[From Letters of Bishop Hildesley]

Letter XLIV

Bishopscourt, Dec. 13, 1765,

My good friend,—

I had yours of 7th, together with a Hamper from Liverpool, and a box and 2 sives from Whitehaven, and a remnant of spirits from Douglass; and that is all the receipts I think I have to note at present, excepting a letter from our Brothar Sewel, wherein he mentions two pounds of mustard, which I neither see nor hear anything of, beyond what he writes.

Mr Arthur, you by this time know, has been to make mo a visit, with intent as he expects it should be accepted as sufficient to cancel all past neglects. I told him indeed that the cold morning he traveled in had some degree of merit and I would set it down for two; but when I came down yesterday morning, finding his housekeeper in my hall, who lay at Cannel's that night, in order to be ready for court, I began to learn my friend Arthur's visit called for some abatement in point of value, as I perceived his journey was on behalf of the poor woman, whose case indeed, I think, is very pitiable; and as she has deserved well and lived so many years in his family, it was but a friendly part for her master to appear as an advocate in her cause. However, I am always glad to see my friends, be it on what occasion or motive soever.

Honest Tho. Stevens, of your Town, did me the honour of dining with me to-day, and we have cleared the account of all former shynesses.

I received the account for magazines, which, if you have no ready way to get paid for, I will order my agent to discharge both, if you'll let me know what yours is. The Clerk of Castletown Chapel was here on business, Wednesday last, who brought me Mr Castley's compliments, but no mention of his having received a letter from me; and, therefore, I must conclude you had no opportunity of transmitting it on Saturday. If there is so little fault: to be found with the new impression of the Manks Common Prayer, as is generally said on all hands, I should think it would require the less trouble and time for the clergy to send in their remarks.

Dunn, the Printer, at Whitehaven, is a shuffling — I know that. I thought I had made as sure a contract, for his coming over to undertake our business here by Christmas as words could express. I have now sent Mr Sewel word I will not have him now, if he would work for half price; for I see he is a man in no wise to be depended on; and that, if he is above earning five hundred pounds in Manksland, I would look out in Ireland or Scotland for one who should thank me for the offer (82).

Your reason for delay in, writing to your friend H.C., viz., "That it would do as well some time hence, when time shall have reconciled him to himself ; i.e., when he shall less need your consolation, seems to me somewhat odd Bis dat qui cito dab (84) has generally been my rule and practice in such cases And, I remember, I thought those my best friends who took the earliest notice of my misfortune, But if the death of Mrs C. had so much more affect on your mind, than that of my poor wife, so as to render you incapable of speaking or writing upon it, so soon, as in less affecting subjects, I have nothing further to say, but to desire you to look upon my hint to you, as coming from a friend, not from the Bishop, From, either, I trust it would be taken in good part, especially, as I think it right for you to act in that respect, let me say what I would upon it, according to your own judgment and discretion.

Can none of these fine days tempt Mrs Moore to take a ride to Bishopscourt ? My sister wants much to consult her about her great undertaking she has in view, early in the spring :— Whether to go alone? or who to take with her? and who or whether anybody to leave in her place? If Mrs Moore replies, as she justly may, "If she wants me, let her come to me; she knows where I live," if that is the reply,— then, further this deponent saith not. I hear of nobody going to market to-morrow; and consequently it must lie till Stevens returns from the Deemster's on Monday or Tuesday.

You'll be so good as to enclose these two letters either to Mr Sewell or Mrs Birket. I beheve to the latter will be sufficient, for the safe transit, as directed; and you will thereby continue to oblige,

Dear Sir, your very troublesome friend,

M.S. M.

(82)—An offer of this kind seems to have been accepted by Sheppard, of Whitehaven, who printed the "The Epistles and Revelations" at Ramsey, in 1767,