Editor’s NoteEditor’s Note1229To Samuel and Mary Sophia Bentham3 December 1796 (Aet 48)

Q.S.P. Saty. 3d Decr 1796

Animalcules

Authority to get a Bill drawn—jobation from the great Lowndes for not having done it already. Message from Rose this morning at ½ after 12, that he had been waiting for me ever since 11. If any such intimation was given me by the Clerk yesterday I either did not hear it or forgot it, in my anxiety not to be too late for Wyat, under a spur given me by the said Clerk. When I got there, hurried into Rose's room—saw there not Rose he being just then gone down to Pitt, but Lowndes who on summons, had been there ever since 11 in expectance of meeting me. After explanation about the appointment Lowndes opened the conversation by saying how much Mr Rose was in a hurry to get rid of the business, by which on explanation I found he meant dispatching it—doing it—not leaving it undone. Rose, on coming in, told me that Wyat was not only of our way of thinking, but promised to assist on the business as much as possible—I could not this time show Rose any thing nor indeed continue the conversation, all his thoughts being engrossed by an explosion made in my hearing between him and two of the Clerks about an apprehension of there being no money in the Exchequer next week, owing to a supposed neglect among the Clerks. Resolution declared that if so and so, not a single Navy [man] could or should be paid next week—that's for you—'National pg 325credit would be ruined'—how they will jumble it amongst them, the Lord knows. Good opportunity had we been rich Bankers to have lent them £200,000, the sum in question, for 2 or 3 days to stop the gap.

Sent to namesake. Namesake in such tribulation incapable of doing the business.² Mrs B's son dying³ as they fear—retracing in search of Lowndes—hope to have Butler⁴ confirmed, being recommended by Bentham.

In haste extreme