Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-01-12
NO. 10.
THE ISLE OF MAN.
tIondon Spectator. ]


The Isle of Man is but little known Ia
the higher classes of holiday-makers.
though it is annually visited by many
thousands of strangers. Those Who
flock thither are almost all persons Of the
lower middle class. and operatives from
she thickly populated towns of Lancashire
and Yorkshire. They make but short
stay they ramble over the island and their
loud. provincial tones are heard in bolster
ous merriment. In themselves these peo-
pie are study. You see the best of the
working class of the north away from their
| factories and workshops. and though your
| taste may be oftentimes offended at rude
jokes and noisy merriment. yet they are
essentially an Independent and hard work
ing class. even in their amusements.
But the Isle Of Man may fairly claim y
| visit from persons Of higher culture than
| these. Regarded simply rs a health re-
sort, there can be no question that il is the
most thorough sea residence in the king
dom. On every side is the sea, and what
ever quarter of the compass the wind
chooses to blow II comes from the sea. and
| there is scarcely spot in the 3S miles
| from the Point of Ayre TO the bold cliffs Of
the Calf of Man, unless it be some narrow
inland glen. from which the ocean in its
various moods cannot be seen. Through
out its entire length a chain of sloping.
gently-curved hills rises. from North Bar
rule (lS42 ~ to Snaefell COCA ft.) and
from Snaefcll to Cronkny -Jay-Llaa U1a5
ft.). 1.-THE hill of the rising day." from
which the sun may be seen ascending from
the sea and setting to the west, beyond tho
dimly defined outlines of the Mourde
Mountains.
The sea views arc in fact. perhaps more
striking than in any part of the United
Kingdom, except the northwest coast of
Scotland. But in the Isle of Man they
are broader and almost AS bold; the rug
ged masses of Spanish Head. the mellow
coloring of the Calf, and the wide expanse
Of waters on every side. dotted by scores
of herring boats, is u scene which in its
breadth is unequalled on any of our coasts.
| The absence of trees renders the land
views cold and harsh. but it is the general
coast views. the glens and coves. which
open to the sea. which are the characters
tic and charming portion of Manx scenery.
whilst the genial winters and cool sum-
mers produce some vegetation quite alb
normal in this latitude There are doz-
ems of houses protected by high hedges Of
fuchsias-on mass of bright, hanging
flowers-whist the delicate veronica flour
ishes in shrubs six feet in height.
But whilst the sea may he enjoyed in the
Isle of Man in a genuine fashion. the
place is interesting rs social study. II
is immaterial to go back through the cen
turies during which it has been semi-in-
dependent island; it is enough for pres
ent observation to find within five hours sail
of Liverpool ruling itself. enjoying home
rule in the most complete sense oi the
word. When once we have to study the
social habits of people who have for
centuries been an isolated community,
various quaint customs are sure to be no
ticed. Such is the mheillea. or cutting Of
the last handful of corn. which used 10 be
bound with ribbons and wild-fowers, and
carried by the queen of the mheiilea. a
favorite Of the harvest-field TO the farm.
Here supper and dance would take place.
so that it became kind of harvest home.
though on many farms II is succeeded by
a later and more general feast.
Now. the first part of the ceremony is
omitted, and the feast and merriment.
with handful of corn in the room. and
decorations of grain and flowers, still re-
calls the older and more picturesque GUS
tom. There is, too, the hunting of the
wren on st. Stephens Day, which has be-
come simply the carrying round from
house TO house of little dead bird decked
in ribbons. and the singing Of Manx songs.
Formerly there was the local wants.
Thus both town and rural districts in the
Isle of Man are governed by representa-
tives Of their own. whereas in England
local representative government is con-
fined to the towns.