Manchester Memoirs, Vol. r/v. (igoi), No. S. 21 



in her. For this Month past Skate has been the order of the day. We have 

 caught from twenty to thirty each day on the long line ; besides Cod, 

 Whiting, Pollock, and other Fish. The Whiting here are far superior to any 

 that I have met with elsewhere. I have had several that weighed upwards 

 of four pounds each and one that was near five pounds : and as these fish 

 bite extremely free, the sport, of course, has been excellent. If you can 

 possibly break loose, do let me see you this summer. I had hopes of seeing 

 you in England before this time. A very excellent friend of mine had 

 applied lo Lord Spencer, in my behalf, for promotion ; and his Lordship had 

 promised him that I should have a Ship and another step ; but the business 

 is now over, and I am like to stay here during the War ; so, if we are to 

 meet, you must come & see me, for I cannot leave my Station. 



For the last three months we have been greatly alive in Mona. The 

 Duke and Duchess of AthoU & family have been here since the beginning 

 of April ; the consequence has been that we have danced like Devils, & 

 drank like Fish ; Not to mention that we have been craming ourselves with 

 eating. Noon & Night. I am heartily tired with the business, and am glad 

 to hear that they take their departure from hence in about a fortnight. 



The second Earl Spencer, on his return from his 

 embassy to Vienna in 1794, was made First Lord of the 

 Admiralty, an office he held for six years, in some respects 

 the most remarkable period in our Naval history. At this 

 time all promotion in the Navy was based upon influence 

 at headquarters, hence Cable's anxiety to get a word or 

 two privately into his Lordship's ear. 



Apparently Philips was unable to accept his friend's 

 invitation, as will be gathered from the next letter : — 



Douglas, Septr i8th, 1796. 



I reed Mrs Philips' kind present of Fruit by Brew. Except being rather 

 too long on their Passage they arrived in good order : the Melons, only, had 

 suffered damage ; and from what I could judge of them, even in that state, 

 the Crimean Melon promises to be a valuable acquisition in Gardening. The 

 Seeds were very fine, and I gave them to the Major's gardener who seemed 

 extremely well pleased with them. They were enough to plant an Acre of 

 Ground, of Course he will not w'ant any more this Season. 



I hope you will have no great occasion to regret the loss of the 

 Sisyntbriiuii Alonanx, for I think I have got you an entire Plant, Root, 

 Leaves, Seeds, & Flowers. I will send it by the first opportunity. By the 

 bye, Farrill is going to England soon, and as he talks of seeing Manchester I 

 believe I shall send it by him. He seems extremely anxious to get forward 

 in the World, & wants to borrow money upon his annuity. I have lent him 



