[From Manx Annals,1901/2]

MANX ANNALS.
NINETY YEARS AGO.

CHAPTER V.

More Leaves from a Manxman's Scrapbook

1811. — " A tremendous gale from the south-east accompanied with heavy rain came on hero [Douglas] on Tuesday night (24th September). The herring boats had all put to sea that day. In the evening the whole fleet appeared off the harbour: The storm soon after arose, and as the night advanced the wind increased. Several of the boats came to anchor in the bay. and general apprehension prevailed as to their safety, as there was net sufficient water in the harbour till about midnight, when the scene was truly alarming. The cries of the distressed fishermen, mingled in the gale, were heard in all directions. Three boats in coming into the harbour got upon the rocks and were dashed to pieces, the crews were, however, saved. 'A, vessel, supposed to have been a brig, was totally lost about two miles south of Douglas, two bodies — a boy and a girl — were washed ashore Four more bodies were found later, and were buried at St. George's."

December 7th. — " Robert Kerr informs the gentlemen of the Isle of Man that he proposes publishing, by subscription, a poetical work called 'The Decade.' He is well aware that he cannot expect the public to have full confidence in him for a work of this kind, seeing he is unknown in the literary world. Yet this one thing is certain, there is no fallacy as to the matter proposed ; the work is wrote to its full length and may be seen at the house of Kerr and Lewin. He would do the printing on his own account were he a man of wealth, but the work being of considerable magnitude it is beyond his power. Subscription papers are now open at the Douglas Reading Room, Kerr and Lewin's shop, and the British Hotel, Douglas, Mr Thos. Long's, Peel, Mr Richard's, Kirk Michael, Mr Wm. Sayle's, Ramsey."

1819. — February. — "Married a few days ago at Patrick Church, Edward Forbes to Miss Teare, of Ballabeg Ballaugh."

March. — " Mr Edward Forbes' Redherring House, on the Upper Quay, Douglas, was burnt on Thursday (27th)."

April 9th. — " Married, at St. George's to-day Mr Francis Matthews, merchant, to Miss Alice Forbes, daughter of the late Capt. E. Forbes. [Mr Edward Forbes was afterwards known throughout the Island as a Banker. The Bank was on the site of the Douglas Railway Station at the very corner where the steps are, that is the reason why the road is called Bank Hill. His wife, Miss Jane Teare, was daughter of Mr Wm. Teare, of Ballabeg or the Corvalla, Ballaugh. Her sister Margaret was married, in 1822, by special licence in Mr E. Forbes' house at Douglas, to Mr William Corlett, of Ballamona, Ballaugh. Mr Forbes, the banker, was father of the celebrated professor of natural history. Miss Alicia Forbes was the banker's sister, I believe, and Mr Matthews — though in the quotation described as of Douglas — was of Oatlands.]

September 11th. — (The "Manx Advertiser" of this date, after giving news of the continental war goes on with] "9 a.m. — We stop the press to lay before our readers the following intelligence brought this morning by the Liverpool packet: —

'Second edition.' — Glorious news. Defeat of the French by Bernadotte,

'Third edition.' — More glorious news, another battle, defeat of Devonet, taking of Wittingburg, &c." (Then follow the latest news.

1814. — January 22nd. — " A heavy snowstorm on Monday and Tuesday, the 10th and 11th, during which the sloop 'Lovely Miche' was driven on Clay Head, all lost, and the sloop ' Apollo' ran on shore at Ramsey. This week the frost is more intense than ever. The water in the harbour this week was repeatedly frozen over. The roads are nearly impassible. Great quantities of game are caught. A few days age thirty-two hares were hanging at one time in a house in Kirk Michael." [To the best of my belief there was a fair held on the Thames at this time that river being frozen over.]

April 18th. — " This night (Monday) Douglas exhibited a scene of splendour never seen before. At seven o'clock the South Manx Volunteers, under the Lieut.-Col. Stewart, mustered on the Head Pier and marched up on Douglas where they fired three volleys, the band playing " God save the King.' The beginning of the illuminations was afterwards announced by the ringing of the Chapel bell [St. Matthew's]. The scene from the pier was most beautiful. Fort Anne, the seat of Major Ormsby; the Hills, the residence of John Moore, Esq. ; and Dr Oswald's and many others were brilliantly lit up with torches and bonfires A train of torches were in front of Castle Mona, at present the seat of the Bishop [Bishop's Court, was then under repair] and Marine Lodge, where Col. Stewart lives [this I think is the present Villa Marina]. A number of transparencies, &c., were displayed all over the town. At the house of Mr Wm. Scott, the collector [of customs], on the quay, were exhibited transparencies of the Prince of Wales' Feathers with G.P.R. around them, the Union flag with the Custom House arms, the Manx arms with " prosperity to "Man," the figure of "Peace;" Bonaparte falling into the bottomless pit with two fiends pulling him into the flames, Fame blowing her trumpet to which was suspended the head of Blucher, King Joe calling between two stools with the crowns of Spain and Sicily flying away the King mounted on a charger as St. George cutting into the vitals of Napoleon as the dragon, a cossack in full charge, Bony's last supper, ,&c.," [This, was in consequence of happy events on the continent.]

June 11th. — " Eight persons — natives of Scotland who had been prisoners of war in France — were landed a few days ago at Jurby from a vessel which had run short of provisions on her passage from Bristol to Greenock. They then tramped their way to Ramsey where they were most kindly treated by Capt. Crowe. A vessel was procured for them and eventually the poor fellows arrived at Scotland."

June 25th. — "The Duke of Athol landed a few days ago at Douglas, after a passage of thirty hours from Liverpool After breakfasting at Mr Scott's, — the Receiver -General, he proceeded to Castle Mona."

PROCLAMATION

' "Whereas His Royal Highness, the Prince Regent of the United Kingdom, in the name and on behalf of his Majesty, has beam pleased to issue his Royal Proclamation, dated at the Court at Carlton House, the 7th of June instant, publishing and proclaiming that a Definite Treaty of Peace and Friendship between his Majesty and his most Christian Majesty hath been concluded at Paris on the 30th. of May last; and strictly charging. and commanding that the said Treaty of Peace and Friendship be published throughout his Majesty's Dominions, and that the same be observed inviolably as well by sea as land and in all places whatsoever.

"And whereas the said Proclamation hath been translated to me by his Majesty's Government, in order, that the same may be published within and throughout this Island ; the same is therefore hereby Published and Proclaimed accordingly, whereof all Officers, Civil and Military, and all others, his Majesty's Subjects within this Isle,and are strictly requested to take notice and govern themselves thereunto accordingly,

' Given at Castle Rushen, 23rd Jane, 1814,
C. Smelt, Lieut.,-Governor.
" God save the Sing."

July 30th, — " For the accommodation of the public a bathing machine with a good steady horse and a careful driver will attend upon Douglas Sands, during the bathing season, from six in -the morning till five in the evening " Douglas, was progressing - it had actually become possessed of a bathing van:] ,

[A correspondent writes: — "My grandmother was twelve years old at the time of Waterloo (1815), and her father was so eager for news of the battle he told her to take his own blood horse (her own words) and ride as quickly as possible for the paper which was left for him at Henry Gell's — next door to Mr Chas. Morrison's shop. Henry Gell was in the Customs at Peel; was grandfather of the Archdeacon, and brother of the then owner of Kennaa: His wife was a daughter of the Rev -Corlett, vicar of German. There were two brothers Corlett — parson and,clerk.from the latter are descended the late Mr Corlett, of Cooilroy, Lonan, and his sister, Mrs. Backwell of Castletown, and the Cain's of St.: John's' .. . , . ,. I may add : the Rev Henry Corlett was vicar of German;1761-1801, and was succeeded on his death, by the Rev James Gelling. Mr Henry Gell's wife Marcia Corlett died in 1831. His sons changed the family came to "Gill," and their descendants still spelt it so, whilst the Kennaa branch retain the old method. Of Mr H. Gell's sons : William was chaplain of St. John's, 1820, and eventually vicar of Malew, dying in 1871. William's brother, Joseph, married Miss Stephen, daughter of Parson Stephen of Marown — afterwards of Patrick. Mr Joseph Gill was father of the late Deemster, who died 1899.

Another informant, who is a descendent of Chas. Cooper's eldest sisters [see the "Guardian" September 28th and October 12th] says : She (Miss Cooper) married Mr Lace, who built the houses where Mr Kermode the Coroner now lives, and owned the property about there on either side of the road. Mr Cooper, I believe, quarrelled with his sister, Mrs. Lace, and, in consequence, left his property to his younger sister, Mrs. Kneale - COMPILER,]