 During this period, Lowther Hall was badly damaged by fire in 1718, and he spent little time there.In 1720, during the collapse of the South Sea Bubble, he may have lost as much as £30,000, worsening the condition of an estate already weakened by his gambling at cards and on the turf.He also spent significant sums to secure the burgage tenures of Appleby, bringing that borough under the family's control.