[From Letters of Bishop Hildesley]

Letter LXXXVI

Bishopscourt, Jan. 21, 1771.

I had no sooner sent off my last: to you but I was next morning certified of the death good Brother of Ballaugh, which as ill news flies apace, I don't, doubt but it reached you early the same morning. I believe I told you I saw him on Wednesday when I got the Manks papers from him. Poor man! he underwent all the discipline that could be prescribed, he was purged, clystered, bled, and blistered, and before the last. took ' place he died, about 5 on Saturday morning. Says he, I am afraid I shall faint, and so he did, never to revive again till the last day. The widow bears it with tolerable resolution, beyond what could be expected. And Mr Wilks, who is to preach, has been indeed extremely assiduous in his assistance from first to last. He brought me his desire that I would do that office of the pulpit, and I referred it back to him, among other reasons, that, as I knew characters are expected on such occasions, which I so little approved that I designed to forbid iti for myself, and, as he knew the deceased full as well or better than I did, I thought the office naturally offered to him, to discharge. I could have wished your late coadjutor had had the pleasure of seeing the produce of his labor in the Pentateuch 4to (151), that came hither the day after I was with him. And indeed I had no notion of his going off so soon. My sister and I propose going over to-morrow for the funeral, which I believe you would do, if your health and weather would permit. Mr Wilks has read to me what he has said upon our deceased Brother, and nothing but what is very just and what every hearer might subscribe to.

Tuesday morning. If I had time, no subject will do after the above melancholy one; and as I am just now setting off to attend our friend and Brother's remains, I must withdraw, only just remembering to thank your nephew Mr Edward Moore for the favor of his letter, and for the engagement therein expressed of his care of my things.

I am, Dear Sir, as usual, affectly yours,

M. Sodor & Mann.

(151)—Matthias Curghey had assisted in revising the Pentateuch. He also transcribed the Epistles, and, in conjunction, with the Rev, James Wilks, the Gospels and Acts. A few volumes were issued in quarto for the use of the Clergy.