“I was infinitely obliged by your last report, and beg of you to give me another, as matters draw fast to a crisis. I will expect to have a few lines at latest by the post of Wednesday.
“I fear this Billy* will come in after all.
“I have to tell you one or two things about your friends here.
“First, I have been attending your aunt, Mrs. Eaton, who was very ill, but is recovered. I was to have written to you about the time she got better, but neglected it. But in answer to her earnest enquiries, I delivered your love (God forgive me) and your congratulations on her recovery. I said everything kind and civil for you to Eaton too, so that you are not to pretend that you did not hear of her illness. But you are now to write a few lines either to him or her as soon as convenient, saying what you see fit on so affecting an occasion—now do not forget this. I cannot think how the old lady came to trust herself in my hands, for I had just been in at the death of two of her neighbours, and I consider my being called to her as a symptom of great attachment to you, and probably in its consequences no way unfavourable to you. For I must tell you that she and I are wondrous great, and we talk you over by the half-hour together. She and he seem very much devoted to you. . . . They are quite pleased, too, with Mrs. Creevey.
“Give my love to Moore† when you see him. Scarlett‡ has been here with his brother; a very worthy fellow. He says you are coming on. What sort of a thing is this presentation? I see you are a nominee in the Boston election. I hope it is for Maddock, whom I know a little and like a good deal.
“We are all cursed flatt here about the spun out negociations. Nothing doing. Everything stagnated.
* Mr. Pitt. † Captain (afterwards Admiral Sir Graham) Moore, R.N., brother to Sir John Moore. ‡ Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer in 1834; created Lord Abinger in 1835. |
| 1793-1804.] | WAR. | 13 |
