On the question being put on the second reading of the bill, there apppeared-Contents 35 Non-contents 11 Majority 24 On the third reading of the bill, Contents 24 Non-contents 5 Majority 19 The bill soon afterwards received his Majesty's assent. BOOK III. THE HISTORY OF THE ISLE OF MAN. CHAPTER I. From the earliest tradition to the reign of IT sometimes happens that, while the more interesting records of independent and powerful nations are destroyed by the conquests of foreigners or by internal contentions, the history of smaller and less important states remain uninjured, and give us earlier views into human life and manners. The historians, however, of these early periods seldom afford much information beyond the name of the sovereign, and the event of a battle, with sometimes an account of the promulgation of a code of laws, or the establishment of a monastery: and it is only by careful comparison of notices accidentally inserted, that we gain any information on the subjects which, to a modern reader, are the most interesting. The early history of Man rests only on tradition; and that tradition is neither full, nor always consistent. According to Ninnius, this island was held by Biule, a Scot, in the reign of Arcadius and Honorius: according to Sacheverel, towards the end of the fourth century. At the beginning of the fifth, tradition assigns it to Mananan Mac Leir, a magician, who kept it enveloped in perpetual mists till St. Patrick broke the charm; and, having persuaded or compelled Mac Lier to relinquish the possession, made Germanus bishop and ruler of the island. He, by his wisdom, conduct, and virtuous example, completely established the christian religion among the people. On the death of Germanus, St. Patrick sent over two other bishops, to govern the country; after whom St. Maughold was elected by the unanimous consent of the Manks nation. This saint had been a captain of robbers in Ireland, and, arriving, during the administration of the two preceding bishops, in a little leathern boat, his hands manacled and bolts on his feet, pre tended that he had thus exposed himself as a penance for the crimes of his past life; and made use of the reputation for sanctity, thus obtained, to obtain the government of the island. After this, the administration of affairs continued in the hands of the bishops till the coming of a king, called Orry: but whence and at what time he came, and under what circumstances he obtained the government, are events unknown. About the year 580, Brennus, nephew to Aydun, king of Scotland, got possession of the crown. All we are told of him is that, fourteen years afterwards, he led an army to the assistance of his uncle, and obtained a victory at the expense of his life. On the death of Brennus the island appears to have been annexed to Scotland, and the three sons of Eugenius, the son of Aydun; Ferguard, Fiacre, and Donald were sent hither to be educated under Conan, bishop of the isle. According to the Manks tradition they did great credit to their preceptor, for, though Ferguard was murdered in a conspiracy, soon after his accession to the throne of Scotland, yet the second, Fiacre, refused the crown, and became an eminent saint; and the third, Donald, governed with so 1 |