PRIVATE LETTERS
OF
E D W A R D G I B B O N
SILHOUETTE PORTRAIT OF EDWARD GIBBON.
Frontispiece, Vol. II.
PRIVATE LETTERS
OF
E D W A R D G I B B O N
(1753-1794).
WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY
THE EARL OF SHEFFIELD.
EDITED BY
ROWLAND E. PROTHERO,
BARRISTER-AT-LAW, SOME-TIME FELLOW OF ALL SOULS' COLLEGE, OXFORD.
VOL. II.
LONDON:
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.
1896.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED.
STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.
GIBBON'S CORRESPONDENCE.
1753-1794.
418.
To his Stepmother.
Bentinck Street, July 3rd, 1781.
Dear Madam,
Though your kind impatience might make the timeappear tedious, there has been no other delay in my business,than the necessary forms of Election. My new constituents ofLymington obligingly chose me in my absence. I took my seatlast Wednesday, and am now so old a member that I begin tocomplain of the heat and length of the Session. So much forParliament. With regard to the board of trade, I am ignorant ofyour friend's meaning, and possibly she may be so herself. Therehas not been (to my knowledge) the most distant idea of myleaving it, and indeed there are few places within the compass ofany rational ambition that I should like so well.
In a few days, as soon as we are relieved from public business,I shall go down to my Country house for the summer. Donot stare. I say my Country house. Notwithstanding Caplin'svery diligent enquiries, I have not been able to please myself withanything in the neighbourhood of London, and have thereforehired for three months a small pleasant house at Brighthelmstone.I flatter myself that in that admirable sea-air, with the vicinity ofSheffield place, and a proper mixture of light study in the morningand good company in the evening, the summer may roll away notdisagreably.—As I know your tender apprehensions, I promise younot to bathe in the sea without due preparation and advice.
Mrs. Porten has chosen, not for health but pleasure, adifferent sea-shore: she has been some weeks at Margate, and will[2]scarcely return to town before my departure. I sincerelysympathize in all the melancholy scenes which have afflicted yoursensibility, and am more particularly concerned about poor MissGould, to whom I wish to express the thoughts and hopes offriendship on this melancholy occasion. Lady Miller's[1] suddendeath has excited some attention even in this busy World, herfoibles are mentioned with general regard. Adieu, Dear Madam,and do not let Mrs. Ravaud tempt you into Elysium: we aretolerably well here.
I am
Ever yours,
E. Gibbon.
419.
To his Stepmother.
Bentinck Street, July 9th, 1781.
Dea