Press Reactions

From The Atheneum :

"WE WISH THIS PRETTILY GOT-UP PERIODICAL ALL SUCCESS."

From The Academy:

" THE MANX NOTE BOOK fully maintains the promise of the previous numbers." Mr. Moore's paper on 'Manx Surnames,' is a model of painstaking investigation."

From the Aranehest6,?, City -Ve2vs:

"The contents of the second number of THE MANX NOTE BOOK (G. H. Johnson, publisher, Douglas), are perhaps not quite so popularly attractive as those of the first, but the material is good nevertheless. The editor Mr. A. W. Moore, has an' introductory chapter on Manx Surnames, which contains many suggestive facts, and is full of promise for the future. Some recent antiquarian discoveries at Maughold are described and illustrated, and there is a curious and interesting attempt to illustrate the blackbird's song in Manx words. It is of good omen, too, that the department of notes and queries shows a very considerable enlargement; nor is there any falling-off in the beauty of the typography or the dainty delicacy of Mr. J. M. Nicholson's illustrations. "

From Fun:

"THE MANX NOTE BOOK IS A MODEL OF ARTISTIC TASTE, COMPLETENESS, SKILL, AND VARIETY, WHICH OUGHT TO WIN EXTENSIVE ADMIRATION.''

From the Manchester Guardian:

5th Sept., 1885.-" The third number of THE MANX NOTE BOOK maintains the character of the periodical for interest, and for the elegance of its production."

From the Paper and Printing Trades Journal:

March 30th.-' 'THE MANX NOTE Book is a new quarterly journal of matters past and present connected with the Isle of Mann edited by A. W. Moore, M.A' ' The January number is got up in a quaint style of typograph), appropriate to the subject, printed on Whatman's vellum hand-made paper, and is embellished with upwards of a score of illustrations and diagrams of Manx antiquities original initials, and, as a frontist piece, a pen and ink view of the 'Old Chapel' in the Market Place, Douglas, engraved by, Dalziels. Some original chapter headings in type and rule are' capitally designed."

From the Isle of Mann Times :

"We have received the second number of this very attractive Insular Magazine, and have examined its contents with much interest. The object of this new aspirant to public favour is somewhat peculiar, and its success must, therefore, be judged from its own ,special standpoint. It aims at being not merely a vehicle for information on ',natters past and present connected with the Isle of Mann,' but it sets itself the further task of conveying that informatioil in the daintiest and artistic manner possible, and, in striving after this end, both editor and printer have evidently spared neither labour nor expense. The position thus assumed by the editor in his first number was so high that we looked forward to his second issue with some amount of curiosity to see if be. would be able to maintain it unimpaired; and we are bound to say that the number for April now before us is in every way a worthy successor to the January number and shows no sign of falling off from its high standard of excellence. Paper, printing, and illustrations are all perfect in their separate departments, and as an example of typographical and artistic work little is left to be desired. The table of contents of the present number contains a wide and varied field for selection, and affords enough to satisfy all kinds of readers. In the artistic department of the work, among Mr. J. M. Nicholson's contributions to the Present number are several exquisite 'bits,' including two full page sketches in Douglas Harbour; a third, 'The Blackbird's Song' an exceedingly pretty bit of Manx country life, and a figure of the sepulchral urn and bronze weapon found in Port-e-Chee; together with a dainty heading 'In Douglas Bay,' and a number of initial letters and tail pieces engraved by Dalziel Brothers,"

From the Liverpool Mercury..

13th MAY, 1885.-"THE MANXNOTE BOOK (Douglas: G. H. Johnson) which is remarkably neatly printed and got up, deals with matters past and present connected with the Isle of Mann. We noticed the first number in terms of warm approval, and are disposed not only to repeat, but to emphasise our commendation with reference to the number which lies before us. The 'Notes from a Sketch Book' are most creditable with the 'snug corner' in Douglas harbour, drawn by Mr. J. M, Nicholson, and photographed by Mr. G. A. Dean. The imitation of the blackbird's song, is also highly successful, while much of antiquarian interest will be found in Manx surnames and superstitions, to say nothing of the parish registers which are here iaicl under contribution. There is a very curious 'unpublished document' of date 1601, being "an agreement between the Deputy Governor, Council and Office, Deemsters, Keys, and Inhabitants as to the customs in money instead of kind,' there having been great mortality among horses and cattle at the period. A very neat drawing is furnished of a sepulchral urn and bronze weapon found at -Port-e-Chee, while the Rev. S. W, Harrison introduces us to General Sir Mark Cubbon, K.C.B., as a 'Manx Worthy,' who ought to be much better known. THIS 'NOTE BOOK, IS QUITE UNIQUE."

From the Liverpool Mercury..

10th Sept.-" The MANX NOTE BOOK continues to do great execlit to the printers and artists of the Isle of Mann . . . . . WE CANNOT COMMEND THIS MAGAZINE TOO STRONGLY. TO ALL WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE ANTIQUITIES OF THE ISLE OF MANN,"

The Modern Printer (London)

says-"TO THOSE WHOM IT CONCERNS THE MANX NOTE BOOK, MUST BE A SOURCE OF INSTRUCTION AND PRIDE* WE HAVE NO LONDON MAGAZINE THAT COULD APPROACH IT SO FAR AS THE PRINTING IS CONCERNED. IT IS GOT UP IN MODERN OLD STYLE, AND THE DEPARTMENT - HEADS ARE SINGULARLY APPLICABLE AND NEAT IN THEIR CONSTRUCTION. It treats largely the history of Manx folks.,,

From The Manxman.' A Holiday Programme :

lst June-11 The new serial, which will have interest for visitors as much or more than for the inhabitants, is published quarterly.

The first number is introduced by a graceful preface by LieutenantGovernor Walpole, who intimates the purpose of the serial-to record and preserve the traditions, the Names, and the folk-lore of the island. Certainly there are few spots on the face of the globe with a more varied or interesting history than the Isle of Mann; its traditions, many of which are as veritable as the adventures of the famous Baron Munchausen, are not less worth preserving, as the life and character of a People axe clearly indicated by its traditions, its beliefs, and folk-lore. The first number of the Magazine gives evidence of the earnest purpose of the editor to fulfil the intentions of the work. the second number is even more popular in its matter, and will interest a greater variety of readers. The Note Book is printed upon exquisite paper, and most artistically illustrated. Its 0(litor-A. W. Mloore, M,A., has evidently found the toil of editorship a pleasure,"

"HAS ATTRACTED SPECIAL ATTENTION IN ANTIQUARIAN CIRCLES HERE. "-London Correspondence, in Liverpool and Manchester Papers, Sept. 24th, 1885.

From the Isle of Mann Examiner

9th May.- "The second number of this Insular serial (THE MANX NOTE BOOK) is certainly a great improvement upon the first. IT HAS ALL THE CHARM WHICH CAUSED SO MUCH DELIGHT IN THE FIRST NUMBER - being admirably printed upon the same delicious paper, enabling it to compete with, if not excel, any publication of the present day. . . . The paper on Manx Surnames,' by the editor, is the commencement of a series which gives promise of much interest and information. The writer is evidently disposed to spare no labour in rendering his communication accurate, in a style which is enviably clear, lucid, and pleasing. . . . A peep into the past of the Island is obtained from the parish registers in the old churchesthe extracts from the Ballaugh register are refreshing in the quaint methods of chronicling the important items of baptisms and deaths. 'Recent Antiquarian Discoveries" 'Weather Suimnary,' Notes and Queries,' and Meetings of Societies,' conclude a serial ,which ought to have interest for every thoughtful reader on the Island. It should not be omitted that The Note Book is as tastefully illustrated as the first number. The headings, initials, and tail-pieces are engraved by Dalziel Brothers, from designs by our townsman-Mr. J. M. Nicholson,"

From the Manx Sun :

Sept. 5th.-" The third number of THE MANX NOTE Booy, sustains its character for artistic appearance and get up. The chief feature in the number is a portrait of Bishop Wilson from a steel engraving, photographed by Mr. George A. Dean, of Finch-road, Douglas, which is reproduced with a clearness, and finish truly marvellous. In connection with this subject there is a sketch of the birth-place of Bishop Wilson, drawn by Mr. J. M. Nicholson, from a photograph by Silvester Parry, Chester, of a lithograph by Miss Mary Ann Congreve, and lithographed by Mr. Dean, Douglas. The chief papers are Burton-in-Wirral, Bishop Wilson's birth-place, by William Wilson, LL.D., M.A.; No. III. of Manx Worthies by Rev. E. B. Savage, M.A., the conclusion of the No. 1. series of Notes from the Parish Registers, by the Rev. W. Kermode, M.A., and Manx Surnames, Chapter II. by the editor, Mr. A. W. Moore, M.A. There are several other papers, and the initials and tail-pieces are again a very strildng feature. The whole get-up of the number is unquestionably a credit to the printer and all concerned.

From Mona's Herald

16th Sept.-" THE MANX NOTE BOOK is a well printed and excellently conducted magazine, and its circulation should be large -both on the Island, and away.'

From The Peel City Guardian

9th May, 1885.-"The second number of THE MANX NOTE BOOK, is sure to be well received and appreciated by that class of readers who make a study of literary curiosities and.take a pleasure in antiquarian pursuits. The archceological, genealogical, and meteorological statistics of the Island are particularly valuable. This number contains other matter of more general interest than the first, the illustrations are even more beautiful; and there is a greater variety of information and evidence in the writing of very considerable study and research. The English press, we are glad to see, has been fully alive to the artistic merit of THE MANX NOTE BOOK."