22 Faraday, Correspondence oj Lt.-Col. J. L. P]iilips. 



his letters, that Taylor had that habit of " foying " at his 

 undertakings (to use the local term), which was peculiar 

 to his famih' in particular and Lancashire men in general. 

 Whatever work he took up absorbed his whole attention, 

 to the exclusion of everything else. In this case it is the 

 formation of the Volunteer Corps and the working out of 

 the details : — 



Liverpool 14 October 1782 



I have intended writing to you for some time past but have been so 

 much engaged in my new occupation I have not had time to do it, 

 Mr. Wallace is gone to Buxton to s|iend a few weeks, previous to which he 

 had me upon close drill that I might be enabled to take the Command in 

 his absence, I have no leisure to look round me and examine the state of my 

 correspondence, ant! you are the first I shall set myself straight with, I 

 thank you for your reply to my request about the regulations of your 

 Association which I am sensible it was impracticable for you to furnish me 

 with, I need not have troubled you aliout it for I found little difficulty in the 

 business, I wish I cou'd say we were in more flourishing situation, we are 

 only 60, nor do I expect any increase this winter, we keep together very well, 

 the light we are held in by our Grandees is indeed unfavourable, but if we 

 can but hold together till the spring I have not doubt of our doing very well. 

 I have had a world of Trouljle about it but I do not begrudge it for I have 

 the future of the corps very nnich at heart, our belts are just come and our 

 new Arms from Robin which give great Satisfection and shall go to no 

 further Expense this winter as we have resolved that the present Jacketts are 

 sufficient uniforms till the Spring when we intend having a very smart one, 

 so that I give up thought of appearing en militaire at the Assembly, it is 

 necessary for us to be economical, we have no fund to recur to to furnish the 

 extraordinaries but I do not think us the less respectable on this account it 

 gives us a nearer resemblance to our Brethren in Ireland, whose Conduct I wish 

 us to imitate in all respects. I have been sorry to hear some reflections 

 lately thrown out by some Townsmen of yours and those friends to the 

 Association, that the Officers in your Companies have gone to expence in 

 their dress, and have made a shew and parade by no means consistent with 

 the true spirit of the institution, and I heard the names of several Gentlemen 

 mentioned who had left tlie Corps on that account, I wish these insinuations 

 may have been wrong or exaggerated, for I shall always wish to hear you 

 shall proceed on right principles. 



I find it is your intention to honour us with a visit very shortly, pray 

 inform me the time. I have not entirely deserted the house in King St tho' 

 no longer an inhabitant in it so that you may stand a chance of seeing me 

 now and then, the Assemblies have been uncommonly brilliant, and as 

 several changes will soon take place it is not likely they will decrease in 



