To: Henrietta Knight, afterwards Lady Luxborough. London. 11 April 1728. Text: MS, BL Add. 34196, fols 50–1.

I receiv’d both y^rs, and the inclos’d ¹ pacquet, for which, for y^r Care, and for y^r concern, my Dear Sister, I thank you with all my heart. those who are sensibly touch’d by ill usage, of which number I own my self one, ought to be still more affected by marks of good nature & kindness. that I am, & therefore to you, from whom I never receiv’d any other, I shall be as long as I live full of the warmest affection, & sincerest friendship. my Wife is ill, but of an illness that will be I hope her cure. her complaints have ended in a fit of the gout. it is not violent. if it was more so, I should not be sorry, since I am perswaded that nature has deposited hus those humours ² in y^e foot where they can do no harm, w^ch were before in parts where they might kill. as to the scandalous story ³ which has given you so much trouble, I must say that you ought to despise both it, y^e authors, & whisperers of it. the behaviour of y^e Man ⁴ you mention was suitable to his manners. he is a stranger to delicacy and decency. I believe you judg right of y^e manner of thinking of some people. you will find as long as you live that prosperity turns more heads than adversity. ⁵ I wish I could find such a farm for you as would please me in every respect. no doubt we shall do so att last, and in y^e mean while there is a poor farm ⁶ in y^e country of Middlesex where you and y^rs will be always welcome whenever you return into this Country. you must not in my opinion be too hasty in fixing upon one for several Reasons. my Wife is much y^r oblig’d servant, and will soon tell you so herself. pray be so kind, my Dear as to make our compliments both to y^r Husband & father in law. I will not fail to write to y^e former in a post or two, but cannot this evening, & He & I are too nearly related, & I hope too good friends, to stand on any ceremony. Adieu. I am ever unalterably & tenderly yours.