[From Letters of Bishop Hildesley]

Letter LVIII

Wednesday, Sept, 10, 1766

Although this is the most melancholly harvest, at least, in this part, that has heen remembered for upward of forty years, yet I find myselt obliged, notwithstanding my remonstrances against it, to suffer fiddle and dancing for joy in my barn, for what they call the mellow (108), when we are under the sad prospect: of all the grain being grown to spoilt, before we can be able to carry a single stook of barley or oates, or of the best part of all my wheat But such is the force of all-powerful custom that, I helieve, if the grain was all swimming down the river, it must be submitted to. My governess here, having convinced me that, notwithstanding this festivity is confessedly unseasonable, as matters are circumstanced, not to have 24 hours fair weather since the harvest commenced, it would be best for me, tho' unwillingly, to consent they should do as they used to do, in the most favourable times. And, after all, we will not despair of God's goodness to afford us occasion, so rejoice more properly on our annual day of Harvest Home, 22nd inst. There never was greater plenty, they say, of all sorts of grain from the North to South of the Isle, if it will but please the Almighty to permit it to be gathered into our yards, for which we must devoutly pray and patiently wait for.

Your kinsman, I suppose, has given you an eccount how I jobed (sic) him, nut so much for travelling on a Sunday, as for offering to proceed, without partaking of any repast at Bishopscourt, either spiritual or corporeal. But, at last, I prevailed on him: to do both. He seemed to think necessary worldly business would at any time justify Sabath Day's journeying. Upon which I told him, I be lieved, he would learn another Doctrine in the country he was going to settle in.

It is not his singular case, but too many think they may make free with the divine law when secular convenience interposes.

He smiled when I told him you sent him to receive my blessing at his leaving the Isle. And so did I, too, when he told me he was travelling to Ramsey in time of divine service. I remember a man and his wife got off their horse, one Sunday morning, as I was coming from service at Kk. Michael, to ask my blessing. I told them, I supposed they excepted my wishing or praying for it on occasion of their travelling in service-time. They accepted my rebuke instead of my blessiing; and remounted to pass on their way without it.

We should be glad to hear a better account of Mrs Black and Mrs Quayle.

I. did not give you so early notice of intended circuit in October in order that Mrs Moore might be prepared for my reception ; the very being under her wing is itself always a treat, were I neither to eat or drink. If she does not think me and all my atten- dance troublesome, it: is not in reality one jot the less so. I hope the host and hostess m. that comfortable dwelling, made so by their friendly hospitality, will live as long as I shall be able to come to Douglas to partake of it, and, if it please God, much longer after.

My housekeeper's travels have certainly been, of service to her. Mr and Mrs Forbes and Mrs Christian, of the Gary, and Mr and Mrs George Moore and daughter, are the only distant neighbours that have honoured her with their personal compliments as yet unless we are to look upon the Colonel in that light, which she will hardly do. That honour, therefore, I'll presume ta tale to mye If

Aren't you alarmed at the namber of mad dogs that are everywhere about ? I see by the late Bishop's diary, there has been the like in this Isle Pray God, defend us from the fatal mischance, which same in this neighbourhood have suffered

I need not ask whether my wine is taken proper care of, for I know it is under the management of a skilful and faithful hand. If it stands good, I think there will be sufficient to last my lifetime, besides a remainder to decorate my obsequies, if I intended such strange custom should take place, as that of eating and drinking at a funeral. As many visitors as please to honour me with their company whilst I am alive will be always welcome; but when once the book is shut, there is an end of Bishopscourt hospitality, till my successor arrives. If you say quorsum heec de mortalitate? (164), I answer, quic quid in Buccam (104), is my rule, when I am in a writing cue.

Mrs Moore, I reckon, will say, 1f you open this in her presence: \u201cWhat another long letter! I can't conceive what the Bishop and you have to write about so frequently. I thought you had stopt his career by not gratifying him with an answer to his imp—t question. But I see his pen runs on still" ; and so it) will as long as I have a hand and pen capable of moving, and any friends left that will be pleased to speak to me on paper. This is the only way to supply the lack of personal conference. I live in my native country by it; when without it, I should in effect be dead, at least, to all my old ac- quaintances as well as new. It also serves to amuse me, when my poor head is not capable of anything more useful to the publick; as it ought to be im the important trust committed to me.

When my circular notice of visitation arrives, I hope every brother who has any candidates for confirmation will acquaint me with the number a fortnight before I set out ; as required in my paper of appointment to the churches I am to visit. I pray God enable me for the undertaking, for I cannot with any probability promise another of the like. You see, it gets upon my mind, by speaking of it so long before hand.

I have got my packet ready in due time, in case anyone should chance to be this way from Douglass, that it may go by the same hand that brings me my English mail. If no such opportunity happens, I must take the chance of Saturday marketers, though I doubt they'll be scarce this season, for everybody is busy, not in carrying, but in turning their corn, lest it should be wet but on one side. Hetty, I think, kept up her spirit of visiting and being visited pretty well, whilst she was at Douglass, and, amongst others, I am glad she returned Mrs Moore's and her mother's. The travellers were made so much of, both at Douglass and in England, that I begin to fear my reception would fall short of her late Regales. Indeed, though she is my sister, I must say she deserves all the notice that has been taken of her. For though she is no fine Lady, she has as many, good qualities as the top of the sex. And so much and too much =e ann . To what purpose this about mor-

ys Whatever comes uppermost,' Gs

for enconium upon my housekes per And with that I shall shut up my paper, whilst I have room to subscribe

Dear Sir, Your faithful brother and fixing friend, M.S. Mann

(103)—The Mheillea,