[From Letters of Bishop Hildesley]

Letter XVI

Bishop's Court, Jan, 13, 1763

Dear Sir, Your favour of the 8th is now before me to be acknowledged. I cannot but be obliged to my Bro. Philip for transferring to me the honour of a business which he "mortally hates," tho' it is his own interest that is chiefly concerned. However, Sir, you are hereby given to understand that before the receipt of your letter, I had had the affair you mention under frequent, serious consideration. I am only for trying what effect gentle means may have, before we proceed to the more compulsive. If indeed the wardens should decline or neglect to be concerned in it, I know not how we shall make a majority, and I fear the acceptance of the trust by their predecessors will not so absolutely bind the present wardens as to compel them to act. The former two, I believe, we should have no difficulty in persuading to discharge their part. How the present stand affected, I rather fear, than know. As Mr Tear seems to approve of my proposals of coming to some regulations, I am in hopes that sooner or later, we may bring him to hear reason. And tho' we can't expect the desired effect to be produced immediately, yet as the land is so absolutely tied for the payment of the charitable bequests, I think, there can be no doubt, but that in time the donor's intentions will take place. I shall not, if I live and have my health and senses, lose sight of the object. But we must have patience, for the Executor, we must remember, has been tried, in the much trouble and expence he has had to obtain, what not one of his enemies, if he has any, could deny was the real will and mind of the testator, and therefore great allowance must be made for his remaining for some time, fractious and out of humour; and particularly to the part, if he remembers, as doubtless he does, that his lawyers told him, the Chaplain could make all easy to him with a stroke of his pen, or subscribing his name. I speak not of the propriety or impropriety of that subscription: because as I all along told you 'twas a matter of option and no conscience concerned in it, one way or t'other. But that time is past and we are now to look forward. You had known long since of the arrival of the Teaboards (22), if verbal messages could have been remembered, which I sent you by Mr Cubbon: 'tis likely, too, he equally forgot to acquaint me from you that the late clerk's licence was not to be found; which I wrote for. I thank you for the two parcels of newspapers you were so kind as to transmit to me; one of which is here returned with like thanks to the lender. Your manuscript articles of news, I observe, are generally evil instead of good concerning publick affairs. But those you'll say you do not offer as an inspired prophet, but a retailer from fallible authority.

I cannot tell how to think that after so much solemnity of sacred thanksgiving, and sanctions of crowned heads, there can be so immediate a rupture so soon reconmenced between the late powers at war, I dont well like the changes and resignations at the English Court (23). It looks as if many were chagrined and out of temper, with something or somebody. My invalid wife, you so kindly enquire after, is far from amending and yet not considerably worse. She was taken violently sick last Sunday morning just before the close of service, which I had in my parlour, on account of the extreme cold, which she could not bear in the chapel ; but she has pretty well surmounted that severe attack.

You don't say that you have yet ventured out, and therefore conclude you have not ; and indeed I fancy Mrs Moore judges right in thinking proper to confine you a while longer.

The Bride Reader is returned to his Episcopal lodging again, till next Saturday ; whem as usual he takes up at his mother's to be so far on his way, the next morning.

I herewith send your new Clerk his commission, and wish him joy. I hear and see nothing of the Teaching Psalmodist ; what with a musical clerk and a Sol-fa instructor (24), sure Douglass congregation will produce a compleat harmony. Pray give Mr Grave the little piece upon Psalmody of which I think you had one or two from me: for I don't find I have any left.

And now, Mrs Moore, I think it is time I should turn my face, or my pen, toward you. I hope this sharp winter has not obstructed your health and added to the trouble and fatigue, I conceive, you have had of late. I wish you well rid of your nursery, by your good man's perfect recovery and that you yourself may continue well: which will give great pleasure to Mr and Mrs Moore's affecte servt, M.S.M. & Co.

You see I write in haste by my blurs and corrections.

(22)- The reference to "teaboards", whatever they may be, is mysterious. [The O.E.D. gives them as a local variant of tea-tray]

(23) This evidently refers to rumours which did not come to pass. The treaty of Paris was, signed in November 1762 and was duly observed. Lord Bute, the Prime Minister did not resign till April, 1763.

(24)—"Sol-fa instructor". This is the "new psalmodist" that the Bishop stated was "coming to teach" at the end of 1762, and his name was Shepherd. He wrote down a number of Manx airs, the MS. of which is now in Dr. Clague's possession. They have been republished, with others. by him Deemster Gill and Mr W. H. Gill, in their collection of "Manx National Songs". Mr W. H. Gill writes: Mr Shepherd was the musical apostle of the Island in those days, an educational propagandist with a popular method of sight singing. This was the 'Fa-sol-la-mi' method, which was popular in England during the seventeenth century, the scale being sol-faed to the syllabus fa, sol, mi, twice repeated with a mi for the leading note."