected from the King's bench; so that, should I leave the island _pendente lite_, I might be recalled the next day. It is however some comfort that my conscience will be less burthened than I expected. We were both mistaken as to that terrible oath which regards only freeholds in Counties.

As to our success or possibility of success you will excuse my entering into particulars, especially upon paper & by the post.[106] In general we are sanguine, especially at Newtown. Affairs are incomparably well managed by the advantage of having a great lawyer acting for himself. He hurries things thro' the courts with a expedition that is rather uncommon in law proceedings. The ennemy contrived however to insert into our friend's advertisement a most curious _quaere_ which you have probably seen. The printer will ask pardon or be prosecuted. Power as well as art is employed. Yesterday we learnt that Captain Lee, who refused to promise his vote, was turned out of the government of Carisbroke Castle, (ten shillings a day) and the place given to Captain Holmet. It seems to occasion a great outcry, and may perhaps do them more harm than good.

I am, Dear Sir,
Most truly your's and Mrs. Gibbon's,
E. G.

[106] Parliament was dissolved March 11, 1768, and the elections
took place in March. Gibbon seems to have assisted the Worsleys
in the Isle of Wight against the Castle interest and that of
the Holmes family. In 1586, when the Crown sought to create a
parliamentary party in the House of Commons, six members were
returned to Parliament by the three boroughs of Newport, Newtown,
and Yarmouth, because in the Isle of Wight, through its military
captain and governor, the influence of the Crown was paramount.
Gradually the leading families of the island acquired control
over the three boroughs, and at this period they were disputed
by the Worsley, Barrington, and Holmes families, the latter
being descended from Sir Robert Holmes, who took New York from
the Dutch, and "first bewitched our eyes with Guinea gold." At
the election of 1768 the following members were elected for the
respective boroughs:--Newport: Hans Sloane, Esq., and John Eames,
Esq., one of the Masters in Chancery. Newtown: Sir J. Barrington,
Bart., and Harcourt Powell, Esq. (re-elected). Yarmouth: Jervoise
Clarke, Esq., and William Strode, Esq.

52.

_To his Stepmother._

London, April the 18th, 1768.

DEAR MADAM,

The reason I have delayed (besides the usual one) was the real scarcity of news either of a publick or a private nature. As to myself I got safe to town, and have lived there in my usual manner; the Romans,[107] Boodle's,[108] the Theatre and some acquaintances whom you already know. In all these places nothing new or interesting has occurred. Ranelagh[109] is indeed opened. I was there last night for the first time. Notwithstanding the brilliancy of the first moment, I must own I think it very soon grows insipid to a by-stander, or by-walker if you like it better. I acknowledge it indeed the most convenient place for courtships of every kind. It is certainly the best market we have in England. Lord Abingdon[110] is just going to make a pretty considerable purchase; of Miss Warren, Mrs. Fitzroy's sister. The Lord wants money, the Lady a title, so that as the bargain seems advantageous to both parties we apprehend it will speedily be concluded.

[Sidenote: VOLTAIRE'S RUIN.]

I will not trouble you with election news, as it is both dull and uncertain. I must however mention that I have seen Serjeant Glynn,[111] who is encouraged by the Sollicitor General[112] to pursue his petition, and who flatters himself that the Duke of B. will lend his weight, and that the D. of G. will stand neuter. He is strongly of opinion that Sir Thomas should be in town to make interest, and _has intended for some time past_ to write to the Baronet who sleeps at Pilewell. The opponents (_without intending anything_) have already canvassed most of the members. Indeed there seems to be a general dislike to petitions (of which there never was known so great a number), and I think most of the returned members have a very good chance unless they are attacked by formidable men. Such is the case of Preston[113] fought by Lord Strange, and such I fear will be the case of Yarmouth; many people at least have a bad opinion both of our cause and of our interest.[114] I do not think this can be called carrying the three boroughs in the isle of Wight. Northampton will be attacked and defended with great vigour and expence.[115] That will be the second act of Lord H.'s Tragi-Comi-farce. As Osborn & Rodney have exactly all the same votes, if Howe succeeds, there must be a new election of a second member, and in that case the two Noble Lords may probably quarrel about the man, which may compleat the third act of the said farce. I shall say nothing of Wilkes;[116] every man has his story and his opinion, which mutually destroy each other. Wednesday will decide most of these disputes, and you may depend on my immediately writing some particulars of that great day. Lord B.'s tryal[117] is not yet come out. I will take care to send it with _La Princesse de Babylone_,[118] a new Romance of Voltaire which is a very agreable absurd trifle. A propos, poor Voltaire is almost ruined. He had intrusted most of his money to that expensive scoundrel the Duke of Wirtenbergh,[119] who paid him a much greater interest for it than anybody else would give. The Duke is ruined, the security worth nothing and the money vanished. Voltaire has dismissed several dependants who lived in his house, and even his niece Madam Denys, all with handsome presents; and keeps only a man and three maids, with Père Adam an old Jesuit that plays at chess with him from morning to night. I am really sorry for the poor old man; as he spent his fortune much better than he acquired it.

I hear Sir Simeon[120] is confined with the gout to Hartley. The reputation of his new Physician is quite ruined by it.

I am, Dear Madam,
Most truly your's & my father's,
E. GIBBON.

[107] A convivial club, meeting once a week, established by
Gibbon and other travellers.

[108] Gibbon was a member of Boodle's Club, known as the _Savoir
vivre_.

[109] Ranelagh Gardens, now part of Chelsea Hospital Gardens,
stood on the site of a villa belonging to Lord Ranelagh, the
Jones of Grammont's _Memoirs_. The Rotunda, an amphitheatre,
with an orchestra in the centre, surrounded by "balconies full
of little alehouses," was opened to the public May 24, 1742. The
last entertainment given there was the installation ball of the
Knights of the Bath in 1802. The gardens were closed in 1803. A
staple, fixed in one of the trees of the avenue, preserved, till
a few years ago, the traditions of the glories of Ranelagh when
the gardens were lighted by a thousand lamps.

[110] The Earl of Abingdon married, on June 7, 1768, the daughter
of Admiral Sir Peter Warren.

[111] Serjeant Glynn, well known as the advocate of Wilkes,
was afterwards elected as second member for Middlesex at a
by-election. He married a daughter of Sir J. Oglander, of
Nunwell, in the Isle of Wight, and had been an unsuccessful
candidate for one of the Isle of Wight constituencies at the
general election of 1768.

[112] John Dunning, afterwards Lord Ashburton.

[113] Sir Peter Leycester and Sir Frank Standish were found,
November 29, 1768, not duly elected.

[114] The return for Yarmouth, I.W., was amended by order of the
House of Commons, dated January 19th, 1769, by erasing the names
of Jervoise Clarke and William Strode, and substituting those of
George Lane Parker and Thomas Lee Dummer.

[115] On February 14, 1769, Sir George Osborne was found not duly
elected, and Thomas Howe was declared duly elected. The return of
Sir George Rodney was held to be valid. A note by Sir Denis le
Marchant, appended to Lord Orford's _Memoirs_, states that the
expenses of the contest and petition cost Lord Spencer £70,000.

[116] John Wilkes was expelled from the House of Commons in
January, 1764, and outlawed in the following August. He returned
to England in February, 1768, and was at the bottom of the poll
for the City (March 23). He headed the poll for Middlesex, March
28, 1768. His outlawry was reversed as technically illegal by the
Court of King's Bench in the same year; but his two convictions
for republishing No. 45 of the _North Briton_, and the _Essay
on Woman_, were affirmed, and he was sentenced to two years'
imprisonment. He was expelled the House February 3, 1769;
re-elected February 16 and expelled February 27; re-elected March
16 and expelled March 17. At the election on April 13 he polled
1147 votes to the 296 of Colonel Luttrell; but the House resolved
(April 15) that the election of Wilkes was void, and Luttrell
duly elected. He was discharged from his imprisonment in 1770.

[117] Lord Baltimore was charged with decoying to his house a
young milliner named Sarah Woodcock, and with rape. On February
12, 1768, he was committed for trial at the spring assizes at
Kingston, and acquitted in the following March.

[118] "Il y a," writes Madame du Deffand to Walpole, speaking
of _La Princesse de Babylon_ (April 3, 1768), "quelques traits
plaisants, mais c'est un mauvais ouvrage, et, contre son
ordinaire, fort ennuyeux."

[119] During Gibbon's stay at Lausanne in 1763, the duke, brother
of the reigning duke, occupied a villa called La Chablière, a
short distance from the town.

[120] Sir Simeon Stuart, Bart., M.P. for the county of
Southampton, died in November, 1779.

53.

_To James Scott, Esq._[121]

Beriton, December the 20th, 1768.

DEAR SIR,

Some particular and very urgent reasons, oblige me as well in my own name as in those of my father, and Mrs. Gibbon, to request your immediate presence at Beriton. Your own interest is deeply concerned, but what (I am convinced) will be a much more powerfull inducement, you will have an opportunity of adding a most essential obligation to those which your friendship has already conferred on our Family. As we have now a very pressing occasion for your advice and assistance, we shall flatter ourselves with the hopes of seeing you Friday evening.

I am, Dear Sir,
With the truest regard,
Your most sincere Friend and obedient humble Servant,
EDWARD GIBBON, JUNIOR.

[121] The bulk of the letters for the years 1768 and 1769 relate
to the pecuniary affairs of the Gibbon family. Mr. Gibbon was
the owner of estates at Maple Durham, in the parish of Beriton
near Petersfield, at Lenborough in Buckinghamshire, and a house,
garden, and lands at Putney. He had also inherited shares in the
New River Company, and other investments. But he had for years
lived beyond his income, and it was only to the wreck of this
fortune that the historian succeeded in 1770.

[Sidenote: FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES.]

54.

_To his Father._

January the 2nd, 1769.

DEAR SIR,

We got safe to town. In my way I delivered the Lease to Fletcher with proper instructions. To-morrow we shall proceed on business with all possible dispatch. I have nothing to add more than that Wilkes is just chose against Bromidge, 285 to 69.[122] Such is the spirit of the times.

I am, Dear Sir,
Most truly yours,
E. G.

[122] On January 2, 1769, Wilkes was chosen alderman of the ward
of Faringdon-Without against Bromwich, a paper-maker on Ludgate
Hill.

55.

_To his Father._

January the 5th, 1769.

DEAR SIR,

Southouse (with whom Mr. Scott and myself passed three hours this morning) has examined the Putney Writings. I wish I could say he was satisfied with them. The former Deeds (while it was yet a Copyhold) he thinks of little or no consequence. The Deed of Enfranchisement is what he principally wants, nor is it sufficient that it may be enrolled in Chancery or in the Wimbledon Court Rolls. The Deed itself formerly in your possession is what he wants, for, says he, any purchaser would naturally be allarmed at it's not being to be found, and would immediately suspect that some incumbrance (perhaps for your life only) had been contracted on that security. I hope and sincerely believe that meer accident or neglect has deprived us of this important writing, but as it is so important, we must beg you would recollect all you can about it, and if possible give us some clue which may lead to a discovery of it.

There are later papers which he likewise calls for, an authenticated copy of my Grandfather's Will, your Marriage Settlement, both with my mother and with Mrs. Gibbon. He wants to be acquainted with the extent and nature of the fine and recovery passed by us ten years ago. The Counter Part of Gosling's Mortgage must be in your hands, and he thinks the sight of it _absolutely_ necessary. In a word, unless everything is laid before him, we are only losing our time, and it is impossible to carry anything beyond meer speculation, not only with regard to any general Plan, but even in respect to the immediate money we may want. Whatever can be got either from Public officers or from the Goslings, &c., he will get, but he judges it both safer and cheaper that the materials should be laid before him, than that he should be forced to fish them out. He asked me questions about the Attornies employed in those several transactions, and wishes he could see any of their bills, which would inform him of what had been done. The several leases which actually subsist between you and any Tenants should be produced. In a word, he is of opinion that nothing can be done without the whole is probed to the bottom.

I must therefore desire that you would immediately send up every thing that can give any light into our affairs. As to Putney in particular, I must beg you would order Newney to deliver to my order the leases relating to that Estate. As soon as I have got some more materials I am again to see Southouse. I hope they will be speedily in Town, as an expensive Residence here is neither convenient nor at present agreable.--I have just received an answer from Boissier, who can make no offer as he is not acquainted with our terms, but declines an interview, and thinks it may suit other people better than himself.

I find the Chancery business cannot be got off, but it may be so easily delayed that there is no present apprehension from it. I hope to hear from you by the return of the post, and to receive _as soon as possible_ every thing you can find. Mr. Scott is a most zealous friend, and on this as well as on every other occasion you shall ever find me most truly yours,

E. G.

[Sidenote: FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES.]

56.

_To his Father._

Pall Mall, January 14th, 1769.

DEAR SIR,

Since my last we still go on, tho' indeed rather slowly. All that I can say is, that our slowness neither proceeds from our own negligence, nor even from the dilatoriness of Law, but merely from our having been destitute of the necessary Writings. Southouse has been very active, and has already seen Stephen Harvey, Gosling's Attorney and Mrs. Williamson. The two former (tho' he has a just idea of Harvey) promise the free use of all that is in their hands. The last has wrote to her brother & hopes the Deed may be recovered from him, notwithstanding he is so odd a man. Harvey believes he may have the Counterpart of the Mortgage. In a word, we are to meet again next Wednesday, when Southouse thinks we shall be in a condition to offer some security for the money we immediately want, as well as to trace the outlines of our general Deed of trust. As I find I cannot be a Party in it, I should wish to substitute my uncle Porten as Joint-Trustee with Mr. Scott.

We should be glad to receive as soon as Possible Mrs. Gibbon's marriage Articles; In relation to which I shall not _forget_ the conversation we had in the Study. It is my duty as well as my inclination to consider her in the light of a real Mother. 2. The Abstract of the Deeds in Gosling's hands; Hervey, who thinks he has the counterpart of the Mortgage, is positive he delivered you this Abstract. 3. The Title, (whatever it is), by which we possess the Copper share, or at least some account of the Writings relative to it. To these particular enquiries I must add a general request of searching out any thing that may give us any new lights. You have (for instance) made some little purchases about Beriton, the title to which cannot be included in the general writings of the Manor, &c. For any thing of that kind the Cocoa Tree is a surer direction than my obscure lodgings (which are still those of Sir Thomas's), but I think it would be still better to send them at once to Mr. Southouse, Attorney at Law, Milk Street, Cheapside. I have already received and transmitted to him, the Putney Leases (Vane's signed). Yesterday I had a letter from John Harris, with some particulars of the Buckinghamshire Estate.

I find Southouse a true man of business; civil but determined to know everything. He questioned me very plainly about my change of Religion, of re-conversion to which I gave him very satisfactory answers. Indeed he will know everything.

I think, Dear Sir, you must be easy after what he said of the Chancery affair. I asked with some anxiety how long it could be staved off. What does that signify? answered he. We shall have the Money before it is wanted.

Depend on it, Dear Sir, we do not wish to flatter you with vain hopes (indeed to what end could they serve?) and let this consideration dispell the Fantom which torments you and makes me so unhappy. Endeavour as far as lies in your power to reassume both a chearfull heart & and a chearfull countenance. They are indeed necessary to your health as well as to your Credit.

As for myself, I shall only say that as I cannot be happy, without your being so, I am willing to make every reasonable sacrifice to your tranquillity. The only restraints I shall wish to impose on you are such as will be conducive to our common Good. Perhaps it had been better for us all, had I insisted on them some years sooner.

I am, Dear Sir,
Most truly yours & Mrs. Gibbon's,
E. G.

57.

_To his Father._

January the 21st, 1769.

DEAR SIR,

We had this morning a long conference with Southouse, who complains very much of the obscurity of our affairs, which is so great he cannot as yet form even a clear Idea of the difficulties which surround us. These difficulties however and the delays which they produce are chiefly owing to your neglecting either to keep or to send us the necessary writings.

[Sidenote: FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES.]

Let me beg of you, Dear Sir, not to suffer any indolence or false delicacy to prevent your going to the bottom of your affairs. The time of temporary expedients is now passed. Nay, without a compleat knowledge of things, hardly anything can be done even at present, for as to borrowing any money on the Putney Estate, Mr. S. thinks it not practicable till a clearer title is made out. He desires you would immediately send up the Writings of the Copper share; as that is unencumbered it may form part of a basis for some temporary security. We will do every thing that can be done, but these obstacles are not to be so easily surmounted.

I am very unhappy at not being able to send you, _for the present_, a more favorable account, and am the more unhappy as I fear you will even magnify every difficulty, and really make things worse by the state of your own mind. Upon that head, Dear Sir, what can I say! what have I to add on so melancholy a subject. Your health, your credit, Mrs. Gibbon's health and peace, (I feel for what she must have suffered) my own ease and fitness for any business, all depends on your resolution.

I am, Dear Sir,
Most truly yours,
E. G.

We have not yet got the Deed of Enfranchisement nor will even Mrs. W. discover her brother's habitation, but we hope to trace him out & prevail with him.

58.

_To his Stepmother._

January the 21st, 1769.

DEAR MADAM,

Tho' I have nothing to add to my letter to my father, I cannot forbear writing a few lines to ask [how] you do yourself. I am too well acquainted with your sensibility not to have some fears. Send me some particular account of my poor father, his style makes me very unhappy: perhaps not the least so of the three; for it is very irksome to wear a perpetuall mask of gaiety.

You will see, Dear Madam, how much we have laboured, and how little we have done. For God's sake, for all our sakes, press my father to recollect everything, to look out everything & to send us everything that he can. All our difficulties proceed from former carelessness.

I am, Dear Madam,
Most truly yours,
E. G.

59.

_To his Stepmother._

London, January 31st, 1769.

DEAR MADAM,

I am glad to say that my father's fears from my silence these last two posts were without foundation, & am sorry to say that the hopes you conceived from it were not better founded. The truth really was that I wrote nothing because I had not anything to write. Yet we had not been idle. I have seen and talked to W., who answers the idea I had of him tho' not the character his sister gave of him. She represented him as a shy melancholy man, he is on the contrary a very sottish but dissipated man. On my applying for "G," he immediately produced an Alphabetical Index of Joe Taylor's papers--Nothing was there recorded under the name of Gibbon except some old things of my grandfather's relating to the Duc d'Autem privateer. He promised to make a further search & I am to call on him to-morrow, but I hope very little from him. I shall venture to talk of some gratuity, but in the mean time, we wish my father and yourself would recollect & search whatever can be found.

My father's last letter distressed me very much. He talks of my having doubts & suspicions. Whatever unguarded expressions may have dropped from me, I hope my past conduct & my present designs are far from deserving the reproach of doubts & suspicions. At the same time it is true, that tho' neither myself nor Mr. Scott nor even Mr. Southouse have any doubts, yet if we want to sell, or even to borrow money on the Putney Estate, any Purchaser will demand, 1st The Deed of Enfranchisement, & 2nd My Aunt Elliston's release for £2000 due to her, & charged by my grandfather on the said Putney Estate. It appears indeed by that will that of his eleven copper shares, six were left to my aunt Gibbon, five should therefore be still my father's property, and yet there appears only one & that sold to my father by Mrs. Elliot.

Mr. S. thinks it absolutely necessary that my father should come up next week to execute on that occasion, & at the same time his presence may be usefull to us in other respects: I hope in my next letter to be able to appoint the day for his coming up.

The Chancery Affair can easily be deferred till the clear title to Putney is made out, and if my father will not encrease our difficulties by his own fears we shall yet be happy.

I am, Dear Madam,
Most truly yours,
E. G.

[Sidenote: HIS FATHER'S REPROACHES.]

60.

_To his Father._

February 23rd, 1769.

DEAR SIR,

I scarce thought that our present melancholy situation could receive any addition of uneasiness, but the displeasure your last letter expressed, convinced me that the meer blows of fortune are trifling when compared with the unexpected reproaches of those we love.

Since my arrival in Town Mr. Scott and myself have been constantly employed on the general plan which will, I flatter myself, give ease and security to us all. Mr. Southouse has almost finished the rough Draught of our Deed of Trust, the basis of all our solid hopes. The many delays which have occurred have never proceeded from our carelessness. So far from wishing to expose your name, I consulted S. on the practicability of omitting the particular Schedule, and a method has been agreed on--When that deed of Trust is finished, which will be, I hope, in a very short time, we shall desire your presence in town. I shall execute writings by which I make myself liable to near eight thousand pounds Debt. You will then be able to make use of Mr. Scott's money, & we shall find means to answer the Chancery Demands. As yet your credit is unhurt, and your own fears have been the only importunate Creditor. After this, Dear Sir, give me leave to ask whether your last expression that you are _still affectionately_ was not somewhat severe.

I should be truly insensible if the steps you talk of taking in the Country did not _already_ alarm me. They made me pass a very cruel night. The very obscurity of your language terrified me. What can those steps be? I must however say, that should you intend to procure an immediate supply, by any extraordinary methods, both Mr. Scott and myself must think ourselves disengaged from any promise, and our whole plan is entirely dissolved.

I have wrote, Dear Sir, from a full heart, for which I make no apology. It is by actions, not by words, that I shall ever seek to prove how truly I feel for yourself and poor Mrs. G., and how ardently I wish to make you, if possible, happy.

61.

_To his Father._

London, March the 4th, 1769.

DEAR SIR,

The discovery of Williamson's papers, tho' in itself a most pleasing event, is however productive of some delay as well as trouble. Besides the Deed of Enfranchisement there are two very large boxes of writings, many no doubt very trifling, but some which certainly are, and others which possibly may be, of importance to us. Southouse will examine them with all possible diligence, but from the new matter which arises, he is obliged for a very few days to suspend the Deed of Trust, and during that time, as he has daily occasion to see me, he insists on my not leaving Town; for which reason you must excuse me, Dear Sir, from accepting at present the interview which you desire, at Beriton.

[Sidenote: PROSPECTS OF FUTURE EASE.]

Our plan is still the same as what seemed to be agreeable to your Wishes: To devote the Hampshire and Putney Estates to the payment of your debts, to convey the Copper and New River Shares to my use (on my giving up my present annuity of £300 p. annum) and to reserve the Buckinghamshire Estate for your support. Mr. Scott's £900 will be ready on the signing the Deeds, and we can _now_ make out so good a title to Putney, that the disposal of it will be a matter of neither delay nor difficulty.

The only proposed alteration was that you should allow me to have the nominal possession of the Buckinghamshire Estate, subject to pay You the whole real profits of it in the form of an annuity to you, and the Estate itself chargeable with Mrs. Gibbon's jointure. The very harsh Reception this proposal has met with from you has given me the deepest concern, as I am conscious of the rectitude of my intentions & still persuaded of the propriety of the measure. My motives could be only such as were both fair & even kind. The nominal property of land could afford me no pleasure, the _real management_ of it must be attended with some trouble. I am willing, nay desirous, to put it absolutely out of my power to sell, mortgage, or alienate the smallest portion of it, and wish to bind myself by the severest ties that the Law can invent, to pay you regularly half yearly, a method which must be easy to you and may sometimes be inconvenient to me--But I shall proceed no farther on a Subject which appears so disagreeable to you; I hope indeed I have the less occasion to do it, as Mr. Scott's last letter must have cleared up some passages of his first, which did not strike you immediately in their true meaning.

I shall not, Dear Sir, swell this letter, with any vain protestations. I now see the fairest prospect of future ease and tranquillity. During the course of this unfortunate transaction I have endeavoured to have the approbation of my own conscience, and of our real friends Mr. Porten and Mr. Scott. I flatter myself that I shall one day obtain yours.

I am, Dear Sir,
Most truly yours and Mrs. G.'s,
E. GIBBON.

62.

_To his Father._

Pall Mall, March the 22nd, 1769.

DEAR SIR,

It is impossible for me to express how much your last letter surprized and grieved me; as well from the particular contents of it, as from the general strain of resentment & dis-satisfaction which runs thro' the whole. To be accused of neglect, of indifference, of unjust insinuations are reproaches, which I can only bear because I am conscious of not having deserved them. I wish to look forwards, & if at any time I look back, it is only where such a retrospect, however unpleasant, becomes necessary.

Our Deed of Trust has ever been considered by us all as the Great Basis of our future conduct, & Mr. Porten, by our mutual consent. We were to empower them to sell the Hampshire and Bucks Estates, & to reconvey to us the Remainder (after payment of Debts, &c.) on certain conditions, which have been more than once explained. Such was the clear sense of this Deed, which I thought had been long since understood by us all. Indeed to put that sense into a Legal form was not in our power. Southouse is doing that, and it was thought as necessary as it is usual, that the Attorney's work should be revised by a Lawyer of some note, Mr. Pechell, a Master in Chancery and particular friend of Mr. Porten. To these four persons only, the two Trustees, one Attorney and one Council, has the affair been exposed.

[Sidenote: HIS FATHER'S SCHEME IMPRACTICABLE.]

With regard to my possessing the Buckinghamshire Estate in fee, irrevocably charged with your annuity and Mrs. G.'s jointure; it was what, after the maturest consideration & the most disinterested advice, I cannot depart from. Should I ever be idiot enough to sell it whilst so heavily burdened, no such act could in the least affect your settled annuity or Mrs. G.'s jointure. I am however willing to give you my word of honor, that I will never sell or mortgage any part of it during your life; and that I will immediately make a Will, by which (supposing I should die without children before you) I leave the Estate to you in fee simple. If any legal restraints can be devised, (other than such as make me for ever a meer life Tenant) I will consent to them with pleasure: I will do more, I will try to discover them.

So far, Dear Sir, from neglecting our immediate occasion for money, the Trustees are impowered to borrow whatever sums may be wanted before the Estates can be disposed of. But I must add that till the Deed is executed nothing can be done, and that you are therefore the Cause of the Delays with which you reproach us. I am the more sensible of a speedy dispatch as the Chancery affair cannot be put off much longer.

I am, Dear Sir,
Most truly yours,
E. GIBBON.

63.

_To his Father._

London, March the 31st, 1769.

DEAR SIR,

According to your request I communicated your last proposals to our common friends. I must acknowledge that we all discovered many strong and almost insuperable difficulties in it; many of which related even to your own comfort and happiness, which will ever be a very principal consideration. But I shall not at present trouble you with our objections; as we should not have time to execute this new scheme, however eligible it might be; at present every thing is nearly finished. The Hampshire Deed is almost engrossed, the B[uckinghamshire] is now before Council, and I can venture to assure you that in the course of next week, I shall be able to write in order to fix the positive day for your's and Mrs. G.'s coming up. Should we now adopt your Proposal, every thing must begin again _de novo_, and several weeks would elapse before we should be reinstated in our present situation.

With regard to your last questions, I can now positively say that neither household furniture nor stock are comprized in the Deed, tho' we expect and depend on your word of honor, that the latter, and such of the former as is not wanted, will be faithfully applied by yourself to the same common purposes.

I believe I mentioned some time ago, that the particulars of Debts will not be described in the Deed of Trust, but in a private Schedule referred to therein. You will be so good, Dear Sir, as to prepare and bring the materials of it with you. The List you gave me at Beriton must already have suffered some alterations, both as Debtor and Creditor. Besides Clarke's Debt is as yet unknown.--Indeed it will be necessary that previous to your coming up, you should send the Deeds of Copyhold (if any) and College Holding which we have not at present. We should likewise be glad to hear your sentiments still further with regard to Putney. The practice of Advertising is universal, and it is in vain to think of secrecy.

I am, Dear Sir,
Most truly your's & Mrs. G.'s,
E. G.

64.

_To his Father._

April 13th, 1769.

DEAR SIR,

Mr. Southouse whom I saw yesterday tells me, that I may desire the favor of your company, with Mrs. G.'s, next Thursday evening. He thinks that Friday and Saturday mornings will suffice for our immediate business. As to the place, I should be glad to know whether you choose my lodgings or wish me to look out for any other place.--Should any thing (which I do not foresee) happen to defer your coming up, I shall take care to give you timely intelligence.--It is very difficult to say any thing positive as to money till we have finished writings, &c. However as to the C. affair, Mr. Scott will answer for it.

Mrs. G. distresses me every way.--I am truly concerned that it should be necessary for her to come up, at a time when I can easily conceive the state of her mind & spirits; but I am still more embarassed from her generous obstinacy. The sum of her Jointure is left in blank. Should she still object to the encrease of her Jointure, I must leave it as an engagement not of law, but of honor, of gratitude and of inclination.

You may depend on another letter by Sunday, till when

I am, Dear Sir,
Yours most truly,
E. G.

65.

_To his Father._

April 18th, 1769.

DEAR SIR,

I waited till to-night before I took Lodgings, as I was not sure of your intentions. To-morrow morning I shall look out for one. I apprehend Suffolk Street or that neighbourhood will be at once private and convenient.--You will of course come in by Hyde Park Corner, and my servant shall attend at my lodgings at Mr. Taylor's, Grocer's, opposite to the Duke of Cumberland's, Pall Mall, to conduct you to your lodgings, where I shall immediately attend you. I should think that you had better not arrive till towards five o'clock, when Sir R. will be gone to dinner.

I am, Dear Sir,
Most truly yours,
E. G.

[Sidenote: HIS FATHER'S FAILING EYESIGHT.]

66.

_To his Stepmother._

Thursday night, Cocoa Tree.

DEAR MADAM,