state of your family. I know nothing of your lady or what children you have, or any other circumstances; neither do I find that Mr. Hatch can inform me in any one point. I very much approve of your keeping up your family house at Moor park. I have heard it is very much changed for the better, as well as the gardens. The tree on which I carved those words, factura nepotibus umbram, is one of those elms that stand in the hollow ground just before the house: but I suppose the letters are widened and grown shapeless by time.
I know nothing more of your brother, than that he has an Irish title (I should be sorry to see you with such a feather) and that some reason or other drew us into a correspondence, which was very rough. But I have forgot what was the quarrel.
This letter goes by my lord Castledurrow[1], who is a gentleman of very good sense and wit. I suspect, by taking his son[2] with him, that he designs to see us no more. I desire to present my most humble service to your lady[3] with hearty thanks of her remembrance of me.
I am, sir,
your most humble faithful servant,
- ↑ Nephew to Mr. Temple; his father having married Mary, the fourth daughter of sir John Temple.
- ↑ Henry, created viscount Ashbrook, Sept. 30, 1751.
- ↑ Mr. Temple was the nephew, and his lady the grandaughter, of sir William Temple, by his only son, who died young. Mr. Temple died at Moor park, in Feb. 1752.
TO