Manchester Memoirs, Vol. xlv. (1901), No. 8. 45 



after getting the remnants of his fortune together, retired 

 to Wiltshire. He survived until 1856, when he died, at 

 the advanced age of 92, at Ashley House, Bath. He left 

 several children. Thomas Livesey was eventually heir to 

 a considerable estate and, unlike his kinsman and partner 

 John, died fairly wealthy. Hermann Boaz, referred to in 

 a short postscript to the letter, was also at times one of 

 Philips' correspondents ; he was an actor. 



The next letter tells the result of the Breach of 

 Promise " Tryal " : — 



Douglas, Oct. 19th 1799. 



The continued Rains Hz Wind have almost spoil'd the whole of the 

 Corn in this Island, and will cause everything eatable to be extremely dear. 

 It has made me feel very comfortable that my situation has not been in the 

 Country, which is nothing but a heap of Mud & Dirt ; and although you 

 find Charms in the Country, that is in you7- Country, yet I fancy, was you 

 obliged to live in this Island all the year round, you wou'd choose a Villa 

 situated somewhere in the middle of Douglas. And even in your own 

 country I do suppose you find an abundant quantity of the above mention'd 

 articles Mud & Dirt. I will answer for it your fish pond has had regular 

 supplies of water, without your being under the necessity of stopping up the 

 Brook. For my own part I am so well satisfied with Douglas that I am 

 upon the point of purchasing a House here and I believe I shall actually 

 agree for it. The purchase money will be about four hundred pounds, Can 

 you make it convenient to let me have that sum about next May? Perhaps 

 it may not be quite so much : I am sure it will not be more. Pray let me 

 here from you soon on this subject. 



The important Tryal between Miss Jacobs and Sherman is at length 

 terminated, and has ended in a complete victory on the side of the Fair 

 Lady: she has come off with Flying Colours, and Two Hundred pounds 

 Brit. He attempted to set up a very ungallant defence, which, for the 

 honour of Manx Land, wou'd not be admitted. It is said that a Mr. Archdale, 

 formerly a lieutenant of mine had before paid his addresses to her. This the 

 jury thought irrelevant & therefore refused to hear it. He now wanders 

 about, generally alone, and looks like a hunted Devill. It touches him to 

 the quick to part with his money. 



The Whaleys, the Daleys, & the rest of the vagabonds are continually 

 quarrelling & Brawling, & afford constant subjects for conversation ; and 

 which, as we have no matters of greater consequence to discuss, serve to 

 pass away time. The rest of the people and places remain in much the same 

 situation as when you left us, save & except that I have an elegant Villa 

 building in the heart of Duke Street where I hope to see you & your Fair 



