The Coolidge examiner., 1938-02-03
Manx Milkman Making His Rounds
Legends and Oddities That Make
The Isle Of Mon Very Attractive

ously amiss. There is only one
hand, the hour hand.
AS a result, the stranger is very
likely to miss trains and buses, but
in this, as in other things, practice
improves even if it does not make
perfect, and in time one becomes
quite a good guesser The Manx
people do not mind, for after all
their motto is Time Enough"
Castle Rushen is one of the finest
specimens of a medieval castle in
existence. The local limestone has
wonderfully withstood the storms of
centuries.
Robert Bruce captured the castle
in 1913, by dint of a long siege.
AS a fortress it looks impregnable,
and, in fact, was so in the brave
days Of old, before the development
of artillery.
During the reign of Charles I, who
was beheaded in 1649, the seventh
earl Of Derby, known to this day
as the Great Stanley, built house
in the grounds after the style Of
his Lancashire seat, Knowsley Hall.
This great man, and his gallant
wife, Charlotte de la Tremouille,
played a prominent part in the Brit
ish Civil war. While he raised men
for the king in the Isle of Man, she
defended Lathom house in Lanca-
shire. Later, when Charles II made
his unfortunate raid into England,
the earl fought by his side at Wor-
cester and was captured and exc
cuted.
They Liked the Great Stanley.
Greatest of all the lords of Man,
he knew how to make himself popu-
lar, so that, although the people had
to support numerous troops and
were heavily taxed, he was well
liked. Some Of his own words have
come down to us and they explain
the secret Of his success:
When first / came among the
people, / seemed affable and kind
to all. so offended none. For TAX
ing off your hat, a good word, a
smile or the like, will cost you moth
ing. but may gain you much"
When he died the countess was
ruling in Castle Rushen and one
William Christian. receiver of the
island, was in command of the mi
lua. This man at once led the
militia against the countess and
captured all the strong places with
the exception of Castle Rushen and
Peel
The Parliamentary forces then
landed on the island, and Christian
surrendered on condition that the
Manx should retain their laws and
liberties. A few days later the
countess was compelled to give in.
The castle is no doubt a wonder
full specimen Of medieval architec-
ture, but one can not help thinking
how dreadfully uncomfortable it
must have been for all those who
had to live there. Thick walls, tiny
windows, and holes through which
to pour boiling pitch may be ad-
mirable for defensive purposes, but
do not increase the amenities of a
dwelling.
Indeed, the only consolation the
residents can have had is the knowl-
edge of the even greater discom-
forts suffered by the prisoners in
the underground dungeons. There
are, it is said, ghosts haunting the
castle, notably lady in white who
appears in unexpected fashion out
of the main gateway at midnight.
Manx Cats Still There.
This is doubtless a myth, but
the Manx cats are no myth; there
are still some about, looking very
strange minus their tails. Little is
known about them, though it has
been said that the original speci-
mems came off a galleon of the
Spanish Armada wrecked on the
rocky shores of the island. But
whatever their origin, they are far
wilder than English cats, in shape
rather like a miniature leopard.
Half a mile from the center of
Castletown is Hango hill, the an
cient execution ground where Will
liam Christian was shot.
This macabre hill rises from the
seashore, and Immediately behind
it the inspiring pile Of King Will
liam's college dominates an enor-
nous green playing field. Anyone
who wishes may visit this great
public school, where most distin-
guished Manxmen, and some dis
tinguished Englishmen. received
their education.
From here one can ranble on to
the fishing village of Derby Haven,
formerly center Of smuggling but
now remarkable as the island air.
port, and visit the white farmhouse
Of Ronaldsway, the old home of
Christian and the place where he
Matched his plot to rise against the
countess.