[From Letters of Bishop Hildesley]

Letter XVII

Bishop's Court, Feb., 1763. I think we have now pretty well got through all the preliminary Articles of Pacification Kk. Bride, two only excepted, which must be left to your Rectorial mediation to complete : viz., a reconciliation between the stiffly out standing parties, the reproved Churchwarden, and the still deeper displeasure of your Christian (24a) Landlord, who refuses the natural piece of justice (for I will not call it charity) of subscribing his name to a testimony of what he knows of the- culprit curate's behaviour since his suspension : This favour, or justice rather, neither the young man's humblest application for it, backed with the intercession of tbe Archdeacon, who personally waited on him to obtain it, were found sufficient for. For he positively declared he "would subscribe nothing, that should help to restore him."—This temper of your host I am greatly surprised as well as concerned at, and so much the more as I had almost made it an essential article of reinstating the offender, as believing it could not be wanting, if properly applied for. Altho' it may seem somewhat unreasonable to refuse a pardon because of two unreasonable, not to say unchristian, objectors to the granting it, yet I can't say but it would have been both seemly and almost requisite that the Clerk should have returned to his duty, with the general peace and consent of those who were to partake of his ministry. However, as several of the most respectable clergy have subscribed their belief of his repentance, so far as appearances go, and likewise the fair prospect of his reformation, as far as strong promises go: I shall scarce keep him under shackles, to compliment the perverse humour of one or two nominal christians. There has, it seems, been a long grudge between your Landlord and N., even of a date prior to his appointment to that cure. And as to the Warden, the injudicious public reproof for sleeping at Church rests still on his mind; but sure the hardest stone is malleable by the softening fire of opposite qualities, such as humble ackowledgments.

I think to order his restoration by the Archdeacon on the 1st Sunday in Lent. In the meantime we can but hope and pray and advise for the best ; that he may become a new man.

When Mr Birket's (25) charitable visit is over (who I believe begins to think this a dull house, as indeed it is, though I am much more cheerful with him than can well be expected), I shall find myself in a forlorn state, both my female adjutants being now confined to chamber ; my wife with less and less sustenance still makes a shift to be out of bed about six hours in a day; and my sister has so violent a cough (and you know how that is) as not to be able to take her head from her pillow. My servants are none of them in a much better condition, myself only escaping hitherto to a wonder, God be praised!

This packet T. contains the widow's petitions, which I wish a safe passage and success to. I am in some doubt for Mrs Curghey's for want of the printed directions being observed ; viz., the subscription of tbe neighbouring clergy, whereas there is not so much as her present parish minister's nor her late husband's successor; both which should have been added to the Douglass chaplain's (26).

You'll be pleased to forward the canister of snuff in your hands to the Governor (27). together with the news packet; let 'em be sure to go together, as my letter with the news must explain the meaning of sending him snuff I can't take myself.

Such a snow as this, I believe, has not fallen in this land for some years. I almost think myself in England. Nelson is here, lately returned from Vicar-General Radcliffe (28).

I have an appointment to be at Lezayre today—about a pew in the chancel, but am bold to send my excuse—to prevent a presentment against me. I hope Mr Birket will get safe home. Nothing but life and death could justify his travelling, or being turned out from the house he is in. But he probably thinks his stay here has been full long. It is not Douglas to be sure: and old and young don't usually suit for any continuane, or I should have been glad of bis company.

* *

Monday, noon.—Since writing this, our tired guest, begins to withdraw his hasty resolution of traversing the snowy mountains to-morrow, which no man I think would do but on a most desperately necessary call, or violent offence given where he was. But his urgency to depart was unaccountable. My sister just come down: wife worse—i.e., weaker.

DEUS MISEREATUR !

(24a)—The landlord's name was Christian,

(25) Mr Birket was Mrs Philip Moore's nephew.

(26) The petitions referred to were for assistance from the "Clergymen's Widows' Fund", established in 1730 (see "Isle of Man Charities", pp 45-9). Mrs Curghey was the widow of Nathaniel Curghey, Vicar of Lonan.

(27) Governor John Wood, 1761-1777

(28) Robert Radcliffe, Vicar of Patrick, 1729-1769.