[From Letters of Bishop Hildesley]

Letter LXXXIII

And so then I see our Douglas friends were resolved not to be indebted to Bishopscourt for a brace of birds, by returning us a fish well worth them both. A finer cod I have not tasted since I have been in the Isle; and had I known of its arrival in due time, should have been inclined to have it served up at the ordinary dinner, having two visitors besides Mr and Mrs Stevenson, of Balladoole; but Madam Governess's scruple of producing fish on a Sunday kept it till the next day for us two to luxuriate upon it. And indeed its relish was in great measure abated by our having nobody to partake of so dainty a dish along with us. I have a letter from the Governor relative to the distribution of Thompson's charity (145) ; wherein his Excellency "proposes, that the minister and wardens should, as often as occasion required, make out a list of the proper objects of the trust, with the sums annexed to their names respectively, and as they are the best judges of the objects, their recommendation will the more probably meet as with the approbation and direction of the Trustees. One of the paupers might be the bearer of this list, and be further considered for this service". And then, he goes on thus: "This method of proceeding would afford great satisfaction to the Trustees, and be a voucher for the proper discharge of their duty [viz of the Trustees]. On the contrary it would seem as if we renounced a work of charity, so connected to our office and stations, by giving us a fund to be distributed by a fluctuating body we have no knowledge of, and thereby bring ourselves under censure. These are my present thoughts —and at next meeting we may agree upon some proper plan for gur future procedure. Now my good brother, if you have anything to to say or object to this proposal, let it be to the proposer and not to me. For I am the only man that should not speak my opinion in abatement of it, lest I appear fond of being the sole director. I am sure, I have more than enough trouble to procure the money which must go through three or four or more hands before I can receive it, and should be glad to get rid of it as soon as possible beside being subject to the Braddan wardens' impertinance in examining from time to time, whether I have got the poor's money, and when they are to have it And if for that reason I was to give up my receivership, the money must lye in the Accomptant-Generall's hands who is a master in Chancery, and the poor go without it

The letter of attorney to enable somebody that would be kind enough to go and dance attendance on the said accomptant generall was not executed without much trouble and form by a Trader from Liverpool waiting on the late Governor and me at Castletown to see us execute, and then to attest upon oath before some magistrate in England that he saw us sign and seal, before it could be of any use above. The then governor refused to be the receiver, and therefore it fell upon poor me, by the rule of "the weakest goes to the wall." And hence I suppose it. is that I lie under the suspicion of taking the whole Trust upon myself. I don't know when o1 where I shall see the governor, so if you have anything to offer on the subject, let it be directly to his Excellency: as the proposal is his and not mine. And I cannot pay the money now without his express consent. And I must desire you will not transmit your and Brother Wood's observation through my hands. When I receive my superior co- Trustee's signature, I shall pay the money and not before. Wither your petition or letter to the governor or your waiting on him in person, I think will be the only way to obtain his consent; or else take the method he has directed. So I leave the matter to the consideration of the Vicar of Braddan and yourself, and I believe his Excellency is open to any remonstrance you shall agree upon. I shail be satisfied either way. And without your doing something of the kind, by petition or otherwise, the poor must suffer long delay. Casualties of a family falling sick in the interim of the last being delivered in cannot be considered without fresh leave. But whether your reserving, any part for expence of burial will be approved as a proper application to the Governor I can't tell.

A civil remonstrance, if you choose it, I believe will be heard, But your absolutely refusing to be concerned in the matter, will shew a pett, and do no good, but prob- ably disoblige, so let: discretion guide you.

We are very sorry for poor Betty's mischance, but, as no fracture or dislocation has happened, hope to hear soon of her recovery, so as not to hinder her dancing this Christmas.

I don't hear whether the Ballavoddan (146) lasses are gone off, but I hear only that Cowley was waiting for weather at Ramsey last night. The elements continue still to be alternately fair and foul. Wishing you and yours may end this year well and begin and end another as well is all that I and Hesther have to offer further at present.

From your affecte Brother and friend,

M. Sodor & Man.

No almanacks! Perhaps they are deferred till this time twelve month.

I thank you for the October Review, and if it would not be impertinent, I would ask where is September? for you sent me July and August the next in order would be September.

If the Almanacks clo come, we desire three sheets, besides the pocket one.

I dont hear that Mr Curphey is worst but he is far from well, but the weather is too bad for me to visit him

As to the wine your nephew mention, I wish he had sent a bottle or two or half dozen by Collier, who had a horse and creals with him when last in Douglass, If I had not liked it the damage would not have been great.

Friday evening, Dec, 28. Yesterday while Mr Wilks family was with us at dinner, in came the bearer urgent with my packet. As you say he is very stale with his London News about the appeals. I can't say I am so; for I foresee dark clouds and stormy weather that must succeed this sunshine.

Here is Mrs Cosnahan with her son-in-law Julius (147) upon a sort of scheme of petitioning the Trustees to be appointed, as they propose to send one to the University, that he may be the one. I think we proposed to allow thirty pounds, and the rest he must find himself. He has £20 per annum of his own, and expects but does not know for certain that his Uncle Cesar will advance £20 per annum more, and less than £70 all charges included he must not go forth without being secure of.

He comes to Douglass to learn his Uncle's mind and will, but he is so shy and sheepish as not to know how to open his mouth, whether you will be so kind to go with him to be his spokesman, and represent to his uncle the nature and benefit of the proposal, viz., by taking his Degrees he may sometime come to be Academic master, for such must be a graduate in one of the Universities, and, if he minds his studies, may have a chance to be chosen fellow of the College. You will do huwever in this affair as seemeth best to yourself.

I have here sent you a copy of queries, which I had drawn up on purpose to present to Mr Receiver general if he had done me, as promised, the favour of a visit at Bishops- court. You may shew them to Mr Hamilton. or whan else you please, as opportunity offers, but. not as by my order, and without any hint about the contents of Mr Wilks' vews from England. ;

I know not what paper you mean, that is misplaced, nor in what letter: That article of your enquiries must therefore be further explained.

The heavy costs that are come down upon the heads of the fishermen, I can't say is a happy event in my estimation. It will irritate and enrage, and make them, desperate to wreck their vengeance some other way. They are a large and consequently formidable body of men, and bolstered and encouraged by some, not of the lowest of the people.

Your scheme or proposal is not amiss, af you can bring others into it. But there is * * * Vicar who has not paid his quota last agreed to at Convocation, nor perhaps ever will. I wish you could with any propriety or utmost stetch of charity rate him in the class of honest men. He pays neither Duke nor Bishop; and I wish some of our money does not go down: gutter lane. Strong habits of taking so strong liquors are hard to cure, and I daresay he finds it true.

My Hebrew roots planted at school being in unsuitable soil and shallow, soon decayed and perished before they got up to any maturity. Icould once venture two or three psalms and now can't read them. But if you will be pleased to send me a schedule of all your doubts and queries, I will take them up to London to have the Opinion of some or other of my Rabbinical friends

The other year of My Thompson's charity now paid ta my agent in Londen you may now or whenever you please apply to the Governor for, and, though I should happen to be gone, your draught with the Governor's signature shall be honoured But if you have not' immediate calls as you have just received a year, yoru may let it lie to my return But if you want it, send for it and it shall be forthcoming.

Am I not to have the favour of seeing Mr Lutwidge at Bishopscourt, but in case he receive fresh recruiting orders to come to Ramsey? I might next ask when I am to expect the Rector of Bride here? When Bride calls. When, and till then, I am and shall be his expecting brother and servant,

M. Sodor & Mann.

(145)—Thompson's Charity (see Isle of Man Charities, p. 102).

(146)—A farm in Andreas. He is referring to the girls who were going to London.

(147)—Vicar of Braddan, 1786-6.