Such a
life, on common averages, is stated in Price's book as having an
expectation of living from fourteen years to a little less than
twelve, according to the healthiness of the situation. On
pursuing his calculations, I am inclined to believe, that an
annuity of L2000 for my life, to commence after Lord C.'s, would
not be materially different from an annuity in present for my
life of L1000. But these calculations depend on so many nice
circumstances, that, without being more used to them, and
acquainted with the principles they proceed upon, it is not easy
to be accurate in them. Whatever is the result of such a
calculation, you cannot, I am sure, but feel that, at the
present period of my life, and in my circumstances, a certainty
of L1000 would be worth much more to me, in point of happiness,
than an expectation of twice that value at an uncertain period,
which though, on general averages, it might be expected in about
thirteen years, might not fall even in twice that time.

I state this to you, that you may know exactly what I feel upon
the subject; but, at the same time, I know too much what I owe
to you on this, as on every other occasion, not to be desirous
of accommodating my objects to your convenience. On that ground,
therefore, I leave it entirely to you.

I wish you would send me some answer about Sir H. Hoghton, which
I could show him as a point of civility to a man to whom
civility is due from me. I have not done anything about Sneyd,
because, to say the truth, this other business put it out of my
head. I am now unwilling to communicate your acquiescence to
Bagot till I have mentioned it to you once more. You know the
object which I have in it, and can best judge how far the
inconvenience to you is more than worth while.

I have had Miles with me this morning, to mention that he had
written to you on the subject of a publication respecting Lord
Gormanston's business, but had not received any answer from you.
I told him that I would mention to you what he had said to me
upon it, but that I could not undertake to give him any answer,
as he must receive that from you alone. He desired me to say
that he made the communication as a mark of respect and
attachment. I confess I look upon him as one of those men with
whom connexion or communication, beyond wh