Star.
London, England, 1826-07-10 00:00:00

ISLE OF MANS

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR.

DOUGLAS, ILLY 4.

Silt—This Island, particularly since the introduction
of steam boats, which regulatly go between It and Eng-
land, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, has become much
else resort of persons of fashion—in short, strangers of
all description,but especially-during the summer months,
not only from the delightful climate and charming sce-
nery; but to those advantages and comforts it holds out,
cheapness of living. To use a common phrase, for per-
sons who are disposed t t " pull up," or, in other words,
wish to observe economy, and having a limited income,
It is most decidedly preferable to different parts of the
Continent. Many persons who are in opulent circum-
stances have retired to this spot, bought property, im-
proved it highly, and built elegant houses. Douglas,
Castletown, Peel, and Ramsay, are all beautiful towns
an the sea shore, and the finest watering places. Take
the following to give some idea of the prices of provi-
sions:-Rum, 7s. a gallon; Brandy, 10s. per do. Port
and Sherry Wines, 11. Is. a dozen ; Burgundy, 21. Bs.
Champagre, 4s. a bottle; Tea, 4s. a lb. excellent.—
Poultry, young Fowls, 9'. a pair ; grown, &c. Is. 6d.
Cod-fish, weighing thirty pounds, Is. Meat, 6d. a lb.
Eggs, SO for lr. Pork. 4d. alb. Hans, 6d. Lodgings
are most teas n.ble. There are a number of Officers of
the Army and Navy permanently set led here. The
passage to Liverpool is 17s. 6J. including provisions.—
We have public banks, numerous churches ani schools,
academies, newspapers published, a theatre, excellent
roads ; no turnpikes ; carriages of all descrii tions.
In consequence of the misunderstanding between the
Duke of Atholl and the House of Keys, his Grace, it is
supposed, will never again appear among us. Mr.
.MA1.411411, the upholsterer, Soho-square, London, is now
in the Castle, packing up the whole furniture, wines, kc.
which will be shipped this week for town. It is uncer-
tain to what pureose Government will apply this noble
building, erected at a vast expense, and forming a most
striking object, though idea is entertained that it will be
riven as a place of residence to the Governer. It is to
be lamented that the Duke and the inhabitants do not
draw together, as the prosperity of the Island might be
still further improved by his residence and influence.—
A grant of it was made irk the reign of Henry VI. to the
Der by family ; and on the death of the 13th Lord of
Man without issue, in 1735, the inheritance devolved
on Lady Sophia, daughter of the 7th Earl of Derby,
and the several Lords made the place a residence at
least during some part of the year. But, tentpora mama-
tur. The anniversary of the Duke's birth, formerly at-
tended with such great rejoicings, passed away last wet k
in sullen silence.

There was a dispute between the Bishop and rime of
the peasants in his district, from his claiming a ii he on
turnips and potatoes: he has dismantled his palace at
Bishops•court, and removed the effecits to a residence

near B silt, and his family have al.o left the Island !
Whatever rpinion may be entertained as to his ecclesias-
t cal rights in this respect, (and they are indeed numer-
ous) there can exist only one as tothis distinguished be-
nevolence to the poor of his palish, who will severely
deplore his absence.
A trial came on last week before a Jury at Castle-
town, which has excited prodigious interest throughout
the Island. It was brought by William Roper, barrister,.
against John Christian, Deemster Jacfge. The latter is
a son of Mr. Curwen, M.P. for Cumberland. The
charge was for publishing a libel in the Maus Patriot
newiparer, in these worts;" The anecdotepf the Arabs,
sslro consider a test of friendship when they eat salt at
the table of another, we forbear inserting ; by way of
comparison, it might, in these sore and tender days of
tumult and strife, be construed into personality; there
is a coat ser adage, but yet true in many instances, that
' the way to a man's heart is down his throat ; and it is
more probable that the suspension of the heat and vinous
fluid led to tie closing up of the avenues of the heart,with
the person vi horn we have in our eye'" (meaning thereby
the petitioner). All this, it was said, had been doneto
" injure the petitioner in his profession as a lawyer, by
exposing him to hatred, con•empt, and ridicule." Roper
conducted his own case, and spoke some hour.. The
Court was occupied two days. The Jury was charged
by Dremster Heywood most impartially, and much to
the approbation of all ; and atter they had been closeted
several hours, a verdict of acquittal was brought in.
In this Island the inhabitants amount to 40,060 and
tbrnumber of acres are about 2013,000: the revenue is
little short of 20,0001. As Government intends to pur-
chase the Duke's interest in it, Mr. Robins, of Covent
Garde:), was sent here by him to examine and strike a
valuation accordingly. Other two valuators have been
litre on the part of Government, but the reports of nei-
ther have been learned. There are valuable mines
.corking by an English company. The black marble
ledding to St. Paul's, London, were brought Irons
here. A vessel is now loading with specimens of a most
datable stone, for London, which is used here for chim.
1;,:y pieces, and resembling dark blue marble.
As your Palter noticed some time ago the flight of a
railitary Captain, a widower, aged 44. with a Miss of
;5, to Scotland, where they were united, I may add-
`rat they returned, and now live at Castletown. The
sol of Mars has been greatly disappointed, since, in
p:ace of finding her an heiress, as some wags had held
i•it to him, she is dependant on a stepfather, a rich
cede, who resides here, who will not allow him to
aster his house, or have aoy communication in any
5!,.-pe with him.

here has been a deal of lightning, and the grass is
completely burned up. To-day (July 4), thermometer
at W.—Sir William Hillary is
.continuing his praise.
wrn thy exertions in endeavouring to establish in all parts
et Europe, the scheme he adopted here for the preser-
vation of life from shipwreck. It has become a National
Institution: the King is Patron; the Eatl of Liverpool
President. There is an annual meeting in London.

A packet has just come in : Ald. Sir James Shaw,
21r. Rae Wilson, the Eastern traveller, Miss F. H.
Keay, of Covent Garden Theatre, and several others,
are passengers.—Miss Kelly had been advertised to ap-
pear Lem as Mrs.Halier, in the stranger, and in the Maid
Qua the Magpie. The bills state, mat since the days of
;Miss O'Neill no actress has succeeded more in the higher
and mare pathetic walks of the Drama." The crops of
the Island have suffered much by the drought. At one
time Fahrenheit's thermometer stood at nearly 90. It
is a remarkable fact that the :um of 110001. sterling is
drawn from Eaglani, and expended by the Half--pay
04,:ers in the Isle of Man. We have ',dropped in upon
you" with these,pbmvations on out Wand, andlin doing
so, Lope: "we d.,n't intrude.'