[From Mannin vol 5 1915]

Expedition to the Isle of Man: A hitherto unpublished Diary by George Borrow

(Continued from page 228.)¹

There is a little pool about 9 feet diameter on the top with a slate flag on its NW. side.

Came to broken ruinous bridge at the bottom of this wild mountain tract; brook from gulley in the western Berool sounding plaintively down glen bending towards the north, cairn to the west, Berool in full view, that which I had quitted scarcely visible, though the crag was to be seen. As I advanced up the hill to the west the cairn of the Berool Moar became more distinct like a black hump; it is evidently intended to look to the east and the other to the west sea; soon the gorge became a narrow green valley and I saw a blue reach of water, the clump of houses or village looking white at some distance. The scenery was grand yet beautiful; there was mist and sunshine. The Isle of Man is a very noble Isle.

Proceed along road; the two men, one a dwarf, who told me that the glen was Glen Rushen, and further down Glen May where was the waterfall. The western Barool was none other than Craig an Ureadhle.²

The gate; leave the moor; enclosed country; glen by the left; pretty enclosures on its sides; lovely view of the sea; the silent village; sunshine.

A lovelier isle than Vennon³ never G. saw in his wide career.

Advanced along the road along the hillside on the northern side of the valley. The scene from this side across the vale is of indescribable loveliness; a big hill sliding down to the bottom of the glen, with beautiful enclosures; beyond that swelling hill with its pastures,

Footnotes

I We owe an apology to our readers and to Mr. Clement Shorter for the unfortunate printer's error by which the first instalment of Borrow's Diary ended in the middle of a sentence. 2 Cronk yn Irree Laa. 3 Mannin.