To: Robert Knight, afterwards LORD LUXBOROUGH and EARL OF CATHERLOUGH. n.p. 19 January [n.s.] 1738. Text: MS, BL Add. 34196, fol. 134.

It is so long since I writ to you Dear Sr, y^t I will defer it no longer, how little so ever my situation & manner of life may furnish me to say to you. it is something to a friendly heart, to know y^t a friend is well, and always a friend. my Brother St John writes me word that his fathers door is shut to you. I am more ashamed, than sorry for it. I am ashamed on his account, because you have always deserved from him y^e civilest & kindest treatment. I am but little concerned on yours, since I think you could expect no service nor advantage from a man, who turned yr little Girl ¹ so abruptly out of doors. if it falls in your way, & not otherwise, say to M^r Herbert, ² y^t I am much obliged to him for two doghounds he gave me, that I dare not urge his civility too far, & that I know he has promised all his young Bitches, but y^t you know there is nothing I should be fonder of having than a Bitch of his breed open, young or old, if y^t might be asked. if he grants it, Bright will take care to send me the hound over, with some others y^t I expect in y^e month of February. let me hear how you, & yours do, and be assured Dear S^r that you have not a more sincere friend, nor a more humble serv^t than y^r affec: Brother