[From Letters of Bishop Hildesley]

Letter LXXV

Sherburn House, July 8. 1768

My good brother's topsy-turvy letter reached me yesterday, viz,, 7th inst.; and though 'twas difficult to find, for connection's sake, which page to turn to, I made a shift to clear the whole in about half-an hour, as I thought; but, behold, the next day another page occurred which had escaped my first perusal, which, among other particulars, contains some hints of your inclination to accompany Mr Black to Ireland in preference to a visit to your friends at Sherburn. I don't say you mention that preference as such; but I admit it, and cannot but give up my wishes and pretentions to see you here, to the proper ballance of going to your wife's relations; and you herewith receive a confirmation of my free consent, upon your taking due previous care, as I make no doubt you will, for supply of your absence, if I did not think the excursion would afford you some relief to your health, as well as spirits, I should somewhat demur to your going, at this juncture, when Mr Wilks, another principal minister, is absent from his parochial charge. Our trial (135), I believe, came on this day, 8th inst., and it probably will require some days to settle the amount he will have with our sollicitor, and after that, he is to make York in his way hither, which he has for some years wanted to do to transact some points with that Court ; among others, that lately occurred, is the undertaking the expenses of two poor persons at Jurby, who were under sentence of excommunication for non-appearance. I shall not desire to detain him here longer than to rest him and receive intelligence of his late assiduous proceedings ; for, whatever be the event, I am sure he has taken true pains to serve the cause.

I am very little anxious about it, but for the sake of my brethren, and upon their account it was I entered into contest. Be the judgment of the great and learned what it will, I hope we shall be thankful if for, and resigned if against us.

I would now proceed to answer the several parts of yours if I could conveniently stay to pick them up, for I shall leave madam Hesther's entirely to herself to be noticed when and how she pleases, if she can find any leisure from trimming her coiffe. For our time is almost taken up in dressing and addressing. I had need have brought her with me truly! Whereby, instead of lessening the business of visiting, it is increased more than double. Well, now we are in for it we must go through, and when all fine-money and rent-money received is gone and spent, we will hasten home to our humble cot at Bishopscourt.

I have just received a letter from the Bishop of Carlisle, who is so desirous of seeing me at Rose, as to promise to certify me of his return home from Scotland, where he is now going. He expects to be gone 3 or 4 weeks, which will be about the time of my decamping. I purpose going by Carlisle, as the better road from Penrith to Rose Castle. I am not very sorry for Mr Birkett's absence, for in his present circumstances receiving, visitors would be rather uncomfortable than pleasant to him. I shall put up at the Bush, and leave my sister with any body there remaining at Carlisle that will take her in

I would willingly and gladly find some old boat and boat master that would be as willing to waft me to the Manks shores, toward the close of next month; and propitious be the gales to send us safe over

I have, as it happens, a frank left to Mr Wilks, and shall enclose your letter in it because you desire it; but I think it is highly probable 'twill be too late, and he will he on his flight before it reaches London, which it would not, if you had sent it on at first from Whitehaven; however, it shall take its chance. Your packet, unluckily, came to me the post after I had wrote to him finally.

Your compliment to Mr Cochrane will keep cold. He is not here, nor much expected, notwithstanding his own proposal. He writes me, business obliges him to postpone his intended visit to another year.

'Tother turn round your detached pages and then to conclude. To satisfy the impatience of the two old candidates received from London, I'll enclose the account if your frank will hold it, as I will also a 2d. letter from the Bishop of Carlisle, which speaks for itself to you from me, in case I should not be returned by the time Mr Pennant (136) arrives in the Isle.

I would have more to say, as I have room enough left, but the turning over and over your paragraph to find matter wherein sometimes the same and again sometimes different occurs; although I would very willingly pick out each and every part, I must now give it up, for I am really tared with turning and twisting. I never think a long letter needs apology, but I must needs own a labyrinth letter does; for though I admit yours are as much worth searching for as any, yet I can't say but 'twould be more agreeable to know where to find you. I can't be sure even now, after at least half a score turning over, whether some parts have not escaped my search, which, if you had made references by numbers, might in some measure have helped.

What you say, if you do say anything, about Dan Cowley's being sent from Ramsey with a flea in his ear, I find not. The old lady is a strange virago, and I am really not sorry that the lad is delivered from her.

My under butler, Tom, asks the favour of transmitting a letter in the cover with mine. You'll please also to acquaint my steward and all under him that we are well and received their letters. Tom's is rather too bulky for enclosing, but I think it may pass postage as well as what accompanied yours, which was near burst out of their confines. I hope this will come in better condition than my last.

Present us very kindly and respectfully to your and our worthy friend (if you'll allow us Hospitallers the honour of any share in his friendship), Mr Black I need not say I mean, for when he and you are out of Douglas I know not whether there be those left that will own or care a farthing for an intruding Englishman. For I must rather impute to national prejudice, than any thing personal, for I would choose to be so just to myself as to say I have not deserved the remarkable shyness of your town flock toward me. Perhaps they don't choose to see me blush at the workmen's being unpaid for their labour at the chapel, of which, that voted against its size, am and have been long time ready and willing to pay my quota, and can't be permitted to do it, because, it seems, the proportion is unsettled

If you go into Ireland, let me know. and don't stand for want of a frank

Hesther thanks you abundantly for the share you have bestowed of your pen upon her; but says, she knows you excuse her answering, beyond that of acknowledging

Since, I see, we are not likely to see you on this side St, George's Channel, I heartily wish you safe on 'tother. Pray make for me a very polite but yet friendly bow to Mrs Black, if her husband should forget it, and my love and blessing to Miss Dor and Miss Towers.

I have only just room to subscribe,

Faithfully yours, M. S. Mann.

Footnotes

(135)—This was the question of fish tithe which was decided in the following year in favour of the Clergy - (See "Diocese of Sodor and Man," A. W. Moore, p. 241.)

(136)—The well-known antiquary who visited the Island at this time.