Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-12-29


parlor is hereditary and necessary
dignity with the Manxmen. 1t is, as
usual with other places of dignity, the
only place of discomfort in these kindly
island homes. In the centre of this
room will always be found little
square mahogany table. A family
Bible rests upon it. A half dozen
ancient mahogany chairs are adjusted
against the walls with view to their
support. A short, low-backed mahog-
any-framed chtntz settle is in the win
dow. Over the mantle piece is a hugh
mirror whose texture is as choppy as
the surface of the Man-encircling sea;
but this reflects in Zig-Zag way u mar
velo0s collection of stuffed birds, dried
grasses, China dogs, vases and rampant
shepherdesses, with sundry carvings
from Druidic days and huge shells
which saiIor-sons have brought from
far-oif shores. This dim little retreat is
seldom disturbed. Fifty enough it il
almost exclusively sacred to the uses of
funerals and weddings
But the comfort of the roomy old
house place and kitchen atores for all
this. The stone hearth is deep and wide,
and the feet of great family might all
have place upon il, with room for hide
and-seek for the little ones between the
owners chairs. The iireplaces are broad
and deep and high, for burning peat or
wood, with huge, vast chimneys above
them, where Il whole sheep or pig might
be roasted, and the great chains and
| hooks for Singing the pots above the
fire, would bear the weight of COW or
| an OK.
In some Of these habitatious the chin
| ney is so set back and outward into the
| garden that u genuine Scottish Jingle.
nenk," such as may be found In the
olden wcavers' village of Gartenside,
near Merose, is formed with tiny deep
| windows, splayed inwardly. Others have
at one side the Cornish "ungearnar," or
| fuel receptacle. There is always a recess
for storing peat or wood, sometimes I'm
| ishad like an old-time chest, with a
wide. long deal cover. This provides a
rude settle, upon which, when not occu-
| pied by some member of the family, will
| always be found that strange but ever
| beloved animal, the tailess Manx cat.
A "stubbins," as this tailless cat of Man
is called. is regarded in many districts of
the island with an affection bordering
on yeneration. 1t is more than super
stitious notion, it is belief, that any
one injuring cat will suffer dire harm
when at sea; for the progenitors of this
curious species were cast upon the
island from n wrecked ship, from which
no person was saved.
In one corner, on the fireplace side Of
the room, will always be found tho
stately dresser, set high in the room
upon its four crooked and slender legs.
a wealth of paudv crorkerv ware ornn-
ments lis capacious shelves. and one of
its Two deem drawers provides Ear the re.
cention Of The daily Gathering of eyrs
while the other is henned 10 the el Tes
with Inc weekly bakinr Of barlry clan.
bread. still the staff of life in most of
the countrysile homes. Beyona this IA
The dcaI tnble the family hoard for cnm.
mon or festive nses n is n huoe, stnut
affair. white as Inc silyered hair of the
dame whose mothers mothers mother
sci tile example Of its daily securing.
Between this and the dresser, as we'll
as beneath the latter, is row of huge
casks and jars. The largest of these
contains the greatest of blessings to the
ManXman, his "gray' or picked herring
or "scaddcn." In another is his store OF
sailed mutton or goose. In others are
preserved fruits and vegetables. This
region is sacred to the single supervision
of the housewife, and woe to the Manx
lad or lass in unlawful proximity. In
the opposite corner is the family "corner-
cupbOard,' the Mecca of all childish
longings and eager glances. More than
all else this receptacle stamps the Manx-
man as IL bouuteous liver. II is never
known to be lacking such comfortable
matters as a few pounds of homemade
butter, toothsome skim milk cheese, pots
of honey and coarse jam, and slices of
fancy bread and cake. All this, outside
the lamlly's requirements, serves in u
most genial countryside custom. Stranger
or ncishbor never calls at Manx cottage
without invitation TO eat and drink;
and neighbours children are never sent
away from a ManXman's home without
carrying in thei- chubby fists some hos.
pitaDlc token from the generous corner.
cupboard
Hupe woodcn chairs and rreat-nrp1
chairs whirh miyht Nave come down
from kim Orrvfs time rive lie nl,co
N ntrn,.n5arn ~ rns,ruIne.s Flitcbas
of bacon polden brown from, their
hrnnZfnT ~ nsnt smoke bnnp tamnt.
inTlv fr9n thn rnftcrs helnw the that,h.
in7s Thn inv ,vindn,ys ara sEaJad
vii snoyv ,S,nslin md thn lirht i
: mallnwod 3,d snftanad as Il i H1tnrna
tlrn,,,rL n traca,y ~ Mani m, 49,
flicker blue above an abundance OF
glowing peat, changing the great fire
place anon from orange to purple;
, while, ticking comfortably and with d
friendly and communicable sound. a
? t,,,., s;,,H, 49,, ,,i.,,Ix i,,,-, lla., i !.