112 GILBEET WHITE OF SELBOENE 1759 



and I hope some recovery of my reputation. Be assured 

 Dear B"^ that nothing but distress extremely pressing (I will 

 say nothing at present of its cause) could have compelled 

 me to trespass in the manner I have done on the friendliness 

 & patience of these good people; and the loss of their 

 esteem gives me perpetual uneasiness. An expectation of 

 relief from my Father flattered me with a view of requiting 

 these obligations soon, till he affectionately informed me how 

 little it was in his power. My only income then of £40 p' 

 ann. would contribute nothing thereto & I chose rather to 

 suffer in their good- will, & good opinion for what was already 

 past, than to amuse them with idle & useless promises & 

 protestations. ... I likewise acknowledge myself indebted 

 in the sum of £10 10 to M"^ Bristowe, but as he thought 

 proper, not only to furnish me with the s^ sum in bad & 

 diminished Coin, but also to threaten me with his Attorney 

 in a very peremptory & insulting manner, he must give me 

 leave to postpone settling matters with him, till providence 

 has enabled me to do it with others. I am considerably in- 

 debted to M"" Henry & M'^ E^ Woods, & would be glad they 

 would transmit to me an ace* of their claims. I know it is 

 expected that I must needs save money out of my present 

 income in Gibralter. I allow the necessity of it, tho' I may 

 not yet have quite answered the expectations of my friends. 

 For I find that to a person accustomed to too much remiss- 

 ness of accounts in his expenses, it is no easy lesson to learn 

 frugality & economy. However, I can assure you that since 

 my arrival here, I have by no means lived up to my Income, 

 which I look upon as no inconsiderable point gained, but am 

 somewhat beforehand, & hope by God's Blessing & a continu- 

 ance of my present favourable situation to extricate myself 

 from these Calamities & to evidence the honesty & integrity 

 of my intentions. ... I find my mechanical Talents of in- 

 finite use in this place. I have made my apartments, with 

 my own hands, extraordinary commodious. I see by your 



