646.
Mrs. Gibbon to Edward Gibbon.
A thousand thanks to you, my Dear Sir, for your very kind letter; none ever gave me so much joy. I truly congratulate you on your recovery, and sincerely hope it will improve every day to good & lasting health, yet I fear you will make too free with the liberty you have obtain'd, & therefore beg you to remember it is the middle of winter; I am too happy at present to reproach you, & too much rejoiced to express myself as I wish. I love Ld. Sheffield dearly, indeed I cannot say how much, & shall be glad to hear you are at S. P.
I cannot help thinking you have had some share in certain appearances at Court. Has Ld. S. refused the Irish vice royalty? Next to you, I think of my Country. Ah, what a falling off from Roman Fortitude. I shall add no more, but that I hardly know myself how much I am interested in your health & happiness; may both attend you, & alway think of me as
Your most affectionate
D. Gibbon.