125.
To J. B. Holroyd, Esq.
Boodle's, Saturday night, Feb. 8, 1772.
*Though it is very late and the bell tells me that I have not above ten minutes left, I employ them with pleasure in congratulating you on the late Victory of our Dear Mamma the Church of England.[158] She had last Thursday 71 rebellious sons, who pretended to set aside her will on account of insanity: but 217 Worthy Champions, headed by Lord North, Burke, Hans Stanley, Charles Fox, Godfrey Clarke, &c., though they allowed the thirty-nine clauses of her Testament were absurd and unreasonable, supported the validity of it with infinite humour. By the by, C. F. prepared himself for that holy war, by passing twenty-two hours in the pious exercise of Hazard; his devotions cost him only about £500 per hour—in all £11,000. Gaby lost £5000. This is from the best authority. I hear, too, but will not warrant it, that Will Hanger,[159] by way of paying his court to L. C., has lost this winter £12,000. How I long to be ruined!
There are two county contests, Sir Thomas Egerton and Colonel Townley in Lancashire,[160] after the county had for some time gone a-begging. In Salop, Sir Watkin, supported by Lord Gower, happened by a punctilio to disoblige Lord Craven, who told us last night, that he had not quite £9000 a-year in that county, and who has set up Pigot against him. You may suppose we all wish for Got Almighty,[161] against that Black Devil.
I am sorry your journey is deferred. No news from Fleet Street. What shall I do? Compliments to Datch. As he is now in Durance, great minds forgive their enemies, and I hope he may be released by this time.——Coming, sir. Adieu.
You see the P[rincess] of W[ales] is gone. Hans Stanley says, it is believed the Empress Queen[162] has taken the same journey.*