50 Faraday, Correspondence of Lt.-Col. J. L. Philips. 



Liverpool Sept. 28. 1813. 

 My dear Friend 



I am greatly mortified to think that I must give up a'.l thought of seeing 

 you at Southport for the present. I liad prepared everything for going on 

 Saturday, when a number of my Correspondents arrived from Cork & 

 Dublin, & instead o{ boiitiw^ it I was obliged to give a dinner chez iiwi—\\o\. 

 to mention wine it whiskey. 



I have now a Captain Sheen addressed to me from India, a clever well- 

 informed man, he has come home with a moderate Fortune, & is much struck 

 with Liverpool. In a day or two more I have a Bed to prepare for my 

 cousin Mr William Johnston of Bordeaux, X- the moment he leaves me I 

 must join for a few days a haj^py party at Street Court in Herefordshire, 

 where my wife S: boys are staying at present and Captain .Vlitford daily 

 expected Henry has made me some capital flies for the Lugg, which I am in 

 hopes the noble grayling of that river will form a more intimate acquaintce 

 with. Thus you see my movements towards the North are interrupted at 

 all points, nor can I even steal a forced March. 



We have had a glorious musical festival, and as you may suppose, an 

 everlasting stir in Catgut, we have had Airs as well as Graces, and it is 

 adniitted that Handel's music was incomparably Handled. I treated my- 

 self with the C'reation and a Concert, the or matters I left to my Neighbours 

 — The last Concert was so full that there was universal screaming Jt fainting 

 & I am tuld that Mrs Leyland at full length, fainting, would have afforded 

 a fine subject for a picture — when order was restored Hats Shawles Gloves 

 Bracelets it shoes were held up on while wands & exposed to be claimed by 

 those whose property was viewed, and a worthy friend of mine, not so 

 fortunate as his Neighbours, it who had lost his shoes, sat all night with 

 his feet in his Hat — at the Assembly there were 2500 people — and 257 Coaches 

 drove up to the Ball Room before 11 — being accjuainted with a sapient 

 Gentleman who stood till that hour & counted them, thereby adding to the 

 discoveries of the Age & proclaiming himself an A.S.S. at the same time. 



Pray write me a few lines, it tell me how your health is, I trust better and 

 that Mrs. Philips is quite well — give my kind regards to her, it believe me 



most truly 



your sincere &, affectionate friend 



P. MEADOWS TAYLOR. 



I wish you would bring Mrs Philips over for a night or two tJiis week — I 

 shall have an excellent Betl for you, & Catalani will sing at the 

 theatre every night but Friday as well as Naldi — Zaniewitch Harvey 

 W'iesbach Corri. itc. itc, all in the Orchestra. Do pray come. I will make 

 you as welcome as any J'rince and Princess in Christendom. 



Here these inemorials of a ri'ien(lshi[)of the i8th century 

 must close. It is the lot of some men to be gifted with 

 supreme genius, and to have the reward of their life's work 



