The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-12-24

tics and Customs-The ''OieI YER
ree.''
Especial Correspondence of the RECORD
UNION. Copyright. 1921
PEEL, Isle of Man, December Q, 1892
In somewhat extended study of the
home life Of Manxmen / have come upon
many striking similarities between the
character and habits of these folk and
those of the statesmen OF Cumberland
and the fisher folk Of Cornwall.
Cumberland statesmen" the actual
peasant owners in perpetuity of little
mountain tracts of land, which have
passed from father to eldest son since the
border necessities of teudal times COM
PEELED the warlike northern barons 10
parcel out their lands to their serfs, are
tall Of stature, stout of frame, grave OF as
pect, but with certain fire of calm and
conscious independence in their great
gray eyes, which, on occasion, would
flame into exalted heroism.
All this you see in Manxmen in their
comfortable homes, and one has only to
acquaint himself with the heroism of this
handful OF islanders in the past to know
that their looks do not belle their real
character. There is nowhere on English
SOIL greater contrast to be found to the
head-ducking, tuft-pulling, fawning hui
man whom the English land system has
merged into Aereditanly cringiug,
iarthing splitting vassal called an Eng
lish small farmer.
Most MauXmen, indeed, all save the
pIoprletors of mountain farms, are also
fishermen. In population Of less than
$4,000 souls, including all town folk ii is
estimated that at least enc in every five
derives his chief support from the har-
vests Of the sea. When boat-builders and
netmakers are taken into account, the
proportion would be far greater. The
immediate proximity to the sea of every
inhabitant, and the endless mental alb
sOrptiOn Of the facts and fancies OF sea
environment, have, through the centu-
ries, certainly nodded the ManXmen's
face in sympathy. In repose, it is a hand
some lace with a tar-aWay, dreamful
look. In animation it has sternness and
fire. In ordinary attentiVeness it be-
speaks great caution. When it has a
pleasing peat fire Tor background and
your own face IS opposite, set in a per-
spective Of wind-whipped landscape or
steely-blue sea, | think it is truly one
Of the most hospitable faces in all the
world.
You would be chased down a mountain
side or tossed over a cliff here in ManX-
land II you offered money Tor any form
OF hospitality. The host Of a farin-bouse
or cottage regards your coming as an
honor, your staying a pleasure, your 90
ing with regret. From time immemOrial
no tramps or mendicants have been al
lowed To land upon the shores of Man.
Not so very long ago a vessel breaking
this law was forfeited. Locks and KEYS
are unknown in the countrysides. Utter
simplicity and complete repose reign in
all farm and cottage homes. "CiViliza-
uOn," represented by an influx of sight
seeing strangers from ali parts OF the
world, has not yet disturbed the serenity
OF apparently changeless thought, feeling
and hablt. Strangers are as gratifying
TO the equable interest Of Manxmen as
the simplicity OF the latter is satisfying to
the curiosity OF those who come from
far-Oif lands. Outside of the towns un-
eventful life TO these honest souls
is measured in three parts
A simple way-the birth, the toll. the rest
The ManX woman is ruddv of face
broad of girth and has a tongue which
deals in cordial candOr. This face Of hers
is comely withal, and there is a light be-
hind her pleasant eyes which tells that
her tine, rosy mouth and ready tOngueare
not given to deceiving 1t is a better
FACE altogether than you will find in any
OF the Latin countries; you are not as
afraid of il as yon are Of the more roguish
Irish face; IT IS less selfish than the faces
OF women you see IN England, and If is
not conjuring i'll Of you as the Scotch
woman sometimes makes you conscious.
Altogether 1t speaks loyalty, earnest
ness, some sympathy and about all the
trace OF merrIment you will find in little
Mainland.
This woman before marriage is no won
drOus blossom. She is often sweet enouUh
TO look at, fair enough to remember. shy
enough TO make pursuit piquant, but she
shows Improvement with age-one Of the
best fortunes that can come to woman.
she Is wondrously prolific and her chill
dren make her glowing mother. Bur
dens develop her real heroism. The m
written law is, from superstitious Gus
tom, that she shall never Drecede her
husband, but mentally and in all hearth
side and marital eXigency she is his per-
manent guldon and superior In old age
she is the brightest, cheeriest, peachiest.
handsomest woman you can lind in anv
land.
Only in The more ancient quarters will
one nnd folk and customs peculiarly
characteristic Of the little Manx nation in
towns. In Douglas, aRmsev and even
here in antiquated Peel, the humble folk
ilVe much as they do in all little old Eng
Ilsh coast cities. The real Manx home.
preserved IN It's material and human en-
uty Tor many hundreds OF years, is the
home of the Manx highlander or fisher
man, or OF both. All habitations of these
ManNmen are places of genuine, though
rude ana simple, comfort. In wandering
IN all manner Of out Of the way places on
the 1alr island l have not been able To
find one abode of yeoman or fisherman
where poverty is apparent. Even dis
comfort Is seldom seen. Cleanliness and
snugness are universal. There is a song
iul, sunny atmosphere within the walls
and without; an amplitude tempered bv
thrift, but en1ivened by content. good
VIII and often cheeriuess, though the
ManX nature is bland ana introspective
rather than demonstrative and turbu-
lent.
Nearly every cottage is like the Cum-
berland 'statesman's." 1t is low. broad
ample. Its walls are practically indie
strucubie, and the building. hooded with
snug, brown matching, runs ont in aII
manner Of picturesque ways into stables.
cowhouses, sheepfoldS and carIsbeds
These tell their own pleasant story of nru-
dent preservation Of possessions and
kindly comfort Tor dumb beasts. There
is always a fine garden. This is not only
a bit of rare bloom and color in summer.
a rich contrast to, the vast breadth Of
golden, ever-blOoming gorse, the purple
heather and lichen-cOVered rocks. but
ManXmen get as much as HOllanders for
home comfort out of these richly-tilIed
half-acres. The eartheu fence inclosinr
the garden and every hedge between the
fields are beautiful from painstaking care
Enriched with roses, where the tiny Bur-
net rose is marvel OF color and fra
grance with hawthorn and hOneysuckle,
they furnish one of the most exquisite
charms of the island.
Within the Manx yeoman's home the
picture is homely but pleasing. The
house-place, iving-room and kitchen
combined, is on one side of green