[From Letters of Bishop Hildesley]

Letter XLV

December 16, 1765.

The packet that went this morning by Norris, instead of Saturday, as intended, has some strictures, that, I doubt, will need correction; among others, my telling Mr Sewel that I had his letter, but no tidings of the arrival of the mustard, which was then true, but not so now. If, therefore, you would inscribe a line, but on the outside of his letter, if it be not gone, that the mustard is at Bishopscourt, it would palliate the remark our worthy Brother of Whitehaven makes, that "The Chaplain of Douglass has more Wit, than to find time to certify the arrival of goods consigned io his care, notwithstanding they are with him before the writing of his letter." Mr Sewel does not consider that his Douglass correspondent. has a vast multitude of cares to turn his thoughts to; that, in tke first place, he is Rector of au country parish—minister of a large town— chaplain to a Regiment (84), (almost too many for his regimen), and archididanalus of a numerous Seminary; besides, and above all Agent to two nice troublesome friends, with whom he and his good woman together have enough to execute their commissions to please them. And if the single Church-parson at Whitehaven expects, from his cumbered Manks friend immediate notifications of every Saucepan or Skimming-dish sent over for Bishopscourt dairy, he will find himself mistaken, You'll now begin to see the Bishop has little to do, surely, to find his ready pen'd Douglas Agent a subject for our Brother on the other side

By seeing the wind come about to the S.W. to-day, I have reason to fear, that if any boats were here, bound for Whitehaven, they are gone; and I have lost the opportunity I might have had, if my packet had gone for Douglass on Saturday, when several people went from this neighbourhood, which I was unfortunate in not being able to get intelligence of, However, my Letters must now take their more distant chance for Liverpool or Whitehaven, as it shall happen, and must desire you'll be pleased to direct them accordingly.

Statham writes me, that, if unfranked letters come for me to his office at, Liverpool, he can't send them to Whitehaven from thence, but they must go back to London, in order to be charged for Whitehaven. But all franked letters he can forward. All others must remain with him till opportunity serves by their Traders, or be sent round by London, which appears to me both strange and disagreeable. I reckon, by the return of Mr Surveyor Lutwidge, the post-packet will be fixed and determined, if at all. The dealers in Douglass and other towns, I fancy, won't be well pleased with the destination at Whitehaven, instead of Liverpool. But this as the higher powers please.

Are you determined I shan't see you till Easter, because you don't intend for Kk. Bride till then? Can't you afford me 3 or 4 days, though you went no further? However, I will not urge it upon you, but leave it to your inclination and the weather and your state of health. I only promise Mrs Moore you shan't be pestered with Manks translations if she suffers you to come. And there I leave my address, concluding with my assuring her and you that I am much your obliged friend, etc.

M. Sodor & Man.

Hester adds her low curtesy to you and yours.

Pray, can you guess how long I must keep the Paper of Impropriation-Dividends from the Record, where it ought to have been, long ago; before Mrs Crebbin (85) shall, by herself or order, receive the last year's share ; which still lyes open undischarged? I am glad circumstances are so good with her as not to regard the receipt of £5 or £6, which all the Proprietors besides have had some months ago.

(83) "He gives twice who gives quickly,"

(84)—There was an English Regiment, or part of one, in Douglas at this time,

(85)—Widow of Paul Crebbin, Vicar of Santon, who died in August, 1764.