The Coolidge examiner., 1938-02-03

n 4 ANXMEN (natives of
MI the Isle of NAM trav-
el all over the world
and sometimes settle in out
of-the-way places, but they
never seem to forget their lit
tie island, which lies almost
midway between England,
Scotland, and northern Ire
land, set like jewel in the
Irish sea.
Tradition says the island came
into existence when a legendary
hero, Finn MacCool, hurled hand
fuls Of Irish earth at some giant
enemy; but. though reluctant to
doubt this story, we shall be nearer
the mark perhaps if we believe the
geologists who tell us that it was
once attached to the neighboring
mainlands and is geologically akin
to the English lake district.
The stories of the early inhabi-
tants are just as strange as those
concerning Finn MacCool. One
hears, for instance, that fairies
made their kingdom in Man, and
that ST. Patrick, fresh from tri-
umphs in Ireland, came to Chris
tianize the island and turn out the
snakes.
But even when one leaves the
legends and turns the pages Of is
land history, the truth is exciting
and romantic enough. The Celtic
inhabitants were at different times
ruled by Irish. Scandinavian. Scot
tish. and English kings.
When the island passed 10 Ed
ward l of England, he and his sue
cessors presented the little king
dom TO various favorites until in
l+05 il came into possession Of the
great house Of Stanley. This ia
nous Lancashire family ruled in
Man up to 1876, when the lordship
passed to the duke of Athol.
Twenty-nine years later the island
was sold to the British Crown. For
tunately, however, all the old laws
and customs were preserved, so
that today the island. which is only
30 miles long and IL broad, still
possesses its own law courts and
its own legislative bodies, though
enactments, Of course, are subject
TO the approval of the British gov
ernment.
Flag With Three Legs.
The first thing that strikes you
during voyage to the island is the
fact that your ship is flying a red
flag bearing the Three Legs Of Man.
This is the ancient emblem Of the
island, which decorates the hilt Of
the Thirteenth century sword of
state and in addition is seen almost
everywhere.
1t seems certain that this en-
blem is of Sicilian origin, for many
Sicilian vases in the British mu-
scum bear a similar design. The
only difference is that in the Manx
version the feet are booted and
spurred and curious motto states:
whichever way you may throw
me, l shall fall on me feet"
Castletown, though deprived Of its
former Importance, still retains an
air of aloof grandeur. The inhabi-
tants rather look down upon those
who live in less favored places.
There is an atmosphere Of peace
about the place, for the "trippers,"
who in summer turn the other towns
into perpetual Fairgrounds, are sat-
isfied to see the castle and then
pass on.
Most of the town, built on Castle
town bay, is grouped around Castle
Rushen. The streets are so old and
narrow that sometimes the inhabi-
tants, after nearly being annihilated
by a motorbus, remark patheti-
cally. why, there isn't room to
swing a cat here!" All the same,
they are proud of their old houses
and would not have it otherwise.
One large square, facing the cas-
tie, is remarkable for its monu-
ments. In the center stands lofty
column, erected, so tablet ex-
plains, as a memorial to Col Cor
nelius Smelt, a former lieutenant
governor of the island. One Won
ders why there is no statue on the
top, until some kind passer-by ex-
plains that insufficient money was
forthcoming to complete the memo
rial.
Clock With Only One Hand.
This seems odd, but odder yet is
the time-keeping apparatus dis
played. First, there is an old SUM-
dial, which, so it is said, can be
used to tell the time by either the
sun or the moon.
But strangest Of all is large
clock presented by Good Queen
Bess. At first glance it looks very
imposing and useful. but then one
discovers there is something seri-