into a long narrow place; which the farther he penetrated, he perceived that he went more and

more on a descent: till having travelled, as near as he could guess, for the space of a mile, he began to see a little gleam of light, which, though it seemed to come from a vast distance, was the most delightful object he ever beheld. Having at length arrived at the end of that lane of darkness, he perceived a very large and magnificent house, illuminated with many candles, whence proceeded the light just now mentioned. Having, before he began the expedition, well fortified himself with brandy, he had courage enough to knock at the door, which a servant, at the third knock, having opened, asked him what he wanted? I would go as far as I can, replied our adventurer be so kind therefore as to direct me how to accomplish my design, for I see no passage but that dark cavern through which I came. The servant told him he must go through that house; and accordingly led him though a long entry, and out at a back door. He then walked a considerable way, and beheld another house more magnificent than the first; and, all the windows being open, discovered innumerable lamps burning in every room. Here also he

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designed to knock, but had the curiosity to step upon a little bank which commanded a low parlour; and, looking in, he beheld a vast table in the middle of the room, and on it extended at full length a man, or rather monster, at least fourteen feet long, and ten or twelve round the body. This prodigious fabrick lay as if sleeping with his head upon a book, with a sword by him, answerable to the hand which, it is posed, made use of it. This sight was more terrifying to our traveller than all the dark and dreary mansions he had passed through in his arrival to it. He resolved therefore not to attempt entrance into a place, inhabited by persons of that unequal stature, and made the best of his way back to the other house, where the same servant re-conducted and informed him, that if he had knocked at the second door, he would have seen company enough, but could never have returned. On which he desired to know what place it was, and by whom possessed; but the other replied that these things were not to be revealed. He then took his leave, and by the same dark passage got into the vaults, and soon afterwards once more ascended to the light of the sun."

Having thus far embarked in the fabulous history of this castle, I shall add another story of the same sort by the same author, who appears by his narration to have given credit to it.

"A mighty bustle they also make of an apparition which, they say, haunts Castle Rushen in the form of a woman, who was some years ago executed for the murder of her child. I have heard not only the debtors, but the soldiers of the garrison, affirm that they have seen it at various times; but what I took most notice of was the report of a gentleman, of whose good understanding as well as veracity I have a very high opinion. He told me, that happening to be abroad late one night, and caught in an excessive storm of wind and rain, he saw a woman stand before the castle-gate; and as the place afforded not the smallest shelter, the circumstance surprized him, and he wondered that any one, particularly a female, should not rather run to some little porch or shed, of which there are several in Castletown, than chuse to stand still, exposed and alone to such a dreadful tempest. His curiosity exciting him to draw nearer that he might discover who it was that seemed

so little to regard the fury of the elements, he perceived she retreated on his approach, and at last, he thought, went into the castle though the gates were shut. This obliging him to think that he had seen a spirit, sent him home very much terrified but the next day relating his adventure to some people who lived in the castle, and describing, as near as he could, the garb and stature of the apparition, they told him it was that of the woman above-mentioned, who had frequently been observed by the soldiers on guard to pass in and out of the gates, as well as · to walk through the rooms, though there were no visible means to enter. Though so familiar to the eye, no person has yet had the courage to speak to it; and as they say that a spirit has no power to reveal its mind, unless conjured to do so in a proper manner, the reason of its being permitted to wander is unknown."

The castle is built close to the river, the rocky bed of which is nearly dry at low water. Its figure is irregular, and not easily conceived from any verbal description. A sort of stone glacis runs round it, said to have been built by Cardinał Wolsey. Within the walls are the Lieutenantgovernor's house, barracks with rooms for the

officers, and three rooms for debtors who are separated into three classes, according to the appearance of their gentility, and who, when I was there in 1808, amounted in number to thirteen. For their use are also four forlorn detached houses of one room each, built upon the walls, which may be inhabited only by special leave of the Governor. There is one court of justice used for the various occasions of the administration of the law; but by the Keys only when sitting in their judicial capacity: in their private debates they occupy a room of their own, without the castle. The prison room for criminals is damp, dark, and wretched. Under it is a dungeon for such prisoners as were out rageous, and who, for want of any steps, were let down by ropes or descended by a ladder, No light is admitted, except what makes its way through the chinks of its trap-door or covering. The two criminals who were last here, and having been found guilty of murder, were led out to be executed, were confined in a small room, not quite so dark and miserable as the prison which had formerly been used. The stone 'work of the keep, built of hard limestone, similar to that found in this neighbourhood, is entire as