[From Letters of Bishop Hildesley]

Letter XXVII

Bishopscourt, Dec. 13, 1763.

I think it fortunate at this: juncture, that you have occasion and authority, by being admitted a member, to write to the Societiy [S.P.C.K.]; and that you are as well qualified as any of our brethren to signify your sentiments to the Board, upon the design in favour of this diocese, which the treasurer and the rest of the members have been, extremely generous to forward and promote. And, as some of my friends in England write me they propose to do, it might not be amiss, if you desired your guinea-subscription last paid might be applied to the like purpose. I Suppose vou know, that the members of the Society are to be addressesd through their secretary, the Rey. Mr Broughton. Our corrector [Mr Corlett], I suppose, is now nearly on the return; unless the Acts take up more time than one of the Gospels, as I fear it will. In your letter to Mr Broughton, what. will you say to the objection flung at us by some who were applied to for their contribution to the Manks impression of Scripture, etc? "They are nothing but a nest of smugglers, and can have no religion?"

The dolorous account you give, of the marine disaster at; your port, is very affecting indeed. The last is always the worst, and most dismal; because the impression is strongest. "But what think you of that

vessel, whereon the poor creatures hung almost within reach of the shore and perished at last? That night, I think, was a far higher stom The most shocking part of the whole scene is the taking up of the dead bodies: that a man would venture hard to save a live one is a noble istance of courage and humanity. If the danger was real, as you suppose and relate it, I think the the names of those men who actually saved any lives, at the hazard of their own, should be transmitted with distinguished honour and applause to posterity, besides being handsomely rewarded for the present ; especially, if they ventured without previous stipulation for the danger they were about to incur. Pray let me know, whether the persons saved have been grateful, so far as able, or not. It is too often found otherwise in such cases.

Will none of you gay citizens forego the merriments, and gambols, and fine feastings of the town at the ensuing holidays, to spend a week or fortnight with us two solitary foreigners at Bishop's Court? Do but think you see the bishop and his sister, at each end of a table, eating roast beef, and plumb pudding by themselves!!! Mr Wilks (51), and family perhaps, we may get one day to us; but they have many of kin to visit and receive. What, if Mr and Mrs Black, weather and health permitting, should be so charitable as to bestow some of their surplus time om their brother and sister-foreigners here ? Must none, but kindred by blood stir out to see one another in this land? For that they will do, from Point of Ayre to Port Erin, men, women and children, to visit their dear brothers, and sisters, and cousins. If we are not to be owned, for want of title to such alliance, I must endeavour to amuse myself with my leathern (52) companions ; and, in other respects to remain your exotick friend,

M. Solus.

Footnotes

(51)—James Wilks, then Vicar of Michael (See "Manx Worthies" ,pp 26-8)

(52)—i.e., his books,

(52a)—"Holy Island."