[From Mannin #2, 1913]

Notes.

"Scarrit lesh Mooir, agh kianlt lesh Mooinjerys."
("'Divided by sea, but joined by kin").

MANNIN II comes out on Old November Day, the day which was formerly the first day of the first month of winter and also the first day of the Celtic year. According to ancient belief the powers of the other world were abroad on the eve of that day, Oie Houney, to be seen and heard of mortals, and could work their will-they did not, however, will ill to man. The night was one of mystery but not of terror.

It is a matter for much self-congratulation to us that MANNIN I, has had such a successful career. The whole edition was sold out within a month. We are most grateful to our many distinguished contributors for the fact that we have in hand so much excellent material for forthcoming numbers.

The Ven. Archdeacon of Mann has handed over to the Manx Language Society the highly interesting collection of Folk Airs left by the late Dr. Clague. The songs were heard by the Doctor and taken down by him as he went his rounds among the people, who loved him, and whom he loved. To him the old folks dwelling in lonely places in the mountains or on the wild sea-coast unsealed their lips, and so he rescued from oblivion many songs sung by mother to babe, by fisherman at sea, by the ploughman in wind-swept fields, from generation to generation.

Some of the best composers of the day are interesting themselves in our Folk Tunes. The following amongst others, have, at the request of the Manx Language Society's committee, arranged music for the Manx test pieces in the Music Festival,-our own Miss M. L. Wood and Mr. W. H. Gill, Sir Arthur Somervell, Dr. Lyon, Dr. Vaughan Williams, and Mr.J. W. Ivimey.

Professor Granville Bantock, who was one of the judges of the Scotch Mod, at Dundee, in September, expressed his desire, in a letter to the Mod Committee, to become better acquainted with Gaelic Music. He will have a further opportunity at our Manx Chaglym.

Great interest attaches to the portraits in this issue of Mr. A. P. Graves and of Mr. W. H. Gill. No portrait of the latter has hitherto been published. It will be remembered that Mr. A. P. Graves, President of the Irish Literary Society, the well-known writer and lecturer, has always taken an enthusiastic interest in Manx Music, and that he wrote the words for many of the airs in "Manx National Songs." Mr. W. H. Gill's splendid work on behalf of our national music will likewise never be forgotten, he has given us his best work,

I perhaps in "Manx National Music," which contains not only all the airs included in the Song Book, simply arranged for the piano, but many more, including dance tunes and carvals, of great antiquarian value.

Mr. Cubbon's little "Anthology of Manx Poetry" (Manx Language Society, 1/6 net), has been most favourably reviewed. It is a very interesting collection and supplies a long felt want.

Professor Quiggin's book of old Irish Poetry is another publication of great value to Celtic students.

Stead's Publishing House has lately brought out "Tales and Legends of the Isle of Man" by Jessie D. Kerruish, illustrated, price one penny. It is well written and has a genuine Manx atmosphere.

We understand that Miss Talbot is about to publish one of her father's important MS. i.e. the Manx Doomsday Book, or the Manorial Roll of the Isle of Mann, 1511-1515. We hope in our next issue to give further particulars, and to open a subscription list. The book is of course an invaluable national document.

The current issue of the "Celtic Review" contains a lecture delivered by Mr. A. P. Graves at the Coming of Age celebration of the Irish Literary Society of London in June last. Mr. Graves' lecture which, was entitled Ireland's Share in the Folk Song Revival," reviews the history of the British, Irish and Manx Folk Song movement and characterises the peculiarities of the music of England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall; and Mann.

Mr. Graves has two volumes of Celtic interest in the press, Irish Literary and Musical Studies" (London: Elkin Matthews); "Harpstrings of the Gael," a de ltlxe anthology of poems, translated and adapted from and founded on the Irish Gaelic, illustrated in colours by George Morrow, will be published by the American Irish Devin-Adair, Co., New York.

We hear from a teacher in Boulac Training College, Cairo, that Dr. Scott of Cairo, lately gave a most interesting lecture on T. E. Brown to the students of the College, and that the large audience was most appreciative. The appeal of T. E. Brown is as world-wide as his knowledge of human nature.

The Liverpool Manx Society's annual reunion was a splendid success. The attractive feature of the entertainment was set forth in the Souvenir Programme-"The Peel Players in 'Illiam Kodhere's Will' and 'The Charm,' by C. R. Shimmin, at the David Lewis' Theatre." There was crowded house. The Liverpool newspapers gave unstinted praise to both plays and players. It will be remembered that these plays were specially written for the Manx Language Society.

We are pleased to announce that the prize offered in MANNIN I, for the best Folk-story told in Manx has been won by "Cushag." We hope her example will encourage many others to compete for our next prize of ten shillings which will be given for the best translation in Manx of "Manx Fairy Tales," pp. 14-15. Efforts to be sent to the editor before April 12th. An entry from New Zealand came too late for Competition I.

Classes for the teaching of Manx Gaelic will be held during the winter months under the auspices of the Manx Language Society in Douglas, Port Erin, Peel, and other places. M:r. J. J. Kneen, who has a Council of Education Teacher's Certificate, will be the Instructor in Douglas, in the south, and elsewhere. In Peel arrangements have been made to start a conversational class under a native speaker. It seems most desirable that some scheme should be set on foot for remunerating out teachers who, in the past, have given their work so generously.

The Manx Language Society's phonograph is still hard at work. In the past it has stored up much of Manx song and speech, which otherwise might have been lost. Even should the spoken language die out altogether, which Heaven forefend, it will be possible for future generations to hear the pure old Manx enunciation. Mr. Kneen will have the phonograph this winter at Port Erin.

Mr. Brew Shimmin, Hon. Sec. of the London Manx Society, writes that the Society has practically doubled its membership during the past year.

The University of Birmingham has conferred the degree of Doctor of Science upon Mr. Fournier d'Albe.

Mr. R. E. Morrison, the well-known Manx artist, exhibited at the last Royal Academy Exhibition portraits of Mrs. F. Campbell Wilson and Mr. Henry Rensburg, both of which are now in the Autumn Exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, where, in addition, he is showing twenty sketches made at the Liverpool Docks by special invitation.

MR. CYRIL PATON of Streatham College, who was staying at Andreas during the summer, sends the following note:- re Claytonia perfoliate. This pretty little weed, with its bright green perfoliate leaves and straggling stem, is a North American plant which has established itself in various parts of England. It is to be found on a hedge about two miles to the north-west of Andreas Church. I think that it is uncommon on the Island. Is it on the local list of plants ?"