Manchester Memoirs, Vol. xliv. (1900), No. 14. 17 



against." But this romance of upwards of a century ago 

 does not appear to have been fortunate. Either the 

 lover's courage failed or the watchful friend was mistaken. 

 Anyway, Philips was not married until three years later, 

 and then not to the lady alluded to.* 



In his next communication, on July 14th, Taylor 

 speaks of another visit to Norwich. Mrs. Earle had had a 

 severe fall in the spring which caused her some trouble : — 



I am at length got back again and a little settled after my long absence, 

 I was obliged to stay away longer than w^ intended as I found it a difficult 

 matter to collect all together the scattered branches of our family, we did 

 however at length accomplish it & muster'd about as strong as the Manchester 

 Association on their ordinary field days. You may imagine the voice of 

 gladness was heard in the tents of Israel on so great an occasion, it was a 

 second Jubilee without doubt though it did not make quite so much noise as 

 Ilandell's ; I left them about 10 days since and stay'd a few days in London 

 on my return. Mrs Earle and the fair damsels had left it about a week before 

 & were gone to Matlock, they stay'd there a fortnight and got home all safe 

 & well last Friday. Mrs Earle is most wonderfully recover'd & in her usual 

 good spirits, the young ladies are going the latter end of next month to 

 Knutsford races in complement to the Lady Patroness, but they don't mean 

 to stay long at Oughtrington — we no doubt shall see you here at the Festival 

 if not before, it is to be the 14th of September, and from the spirited pro- 

 ceedings of the Committee I think it is very likely to be a capital meeting. I 

 suppose you have seen the performers names in the papers, the songs will be 

 better sung than they were in London, and the Trombones and Double Drums 

 will greatly assist the Chorusses : I found everybody greatly charm'd with 

 Miss Phillips, I have been several times to see her since I returned & have 

 had the pleasure to sing glees with her, she is a delightful Girl, and I think 

 astonishingly improved in her voice her shake is the best I ever heard & she 

 has as much taste as any singer. 



On the 19th of the same month Taylor speaks of a 

 " Turtle," which Philips has asked him to send to Man- 

 chester. He adds, " I find our players are to visit you 

 in turns three succesive Tuesdays, 'tis a scheme of the 

 Managers, who have persuaded the players to come into 

 it, and to give their performance gratis, Miss Phillips goes 

 to-morrow." The succeeding letter deals with the Liver- 



* See page 13 and note. From the letter written March 13, 17S2, it 

 appears the above construction is the right one. 



