[From Letters of Bishop Hildesley]

Letter LIV

Bishopscourt, August 1, 1766.

My young man returned well pleased with his expedition and with Mrs Moore's civilities, who knows well how to please and be obliging to young and old.

"I shall say nothing of the compliment it would have been to his Excellency who knows, of all men, to estimate these instances of rank and regard." I think I have heard sometimes of somebody's say, I won't tell that such a one did so and so.

You may tell me in your next of what use you intended your saying nothing of what you did say; unless it were to point out my glaring neglect of due regard to Rank, etc., when, was I ever so able, 'twas too late to correct or amend the fault. I stand corrected and sensibly felt your remark before I received it. Compliments may sometimes cost too dear. You well know how it was with me in my northern circuit, and why should Mrs Moore wish me to try the experiment of a ride three times as long as any I took at one time on the northern flats?

The Governor is a man of too much sense and candour to resent my not attending at the review ; but, judge as he will, the opportunity is past, and it can serve no purpose to be now reminded of my defect of politeness in not coming over at all hazards. I well know the Governor is a man of great delicacy, as I trust also to his goodness not to think the worse of me for not obeying a notice, the non-compliance with which was my loss, and cannot now be regained ; and which, but for your gird upon what you thought a Compliment due from me, I should have remained rather more easy under; but perhaps you thought I deserved to suffer for my folly. I believe I could not have come without the like sonsequence poor Hetty had of her rugged journey to Cambridge, "headache aand reaching." Others believe I should have ventured the experienced consequence. And there let this wonderful instance of my perverseness rest. I will endeavour to be better bred in other tryals if they occur.

(100)—Governor Wood,

Hetty, I fear, by \u2122 hat she says, waits to hear from me Hemingford; indeed, I had wrote to her there, but, on calculation find ingg MY letter could not be there till she must be gone, I sent 16 10 wait for her at Liverpool, She still says, she hopes to be at Liverpool the beginning of Auguet. Leese propos' to get off the 7th and will be glad of her com pany, if she be there, before that time

We begin to want her much, Turf, Hay, Plax, all in agitation at ones; and I look upon all with the wisdom of a pouth country town parson. Tho weather, indeed, 18 fine for each of the above works, and when Care-for- all comes everything I hope will go right, especially if Mrs Moore will afford me a smile of forgiveness for my not coming on Thurs- day, the next time we meet ; and not mortify me with lamentation of my wrong-headed tarry at Home: Lt, Le had known her senti- ments (for you know she governs Us both), and she could have been here to stimulate me, s I believe I should have attempted the journey, if it had been in a creel ; but my chaise horses were not possibly to be spared. Well, once more, no more of that blot, if it is a blot, m my coat, till time shall wear it out.

I commit the enclosed 3 letters to your care and am as much as you both desire

Your loving friend, M.S. Mann.

Poor Mrs Black! how does she?

You sent me a bead-roll of ministerial removes as will take me a week to remember.