[From Letters of Bishop Hildesley]

Letter LVII

Bishopscourt, Novy. 4, 1766.

I have my good brother's of the 1st inst. before me, and am obliged to. you and yours for the anxiety you express for my safety, which I hope you received intelligence of before your letier reached my hands, by Emissary Norris. Fis assuring us, in his way norward, that he would call the next day to receive any commands to Douglas, precluded my inquiring further for conveyance by market folk. The weather has been wet, windy, and gloomy, I think, ever since I set forward on my southern circuit; till to-day, when I took the advantage of the sunshine, and rode as far as Jurby—Balamoore—where they are sollicitously waiting the important minute for Mrs Moore's delivery.

I herewith return you the Epithalamic- Eulogy. I had before seen the like from the same pencil, drawn, if possible, in rather more flighty and extravagant terms; His ecstacy on the occasion was so great, as to render him forgetful of the proper title to the person he addresses. You and you, throughout a long letter, one would not have expected from so polite a gentleman, who seems to understand decorum as well as most people. It contains also some persuasions, I had almost said injunctions, to the person he writes to, to use his prudently pressing instances with a certain gentleman to return speedily to make part of the happy family. Poor gentleman, he thinks everybody from the highest to the lowest in this land is equally elated with himself, on account of this wonderful match. The particulars you mention from secret councils should seem to afford some abatement. of excessive joy. What I have said above, you'll be pleased to note is entrenous. But you will probably hear of the letter I refer to from some other hand. By some other orders in it, the recipient looks upon himself as honoured with the office of Deputy Surveyor of the new road. I would at no rate have any of this transpire, as from me, for I have a respect for the author and would not willingly be thought to arraign him of want of delicacy or decorum, who we know piques himself upon being master of it.

Be so good as to trouble yourself with the delivery of the enclosed letter, which is accompanied with the list desired (105). I have taken some pains to make it as correct with respect to names and dates, as I could, from the several accounts I have had opportunity of meeting with; and, after all, I believe some will remain doubtful.

Amphibalus, for one, though I have set him in front, that I may not contradict an account lately exhibited to the public.

Poor Mrs Black! Down again! I did not like her well when I was at Douglass. But as she has often surmounted these shocks, we may hope her time has not yet come to bid her final adieu to the lower regions.

I have herewith sent you a discharge, with regard to account between us, such as I send to my agent in London If it would not give you much additional trouble, I should desire you will be so good as to insert dates to the articles of disbursements, as the surest way to prevent mistakes, not that I know or apprehend any in those you have delivered to me, And would it not be best, too, to settle quarterly ? You have business enough of your own not to be engaged in agency for my business, but as you have kindly offered, what I could not ask I kindly accept it.

And now, sit, with respect (and without the least disrespect) to your receipt you sent me of Mr Thompson's Charity money (106), I here take the liberty to return it ; but, n..b., not! without giving my reasons for so doing. By virtue of an order some time since passed, all public moneys received and paid by and from the Bishop and others are to be accounted for annually, before commissioners appointed to that purpose. Now, by this paper of yours, which I am to exhibit among other vouchers, it does not appear what part of the sum is the moiety of the annual interest, nor at what time due, and what or how much is the arrear left in Mr Teare's executrix's hand, which she paid in to the Bishop and he to Mr P. Moore. Nor, again, would it be proper, you'll think, to deliver to the Commissioners a receipt, with part of the contents of a letter on the back; though there happens to be nothing that might offend their sight. The trouble of drawing a fresh one, will not be great, which you'll please to do at your leisure, and return to,

Dear Sir, your Friend and Brother,

M.S. Mann.

My kind friend, Mrs Moore, will accept my thanks for the agreeable reception she gave me, and always gives me, at Douglass. I believe she pities me somewhat the more, as being a Brother Stranger in a strange land. For, indeed, I know no place in it where I am received with such pleasing cordiality, as under her roof.

I can't help telling you what perils I was in, on Saturday morning, in my passage io Rushen, within a quarter of a mile of the church, for want of a guide. I found myself on a narrow stone causeway — that was never designed for wheels — so narrow was it, and a ditch on each side, that J. Hughes, after two or three dips of the wheel, came to desire me to walk out, which I gladly did, though in the midst of dirt and severe rain. And it was with great difficulty, by taking all the horses out but one, he got the chaise over the remainder. The Vicar, by that time I had got on foot, came out wondering how we came to attempt to come that way. How- ever, 'twas too late to retreat; and whether the chaise was over or near it after I left, I did not stay to see. Providence preserved me! and I am thankful!

(105)—Evidently a list of the Bishops of the See The Bishop's forecast that, "some will remain doubtful," has certainly been fulfilled.

(106)—For poor of Braddan (See Isle of Man Charities.)