Pray write to me as soon as I wish, but much sooner than I deserve.
[144] The Hon. John Damer, eldest son of Lord Milton, afterwards
created Earl of Dorchester. His mother was Lady Caroline
Sackville, daughter of the first Duke of Dorset, and sister of
the then existing Duke; married, in 1742, to Joseph Damer, Lord
Milton.
[145] Denham, Bucks, built in 1667 by Sir Roger Hill, came to
Lewis Way through his marriage with Abigail Locke, Sir Roger's
granddaughter. Lewis Way, who died January 24, 1771, left by his
first wife one son, Benjamin, who succeeded to Denham, and one
daughter, Abigail, wife of J. B. Holroyd. By his second wife he
left another son, Gregory Lewis Way, the translator of _Fabliaux;
or, Tales abridged from French Manuscripts of the Twelfth and
Thirteenth Centuries_ (edited by George Ellis, and published in
two volumes in 1796-1800), who is more than once mentioned in
these letters. Denham Place was the "pastoral retreat" of Sir
Humphrey Davy.
117.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Beriton, Nov. 18, 1771.
*MOST RESPECTABLE SOUTH SAXON,
It would ill become me to reproach a dilatory correspondent.
"Quis tulerit Gracchos de seditione querentes?" Especially when that
Correspondent had given me hopes of undertaking a very troublesome
Expedition for my sole advantage, and indeed great would be the
advantage. Yet thus much I may say, that I am obliged very soon to
go to town upon other business, which, in that hope, I have hitherto
deferred. If by next Sunday I have no answer, or if I hear that your
Journey to Denham is put off _sine die_, or to a long Day, I shall
on Monday morning set off for London, and wait your future Will with
_Faith, Hope, and Charity_. Adieu.