[From Letters of Bishop Hildesley]

Letter XXIV

October 31, 1763.

We are glad to hear our late agreeable visitors had so safe and pleasant a passage over the Manks Alps; and that they have not fallen out with their quarters at Bishopscourt as some others have with those they once intended, and as we understood had agreed to take up four months' residence at the Whitehouse. By your not saying you sent off my letter I sent to the Governor on Saturday, I fear you reserve it to be delivered with your own hand; the time for doing which may, be, as the weather is, very uncertain. However, I doubt: not you care of it.

Two hundred and thirty three Catechumens confirmed by your poor old friend at Lezayre last Friday. The day was fine, but the road dirty and jumbling: My work I believe would have passed off very well, had it not been for a Tryal immediately succeeding the other office about a pew in the chancel. Which had liked to have spoiled my dinner, more than another prejudice somebody helped me to, which on the sight of a table handsomely furnished, I quite forgot. Bill of fare as follows : Fine leg of mutton and turnips and a roast surloin of beef for first course and a couple of roast duck and an excellent plum pudding

for the second. Though I think, o on recollec- tion, according to modern fashion, they were all on the table at once. I was hollowing in the ears of our hostess my commendations of the excellence of the more than sufficient provisions she had made for myself and two more clerks which were all the guests,when I at last perceived she had not been hearing very well.

I might have spared my lungs, that had be lore been pretty much exercised I got home however less fatigued than expected about five o'clock.

To-morrow I go to wait on the petty schoolmasters expected to be assembled at Kk, Michael by whom I intend sending a parcel of Manks and English and Manks Christian Monitors (48) to the clergy. A letter also will be dispatched north and south about the disposal of them. These go at present only to the country parochial clergy.

You will let me know whether any of your citizens are able or will deign to daub their mouths with Manks. I shall however put a couple in some of their pockets for yourself, and Mrs Moore shall have one if she desires, and Betty and Kitty too.

As this packet contains a letter to his Grace of Canterbury, and another about Lady Hastings' bounty (44) to the schoolmasters, of which there will be on 11th of next month two years due, I must hope and pray for their safe passage.

* * * * * * * .

No more at present, but Mrs Hesther's compliments and to certify the amendment uf her cold on the sight of the sugar candy. The pot of snuff from Spain is the strong brown Havannah and I am obliged to the gentleman who had the trouble of it.

I am your and your valuable partner's

Faithful and affecte friend, M.S. Mann.

We are sorry to hear Mrs Black is so much indisposed both for our own as well as her account. If they had taken the same weather that had carried you to Castletown, which lasted some time, we had been happy, as their friends there were, in their Company. But whatever was the weather I acknowledge the roads differ both in length and goodness.

Will Mr Black favour me with accepting a Draft for £20 on Mr Richard Townsend, next Durham Yard, in the Strand, London? If he will I will send it over to him, to be paid at so many days' sight or after date as he thinks proper. I have not time to revise, so you must supply defects and omissions in this letter.

Qu.—What will Mr Corlett have for my boy's Lodging and Diet and letting him now and then write a copy, when he is not at his employment with Master Quayle, for one month ?

(43)—" Christian Monitors" (see note 46).

(44)—"Lady Hastings' Bounty." Lady Elizabeth Hastings, by her will, dated 1739, left £20 annually to be divided among the masters and mistresses of the parochial schools.