The Willow Garland you sent me has not much disconcerted my Philosophy, and indeed the sanctity of the Lady, had a little prepared me for, and reconciled me to, the disappointment. I am only sorry that the ill-success of a negociation conducted with so much ability and of so promising an appearance should have given you a disgust for the honourable profession of Ambassadress. On the contrary, I should hope that in the well-furnished market we might, either now or hereafter, find the opportunity of retrieving our first miscarriage.
Sir Stanier and Lady Porten exhibit a very pretty picture of conjugal fondness and felicity, and yet they have been married very near three weeks.
I have now, dear Madam, sent you the Christmas Draught, and hope the short delay has not been attended with the least inconveniency to you. It was occasioned by the obstinacy of Winton, who obliged me to distress for rent. Hugonin obeyed very spirited orders with skill and alacrity, and the well-timed chastisement has rendered the Brute perfectly tame and submissive. His character indeed is of much less consequence to me than his substance, which is of a very responsible nature. Excuse me for dwelling a moment on so trifling and disagreeable a subject.
I am, Dear Madam, Most truly yours, E. GIBBON.
I set out about twelve o'clock, take a dinner and bed with the Cambridges and dine to-morrow at Up-park.
I received at Up-park your _long expected rescript_. Yesterday I returned to town. Our party was numerous. Lady F. proposed to have her brothers,[279] Sir Thomas and Lady Miller, &c. But so uncertain are human affairs that accidents disapointed her. In their room we had the fox-hunting friends of Sir Harry. Lord Egremont, who is civil and sensible; General Pitt with his wife, a determined Sportsman (I mean Sportswoman) who hunted all the morning and slept all the evening. On my return I slept with Hugonin. He was lamentable, as you may suppose, about Winton's repairs, &c. Yet I am satisfied Winton is cowed, and my Repairs which were represented as a most dreadful account leave Hug. in debt to me. They are all furious against Jolliffe, and Lutterel endeavours to prove that the Lord of Buriton is the real Lord of the Manor of Petersfield. I think I am obliged to him. Will you have some matches? they may entertain My Lady whom I salute.