New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-21
MAINLAND.
A MODERN WATERING-pLACE AND AN
ANTIQUE FISHING TOWN-AN OPEN
AIR PARLIAMENT-ISLAND SCENERY

AIR PARLIAMENT-ISLAND SCENERY
Peel Isle Of Man. July 8.
Mainland has been revealed within few
years to tourists and pleasure-seekers as one
of the loveliest of ISLANDS. with local customs
and traditions Of exceptional interest Gener-
atlons Of neglect have been followed by the
swarminR of travellers on the island during the
summer and the conversion OF Douglas into the
brighton Of the Irish Sea- Two great passenger
steamships now running daily between Liverpool
and the island and the natural attractions OF
the Manx paradise are advertised with free
hand throughout the United Kingdom. Popu-
larity has its drawbacks The Isle OF Man is IN
imminent danger OF being undermined and OF ios-
ing much OF It's quaint simplicity Inc ne"
architecture Is ostentatious and out OF keeping
with the old fishing villages which have been
transformed into summer resorts. There IS
glare OF electric light which Ill COMFORTS WIN the
beautiful stee-gray sheen Of the twilight seas.
There are variety shows, dancing halls and all
the noisy revelry OF Coney Island where was once
the primitive simplicity OF the Manxmans hie'
It Is in Douglas, the landing place OF the hi'-
erpool steamers, that the invading host OF pleas
ure-seekers 10 encamped during July and August.
1t lies the eastern coast fronting upon
beautiful bay. and fanked by picturesque hills
a
lows the curve Of the shore and facing It are
hundreds OF apartment houses. hotels and places
OF amusement At night the town with it's vaca-
ton tourists from Liverpool and Lancashire
abandons Itself TO enjoyment Of holiday revelry.
The espIanade is throngei with saunterers;
bands are playing. and dancing halls and thea
tres are crowded with light-hearted audiences.
Hour after hour the town flashes with tawdry
splenior The dancing palaces have great floors
where many hundreds can waltz TO the creaking
music OF the orchestra while the galleries are
filled with spectators Under the vast glass roofs
and domes there are gardens and concert halls
whore variety shows are constantly in progress.
There Is little that is unseemly in these scenes OF
revelry. The dancing is simple and decorous. and
the amusements OF the town are decent and or
derby. But Douglas is not what one expects TO
find In this unique island. with Its traditions Oh
the Vikings and Its studies OF Homeric manners.
The wise traveller will only halt In the town
long enough to catch glimpse OF the dancing
halls and the brilliantly lighted explanades.
Then he will cross the island to find something
that is characteristics OF the Manx people.
St Johns Church. with Tynwald Hill In front
OF H. Is one OF the unique spectaces OF the Island
II Is n memorial OF Morse traditions and the
anomalous political order under which the island
has been governed for centuries. When the
vikings conquered the island they married the
Cet women and established the Manx commu-
nifty The language remained largely Celtic be-
cause the mothers taught It to their children.
but the strong. sturdy lberty-lovng Manxman
had the features. figure and manners OF the
Mortimer The island was converted to Chris
tianity and the bishops were allowed exceptional
privileges as spiritual lords They were conspic-
Ngu aiia fa "a n
dependent OF the temporal lords and the deem
sters But the rights Of the people were secured
by an open-air Parliament. held once year on
Tynwald Ill., where the laws were proclaimed
and where the grievances OF the humblest sub
feet could be heard and fcdressed. That was the
time honored political order in Iceland. but It
disappeared a century ago. In the Isle OF Man
II has remained until this day. curious survival
OF ancient democracy.
The Island is n crown dependency. with Gov
crnor appointed by the Queen and Parliament
OF It's own armed with full measure OF local
autonomy. What Ireland could have been under
Mr. Gladstones first scheme OF home-rule the
Isle Of Man has been and is. and the simple cere-
monies OF the annual Tynwald Court reveal the
traditions OF home rule and local independence
as they have been handed down from remote
generations. This week the old church will be
opened for the annual service and following II
will be the historic open-air Parliament. with the
Governor In the place Of the Viking King. or lord
Of the island attended by the two deemsters. the
bishop. the council and the House OF Keys and
encircled by the people OF the island-the fisher
men and the peasants. All the conditions OF an
cient days preserved with a single anomaly
the presence OF thousands OF spectators. who are
there TO witness what is one OF the unique sights
Of Europe. In this open-air Parliament on Tyn-
wad Hi are proclaimed the laws which have
been enacted and which require the sanction OF
this popular assembly. The laws are read by
the senior deemster In English and by an inter-
prefer In the original Manx language Petitions
are presented and proposals for harbor improve
ments and standing orders OF various kinds are
read. Then the band plays God Save the
Queen" and the Governor. clergy and legislators
return through files OF soldiers to the church.
which Is now n legislative court where the
statutes OF Tynwad are officially signed. 1t
would be dull ceremony were 1t not for the
scenic surroundings. the amphitheatre OF hills.
the plain sloping seward. the walled mount
with it's four circles Of tiers and the open green
motley crowd Of sightseers; but the spirit OF
ancient democracy broods over the scene and
makes It altogether unique and amazing
That Is one OF the sights OF the island Peel
town. with It's ruined castle and cathedral. its
mackerel and herring fleets. and It's quaint houses
and winding alleys Is another This is the real
centre OF Mainland and the traveller who es-
capes from the dancing halls and concert saloons
of Douglas Will be fascinated and enthralled by
II. Where can more interesting morning be
passed than among the ruins Of st. Patrick's