[From Letters of Bishop Hildesley]

Letter LXXXVII

Bishopscourt, Jan, 28, 1771.

Dear Sir,

I received from Mr, Watts your own and your nephew's letters accompanied with packet and almanack and review, for all which our thanks as due are now returned,

As this day has turned out, it would indeed have been impracticable for my cart to have come. But though Mr Edward thinks it would have been so if the weather would have served, and should certainly have tried, if the goods had not been otherwise disposed of. I only hope they are still in Douglass harbour, and under a good close hatch to keep the hops from wet, The last night's and to-day's excessive high wind, I conceive and hope, would not let any vessel at least the Wolf to stir.

Although a horse would not venture with so easy a load as was intended to come on Saturday, Farmer Watts carried five bolls of wheat on that day to Douglas.

The enclosed paper for the Govenor's sign- manual you will be pleased to enclose to Mr Quayle whem you thnk proper for him to exhibit to his Excellency when he shall think proper. And so soon as I shall see his hand I shall disburse one year's interest to the person you and Mr Woods' shall send for it; notwithstanding I have not had positive notice of its having been paid to my order in London, but I have no doubt of hearing of it per next pacquet.

I think a ready answer to your "Is he gone?" is, Hic jacet, or if to the other of "He is gone" (I think may be added "witness, to receive the reward of all his pious labours, of those especially he bestowed in helping the native inhabitants of this Isle to the holy scriptures in the Manks tongue, for which great blessing his memory will be dear to the major part of this Isle and their latest posterity.' (152).

Something like this, I think, would well suit his tomb, for although I have to forbid any character upon my own, or from the pulpit, when I am gone, yet as our late worthy brother has left no such prohibition, I would willingly have his memory transmitted in some such way as above specified.

Whether the means applied for preserving our poor brother's life were right or not, yet I can't say, but I think it natural and very excusable if not commendable to have every thing done in such cases as shall be judged proper by such as are consulted. And is it not. our duty to do everything that affords the most distant) chance of relief. The Blyster at the time it was applied appeared to be all right, when there were no signs of his being likely to go off so soon, when he bad no bodily pain or sickness, could go up and down stairs and talk as rationally as ever. The Blyster was judged proper to relieve the oppression at his lungs. But, aliter Deo visum est. (153) As to his worldly circumstances, as is very usual, I believe, they are publickly rated at more than double of what he died possessed of. And that is the case with most both living and dead ; for bystanders to overrate their neighbour's worldly substance or income. I have heard it guessed that the late rector died worth two thousand pounds. I do not know exactly but I lay it is less than half that sum You will probably hear by Mr Wilks somewhat nearer the truth And if you do not, you may say 'tis not a material piece of knowledge to obtain

You say you "understand Mr Curphy has left Mr Curphy sole mannager of his affairs." If you meant Mrs instead of Mr Curphy, who is sole executrix, or if you meant Mr Wilks, I believe he verbally desired her to consult and ask his assistance As soon as Mr Wilks returns and goes to Ballaugh, I shall desire him to look for the hooks you mention, It is not Cruden's, but Cambridge Concordance that is at Ballaugh. I am glad to see you so spirited in the prosecution of the work, but I doubt that: and school teaching will not do well together, and be too fatiguing, for though you have an usher I know when you are on the spot you will be doing with some of the youth, when indeed the revising work would call for all your time to be attended to purpose. The first impression, be as careful and perspicacious as you will, must be supposed to have a number of errors.

But I please myself most with the prospect of a second impression, to be aided by the observations to be made on the blank leaves of a parcel to be so bound and delivered to the clergy for that purpose. And though it is not probable I can live to see that method take place, yet while I do live I will hope it will be done as I wish and desire, I am gone. For though different persons may possibly sometimes find fault without cause or capacity to mend, yet I think it Is a very probable way of hitting off something to be to advantage. At least it is so in my opinion, and in time may produce a quite correct and valuable translation for the benefit of posterity. I have ordered 20 volumes to be so bound with interleaves of blank paper. .

I find every one against my opinion for having the 4th bible in two volumes, that is the first to extend as far as Job exclusive, and the remainder a distinct volume (154). And I think so divided they will be thick enough, but as it is by others judged otherwise, I submit. Then again if they had been in two, the former part might have been in use at least more than a year and a half before the remainder would be finished and bound. For if we may judge by the time that small portion has taken, the remainder must be at great distamce. But as you seem to have courage I will hope the best and be thankful for what we have already, and beg of God to prosper the rest. And so endeth my present epistle, and I remain as always, your affecte Brother,

M. Sodor & Mann.

(152)—The actual words on his tomb are "An humble, meek, pacific man, sound, divine, learned, and exemplary." (See "Manx Worthies," p. 24).

(153)—"It, has seemed otherwise to God,"

(154)—It is said (see Mamx Society Vol. XXIV.) to have been published in 1771 in one volume. The writer is not aware of any copy of this one volume quarto edition being in existence,