[From Manx Soc vol 30]

PREFACE.

THE second volume of Manx Miscellanies, which is now issued, forming the thirtieth volume of the Society's Publications, the Editor has every hope will be appreciated by the Members, embracing as it does various interesting portions of Manx History.

It may here be observed that these Scraps of History are of the utmost importance to the future historian of the Island when gathered into one available focus. Every minute matter is of use to him while detailing, the fast fading away fragments of fairy tales, local superstitions, and folk-lore, gathered from the lips of those in whose memory alone they are now stored, while relating the old traditions of their fathers.

Some of the previous volumes of the Manx Society have already done this, but much remains to be done to make them available for the historian, and, as was remarked in the first address on the formation of the Society in 1858, there were many papers of great local interest in the possession of the Society if Members could only be induced to take them in hand and prepare them for the press. There are many interesting and important documents deposited in the Rolls Office, the Seneschal's Office, the Episcopal and Parochial Registries, as well as in the archives of the Stanley, Atholl, and other families, so long and so intimately connected with the Island.

To most of the papers here submitted, the Editor has added a short introductory notice as to their origin.

The account of " Mann, its Names," by J. H. Jeffcott, Esquire, High Bailiff of Castletown, although originally printed for another Society, was considered as an acceptable contribution to the Members of the Manx Society, and would, generally speaking, be new to them.

The account of the Mint in Castletown and the Manx Coinage of 1733, which has been extracted from an original document in the Seneschal's Office by John F. Crellin, Esquire, will set at rest the doubt which some writers entertained as to the right the Lords of this Island had to coin money without the consent of the Crown of Great Britain, thereby showing their independence, such being the prerogative of an Ancient Kingdom. This statement will be looked upon as a valuable contribution to Manx History, and forms interesting addenda to Dr. Clay's " Currency of the Isle of Man," which appeared in Volume XVII. of the Manx Series. He appears to have considered that the coinage of 1733 had been minted in England and sent over to the Island by the Earl of Derby, being misled by the wording of the Act of Tynwald of the 25th June 1733. The Doctor, however, speaks of it as " the most beautiful coinage ever circulated on the Island."

This paper on the Manx Mint, with Mr. Crellin's valuable remarks on the same, coming as they do from so able a numismatist of every matter connected with the subject and of the various finds on the Island, and whose cabinet is full of the same, will, there is little doubt be highly appreciated.

On the conclusion of this, the Thirtieth Volume of the Society's Series, the Editor has much pleasure to find that the united labour of the different Editors has not been in vain, but has met with the approbation of various critical writers : Amongst others we may mention the talented Editor of The Reliquary, who thus remarks on the Society's Publications:-

"It is impossible to speak too highly of the objects of the Manx Society, of the excellence and value of its publications, or of the care bestowed in their preparation by their respective Editors. The 'Manx Society' is undoubtedly one of the best, most useful, most liberal, and most enlightened of the many Societies in existence, and therefore it is one which not only deserves but commands the most extended support.

With this high commendation the Society should endeavour to deserve the continued support of its Members by every individual exertion to bring before them such matter as may tend in any way to elucidate the History of the Island.

The Editor of the present volume, considering that he has engrossed considerable space in the Society's proceedings, having edited no less than fourteen volumes of their Publications, including the seven last volumes issued to the Members, feels that it is absolutely necessary that others should be induced to take an interest in forwarding the objects of the Society on its first formation in 1858.

In thus retiring from any active participation in bringing out any future publication of the Society, he wishes every success may attend the efforts of the Council, and that the Manx Society may continue to flourish.

WILLIAM HARRISON.

ROCKMOUNT, February 1880