3. To day the Houfe of Commons was employed in a very odd way. Tommy Townfhend moved, that the fermon of Dr. Knowell, who preached before the House on the 30th of January, (id eft, before the Spea ker and four members,) fhould be burnt by the common hangman, as containing arbitrary, tory, highflown doctrines. The Houfe was nearly agreeing to the motion, till they recollected that they had already thanked the Preacher for his excellent difcourfe, and ordered it to be printed. Knowell's bookfeller is much obliged to the Right Honorable Tommy Townfhend.

When do you come to town? I want money, and am tired of sticking to the earth by so many roots. Embraffez de ma part, &c. Adieu.

Ever yours.

No. XXIX.

EDWARD GIBBON Efquire to Mrs. GIBBON, Beriton, LONDON, March 21, 1772.

DEAR MADAM,

I HAVE advanced with fome care and fome fuccefs in gaining an idea of the Lenborough eftate. The tenants are at will, and, from a comparison of my rents with the neighbouring ones particularly Lord ****, there is great probability that my ef tate is very much under-let. My friend Holroyd, who is a moft invaluable counfellor, is ftrongly of that opinion. Sir * * * is just come home. I am forry to see many alterations, and little improvement. From an honeft wild English buck,

he is grown a philofopher. Lord * *** displeases every body by the affectation of confequence: the young baronet difgufts no lefs by the affectation of wifdom. He fpeaks in short sentences, quotes Montagne, feldom fmiles, never laughs, drinks only water, profeffes to command his paffions, and intends to marry in five months. The two lords, his uncle, as well as ****, attempt to show him, that fuch behaviour, even were it reasonable, does not fuit this country. He remains incorrigible, and is every day lofing ground in the good opinion of the public, which at his first arrival ran strongly in his favor. Deyverdun is probably on his journey towards England, but is not yet come.

I am, dear Madame, &c. &c. &c.

No. XXX.

EDWARD GIBBON Efquire to J. B. HOLROYD Efquire.

DEAR HOLROYD,

PALL-MALL, May 26 1772.

IWISH YOU lived nearer, or even that you could pass a week at Beriton. When shall you be at Richmond, or would there be any use in my going down to Sheffield for a day or two? In you alone I put my trust, and without you I fhould be perplexed, difcouraged, and frightened; for not a fingle fifh has yet bit at the Lenborough bait.

I dined the other day with Mr. Way at Boodle's. He told me, that he was juft going down to Sheffield Place. As he has probably unladen all the politics,

and Mrs. Way all the fcandal of the town, I fhall for the prefent only fatisfy myself with the needful; among which I fhall always reckon my fincere compliments to Madame, and my profound respects for Mr. Datch,

I am, dear H.

Truly yours.

It is confidently afferted that the Emperor and King of Pruffia are to run for very deep stakes over the Polish course. If the news be true, I back Auftria against the aged horfe, provided little Laudohn rides

the match.

N. B. Croffing and jostling allowed.

No. XXXI.

EDWARD GIBBON Efquire to Mrs. HOLROYD, Senior

MADAM,

BERITON, near PETERSFIELD,

HAMPSHIRE, July the 17th, 1772.

THERE HERE is not any event which could have affected me with greater furprife and deeper concern, than the news in last night's paper, of the death of our poor little amiable friend Master Holroyd, whom I loved, not only for his parents' fake, but for his own, Should the news be true, ( for even yet I indulge fome faint hopes,) what must be the diftrefs of our friends at Sheffield! I fo truly fympathize with them, that I know not how to write to Holroyd; but muft beg

to be informed of the state of the family by a line from you. I have fome company and bufinefs here, but would gladly quit them, if I had the least reason to think that my prefence at Sheffield would afford comfort or fatisfaction to the man in the world whom I love and efteem moft. I am, Madam, your most obedient humble Servant, &c.

No. XXXII.

EDWARD GIBBON Efquire to J. B. HOLROYD Ffquire.

MY DEAR HOLROYD. BERITON, July the 30th, 1772.

Ir was my intention to set out for Sheffield as foon as I received your affecting letter, and I hoped to have been with you as to-day, but walking very carelessly yesterday morning. I fell down, and put, out a small bone in my ancle. I am now under the furgeon's hands, but think, and moft earnestly hope, that this little accident will not delay my journey longer than the middle of next week. I fhare, and wifh I could alleviate, your feelings. I beg to be remembered to Mrs. Holroyd. I am, my dear Holroyd, most truly yours.

No. XXXIII.

EDWARD GIBBON Efquire to Mrs. GIBBON, Beriton. DEAR MADAM, SHEFFIELD-PLACE, Auguft. 7th, 1772. ISET out at fix yesterday morning from Uppark, and got to Brighthelmftone about two; a very thin season, every body gone to Spa. In the evening I reached this place. My friend appears, as he ever will, in a light truly refpectable; concealing the most exquifite fufferings under the fhow of compofure, and even cheerfulness, and attempting, though with little fuccefs, to confirm the weaker mind of his partner. Ifind, my friend expreffes fo much uneafinefs at the idea of my leaving him again foon, that I can. not refufe to pafs the month here. If Mr. Scott, as I fuppofe, is at Periton, he has himself too high a sense of friendship not to excufe my neglecting him. I had fome hopes of engaging Mr. and Mrs. Holroyd to make an excurfion to Portsmouth, Ifle of Wight, Southampton, &c. in which cafe they would spend a few days at Beriton. A fudden refolution was taken laft night in favor of the tour. We fet out; Mr. and Mrs. Holroyd, Mr. Fauquier, and myfelf, next Thursday, and fhall dine at Beriton the following day, and stay there, moft probably, three or four days. A farm houfe, without either cook or houfekeeper, will afford but indifferent entertainment; but we must exert, and they must excufe. Our tour will last about a fortnight; after which my friend preffes me to return with him, and in his prefent fituation I fhall be at a lofs how to refufe him.

I am, dear Madam, &c. &c. &..