And now it might become me to apologize for so long a letter; but that would be meer ceremony for I know your good heart too well not to suppose even so imperfect an account of your Friends will be welcome, I therefore add before I conclude, that my three Nephews are well tho not all Happy, my Bro^r Dewes died last summer and has left his Eldest Son in good circumstances,—my Nephew Bern^d was the Happiest of Men till deprived some months ago of a most amiable wife; my 3^d Nephew has not a wish to make being the Husband of an agreeable worthy wife settled to their hearts’ content at Calwich. My Niece M^{rs} Port mother of 6 Children and consequently full of Parental anxieties but well in health—you see by trespassing so much on your Friend^p how confident I am of it—will you hazard a letter to me? if waves and wind are favourable I may receive it—please God,—before my 82d year is compleated; and, if not by that time superannuated, it will give sincere pleasure to Dear S^r Your affectionate Friend and obliged hum^{ble} Serv^t M. DELANY. BULSTRODE, _Nov. 25—1784_ _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