George Selwyn : $b His letters and his lifeSelwyn, George Augustus
History
George Selwyn : $b His letters and his life
Selwyn, George Augustus
Selwyn, George Augustus, 1719-1791; Selwyn, George Augustus, 1719-1791 -- Correspondence
Betty and Jack Manners are perpetually in a survey of this
operation, and Charles, with all Brooks's on his behalf, in the
highest spirits. And while this execution is going on in one part of
the street, Charles, Richard, and Hare are alternatively holding a
bank of 3,000 pounds ostensible, and by which they must have got
among them near 2,000. Lord Robert since his bankruptcy, and in
consideration of his party principles, is admitted, as I am told, to
some small share in this.
What public business is going on I know not, for all the discourse
at which I am present turns upon this bank. Offly sat up last night
till four, and I believe has lost a good part of his last legacy.
Lord Spencer did not sit up, but was there punting at 4. Now the
windows are open at break of day, et le masque leve, rien ne
surprend qu'a qui tout soit nouveau, et ne ressemble a rien que l'on
ait jamais vu depuis le commencement du monde. There is to-night a
great ball at Gloucester House; it is the Restoration Day, and the
birthday also of Princess Sophia. Lady Craufurd is now dressing for
it, with more roses, blood, and furbelow than were ever yet
enlisted(?). My love and thanks to my dear boy for his letter, which
I will answer.
(1781,) May 31, Thursday.--If I did not send you tous les petits
details de ma vie, as insignificant as it is, our correspondence
must soon cease, which is one of the greatest pleasures to me, or
rather comforts, in your absence. I trust to others the information
of things of more consequence. I have, then, if this is not
disagreeable to you, a perpetual source of intelligence, for
although je ne fais rien qui vaille, I am always doing or hearing
something, as much as those who are employed about more important
matters, and if among these a circumstance happens to interest or
amuse you, je ne serai pas fache de vous l'avoir mandee.
The diversion of seeing Charles's dirty furniture in the street, and
the speculations which this execution has caused, avec tous les
propos, et toutes les plaisanteries qui en resultant--all that is
now over, and he is established either at his Pharo table, or at his
apothecary's, Mr. Mann, who, as a recompense for the legacy which
was left by his father and not yet paid, has Charles for a lodger.
Jack Manners does not scruple to say that he knows for a certainty
that this bank has won to the amount of 40,000 pounds, but then Jack
does not scruple to lie when he chooses so to do. I cannot conceive
above half the sum to have been won; but then, most of it has been
paid.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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