[From Letters of Bishop Hildesley]

Letter LXVI

Bishopscourt , December 29, 1767.

After our good wishes, usual at this season, to you and yours , I hope we shall hear that all pains and aches are all froze up and gone.

A good fire and a good book are no indispensable companions at this season and at this lone place, not that we partake of our Christmas fare by ourselves. We had this day Mr Quayle Curghey and his wife and daughter, to-morrow my Register's family, on Thursday I expect Mr Hamilton, of Parvil by promise, and on New Year's Day Mr Vicar-General Curghey and Vicar of Jurby, etc. (128).

Where Mrs Housekeeper here finds the provisions I know not. I believe I shall be put to it to find as good at Sherburn, to treat the neighbouring grandees with. Pray present my best respects to Mr Receiver-General Lutwidge, together with my sincere congratulations on his safe arrival, through a boisterous sea, in the Land of Man. As I have thanked Heaven. I want also personally to thank the secondary author of my delightful conveyance on the 4th of last month. If I could ride as far as Douglass I would come and do it there; and as for wheel carriage I doubt it is impracticable, or at. least would be a very dangerous land-voyage (129). If Mr Lutwidge would vouchsafe to give me his hand at Bishopsourt, as he is a very good horseman. I should take it as a singular favour, be it either with or without other gentlemen accompanying him. I thank him for his care of my newspapers, which I received.

I have nothing further to add at present, unless to desire, in the- mercantile phrase, that you would be pleased to strike the balance of the account between us, that I may know what I owe you, whether I pay it or not. I think this wind will hardly let the pacquet go off, and so I hope, these letters that come now will be in time. If you had opened the paper before Adam left you, to see if the money was right, you would have found, as I suppose you have by this time, that a form of receipt was enclosed.

I am. as usual. For Self and Sister,
Yours and Mrs Moore's Faithful and steady Friend,

M. S. MANN.

I know not as yet how to get this to you. Most people at this time are coming into instead of going out of the country, though Gelling, the schoolmaster, went off for Douglas to-day without letting me know, notwithstanding he was at chapel here yesterday evening. The wind seems to be veering towards the west, so I doubt my packet will come too late. Tuesday, December 20.

Since I wrote the above, Mr Crebbin gives me opportunity to convey it and all my letters, which may have a chance for a passage one way or other. I wish Mr Lutwidge, if not gone, a better voyage than his last. Compliments also to the worthy Capt. Mann, and be pleased to observe to him that the late commander of the "Esther" used sometimes to honour Bishopscourt. with his company for two or three days and nights together, both winter and summer.

(128)— Mr Hamilton was the Surveyor-General of Highroads; the Vicar of Jurby was William Crebbin, who translated Numbers into Manx, and was one of the best Manx scholars of his time. A number of his Manx sermons are still extant. Quayle Curghey. H.K.. of Bullakillingann (b. 1706, d. 1780) . married Alice Christian , of Milntown. The daughters referred to were Alice (h. 1751), who married James Christian, of Dunkirk, and Jane.

(129)—This throws a vivid light on the state of the Manx roads.