taken down and delivered to any one who claims them, and will pay the postage.

There are in the town two billiard tables for the amusement of gentlemen. Ely Shaw is, in the same house, a billiard-table keeper, a woollen draper, a publican, and he keeps a postchaise for the use of travellers, with a steady and civil driver.

One side of the market-place is formed by a chapel, dedicated to St. Matthew, which claims no particular notice. To the west of the town, on rising ground, is St. George's chapel, for the building of which a subscription was made, and the funds were lodged in the hands of Bishop Mason. He died insolvent not long afterwards, part of the money subscribed being thereby lost, and some of the artificers remaining to this day unpaid. This is, I think, the largest place of worship upon the island: the inside is neat ; and the voices of the congregation are regulated by an organ. The pews are let by auction to the highest bidder for the term of seven years. On a recent occasion the high sum of 71. per annum was given for the best pews. The Dissenters exercise their devotion at a Methodist meetinghouse and a Scotch kirk.

Nearly a mile and a half on the Peel road, in a very pleasant valley and surrounded by trees, is Kirk Braddon, the parish church of Douglas. Of the names of places, Chaloner's etymologies, for want of better, I shall generally follow. Braddon is supposed to be a corruption of the Manks word bradan, signifying salmon; this fish during the season being formerly very plentiful in Douglas bay; and the name of the parish, commonly called Kirk, and of the parish church being always the same. The building does not appear ancient, nor has it any thing remarkable about it, except a large church-yard literally crammed with graves. These, for the most part, have either a blank stone at the head, or one on which are engraved the initials or name of the deceased. They are little ornamented with productions of the Tragic Muse. At the upper part of the church-yard is a lofty and plain monument of Arran sand stone, erected to the memory of the late Lord Henry Murray, brother to the Duke of Athol. On the edge of a stone, forming a stile, is a Runic inscription, thus read and translated by Mr. Beauford:

"Durlifr nsaci risti crus dono Aftfiac sunsin frudur sun safrsag."

3

for more remontiable relic of antiquity fas

abed over by

The author without

"For Admiral Durlif this cross was erected by the son of his brother (the son of) Safrsag.”

About half a mile north of Douglas is Mona castle, a modern building of the present Duke, intended for his future residence. This is a stately edifice, and has none to vie with it upon the island. In the front is a noble ball-room equal in height to two stories of the other parts of the mansion. It is at present bare of trees; and how far the young plantations are likely to flourish seems very doubtful. His former place of abode was in the midst of some territory, which he kept in his own hands, called Port-eshee, one mile from Douglas, on the right-hand side of the Peel road, valley land, and apparently well cultivated. The building is now occupied by the tenant, and has the appearance of a good farm-house. Hence he removed to the custom-house, a house which he had purchased, soon after the sale of the island, for 3001. but which is now occupied by Mr. Scott, who transacts the duties of public accountant, and of his private agent.

A few hundred yards westward, by the river, is the Nunnery, the seat of Major Taubman, taking its name from the late contiguous ruin of

nunnery, founded, in the beginning of the sixth century, by St. Bridget, who received the veil of virginity from St. Maughold, the fourth bishop of the isle. Such is the Manks' account. Tradition commands not implicit faith. The Irish, who claim St. Bridget as their tutelar saint, give the following history of her life: She was born in the year 453, and at the age of fourteen years received the veil from the hands of St. Patrick. In 484 she founded the nunnery of Kildare about the same time a monastery was founded under the same roof; and this illustrious and immaculate lady presided both over the nuns and the monks till the time of her death in the year 523. The prioress of Douglas nunnery was anciently a baroness of the isle ; held courts in her own name; and possessed temporal authority equal to a baron. Here the trees grow with great luxuriance, particularly at the back part, where there is a very pretty bank of wood with the river at the bottom. The garden walls are well covered, and the hothouses well stocked. Here may be found every comfort and luxury of life; and here, had I the choice of the seats of the island, would I take up my abode.

Douglas is pretty well supplied with white fish throughout the year; with a little salmon, and of course with herrings during the summer months. A good deal of trade is carried on in the building of fishing-boats, both for home and foreign use, the workmen having acquired the character of being singularly skilful. The springs in the town not being good, water is brought from a declivity behind it, in large casks, resembling those used for a similar purpose in England, and sold at one halfpenity per pail.

A weekly newspaper is printed and published by Mr. Jefferson. The circulation of it is considerable; and it is to be regretted that he does not amuse his readers, by a recital, as they occur, of the more interesting cases of Manks law.

The chief part of the military are stationed at Douglas; and, by their drums and fifes, render some annoyance to the inhabitants. The band, which is good, makes however some amends. On a Sunday it plays through the town, and sometimes it enlivens the assembly.

I was struck with the sang-froid with which a market woman would, if her stocking was down, pull up her petticoats and refix it with a garter