_Dear Sir_:
I fully intended to have given my self the Pleasure of acknowledging
you[r] letter dated the 31 of July a month ago—without any remorse for
the trouble it might give you but flattering my self you woud rather
receive a good account of my Health than an indifferent one—I waited for
that Hour and can assure you I am as well in Health as can reasonably be
expected at my years and to convince you that I am not grown Callous I
am very sensible of you kind solicitude about me. You are well
acquainted with the delices of Bulstrode with the Merits of its Soverign
Lady [the Duchess of Portland]—and the ingaging qualities of Miss
Hamilton (Sir William Hamiltons Niece) who I think you are no Stranger
to—but to do her Justice one must be intimate with her. I would not
venture to say so much tho’ you are at such a distance—as it is a
dangerous subject—were she not an ingaged Person—and perhaps before this
reaches you may be united to one who seems very worthy of such a
Prise—our Pleasant society will soon be Dissipated I fear in less than a
Month—we expect a weeks visit from Mr. Dewes before our departure.
Yesterday Admiral and Miss Forbes made us a visit Just returned from my
Lord Uxbridge’s in Yorkshire, where they had spent 6 weeks. The Admiral
said he had or wou’d write to you soon—I don’t believe there is any
thing in the report of Mr. Gardner being to be married to Miss Forbes
tho’ he has made them a visit at Chaffont [Chalfont]—Mrs. Poole is well
and Happy in Ireland but comes to Town in a month. The last letter from
thence gave a very good account of our Friends there—my kind Friend and
intelligencer Mrs. F. Hamilton is much afflicted I fear on the Death of
Lady Drogheda who died of a Fever about 6 weeks ago—I can tell you no
news—we are intoxicated with Balloons[11] and nothing else at Present
talked of. I Grumble like an old woman at a Project that seems to
promise no advantage but a waste of time and money. My secretary—your
young Friend will be very angry with me that I did not postpone this
letter till she comes to Town which will not be till the end of
Jan^{ry}. At present she is engaged attending her poor Mamma who has
been in a bad state of Health for some months past with nervous
complaints—but I hope is some what better.
The Dutchess Dowager of Portland desires me to make Her best compliments
to you—she is much obligd to you for the fossils you intend sending her.
I dont doubt but she will find some among them worthy of a place in her
Cabinet. Her Grace’s eager Pursuit at present is Land and River
Shells—to compleat her Collection. Those that are most common in your
Country may be rair and acceptable to her provided they come with their
natural surtouts and inhabitants—upon recollection I believe I am
mistaken in saying you are acquainted with Miss Hamilton—she tells me
she never had the pleasure of meeting you at my House—I hope that time
may come tho’ a presumptions Expectation from Dear Sir your very old but
sincere Friend and Humble Servant