Bentinck Street, ¼ before five, 1781. [Sidenote: HIS ADVICE IN A QUARREL.] I have seen the General. You are both wrong; he first in lending your papers without _special_ leave, and then in the real or apparent slight of your messages; you in the serious anger which you expressed on so trifling a business. Unless you wish that this slight scratch should inflame into an incurable sore, embrace the lucky opportunity of his illness and confinement, which will excuse your dignity and should assuage your resentment. Call on him this evening, give and receive, between jest and earnest, a volley of _damns_, and then let the whole affair be no more remembered than it deserves. _Dixi et liberavi animam meam._ 430. _To Lord Sheffield._ Bentinck Street, November 20th, 1781. I came yesterday from Jenkinson's (near Croydon), where I had spent two very agreeable days. We all tremble on the edge of a precipice, and whatever may be the event, the American war seems now to be reduced to very narrow compass both of time and place. This morning Caplin was sent to reconnoitre: he reports that the _stables_ are empty, but as the _coach-house_ is full, the close alliance between carriage and horses will render the former circumstance of little avail. Nothing can be had in Parliament Street or the large streets adjoining except one whole house at four Guineas per week. In Fludyer and Downing-streets several indifferent and gloomy lodgings are at your service, but as I should prefer a Pall Mall, &c. situation, Caplin has paused till you send him more peremptory commands.--Your Monday dinner will be ready at five, and Adam, perhaps Batt, will be of the party. Your Greeks were not carried from Brighton through carelessness, but as you are _seriously_ absurd about lending books, I have directed Caplin to send them to S. P. per coach. By way of revenge I may inform you that I have now purchased a copy of Stephen's Greek Poets compared to which yours is very little more than waste paper. Adieu. I embrace my Lady. I do not approve of her being called _Cat_. E. G. 431. _To his Stepmother._ H. of Commons, December 6th, 1781. DEAR MADAM,