1809.] 
the points of fact and quotation, in dis- 
pute between us; for I respect his learn- 
ing, and know that his mind is more 
candid than his habit. 
Thope you have not forgot our design 
of trouncing Harris. The assizes ap- 
proach; and I am more earnest about it 
than my temper commonly allows. 
Tam, Dear Sir, 
Most gratefully yours, 
E. Grpon. 
Bentinck-street, January 21, 1779. 
When will Winton make room for Hear- 
say? Should not the leases be signed? 
Thursday evening. I have written to 
Magdalen College: This moment [I re- 
ceive your letter, and am very sorry to 
find you think a law- suit about the fences 
unavoidable. If Winton could be made 
to understand that the burthen must fall 
upon him, would it not make him glad to 
withdraw, and then Mr. Lee and I might 
make the amicable exchange,which would 
supersede -the necessity of fences. For 
that purpose, the Jawyer of Horsham 
might be of use. I shall lay your case 
betore counsel, perhaps before the at- 
torney-general, with whom I sup this 
evening. 
Dear Sir, 
I should have thanked you last post, 
for your very obliging letter, had I not 
been laid up by a very unpleasant acci- 
dent; a sprain, which soon afterwards 
shewed itself, for the first time in my 
life, with pretty clear symptoms of the 
gout. It has now almost left me; and 
I can only wish, that the ugly guest may 
not be tempted to repeat his visit. _ 
Tam very sorry that my transactions 
with the Wintons should commence with 
a dispute ofa very delicate nature. To 
their oath, I can only oppose my word of 
honour, that | never made any promise 
relative the fewel, or indeed that I heard 
any thing about it. I am concerned 
that it should become necessary to cor- 
roborate such a declaration by any col- 
lateral circumstances, but I might add, 
1. That in our conversations afterwards, 
I always expressed my surprize that 
Winton had forgot that article, and 2. 
That, had I understood any such request 
to have been, I should have declined 
giving any answer till I had consulted 
you. Let me observe too, that their 
own account of taking the moment, when 
I was alone, to ask me a thing which they 
had never mentioned to you in the whole 
negociation, is far from redounding to 
Montury Mac. No, 185, 
Original Letters of Mr. Gibbon. | 471 
their credit. 
settling the matter, according to your 
plan, by letting them one or two small cop- 
ses at an easy rate; but should be very hard 
to come into any other agreement. With 
regard to the practice of Old Luff’s time, 
you well knew, how little the value of 
woods or land either, was understood 
formerly. I am sorry young Smith is 
likely to stay in Wales, and fear the 
father is become too old for -business; 
and should think it would answer to send 
for Sir Simeon’s man, from Guildford, 
and talk with him about it. The trifling 
quantity cutin the Woolvor cannot, I 
should hope, make any material dif- 
ference in the value of it. 
As the Wintons have considerably exe 
ceeded their tine in paying for the rest 
ofthe stock, I should be glad if you 
would ask them for it. The large valua- 
tion was 927/. pounds, of which I have 
received 600. The smaller account I 
have given you, and I suppose Luff has 
reckoned the hop-pules 
I can only thank you Dear Sir, again 
and again, for the troublesome business 
you have undertaken, about the repairs ; 
they cannot be in better hands, and it 
would be ridiculous in me, even to ine 
terpose a word of advice. The fences 
there is no avoiding ; with regard to the 
little purchase, it will be impossible for me 
conquer my general repugnance to buy- 
ing land, unless I could guess, what it 
might amountto. I have nothing to say 
about the sale, but to approve of what 
you have done; but could wish Burch 
would send me an account of the whole. 
I suppose Luff received the money, and 
that he goes on selling corn, and che rest 
of the stock; it will be a great trust, and 
I could wish~that you would soon ask 
him for his book, merely for my savisfac- 
tion in knowing what muney I can come 
mand. A word to the wise is enough, 
A propos Mrs. Gibbon was frighted out 
of her wits, for fear Winton should get 
possession of the Manor pews. 
they would be best in your hands; and 
that our upper servants’ pews would do 
for the farmer. I believe I have got my 
house in Bentinck-street, and shall soon 
send for my dear books, &c. Clarke of- 
fers to give mea road waggon for sixteen 
pounds; will you calculate whether two 
cr three country teams will cost me so 
much. Adieu. Dear Sir, my paper fails 
me, but life must* fail me too, before I 
cease to be your most gratefull friend and 
servant, E. Gisson.—-—Only be bolder, 
3 Q order 
« 
2S 
Sereusest, = 
I am not at all averse to- 
I think . 
Coe 
a 
