*Bien obligé non (at present) for your invitation. I wish My Lady and you would come up to our Masquerade the 3rd of May.[233] The finest thing ever seen. We sup in a transparent temple that costs £450.*
195.
To J. B. Holroyd, Esq.
April 21st, 1774.
Dear H.,
IN VELVET AND RUFFLES.
*I begin to flag, and though you already reproach me as a bad Correspondent, I much fear that I shall every week become a more hardened Sinner. Besides the occasional obstructions of Clarke and Deyverdun, I must entreat you to consider, with your usual candour, 1. The aversion to Epistolary Conversation, which it has pleased the Demon to implant in my nature. 2. That I am a very fine Gentleman, a Subscriber to the Masquerade, where you and My Lady ought to come, and am now writing at Boodle's, in a fine Velvet Coat, with ruffles of My Lady's chusing, &c.[234] 3. That the aforesaid fine Gentleman is likewise a Historian; and, in truth, when I am writing a page, I not only think it a sufficient reason of delay, but even consider myself as writing to you, and that much more to the purpose than if I were sending you the tittle tattle of the town, of which indeed there is none stirring. With regard to America, the Minister seems moderate, and the House obedient.
Hugonin's last letter, by some very unaccountable accident, had never reached me; so that yours, in every instance, amazed me. I immediately wrote him groans and approbation. Winton, however, gives me very little uneasiness. I see that he is a bully, and that I have a stick. But the cursed business of Lenborough, in the midst of Study, Dissipation, and friendship, at times almost distracts me.* R. Way seems to have done nothing with the Jockey, (who indeed is as strange as Winton himself, singular luck enough I have had) nor have I yet ventured to cross the Rubicon by writing to him. I wish your journey here and into Oxfordshire was to take place soon, and yet I hardly know what you could do for me. *I am surely in a worse condition than before I sold the Estate, and what distresses me is, that His ego nec metas rerum, nec tempora pono.
Both Deyverdun and Clarke wish to be remembered to you. The former, who has more taste for the Country than ——,[235] could wish to visit you, but he sets out in a few days for the Continent with Lord M[iddleton].* Your letter for the latter was immediately mentioned and very kindly received. He is now at Aldershot with his family, and on this occasion only I write to him almost every post, as I am this moment preparing to do. Therefore Adieu.