[From Abel Heywood Illustrated Guide 1885]

DOUGLAS.

No fairer scene may to the poet's spirit
Beneath the blue skies of Italia smile,
Than tohu. O lovely bay ! that proudly guardest,
With thy far-spreading waves, dear Mona's Isle."

A magnificent view meets the eye of the visitor from the deck of the steamer on its arrival in Douglas Bay. The rocks to the left (the south), near the lighthouse, are exceedingly interesting to the geologist, owing to the singular form, and violent contortions of the strata. The lighthouse, which was erected in 1833, can be seen at night fifteen miles out at sea. A little distance past the lighthouse is the beautifully situat-ed bay, which is one of the most delightful sea-bathing places in the kingdom. Sloping convenient piers enable those who cannot swim to bathe in safety; while for those skilled in the art, a splendid " header" may be taken at any state of the tide.

On the headland, above the bathing creek, which is called Port Skillion, the Head Hotel is a prominent object; the tower, which forms part of the building, is the landmark for vessels out at sea during the day-time. A little below the headland, there is a small battery, erected as a defence for the harbour during Napoleon Bonaparte's threatened invasion in 1813. The stone pier, called the Battery Break-water, is intended to protect the harbour, so as to enable vessels to anchor inside with safety during any state of the weather. The pier was erected from plans made by Sir John Coode, C.E., and cost with its approaches £150,000. A previous breakwater was attempted in 1857, formed of piles and rubble. A severe gale and heavy sea destroyed the whole structure in one night. Above this breakwater two picturesque residences are noticeable - Ravenscliffe and Harold Tower, whilst a little further in is the old Red Pier, at which all passengers were formerly landed.

A little nearer the town Fort Anne Hotel is beautifully situated, commanding a fine view of the bay. The Victoria Pier, which enables steamers to land passengers at any state of the tide, cost £48,000 ; previous to the erection of which passengers were disembarked in small boats. The pier was commenced in 1867, and opened July 1st, 1872. It is 1,100 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 31 feet above low-water level ; at the outer end the depth of low water at spring tides is 16 feet.

Some idea of the strides which Douglas is making as a watering place and summer resort may be gathered from the fact that nearly half-a-million of money has been expended on public improvements alone during recent years, and nearly a million in private enterprise.

The building which arrests the visitor's attention, standing in the bay, is the Tower of Refuge, on St. Mary's Rock, or Conister. During the summer the chambers are opened as refreshment rooms. Wordsworth, who visited the island in 1833, wrote a sonnet on the Tower of Refuge, which was published in the volume entitled " Yarrow Revisited." The tower was erected in 1834, through the exertions of Sir William Hillary, Bart., at a cost of £254. 12s., of-which sum he contributed £78. 6s.

From the end of the Victoria Pier, where the Peverill Hotel stands, the Loch Promenade commences, running along the shore to the Life-Boat House, the boat of which was purchased by the offerings of the Sunday School children of Manchester and Salford. The promenade is composed of a sea wall formed of concrete blocks; and the sustaining, or inside walls, of pieces of rock set in Portland cement mortar, the filling-in being entirely of rock, and conveyed in carts from the outside of the town. The promenade was formed in an incredibly short space of time, owing to the energy of the Douglas Town Commissioners. Formerly an old fort stood upon the Pollock Rocks, from whence the promenade commences, in which it is said the brother of Queen Boadicea hid his nephew from the pursuit of the Romans. The Iron Pier, which runs into the bay at the end of the Promenade, is the property of a limited liability company. It is the fashionable promenade of the island. One penny is charged for each visit. The pier is 1,000 feet long, supported on cast-iron pillars driven into the sand ; the floor is seventeen feet wide. It was opened by Mrs. Loch, the wife of the late Lieut.-Governor of the island, on the 19th August, 1869. It was erected by Mr. John Dixon, of London, at a cost of £6,500.

In the centre of the bay, the shape of which is " nearly that presented by the concave arc of the moon when three days old," stands Castle Mona. This splendid building was erected by John, the fourth Duke of Athol. The freestone of which it is composed was brought from the Isle of Arran at a cost of £40,000. The building is now used as an hotel, and is owned by a limited liability company. The grounds are more than twenty acres in extent, and are beautifully laid out for recreation and pleasure. The building standing on the rocks above the grounds of Castle Mona is Falcon Cliff. It was built and occupied for a long time by John S. Jackson, Esq., formerly of Manchester. It was subsequently used as a boarding school, and has since passed through varying fortunes as an hotel and pleasure grounds. Still farther to the north, on the Crescent stands Derby Castle, a building which is large and imposing, formerly the residence John, Duke of Athol, at one time governor of the island. He built a cottage within the grounds which he used as a fishing lodge, and surrounded the grounds, in which he spent many happy days, with the strong wall which prevents the encroachment of the sea. The castle and grounds are now the property of a company, who have converted the entire property into "The Derby Castle Hotel and Pleasure Grounds Company Limited." The gardens are reached by tram-car, or by the company's small steamers, which convey passengers across the bay from the Landing Pier at a charge of twopence. Above the castle, in the distance, the village of Onchan is imbedded-the spire of the church is seen relieved by a richly-wooded background. The village is dedicated in honour of St. Concha, the mother of St. Patrick.

Having now swept the bay, the visitor will be ready to land on the Victoria Pier.

During the winter months, the steamer discharges its passengers at the end of the Old Red Pier, on which a light-house is erected. The pier was formed in 1793 and 1800, at a cost the English Government of £22,000. Formerly the small Custom House on the pier was the scene of much interest and excitement on the departure of the steamers ; as, owing to the difference in the duties on excisable articles in England, all the luggage of passengers had to be examined. The near equalisation of duties has rendered this precautionary examination needless. At the foot of the Old Pier the Imperial Hotel is a prominent object.

The visitor, in making a tour of the town, had better make the Market Place a starting-point. The first object of interest is the quaint Chapel-of-ease, dedicated to St. Matthew, erected in 1708, by Bishop Wilson, and in which the Bishop's throne still stands. The Royal, the Douglas Commercial, Redfern's, and the York hotels will be seen near the Market Place.

Leaving the Market Place by Duke Street, the main thoroughfare through the town, the visitor immediately comes to Lord Street, a small back street, notable from the fact that in it the late Professor Forbes, of the University of Edinburgh, was born.

The next opening to the left is King Street, in which is situated the Manx Sun Office-a weekly Conservative paper. The next turning is the new Victoria Street, which is the chief street of the town. It will interest the visitor to know that the corner plot, Duke Street and Victoria Street, upon which Mr. Archer's shop is built, was sold by auction for the large sum of £4,100 ! The next turning out of Duke Street is Wellington Street, in which is situated a large and hand-some Primitive Methodist Chapel, directly opposite the theatre. The Primitive Methodists have two circuits in Douglas. The chapel in Wellington Street belongs to the first circuit. Services are held in the chapel on Sundays at eleven o'clock and six o'clock, and on Wednesday evenings at seven o'clock. The large Wellington Hall, entered by a flight of stairs, is used for public entertainments and meetings. Continuing along Duke Street, Strand Street, and Castle Street, the visitor will pass the Public Baths, the School of Art, and will then arrive at St. Thomas's Church, which was built from funds partly granted by the Church Building Society, and by private insular subscriptions. It was erected in 1850, from a design by Ewan Christian, Esq., and is in the Early English style of architecture. The interior is very imposing. The fine organ was built by Foster and Andrews, of York. There are eight bells in the tower, presented to the church by the Rev. Mr. Cattley and his wife. The clock in the tower was presented by W. Landor, Esq. The church contains one thousand sittings, five hundred of which are free. Turning round by the church, and passing the front door, the visitor will proceed up Finch Road, at the top of which, on the left hand, stands St. Andrew's Presby-terian Church, with a most imposing clock steeple. Services on the Sunday at eleven o'clock, and half-past six o'clock in the evening, and Wednesdays at seven o'clock p.m. On the opposite side of the road is a building formerly occupied by the Bank of Mona, but now the home of the Insular Government-the Council Chamber, and the House of Keys. It will be interesting to many visitors to know that the distinguished imaginative artist, Martin, died at No. 4, Finch Road; and that the drinking fountain was the gift of C. Melley, Esq., Liverpool. Passing round to the right of the Bank of Mona, the visitor will presently arrive at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Chapel; an exceedingly handsome structure, erected at a cost of £5,000. The interior of the building is very imposing. A little farther on to the left hand the visitor will arrive at Circular Road, which contains an Independent or Congregational Chapel, erected through the efforts of the Rev. W. Smith, now of America. Farther on in Circular Road, two halls, chiefly devoted to meetings of Good Templars, have been erected by an enthusiastic teetotaler.

Coming back into Buck's Road, the visitor will arrive at the Congregational Church. The building is very large, and most comfortably furnished, and in which a new organ has recently been erected. Services are held every Sunday morning at eleven o'clock, and every Sunday evening at half-past six o'clock. Next to the chapel is the " Buck's Road Skating Rink," which is the property of one or more Manchester speculators. The skates used are Plimpton's patent. Farther up the road, on the right hand, is the House of Industry, which, owing to the absence of a poor-law on the island, is entirely supported by voluntary subscriptions, collections in the churches, and legacies. About 80 poor people find a home in the building for the evening of their days ; it was erected by private subscription in 1837, aided by a Government grant of £800. The poor of the town are supported by a voluntary relief fund. There are other relief societies energetically worked for the assistance of the poor :-Dorcas societies, benevolent societies, district visiting societies, soup kitchens and dispensaries, coal funds, &c. If the visitor will now turn round and go back to the end of Finch Road, he will pass, a few yards down the hill, the entrance to the Gaiety Theatre.

A little farther down the hill, on the right hand, Athol Street is reached. The rooms over the large grocer's shop at the corner are public Billiard Rooms. Formerly the site of an old building which had various fortunes-a public hall, a theatre, in which the elder Kean and Mrs. Siddons performed; a Roman Catholic chapel, an auction room, a Congregational chapel, a book store, and a printing office ! A little farther up Athol Street the Post-office is situated, then the Times Newspaper Office, and, opposite, the Herald Newspaper Office. Both papers are Liberal in politics. The Times, price 2d., is published on Saturday; and the Herald on the Wednesday, price 2d. The Talbot Hotel is opposite the Post-office.

A few yards beyond the Times Office, the Public Courts and Police Office is situated. The building was erected by the Oddfellows, in 1840, it was then used as a theatre, and subsequently purchased by the Government for public purposes. The Deemsters', High Bailiff's, and Petty Sessions Courts are held in the rooms at the top of the building. The first floor is used as a registry of deeds and for the office of the High Baitiff. The next building higher up the street is the Isle of Man Banking Company Limited. At the end of the street is the Douglas Penny Reading Institute, where a visitor, for one penny, can see a number of London and English provincial papers, as well as enjoy a game of chess, draughts, or bagatelle. The room over the Institution is the St. James's Hall, which is used for concerts, lectures, or any public purpose.

As the visitor returns to St. George's Hall, he will pass on his right hand a large building, St. George's Schools, erected in 1810, at a cost of £1,100,-maintained by public subscription and the usual Government grant.

Before leaving Athol Street, it may be interesting to notice the number of lawyers who " most do congregate " around the courts. The population of Douglas is not more than 14,000, yet there are over twenty lawyers in the town ! The island, with a population of 55,000, has about sixty lawyers!

The last street on the left of Athol Street, in returning to St. George's Hall, leads to St. George's Church. It is a very fine building, erected at the end of the last century. There is an elegant stained window in the church, the gift of Henry Bloom Noble, Esq. The churchyard contains the remains of some of the oldest native families. A most notable addition to the silent dead was Pierre Henri Josef Baume, a foreigner, who lived a most miserly life, and left property to benevolent objects on the island amounting to {5o,000 or £6o,000 ! A monument to his memory faces the visitor as he passes through the gate of the church. He was interred in 1875. At the sale of his effects the whole of his wardrobe was sold by auction for is. 1d. !

Returning to the end of Athol Street, the visitor is confronted by the Victoria Hotel. Going down Prospect Hill, on the right hand stands Dumbeli's Banking Company Limited. Taking the turn to the right, the Adelphi family and commercial hotel faces the visitor. Crossing into the new Victoria Street, the visitor will pass on the left the Wesleyan Chapel, a large, convenient building. The Wesleyans have a second chapel in Well Road, off Castle Street. Three ministers are appointed to the Wesleyan Douglas Circuit.

Crossing Duke Street, the visitor comes to a narrow street called Fort Street, so named after the old fort which stood at its end. The Hospital and St. Barnabas' Church are in Fort Street. The former building, supported by voluntary subscriptions, is a plain, useful building, with a resident surgeon. St. Barnabas Church is famous as the scene of the labours of Dr. Carpenter, to whose memory a tablet is erected over the communion table. A new organ has recently been placed in the church.

The first opening past the church leads to the Town Commissioners' Offices. The town is paved, cleansed, lighted, and improved, under the management of nine commissioners. Three retire annually. Qualification :-Occupation of premises of not less annual value than fifteen pounds. The rate levied by the Town Commissioners is one shilling on all real property, which realises about £2,000 per annum.

Coming back to the new Victoria Street, and proceeding to the Promenade, the visitor will pass two hotels-the Shakspere and the Sun, both constructed for their reception, and on the right hand the New Grand Theatre and Public Baths, the property of Thomas Lightfoot, Esq. The theatre has every modern improvement, and is not excelled by many of the London theatres. Adjoining the theatre is the Grand Concert Room, which will hold i,000 visitors; underneath is a large room 72ft. by 48ft., occupied in the season as a Bazaar. Adjoining is the Grand Hotel, which will be found replete with every convenience, containing bars, dining and commercial rooms, private rooms, and 40 bedrooms. Immediately facing the landing Pier is the Peveril Hotel, which is owned by a company, containing public bar, billiard, smoking, reading, and other rooms, and 44 bedrooms. Opposite the Peveril Hotel the tram-car railway commences. It was constructed by Thomas Lightfoot, Esq., and sold, with plant and buildings to the present limited company for £20,000. The original shares were one pound. Proceeding along the Promenade, at the corner of the new Victoria Street and the Promenade, at the left hand, stands the Villier's Hotel, the largest hotel on the island, with between 200 and 300 beds, nine billiard tables, six refreshment bars, restaurants, and every convenience for day or resident visitors. A little farther on the left hand is the new Athol Hotel and the Regent Hotel, both replete with every modern convenience for the comfort and pleasure of visitors. Passing a few more of the lodging-houses-and with one or two exceptions all the houses on the Promenade are lodging-houses-the visitor will arrive at the Granville Hotel, recently taken over, with the Athol Hotel, by a limited liability company. At nearly the end of the Promenade the Masonic Hall has been erected, which contains a concert hall, and the Athol and Tynwald Lodges, which are very handsomely fitted up. The Promenade was opened by Lieut.-Governor Loch on the 9th June, 1875.

At the end of the Old Promenade, which is a continuation of the new work, the Bathing Vans, both for ladies and gentlemen, are situated, the value of which amount to considerably over £2,000. On the opposite side of the old Promenade, enclosed by a wall, is the Villa Marina Hotel, and Villa Marina, the residence of H. B. Noble, Esq., surrounded by very beautiful grounds. The building opposite the bathing vans-Glenlyon, is now an Orphanage, supported by Mr. Noble.

The road opposite the Iron Pier is Broadway, at the corner of which stands the American Bowling Saloon. The first road to the left, up the hill, is Derby Road, occupied by private residences and Handley's Hotel, which contains billiard tables, bowling green, and a skating rink. The road to the right leads to Marathon, the residence of Samuel Harris, Esq., the High Bailiff of Douglas, which stands in most picturesque and charming grounds. Then past the grounds of Castle Mona, to the Governor's residence, which reminds the visitor of the pictures of Lowwood, the resi dence of the first Napoleon in St. Helena. Still pursuing the same road, the village of

ONCHAN

will be reached. The name is said by some authorities to be derived from St. Conanus, Bishop in 600. It is called Onchan, by a corruption of Kirk Conchan into Kirk Onchan. The church, which is a beautiful object in the distance, is pleasantly situated. The graveyard contains two ancient slabs, which will interest the visitor; one on the ground, the other erect, on the north side, in a line with the steeple. They are notable on account of the grotesque figures carved upon them. The old bell turret of the church may be seen in a private garden, in the centre of the village.

In the adjoining rockery there are two ancient slabs marked with monstrous animals, and some engraved runes. In the centre of the village, the " Nursery " will attract the visitor. The botanist will find many interesting specimens of rare plants in the grounds.

In returning from Onchan to Douglas, the left hand road, leading to the shore, will be selected. Before descending Burnt Mill Hill, the visitor would do well to take the left hand road past the building, formerly Dr. Steel's school, but now " The Industrial Home." A little way up the road stands the Victoria Tower, containing a very excellent camera obscura, commanding a splendid series of views of the adjoining scenery. A little distance across the field will bring the visitor to the top of the cliff, when a most charming view of the bay and town is obtained. A path from the cliff leads to Port Jack, which is the frequent resort, in the summer, of picnic parties. By a steep ascent through the rocks, which seems to have been a freak of nature, a stile leads to the private entrance of Derby Castle, and the pretty residences known as Strathallan Crescent. The visitor will then pass on the shore road the Queen's Hotel ; Marathon Terrace, built of concrete blocks; Falcon Cliff, standing above Castle Mona, a most picturesque residence ; Castle Mona Hotel, Castle Terrace, Lawn Terrace, Derby Terrace, the Esplanade, and Clarence Terrace; and then to the foot of the Iron Pier and Broadway, from whence the walk commenced.

KIRK BRADDAN AND THE NUNNERY.

One of the most delightful walks near Douglas is the stroll by the Peel Road to Kirk Braddan, returning by the Nunnery. The walk is commenced at the end of Athol Street, the road on the right being Peel Road. On the left hand is the railway station to Peel and Castletown. The low land upon which it stands is called the lake, owing to its having, at one period, been covered with water. From the end of Athol Street to the Quarter Bridge Inn, a number of imposing residences occupy the high ground on the right, commanding splendid views. The River Glass (the grey, or clear river), flows past the inn. The road to the right leads to Onchan, Laxey, and Ramsey ; the road to the left to Castletown ; and the road opposite to Union Mills, St. John's, and Peel. The River Glass joins the River Dhoo, a little way from the Quarter Bridge. From these two rivers it is supposed the name of Douglas is obtained.

The beautifully-positioned residence on the left, as the visitor proceeds on the Peel Road, is the home of Deemster Drinkwater, the chief judge on the island. It is interesting, historically, as having been occupied by Colonel Wilkes, the governor of St. Helena, when Napoleon was committed to that island in 1815. The river Dhoo, or Black River, flows through the grounds of Kirby. The farm house on the opposite side of the Peel Road, on the upper portion of the fine meadows, is Port-e-Chee, which means the Haven of Peace. The house was formerly the residence of the Duke of Athol, which was vacated on the erection of Castle Mona. A mile and a quarter from Douglas the road branches to the left and right; the latter road leads to the Cemetery, in which the remains of the great painter, Martin, are laid. The building adjoining the Cemetery is the parochial school-house of Braddan.

Continuing on the same road, the Isle of Man Lunatic Asylum will be reached, built at a cost of £20,000. It con-tains about one hundred patients. It is managed by a committee selected from the Insular Legislature, and is supported by a rate upon property of fivepence in the £.

The Racecourse, which can be seen from the Asylum grounds, and entered from the road, was opened in the summer of 1870, when prizes to the value of £1,000 were competed for. The grand stands will hold 1,000 people each. The racecourse was the venture of a private company, but has not been a success. The road leads on to the Strang, Baldwin, Injebreck, and over the pass between the mountains Colden and Carraghan, to the west coast near Kirk Michael.

If, however, the visitor, instead of pursuing the. road to any of these places, will turn down the road to the left, after passing through the Strang village, he will presently arrive at the Union Mills, which derives its name from the mills formerly worked by James Dalrymple and his son, William Dalrymple, M.H.K., where woollen cloths and blankets are manufactured and corn ground. Farmers bring their own wool to the mills, where it is converted into flannel, blankets, .or cloth. The homely but comfortable clothes worn by the farmers are made in this way. Itinerating tailors make up the cloth at the farmhouses. The pretty Independent Chapel was erected to commemorate the philanthropic services to the villagers of Mr. Dalrymple, whose grandson, Dalrymple Maitland, now works the Union Mills. A small chapel, near the inn, was built by Henry Kellet, Esq., of Douglas, and presented to the Wesleyans.

Leaving Union Mills, and returning to Douglas by the main road, about a mile distant the Old Kirk Braddan Church will be reached. The old church is beautifully situated. It was dedicated to St. Brandon, now called Braddan. The church contains 400 sittings. The present building (for there was a former building) was erected in 1774. The date of the previous building is not known. In 1291 Bishop Marcus held a synod in the former church, when 29 canons were made. In the churchyard repose not only ,the fore-fathers of the hamlet," but the bones of the old Druids, commingling with "mighty chieftains, bold friars, Scots, Scandinavians,"-for nearly a thousand years this has been the resting place of the dead. The most notable monument in the churchyard is erected to the " Right Honourable Lord Henry Murray," fifth son of the Duke of Athol. Close to the monument is the grave of Wordsworth's brother-in-law, Henry Hutchinson. The inscription is the composition of the poet. The chief objects of interest in the churchyard, however, are the Scandinavian crosses, erected on a mound. One bears the Runic inscription- " Thorlat' Neaki erected this cross to Fiach, his son, the nephew of Eabr." The old tombstone which stands near the church door is in . memory of "Patrick Thompson, minister of God's Word forty years," which seems to have been erected sixteen years before his death. He left a legacy of three pounds to the parish, forty shillings were directed "to be put in bank" and the interest to be paid "from time to time during time." The present vicar is the Rev. William Drury, who is better known as " Parson Drury." Goldsmith's vicar, in his well-known poem of the " Deserted Village," faithfully limns the respected vicar. His life is spent in going about "doing good," and in exemplifying the words of a recent singer-

" Better to have the poet's heart than brain,-
To feel than write ;-but better far than both,
To be on earth a poem of God's making."

Close to the church is a desolate-looking plantation, which is filled with large stones and mounds of earth, and is supposed to be the remains of a large Druidical temple. Amongst the stones, one is very noticeable, which is imbedded in the ground, 4 feet broad by 71/2 feet long, with a hollow at the top like a font.

A few yards from the old church a new parish church has been erected, the ground of which was presented for the purpose by Lady Laura Buchan. The cost of its erection has been defrayed by public subscription and a considerable sum realised from a bazaar. The cost of building the new church was £4,500. The Sunday services are held at 10-30 in the morning, and 3 o'clock in the afternoon. If the weather is favourable the vicar usually preaches at the foot of the Red Pier, Douglas, at 5 o'clock on the Sunday evening.

If the visitor will leave the old churchyard by the top stile, turning to the left, he will pass Ballaughton on the right, and Kirby, the grounds of Deemster Drinkwater, on the left. The very pleasant lane is called the "Saddle" Road. The old chronicler, Waldron, says-Not far from Ballafletcher is the 'Fairy Saddle,'-a stone so called, I suppose, from the similitude it has to a saddle. The wise natives of Man tell you it is every night made use of by the fairies, but on what kind oi horses I could never find any to inform me."

After passing the Fairy Saddle the visitor will shortly arrive at Mill Mount. Crossing the high road a path conducts to Pulrose Mill; a stile, and a footpath leading across a meadow, and the visitor has entered the Nunnery Grounds,-one of the most frequented and admired resorts in the Isle of Man. There are few traces of the ancient building, which, according to Waldron, was one of the finest and largest religious edifices. The ceilings were carved with many natural objects.. The pillars were immense, so that the edifice might baffle the ravages of time. The building, however, suffered from the outrage of soldiers as well as the effect of time. A number of caverns under ground were used as places of penance. It is beyond doubt that the-remains of many emment persons were interred within the precincts of the building. Matilda, the daughter of Ethelbert; and Cartesmunda, the Fair Nun of Winchester, who fled from the violence of King John, were interred in the Nunnery, The prioress was a baroness of the island, held courts in her own name, and owned temporal as well as spiritual authority. A visitor to the Nunnery, for one night, in 1313, was no less a person than Robert, King of Scotland. The only portion of the old building remaining is apart of the chapel, now in use as a coach-house. The Gothic window above the large doors is a portion of the monastery. The site of the old building s now occupied by the mansion of Major John Senhouse Goldie Taubman ; and although only built about fifty years, it is almost covered with ivy.

The grounds are beautifully laid out. The obelisk on the path, a little way past the Nunnery, was erected by public subscription, to the memory of Brigadier-General Thomas Leigh Goldie, the uncle of the present owner, who was killed at Inkerman, on November 5, 1854. The Russian gun, brought from the Crimea, was presented to the island by the Imperial Government.

A fine serpentine walk soon conducts the visitor to the gates and the Castletown Road to

PORT SODERICK AND PORT GREENAUGH.

This pretty bay is well worth a visit. It is four miles from Douglas, and is now easily accessible by the railway, for which a return ticket may be obtained-first-class, 9d.;second-class, 7d. In the summer months pleasure yachts ply from Douglas to Port Soderick, at a charge of 1s. out and back. If the weather is fine it is a delightful sail, as the wild rocks round Douglas Head and Little Ness (or Nose) are seen to considerable advantage. As soon as the visitor leaves the railway station (if he goes by rail), passing under the bridge, a good view is obtained of the glen through which the Crogga Rivulet flows to the haven. The visitor may be said to have reached Port Soderick when he arrives at the hotel, built for the special entertainment of visitors.

Port Soderick is surrounded by a rocky coast, which is seen to the north as far as Little Ness. There are three caves on the south side of the bay. The first one is a very narrow crevice, through which visitors are accustomed to force themselves. The other two caves, except at low water, can only be reached by boat. The larger of the two extends for hundreds of yards under the land. A good view is obtained from the top of the south cliffs at Derby Haven; the cliffs on the north command an excellent view of the rocks and coast of Little Ness.

Port Greenock, or Greenaugh, may be reached from the main road, by a descent alongside of a burn which falls into a creek. There are a considerable number of trees in Greenaugh, which materially add to its interest. Many rare and beautiful ferns may be found in the creek. On the cliff above, an ancient barrow or tumulus may be seen; it is 40 feet in length and 20 feet in breath, and called Cronk-ny-Marroo, or the Hill of the Dead. There are some excellent trout streams in the neighbourhood.