Manchester Memoirs, Vol. xlv. (1901), No. 8. 47 

 The next letter treats of several interesting matters : — 



Douglas, July 25th 1800. 



I shou'd have written to you long e'er this, but have put it off from time 

 to time in expectation of seeing you, for about a month ago I reed a Letter 

 from the Transport Office saying thar Lord Spencer had nam'd me for an 

 Agent of Transport, it requesting to know whether I had any objection to 

 serve in that Capacity. I answer'd that I certainly cou'd have no objection 

 to serve in any capacity his Lordship thought proper to appoint me to ; and 

 I, of course, expected to be immediately called upon ; but last post brou"ht 

 me a very polite letter from Commissioner George, of the Transport Office 

 saying that my remote situation prevented me from getting to London in 

 time, as the emergency was very pressing ; and the troops at that time 

 already embarked ; & that the vacancy was obliged to be immediately 

 filled up ; but that if any other appointment under that board offi;red he 

 wou'd take care to give me timely notice. And thus has ended the bustle 

 which this Letter caused in our household. I don't know whether I am most 

 pleased or displeased by this disappointment for there is much to be said on 

 both sides. However, I am well pleased with one part of the business, »& 

 that is knowing that it originated with my good friend Lord Curzon, who has 

 recommended me to Lord Spencer so that it is not improbable that I may 

 yet be called once more into actual service. My way upon these occasions 

 is to make myself perfectly easy, & say "whatever is right is right, the Devil 

 a bit further will I submit to. 



I wonder whether there is any chance of seeing you on this side the 

 Herring Pond this year? Your old friend Banks will add to your stock 

 of information by reciting the adventures he has lately gone through in an 

 enchanted Castle where he was convey'd by certain Magicians, in the Shape 

 of Parsons. The truth is Mr Banks has a settled aversion to the Clergy as 

 well as to every other of the Liberal professions, & he was indulging himself 

 by giving vent to some of the bile which overloaded his stomach, in one of 

 the Clergy Courts here, when the Vicar-General »& his brethren caused him 

 to be placed in Castle Rushen for a fortnight, & a penalty of Ten Pounds 

 Brit : to be levied on his goods & chattel. I have not seen him since he 

 came from Colledge, but I hear he is very amusing, & it is not impossible but 

 he may get another journey thither if he is not a little more cautious in his 

 expressions. There are various other scenes and stories for your recreation 

 if you will but be at the pains of taking a trip to Mona to collect them. 



The fanciful way in which the arrest and imprisonment 

 of Banks is described is due to the former Manx su]jer- 

 stition that Castle Rushen, which was the general prison 

 of the Island, was originally built and inhabited by fairies. 

 The Clergy in the Isle of Man had an even greater civil 



