[from Black's Guide, c.1888]

ISLE OF MAN.

Few seaside resorts offer a greater variety of attractions than the Isle of Man. Within a stretch of about 30 miles its scenery is highly diversified : mountain ridges occupy much of the interior, some ending in bold headlands, here and there above 1000 ft. high. Among these hills are deep chasms hollowed by rapid streams into the beautiful little glens which are characteristic of the island, The smoother hillsides and level land are mostly culti- vated and intersected by good roads; and all parts of the island are easy of access either by railway, road, or boat.

Although the highest mountain does not rise much above 2000 ft., the view from its: summit embraces England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales,

The towns, pre-eminently Douglas, are well supplied with all ordinary requisites, excellent hotels, piers, and promenades. At Douglas, passengers can land at all states of the tide; and a low-water landing-pier at Ramsey, opened in 1886, gives that town the same advantage. The water is always clear, and the shores, being free from quicksands and similar dangers, afford every facility for bathing and boating.

If the visitor prefer rustic life and solitude, he may find houses or lodgings to suit his taste in the midst of charming inland scenery, or near the resorts of the angler, botanizer, etc. Scientific and antiquarian tourists will find a plentiful store of objects to interest them. Geology and natural history are well illustrated in the rocks, and in the birds, fish, and plants of the sea and land ; the mollusca are very varied. While of the antiquities it has been truly said that in no place of such limited extent are there so many relics of an unknown past.

There are three lines of steamers from Liverpool - the Isle of Man Company, established 1830 ; the Manx Line and the Lancashire Line, established 1887. The average passage is three and a half hours.

STEAMER ROUTES

From Princes Landing-Stage, Liverpool.

LIVERPOOL TO DOUGLAS. The Isle of Man Company's boats leave daily (except Sundays) at 11 A.M. and 1 p.M.; Fridays and Saturdays at 4.30 P.M. also.
The Manx Line daily (except Sundays) at 10.30 a.M. and 4.30 P.M. |
The Lancashire Line on Monday at 10 a.m. ; Tuesday and Thursday at 12 noon; Saturday, 12.30 ; Sunday, 9.30 A.M.

FROM DOUGLAS TO LIVERPOOL

By Isle of Man Company's boats daily (Sunday excepted), 9 a.m. and 4.30 P.M., and an extra boat on Monday at 1 A.M.
The Manx Line daily (Sundays excepted) at 10 A.M. and 4 p.m. State-rooms for families, elegantly furnished, may be engaged at an extra charge.
The Lancashire Line, Monday, 4P.M.; Wednesday at 1 P.M. ; Saturday at 6P.M.; Sunday at 4pm. Reduced Fares to or from Liverpool, Douglas, Ramsey, or Fleetwood.
LIVERPOOL TO RAMSEY, by Isle of Man Company. From May to October direct every Monday, 12 noon ; Saturday, 2.30 or3P.M. Via Douglas, Wednesdays and Fridays, 1 P.M. From October to May according to tides, usually about mid-day.
By Manx Line, via Douglas, 10.30 A.M. and 4.30 P.M.
By Lancashire Line. Tuesdays and Thursdays, via Douglas ; leaving Liverpool 12 noon. |
RAMSEY TO LIVERPOOL, Isle of Man Company, direct on Saturdays, 8 or 9 A.M.; Mondays,la.m. Via Douglas, Tuesday and Thursdays, 7 A.M.
Manx Line daily at 8 A.M., via Douglas (Sundays excepted).
Lancashire Line, via Douglas. Wednesdays and Thursdays
WHITEHAVEN TO RAMSEY. Every Tuesday or Wednesday according to tides, taking cargo to Douglas,
RAMSEY TO WHITEHAVEN, usually returning by next tide.
FLEETWOOD TO RAMSEY, via Douglas. Wednesdays and Fridays, on arrival of train due 2 P.M. On Saturdays, 12 noon.
RAMSEY TO FLEETWOOD. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 A.M.
The steamers between Belfast and Douglas, and those between Glasgow or Greenock and Douglas, call off Ramsey.
Barrow to Douglas daily at 9 A.M. Douglas to Barrow daily at 1.45. :

ISLE OF MAN AND CLYDE.

From Glasgow, via Greenock, to Douglas, calling off Ramsey, Wednesdays 9 A.M. Greenock only, Fridays, 6.30 P.M.
Douglas to Glasgow, calling off Ramsey and at Greenock Tuesdays, 9.30 a.m. To Greenock only, Thursday, 10 P.M.
Douglas AND BELFAST, calling off Ramsey. From Belfast Tuesday, 2 P.M.; Friday, 10 a.m. From Douglas, Monday and Thursday, 9.30 A.M. .
The above sailings should be verified by the respective Companies' time-tables.

Having landed at Douglas, the visitor who has but a limited time at his disposal could occupy it with advantage in the following manner -

The first day would naturally be devoted to Douglas (p. 11) and its neighbourhood.

Another day would be required for the "Long Road" to Ramsey (see p. 7). This with the return by the "Short Road" is a drive of fully 40 m. Parties are usually made up by the drivers of waggonettes or chars-a- banc at cheap rates, viz. from 2s, 6d. to 4s, for the whole journey. The Long Road lies through Ballacraine, 8 m. : Glen Helen and Rhenass, 10 m. ; Kirk Michael, 14½ m. ; Ballaugh, about 2 m. farther; Ramsey, 24¼ m.- This includes some of the finest scenery of the Island, and many places of much curious interest, as Bishopscourt, Kirk Michael, and the varied attractions of Ramsey. The return journey S. to Douglas, through Laxey, 8½ m., is about 16½ m.. Perhaps this drive affords the best general view of the interior of the country.

Another day could be pleasantly spent in the voyage round the Island, which affords a fine view of the coast. This is described p. 9.

A fourth day should be given to a drive to Castletown, Port St. Mary, and Port Erin. By starting early, there would be time for a row to the Calf Islet and a ramble on the very interesting shores with the grand scenery of the Chasms (p.70). Peel and its neighbourhood would occupy a morning. The latter part of the day might be spent in a visit to the beautiful valley and waterfalls of Glenmeay, with a drive up Glen Rushen, and an ascent of S. Barrule. At Ramsey would be found a full day's employment, either in ascending' the heights, or in a drive to some of the northern villages, or Point of Ayre Lighthouse. Tourists will find it convenient to spend a night at each of the chief centres, Douglas, Ramsey, Castletown, Peel, Port Erin, etc., according to the objects in which they are most interested.

The Railways - It will be seen from the map that all the chief towns, as well as Port Erin and Port St. Mary, are connected by railways, which thus afford an expeditious and economical means of visiting most objects of interest. The only long distance by road is that from Ramsey to Douglas, 16 m. ; and for this a line of railway is planned to pass through Laxey.

The pedestrian may thus spare himself from repetitions of the same walk, or be taken direct to any object of special interest, or to a convenient starting-point for mountain excursions, ete.

As most of the places where there are railway stations will be described, the reader has only to refer to them to learn what will interest him in their vicinity.

There are three principal lines -
(1) from Douglas to Peel;
(2) from Ramsey and Foxdale to St. John's;
(3) from Douglas to Castletown and Ports Erin and St. Mary.
They are all single and of narrow gauge, and in speed they do not compare with the lines of the mainland. The fares, however, are moderate, and the carriages well fitted up

HEIGHTS OF MOUNTAINS,

ROAD ITINERARIES.

The numbers on the left are miles from the place of departure - l. = left hand, r.= right. Sliew = hill or mountain.

DOUGLAS TO PEEL.

1 Ballabrooie r. "the place of river banks."
1½ Quarter Bridge ; Port-e-Chee, r. once a residence of Duke of Atholl
1¾ Kirby, l Braddan, new and old churches, l road to Slieu Chiarn; r. road to Lunatic Asylum, Baldwin, Injebreck.
2¾Union Mills; Dalrymple Memorial Chapel, /., road to Mt. Murray, Stone Circle, Slieu Chiarn.
4 l. Road to Glen Darragh, Treen Chapels, St. Mark's.
4¾ Crosby, 2. road to Marown, old church, St. Patrick's Chair ; 1. road to Little London, Rhenass, Greeba, and St. Trinion's.
5¼ St. Trinion's Ruins and Round Meadow. 5%
5¾ r.. Greeba.
7½ Ballacraine - 4 roads; W. to Peel, N. to Ramsey, S. to Castletown, E. to Douglas.
8 r. Tynwald Hill; Tumulus, St. John's Church; 7, Slieu Whallin.
9½ Peel Cemetery, r. River Neb.
10½ Peel.

DOUGLAS TO CASTLETOWN.

½ Nunnery.
1¼ Junction of new and old roads,
1½ Kewaigue; new road re-joins the old one 4 m, from Castletown.
2 Middlehill, r. road to Braddan.
3¼ Mount Murray, r. roads to Glen Darragh, Marown.
4½ r, Road to Old Fort.
5 1. Road to Greenwick.
6 Ballaloney Bridge over Santon Burn.
8 Ballasalla; Rushen Abbey ; Crossag Bridge.
8½ Creggans ; road to Cass-na-Awin, Derbyhaven, Langness, etc.
9 l. King William's College; Hango Hill.
10 Castletown, r. Lorn House.

DOUGLAS TO CASTLETOWN.

1½ If the old road be followed.
2¼ r. Oak Hill; New Church, 7. Stone Circle.
3 v, Hampton Court, 4 m. from the road.
3½ 1. Path to Port Soderick.
5¾ Stone Circle at Ballakelly.
6¼ 1. Road to Greenwick, Cronk-ny-Marroo ; Ballacregga.
7 Santon Church. Junction of new and old roads,
11 King William's College ; Hango Hill.
12 Castletown.

DOUGLAS TO RAMSEY, THROUGH LAXEY.

1 l. Castle Mona ; Falcon Cliff.
1½ r. Derby Castle recreation grounds ; Strathallan Crescent.
2 Onchan Village ; Nursery Gardens; Church ; r. Road to Grow- dale; l. road to Tromode, Stone Circle.
3¼ White Bridge and Hill.
5 r, Road to Old Lonan Church and back to Growdale.
5¾ r. Cloven Stones ; Garwick Bay.
7 New Church of Lonan.
8 to 9 Laxey Village, Mines, l. Great Wheel; r. "Orry's Grave"; r, Stone Circle ;l. road to Snaefell ; l. old road to river.
10 r. Dhoon Glen, Waterfall and Bay.
11. r. Christ Church and Vicarage ; l. Slieu Lhean.
11½ l. N. Barrule ; Hibernian Inn, r. road to Ballaglass Glen, Cornah, Maughold, etc.
12 r. Lewaigue Glen; opposite Refreshment House; 2. Slieu Lewaigue.
15 1. Ballure Bridge and Glen; Lane to Albert Tower.
16 Ramsey.

RAMSEY TO PEEL.

From Parliament Street straight on westward.
1 l. Milntown ; road to Glen Aldyn and Fern Glen.
1¼ l.. Sky Hill.
1½ r. Ballakillingan Park and House.
1¾ l. Lezayre Church ; road to Sky Hill, etc.
2½ l.. Glen Tramman, r. Lough-ny-Guiy; road to river and station ; l. Ginger Hall Inn; Primrose Hill, Cronk Sumark, l. road to Sulby Glen.
3½ Sulby Bridge, Railway Station, r. The Curragh (Bog), now reclaimed.
4 Sulby, l.. new church and school; r. road to railway station ; l. Sulby Glen; leading to Tholt-e-Will Glen and Snaefell ; r. road to Jurby, Andreas, etc.
6½ Ballaugh, x. road to old church; 2. road to Druidale, Ravensdale, and mountain roads; to Injebreck, by Slieu Curn, Slieu Dhoo, Slieu Fraughane, etc. 8 yr. Bishopscourt ; road on r. to Orrisdale and shore.
9½ Kirk Michael - Runic Crosses, etc., by church gate; Tombs in churchyard ; 2. roads to Glen Wyllan, Slieu Farrane, Sartfell, etc.
10½ Cronk Urleigh (once a hill of Tynwald) ; road to Spooyt Vane Waterfall.
11 Berregarrow, once visited by Wesley ; road past the chapel to Injebreck, etc. ; Cronk Berry, Glen Mooar, etc.
11½ Ballaskyr Glen.
13 Cronk-y-Voddee (the Dog's Hill) and Church, r. road to Old Fort, Mannanan's Chair, Spooyt Vane, etc.
18½ Craig Willy's Hill.
15½ Rhenass Suspension Bridge, Falls and Pleasure Grounds, 16 Glen Mooar.
16½ Ballacraine.
17½ Glen Wyllan.
18½ Glen Mooar ; Cronk-y-Berry.
20 Glen Cam.
20¼ r. Tumulus and Kist Vaen.
21 Glen Brough, 2. Lhergydhoo.
22¼ r. Road to shore; Peel.

CASTLETOWN TO PEEL.

1½ r. Malew Church, road to Port Erin, etc.
2¼ Ruins of Rushen Abbey.
4¼ r. Road to St. Mark's, Balla Nicholas, etc.
5 l. Road to S. Barrule.
6 Milestone (692).
6¼ Foxdale Village and Mines.
7¼ Hamilton Bridge and Waterfall.
9 Ballacraine,
9½ St. John's Church and Tynwald Hill.
11 Cemetery.
12 Peel.

VOYAGE ROUND THE ISLAND.

(The numbers between brackets denote feet above the sea.)

A very pleasant way of seeing the general features of the country and especially its coast, is by a voyage round the Island. Once or twice a week during the summer, one of the fine vessels of the Isle of Man Company leaves Douglas about 10 a.m., and calling at Ramsey, makes the circuit in about 6 hours. The distance is from 75 to 80 miles, The map is the best guide to this excursion.

Turning northward from Douglas, Banks Howe (393) gives place to a long stretch of cliffs as far as Clay Head, which guards Laxey Bay. A farther range ends in Maughold Head (373), 74 m. N. The Bahama Light Ship, 5 m. from the shore, is before us. Ramsey then comes into view backed by Slieu Lewaigue and Albert Hill with its Tower, and beyond these, North Barrule (1850) and Snaefell (2034). Just at the S. of the town is Ballure Glen ; the larger opening with Sky Hill on the W. is Glen Aldyn ; then a long line of hills extends beyond Ballaugh.

From Ramsey, the coast cliffs are sandy all the way to Point Cranstal (200). We then see over the low banks across the level plain. Near the shore is Bride Church ; about midway across is the high tower of Andreas (135) ; Jurby on the W. and St. Jude's are also visible. The water close to the shore being deep, we pass very near the Point of Ayre and its lighthouse (106).

E. of the Channel are King William's sands, so called because that monarch was nearly wrecked here (in 1689) on his way to Ireland, which country is now visible on the left. Two of the three points now N. of us are the southern extremities of Scotland, Burrow Head, and the Mull of Galloway. On the W. side the sandy cliffs terminate with Orry's Head. A broken line hence across the Island is the boundary of its northern plain.

Soon after, Peel Castle and its islet make a picturesque scene, Above Peel is Corrin's Tower (550), Contrary Head -and Niarbyl Point follow ; between these is Glen | Meay. .South Barrule (1585) is about 3 m. inland, and Cronk-ny-Irey-Lhaa (1450) near the coast. The grand cliff now before us is Bradda Head (382) by Port Erin, beyond it the Calf with Kitterland. The Sound is only 550 yards wide, but often dangerous on account of its rocks and strong current, 8 or 10 m. an hour.

Passing the Chickens Lighthouse, we soon see Spanish Head, so called, not from any connection with the Armada, but from its ancient name, Spaloret. Here the scenery is extremely wild, the rocks rent into chasms and strangely contorted. Just beyond the Carrick is Poolvash. Between Scarlett Point and Langness lies Castletown, with King William's College near the shore. A natural arch will be observed at the W. end of Langness, St. Mighil's Island and its little oratory are at its E. end. The next prominence is St. Anne's Head, then comes Port Soderick and the Little Ness, from which another range of cliffs, backed by undulating hills, brings us home to Douglas Head.