propose, as I told you, to set out from
hence on Sunday sevennight, the first of the next month, and stay
with George two days at Salt Hill. I am sure that I should not have
the pleasure I have in meeting him, if there were not some intervals
when I cannot see him, and I am convinced, that a life must (be)
chequered to have it really a plaisant one. I am glad that he and
W(illia)m were amused while they stayed in town. I expect to hear
from them some account of it.

The new Bishop is at Gloucester, as I am told, with his family;
c'est une faible ressource, but it is one; they are represented to
me as very agreeable people. Other company we shall have none, I
take for granted, and that Mie Mie, finding herself so much alone,
will be glad to return to Richmond. ... I am most excessively
concerned for poor Lord Waldgrave.(269)

(268) Croome in Worcestershire Lord Coventry's family seat.

(269) George, fourth Earl of Waldegrave (1751-1789). He married his
cousin, Lady Elizabeth Laura Waldegrave, daughter of James, second
earl, in 1782.

(1789,) Nov. 6, Friday m(orning), Richmond.--Lord C. will receive a
letter from me this morning which will be sufficient to assure you
that George is well. He is so indeed, a tous egards. I stayed with
him all Wednesday, and yesterday about noon I left him, so that in
reality his course of erudition had but one day's interruption from
me. Mr. Roberts is au comble de sa joie, et de sa gloire, having
gained the prize for a better copy of verses upon the Deluge than
that of any of his competitors. They are to be printed, so I shall
see what I can at present have no idea of, and that is, how he will
find matter from that event to furnish a hundred or two of blank
verses. I should think that no one, but one like our friend John St.
J(ohn), who uses Helicon as habitually as others do a cold bath, is
equal to it. I only hope, for my part, that the argument will not be
illustrated by any dkbordement of the Thames near this house; at
present there is no appearance of it.

I stayed at Matson, I will not say as long as it was good, but
before it became very bad, which I believe it did before we had left
the place two hours. The storm was brewing in the vale, but upon the
hills we bade it defiance. I am very glad to be at a place where I
can be stationary for a considerable time; and it is what is very
requisite for my present state of health, which requires attention
and regularity of living.