14. To his Stepmother.

London, December, 1758.

Dear Madam ,

How many thanks have I to return you! I shall wait upon Sir William Milner [20] as soon as he is in town, and do not doubt of liking that family, at least the lady: to say she is your friend is a sufficient enconium.

But, Madam, I am really concerned my father has not sent me a draught. I am really distressed for money. I have hardly a guinea left, and you know the unavoidable expences of London. I have tryed to borrow of Mrs. Porten and of Harvey, my father’s lawyer. But without success. Could not you send me a bank-note by the Hastings Post of Monday? I would run all the risks of its being lost; for upon my word I shall hardly know what to do in three or four days.

Will you admit my excuse? I am just going to see Garrick, alias Sir John Brute. [21] It will be a vilaine bête .

I am, Dear Madam, Yours most sincerely, E. Gibbon .

P.S.—The author of Eurydice [22] (who greeted me at the Smyrna Coffee-house) asked much after you and my father. What can you mean about Miss Allen?