The Arvada enterprise., 1910-08-26

/" iE Isle of Man Is a dominion of
OF the crown of England, stu
ated in the Irish Sea, almost
equidistant from England on
the east, Scotland on the north
and Ireland on the west+The greatest
length of the island is about thirty
three miles, and Its greatest width
about twelve miles. 1t is delightful
spot. The mean annual temperature
ds higher than that of any other dis
trfct occupying the same parallel of
latitude, and the variation according
ito the seasons is remarkably small.
Owing originally to the enterprise
of Scotch and English farmers, the
land, where arabic, has been brought
into state of high cultivation.
Through the use of seaweed in large
quantities in the northern districts of
the island the sandy and gravelly soil
has been greatly enriched, and 1t now
possesses remarkable fertility. its pro-
ductiveness being increased by the
fine climate. According to the agrI-
cultural returns Of 1882 the cultivated
area comprehended 97,494 acres, 81
per cent. of the whole. Like ireland.
the Isle of Man is exempt from veno-
mous reptiles and toads, a circum-
stance traditionally attributed to the
agency Of st. Patrick. the patron saint
of both islands.
The government of the island Is
vested in governor appointed by the
crown, council which acts as an
upper chamber Of the legislature and
the house of keys. The governor and
council and the house of keys togeth-
er constitute the court of Tynwald;
but the approval Of the queen Of Great
Britain in council Is essential to every
Legislative enactment Acts of the
British legislature do not affect the
island except 1t be specially named In
them. For the purposes of civil juris-
diction the island is divided into
northern and southern district, and
each of these is again subdivided into
three ''sheadings," which are an
alogous to counties
The laws of the island still retain
much of their ancient popularity OF
character, though modified by acts of
Tynwald, and rendered in some re-
spects more in unison with those of
England. The population Is $4,000.
The principal towns Of the island are
Douglas. Castletown, Ramsey and
Peel.
The Manx language is a subdialect
of the ancient Celtic, and a dialect Of
the Irish branch, ITO which the Scot.
tish Gaelic also belongs. The differ
lences in pronunciation of these Ian
lguages are not so great as to prevent
"a native Of either country conversing
with one of the other, although the
differences In orthography perplex
even the most learned linguists. The
Manx is now spoken only in the north
western parishes, and at few locali-
ties in the western coast. The ma
tives generally converse in the Eng
Ilish language. Manx is not taught in
any of the schools. and 1t is very
probable that it will soon become en-
tirely extinct.
To be able in foreign country to
SAY TO a Manxman, 81 am from the
island" or to own Manx name
which will mark you out for "ManI
ones to recognize, Is to be armed
with passport to freemasonry Of
the staunchest description.
remember, more years ago than
care to count up now, arriving in a
fearsome mining camp In the heart Of
the western states-a camp Of a few
primitive huts and eighteen saloons,
going night and day-feeling that the
bottom had dropped out of the world,
land / hadn't a friend or hope left In
IT. Suddenly little tap came on the
door of the sort Of dog-kennel which
was masquerading as my home" and
Ia big, brown, breezy stalwart stood
fon the threshold. He was dressed as
Ia miner, but I seemed to see him In
blue knitted Jersey. with trousers Of
homespun. and big, wellgreased sea
boots reaching to his knees. The
smell Of the ocean and the breath OF
the mountains chung about him. and
crept into the odious little room.
They're tellin' me you're from the
islan'," he said simply. laying down
ION an upturned packing case wealth
of welcome In the shape Of primitive
luxurfes brought haphazard from the
general stores. I'm from Marown."
he volunteered.
/ And I'm from Rushen," L said.
giving him my hand to grip.
The shadow Of the green hills by
the sea" seemed over us as we sol
emnly shook hands. Would that every
reader could visit the island. and en-
hoy it's breezy brightness and the
beauty Of its hills and dalea. and see
with ones own eyes those lovely
scenes.
There is probably no place in the
British Islands whore the traveller Is
more chsaply and efnciently catered