[From Letters of Bishop Hildesley]

Letter LXII

Bishopscourt, February 3, 1767.

Herewith I return you the mirabile libellum (118) against poor Mona. Take out some facts, which I conceive may easily be disproved, others most partially and acrimoniously represented, and the apparent spite and ill-natured tendency of the rest, and the sting it carries I believe will have power to give little or no pain. It comes out at a time that is manifestly calculated to do the country as much mischief as a pen dipped in gall could contrive — but I think the virulent style will induce most indifferent readers to suppose the author somewhat piqued, and not a little prejudiced ; unless we can suppose every reader will be disposed to receive every line for gospel, not but that the generality are not averse to imbibe slander in large draughts Lord Coke, if I mistake not, has somewhere hinted at the excellence of the Manks laws. But I suppose we are to understand only a late corruption. Fling a great deal of dirt and some will stick, and possibly such may be the effects of this doughty performance. But I assure you it does not seem to be so capable of doing much harm, as I fancied it might, when, in your former letter, you hang out the black flag. Were the laws and execution of them in England, or any other State, short of perfection, to be so malignantly represented, they must fetch their judges and statutes from Heaven, Those latter you'll say we have already, and were they but duly observed by the author and all his readers, there would be little occasion for any other of humam contrivance.

These remarks, n.b., are to yourself, for I would not choose to have my name quoted.

Poor Mrs Black down again! Some say health and ease is never better enjoyed than by those who have frequent experience of the reverse, but I doubt this saying will scarce hold water. I heartily wish we may hear of her revival, which we may the more reasonably hope for, as such turns and returns she has been much used to

Mrs Tear's offer is kindly accepted, but upon the terms I had the former parcel on. For I know no sort of reason that I should rob her or her children of any part of the remains of her shattered fortune.

Just as I was ready to send an order to Mr Sewel for some mustard in comes a couple of pounds, with a receipt for the value of it, from Mr Barker, of Peel, where, I suppose, it had lain ever since the pacquet was there. It. comes very seasonably, though some little while after the meat. However, we have pork enough left for it, as possibly some of our friends may find, if they don't stay too long before they look upon us.

A flourishing card at last from Comptroller Bromfield, with excuses for want of conveyance, not knowing, I suppose, till you informed him that the same by which mine travelled to him would be open for his.

An opportunity offering by Mr Watts I embraced it to send my packet, though I doubt the Whitehaven post with this wind can scarce be come in, and I am content to wait till the custom horses shall bring my letters.

We are affectionately yours and all that belong to your,

Dear Sir,
M.S. M.

N.B.—I keep the wonderful pamphlet: till next opportunity.

Footnotes

(117)—(?) Sweetened.

(118)—" Wonderful libel." This possibly refers to a pamphlet, entitled "A Short View of the present state of the Isle of Man, humbly submitted to the consideration of tha Lords of the Treasury. By an Impartial hand, London, 1767." But, if so, it must have been issued in early January of that year.