[From Letters of Bishop Hildesley]

Letter XIV

Bishops Court, Novr. 23, 1762.

My long legged and nimble footed neighbour, who delivered my packets to Mr Chaplain Moore on Friday morn, the 20th inst., returned that afternoon about four o'clock, with his bundle of stuff. And this day at noon came a troop of custom-horses, loaded with grain and the spirit of grain strong and small. The weather prevented them venturing before. The Wednesday, which was a clear, fine, frosty day, was succeeded the night after with as great a storm, I think, as that terrible Saterday when I was at Douglass: before which, I hope, the two Irish ladies were safe landed on their own shores. Their card message, instead of their company, is what I have been now so usd to of the kind, that I begin to be hardened against disappointment of company I should most choose to be fav- oured with at Bishop's Court. There is always a Lyon, or a mountain, or some difficulty or other in the way to Bishop's Court. In summer calls and amusements of better sort than this dull, place affords, and, in winter bad health. and bad roads; all contribute to teach me and mine to endeavour to be pleased with the company of our dear selves. - - -

However, that Bishop's Court mayn't quite forget or lose its name for Hospitality, I am in hopes of being favoured with the company of a set of Douglas gentlemen, who are on this side a sporting: And yet, though I've sent them an invitation, I won't be too sure,—if the scent's not lying too far another way.

I am glad you have at last found out the meaning of Iron-face; which I used by way of demonstrative, instead of Brazen, the more usual phrase; for a good assurance, such as I thought mine was, to see Mr Black so often, without so much as mentioning my debt to him. His silence, or yours of what he said on: that head, gives me room to hope his usual candour has not left him.

You "wish I would employ somebody else"! What now? Kennish and Ferron turned me off - and another toss from Brother M. What I have done to deserve such Dereliction, I must a little examine into my self. The last withdrawer of the three, indeed, is rather more genteel, than the others, — to complain of fear, I should become a bankrupt, by my extravagances which somebody would choose to stand clear of having any concern in. When that misfortune befalls me, you may depend on a discharge in full for any share you have had in contributing to it. So if that is your motive for shaking me off, you may take back your notice of quitting your agency — or tell or tell me where I can place it better. Part of today's cargoe I have 'apt. and tasted - and though I liked it, did not drink your health — becaure it is thought no compliment to do it in small beer; as I suppose you call it; and as for the stronger sort, that is reserved for medicine —and methinks I would not remem ber you, with a wry face, and in a Physical dranght.

What think you of packing the bottled beer in a cask or two and sending them to Ramsey and, if not by the return of the same, by a like conveyance, I can more conveniently send you the empty ones ?

To carry my large sash-frame over the mountains and fetch it back again glazed, it seems then is the only way to have it done, except sending for a glazier from Whitehaven or Liverpool. Reason and honesty in Manksland differs, I find, as much from the same qualities in other countries as the climate,

Behold my new pavilion (20) finished all but the slating and windows! The former allowably of the greater and more immediate necessity ; to supply which a slate merchant luckily called in, to offer me a sufficient quantity ; price and manner of delivery agreed for, before no less a substantial witness than Ralph; confirmed also by the seller's acknowledgement to Mr Par of Peel, who offered to pay him the money, according to my order—and behold! I say, the Honest Trader (one Quine) sold all] he had, and what I had agreed for, to two persons at Peel, the very day he promised and told Mr Par he had agreed with a boat to carry them to Glan-Willian at Kk. Michael, for the Bishop. "Deemster him," says one.— "I'd make him pay same," says another. But i'll not foul my hands with such a dirty — says M. All the satisfaction I shall take, I've got, in telling you the story, and which you may now walk into your yard with, as soon as you please, if your legs will carry you thither.

(20)—The pavilion was utilized as a museum which contained a number of remarkable curiosities collected by the Bishop or presented to him by friends. A printed list of these is still in existence. We may note as the most remarkable: "Four conjunct horns as they grew on the head of a Manks Ram. A congeries of petrify'd human teeth, Lasus Nature, Point of Ayre. A long hazel divining staff, with a fine carved head, to discover mines and hidden treasure. A colossian head of Admiral Van Trump taken up at the Point of Ayre, belonged to a large Dutch Galliot, that had heen wrecked thereabouts, Two Tonquinese Pagods, sedentary and cross-crural. One do. of a very formidable aspect, Chinese wood, a root, erect. A small lady rock-spinner, cut ix Ivory, very neat, tvith her dag and basket. The calf of the sea-cow, from the Gulf of St. Laurence, as big as a middle siz'd bull-dog, with a long smooth fur, and silky; the dam a said oe be ee the size of a small Manx cow, A walnut shell, enclosing a pair of French lady's gloves. A piece of metal like brass, that seems to have been part of the head of a warlike weapon, very near equal to gold in specific weight; found in a turf pit. very large vertebra of some huge animal, used as a stone in an old cottage-wall on theBishop's demesne, etc., etc. There were some fifty articles in all, none of which are to be found at the present day.