Dear Madam,
A COUNTRY NEIGHBOUR IN LONDON.
The little Curate gave me the other day the pleasure of hearing you were perfectly well, I send two lines to return the same assurances with regard to myself. The Levite is now at Chatham, but will have his ears regaled next week, after Clarke and myself are returned from Holroyd's, whither we intend to run down to-morrow. In the midst of our amusements I shall consult the Oracle.—D'Eyverdun is not come back, nor has he replied a syllable to six letters of mine and Sir R.'s.[128] Lord Chesterfield, tired with waiting and fruitless enquiries, has sent his heir abroad under another Governor. I pity our friend, but fear he will not be able to justify himself either to his friends or to his own judgment. Jolliffe[129] has bought an excellent house in Little Argyle Street, very cheap. I had the honour of seeing in it Madame la Mére; vastly like one of the elderly ladies in Mackbeth. She was wonderfully gracious to me.
Adieu, Dear Madam,
E. G.
76.
To his Stepmother.
Pall Mall, Thursday evening.
Dear Madam,
I wrote last night with twenty people round me, and reperusing your letter this morning, I found I had only forgot to answer the most material part of it; the pews. The thing itself is utterly indifferent to me, but as Sir Hugh has the Manor, I think the compliment is properly due to him, and I will write to him for that purpose to-morrow.