[From Letters of Bishop Hildesley]

Letter XII

1762.—Liverpool, Mond. night, April 26.

My dear good Sir and Madam! I have the pleasure to tell you if you hear it not before, that I am once more safe in L'Engleterre.—We reached the Welch coast that evening after our departure, without changing a sail: but the next day was such a Sabbath as I never spent before. A Day of Rest indeed, without a breath of wind; or any sort of pook to come at: or We might have had a regular service for we had hands enow for a congregation : The Captain's prayers were chiefly for a breeze. But no breeze to be had; amd toward evening 'our hands were turned out to work at the oar; which made hard shift to drag us into port by 10 at night. My land hostess's store she provided stood us in stead; as the men could not boil their pot on account of its making the cabin smoke. I thought myself bound to divide the fowls amongst them. I had the searsickness without the effect :—unless what I forced by a large dose: of camomile : —but yet not so bad as to hinder my eating three biskets and two slices of tongue; and drinking three cups of whey. Well done sick man! says my good provider, And well done my provider! says M.S.M. I forgot to add, my having my green tea at regular hours: which the capt. commending much who partook of it; I gave him what was unused for his wife You'll please to place to account the expense of provisions bought for me: But for the rest while under your good woman's hospitable roof I must remain her and your debtor— insolvent, I must ever love and regard her for her abundant unmerited goodness to me; and I must not forget my still superior obligation to that Providence that produces me such friends; and still further for the protection vouchsafed me in crossing the seas, owing probably to the prayers of pious Christians :— among which I need not name two principals.

Remember me with affectionate regard io all who inquire after me; particularly those gentlemen who honoured me with their attend- ance at my embarkation. I paid an agreeable visit this afternoon to Mr Dean of Chester. To-morrow I breakfast with Mr Blundel to re- ceive the Clergy's money: have him and iwo or three more to dine with me here tomorrow : and the next day, God willing, set forward with my Land Tacks: which perhaps will not prove so gentle as those by sea. Mr Colquett the collector's obsence cost me something more than perhaps I should have felt had he been in the way, such as Swearing me to my Chaise being British manufacture, and 9d fees paid for it; and my boxes gently opened: but even these with as much decent civility as I could expect from strangers. All however is safe in my possession, and my chaise on the carriage again. And I am thankful—to God and good friends, and am in particular,

Dear Mr and Mrs Moore's Affecte and obliged Servt,
M. Sodor & Mann.