1745 



ME. HOLT DIES 41 



"I thank you for letting me know of your Pleasures, 

 it is always an addition to my own. I never, as you know, 

 read the Odyssey." 



Keferring to an invitation to Selborne, he con- 

 tinues — 



" I look for an Arcady with you, and I expect some kind 

 whispers from the unseen genius of your woods. I have 

 seen no pictures since I was at Windsor with you. . . . 

 Collins has been some time returned from Flanders, in 

 order to put on the gown as I hear, and get a chaplaincy 

 in a regiment. Don't laugh. Indeed I don't on these occa- 

 sions. This will be the second acquaintance of mine who 

 becomes the thing he most derides. . . . Heck [his sister] 

 likes your hair. She confesses so much already. It was 

 a very neat compliment that you sent her. She can't 

 answer it, so she says nothing." 



On October 23rd, 1745, Mulso wrote of a visit 

 with his father to Northamptonshire — 



" I saw a good deal of the country. I am sure you would 

 like it ; as we walked the fields we sprang large coveys 

 of partridges and started hares. I should be glad of a large 

 hunting seat there for your service ; I call my father to 

 witness how often I repeated ' if White was here how 

 happy he'd be.'" 



Early in the following year, 174f, an event of 

 considerable importance to the White family oc- 

 curred. Mr. Thomas Holt, receiver to the Duke 

 of Bedford, with whom he was connected through 

 the Howland family, died at Thorney in the Isle of 

 Ely. Mr. Holt, who was a half-brother of Gilbert 



