felt by those who have much corn to reap or grass to cut: the getting in of the harvest is very tedious, for want of sufficient hands; and it is often much injured by the weather. I have known hay cut for many weeks before the farmer could get it carried, and sometimes not stacked before the end of September. The women, unaccustomed to the irregular lives of the men, partake not of their indolent disposition. Fourfifths of the farming business fall to their share. They are reckoned very expert in reaping and in digging potatoes, and perform not amiss many other parts of husbandry.'-p. 44.

It appears that there exists among some of the inhabitants of Man a disposition to attempt the establishment of manufactures, with a view to exportation. In this, they are more particularly encouraged by the existing state of the respective revenue-laws of Man and England. No attempt has hitherto been successful, and Mr. W. holds out no prospect of better fortune to any future one. Under the head of commerce, Mr. W. has found a curious anecdote relating to former regulations on this subject; but we shall confine ourselves to the modern history;

The present exports of this island are strong linens and sail-cloth, their annnal value being from 5000l. to 10,000l.; herrings, varying in quantity with the success of the fishery; lead, or lead ore, fowls, butter, a few eggs, and some other trifling articles.'-p. 62.

The imports are manufactured goods of almost every description, chiefly from Liverpool; coal from Liverpool, and from the ports of Cumberland; wine from Oporto and Guernsey; brandy and geneva from Guernsey; and rum from England; the balance of trade being greatly against the island. The deficiency may, perhaps, be made up by remittances to strangers, who, in order to avoid the sight of a bailiff, or the extravagance of English living, take up their temporary or permanent abode in this country.'-p. 65.

The importance of the herring-fishery in the eyes of the inhabitants, has already fallen under remark. Mr. W. introduces this subject with a natural history of the herring, for which he makes acknowledgments, in his notes, to various authors; and while we are hesitating whether to applaud or condemn the introduction of this article, we cannot ourselves refrain from re-quoting an anecdote, which pretends to give, as well the date of the invention of pickled herrings, as the name of the inventor, and the etymology of the word pickle. Johnson derives pickle' from 'pekel,' Dutch. As to the date of the Dutch herring-fishery, we must be excused if we believe, that Dutchmen have been engaged in it almost as long as they have been Dutchmen:

Important as this fish is to the inhabitants of modern Europe, it is doubted whether it was distinctly known to the ancient Greeks and Romans, at least we find no certain description in their writings, either of its form or uses. The herring-fishery is, however, of considerable

antiquity.

antiquity: the Dutch are said to have engaged in it so long ago as the year 1164, and were in possession of it for several centuries; and Flanders had the honour of discovering the method of preserving this fish by pickling it. One William Beukelen, of Biervlet, near Sluys, is said to have been the inventor of this useful expedient; and from him is probably derived the word pickle, which we have borrowed from the Dutch and German, Beukelen died in the year 1397. The emperor, Charles the Fifth, is said to have held his memory in such veneration for the service he had done mankind, as to have paid a solemn visit to his tomb, in honour of so distinguished a citizen, and, sitting thereon, to have eaten a herring.* The Dutch are most extravagantly foud of this fish when pickled; a premium was given to the first vessel that arrived in Holland laden with this, their ambrosia. As much joy was observed among the inhabitants on its arrival, as the Egyptians shew at the first overflowing of the Nile.t'-p. 71.

The herring-fishery of Man is described as follows:

• Between four and five hundred fishing-boats, of usually about sixteen tons burden each, and not decked, compose the Manks fleet. The season commences in July, and ends with September. In the evening the vessels leave the harbours, and return with the fruits of their voyage on the ensuing morning. The prayer, or the affectation of it, on leaving the harbour, is fallen into disuse. Of many boats, which left port Erin the evening I was there, and on one of which I was aboard going to the Calf, the practice was not observed by any. Another custom still prevails, that of not leaving shore of Saturday or Sunday evening. Many years or centuries ago, the history of which we know only by tradition, Saturday only was excepted, and the vessels used to leave the harbour, with the setting sun, on the following day. A tremendous gale, accompanied by thunder and lightning, the sigual of divine vengeance, dispersed the vessels on a Sunday night. The greater part were buried in the waves: the remainder took shelter in the recess of an impending cliff, and before morning were crushed to pieces by its fall. The dread of a similar fate is sufficiently strong among the seamen to prevent a repetition of the practice.

The nets are buoyed up by inflated bags of dog-skin, and the fish are caught chiefly by the gills. To bring to shore from ten to twenty thousand herrings is considered a good night's work for each boat. After a successful voyage, the fishermen get so intoxicated, that the ensuing night, however favourable, is usually lost. The produce is divided into three more shares than the number of fishermen. Every fisherman is entitled to one share; the owner of the boat to two shares, and the owner of the nets to one. Frequently the nets belong to some of the boatmen, and occasionally the boat. Two seamen and four country. men are the number usually employed. From two to three thousand of the latter annually quit their land habitations for the sea-ports, for the three or four summer or autumnal months. They leave their wives

*Shaw's Zoology, vol. v. Ichtyologie par Bloch. Berlin. vol. i. p. 150.' ↑ Pennant's British Zoology.'

to

to turn the soil, to reap, thresh, and dig potatoes; and having reserved a considerable number of herrings for the year's consumption, feast and get drunk with the produce of the remainder.

"Many of the Irish, when the butter does not appear in due time upon the churning of the cream, ascribe their ill success to the machinations of some evil-minded witch. The Manks fishermen who unfortunately return with a boat unladen, ascribe their's to the same

cause.

'To dispel the charm, they set fire to a bundle of dry heath, or furze, in the middle of the boat. They light by the flames whisps of the same material, and apply them to every part of the interior of the vessel.

'By boys and girls the herrings are conveyed in baskets from the boats. "The first operation is to make an opening with the knife, and clear away the intestine, if the fish be designed for a warm climate; if not, it is frequently dispensed with. In this country they serve only to enrich the lands, or feed the gulls; but in Sweden they are boiled for oil.

'Those designed for red herrings are piled up with a layer of salt between each row, and thus left for two or three days. They are then washed, are hung by the mouth upon small rods, and placed in extensive houses built for the purpose; sometimes so large as ninety feet by sixty, and from fifteen to thirty feet high. The length is divided into several apartments, and here the rods are arranged in rows, almost close together from the roof of the house to within eight feet of the floor. Underneath are kindled many fires of dry wood and roots of trees, which, for three, four, or five weeks are kept constantly burning. When sufficiently dry and sufficiently smoked, they are, in great regularity, put up in barrels.

'For white herrings the process is much more expeditious, and is usually performed on board of vessels lying in the harbour. The fish are by the women rubbed well with salt, and left in heaps till the following morning. They are then in equal regularity packed in barrels, with a layer of salt between each row.

'Much of the excellence of a herring is thought to depend upon its being salted immediately after its being caught. The Dutch, and the Scotch imitating them, have adopted the practice of salting their fish on board the fishing vessels, and of throwing overboard at sun-rise all that are remaining fresh.

'The number of herrings annually cured in this country is subject to considerable variation. The average may, probably, be between eight and ten millions, being some years double this quantity, and some years only half. In the years 1787, 8, 9, and 90, twenty-nine millions were exported. The present price of fresh herrings varies from 12s. 6d. to 20s. per maze of thirty score. On the 13th of July 1667, they were so abundant as to be sold at 6d. per maze.'—p. 83. In the seventh chapter, touching on the article of religion, the author enters a little into the controversy, (also handled in a work lately reviewed by us, Dr. Jamieson's Historical Account of the

N 2

Ancient

Ancient Culdees of Iona,*) respecting the signification of the word Sodor, in the title of the bishops of Sodor and Man. In this chapter he likewise remarks, that

The ceremony of a funeral is similar to that practised in the north of England. The bellman goes about the streets inviting all persons to attend. The solitary bell at the top of the church is rather rung than tolled. A little way from the church-yard, the attendants of the corpse, with their hats off, commence a psalm which they terminate when met by the clergyman at the gateway. The coffins of the poor people are made of stained deal, and the mourners are not clad in mourning.

'Westley, with some associates, visited the island in 1777, and writes thus respecting it: "We have had no such circuit, either in England, Scotland, or in Ireland: this island is shut up from the world: there are no disputers, no dissenters of any kind. The governor, bishop, clergy, oppose not. They did for a season, but they grew better acquainted with us." In the year 1797, William Savary, a quaker of Philadelphia, with Farrel, of Liverpool, and two other compa nions of the same persuasion, paid a visit to the island. They travelled much about it; preached to the people as opportunity offered; and were treated with great attention and respect. The two former had made the tour of the greater part of Europe in the service of their master, Jesus Christ. They remarked, that in Man and at Berlin they had observed more than usual marks of religion among the people. Methodism is much more likely than Quakerism to attract the vulgar. Of the former sect are, at least, a tenth part of the inhabitants: of the latter, though there were a few in Bishop Wilson's time, there is not any at present.'-p. 89.

The succeeding chapter treats of the character, manners, and customs of the inhabitants, &c.

'The Manks are reckoned to be naturally of an indolent and credu lous, often of a superstitious and gloomy disposition. I do not know of any one that has rendered himself eminent by a great proficiency, or useful discovery in the arts or sciences, by fire of genius or profundity of learning. Characters endowed with piety, benevolence, and other vir tues, in general, I trust, less remarkable, have not been rare. I would particularize several, were I not afraid of omitting others of perhaps equal merit. Some of the women of the higher classes are well informed and accomplished: most of the lower classes, civil and industrious. To these may be applied the character which one of the authors of King's Cheshire gives to the women of that county; they are usually, says he, very prolific after marriage, and sometimes before. An honest and industrious servant girl is not ruined by becoming a mother, though for the sake of decency her place is lost. To this laxity of morals is attributed the absence, even in Douglas, of those women which so frequently swarm in towns. I was informed that their trade had been tried, but found not to answer.

Gen, Chron. vol. ii. p. 399.

The servants of

Man

Man are more dirty, and untidy than the English, but less so than the Scotch or Irish.

The people are attached to their native vales and mountains, to their ancient customs, and their laws. They consider themselves independant of the English nation, and were greatly affected by the sale of the island, which they thought would blend the countries. Though few the enjoyments of the lower orders, their cares are also few. Over a jug of ale their troubles are frequently forgotten; and, when again remembered, are expected to terminate with the next fishing season. The cheapness of law encourages strife; many a quarrel, which in England, would be amicably adjusted, is here brought into court. Rancour, when long indulged, is not easy to eradicate.

Insanity among the natives is reckoned rather common; it is usually of a melancholy, not of a violent description. Persons afflicted with this calamity, if not kept at home by their friends, are permitted to roam at large.

'The middle and higher ranks mix too much with the English to retain any peculiar characteristic of their native country. The chief trade and much of the farming business is carried on by strangers. Civilization is little, if at all, behind the remoter parts of England. An anonymous writer of the last century says, that knives and forks were scarcely known here; that when a person gave a dinner, the appendage was a few butchers knives for carvers; that their thumbs and fingers and their teeth were the only implements allotted to the guests. He was either misinformed himself or attempted to mislead his readers. 'The people are hospitably and charitably disposed. One of their proverbs is," When one poor man relieves another, God himself laughs for joy." Poor's rates and most other parochial rates are things unknown; and there is not in the whole island either hospital, workhouse, or house of correction. A collection is made after the morning service every Sunday for the relief of such poor of the parish as are thought deserving of charity. The donation is optional; but it is usual for every one to give something. Beggars are little encouraged and rarely met with. The want of poor's rates and workhouses is by some thought a disadvantage; while others, judging by their effect in England, and reasoning upon general principles, imagine that, while they are a tax upon the higher and middle classes, they are rather detrimental than beneficial to the industrious poor, and consequently prejudicial to a nation.

'In every parish is at least one charity-school, and often a small library. These were founded by Bishops Barrow and Wilson, are supported by voluntary contributions, and many of them have funds arising from legacies and donations.

'The inhabitants have nothing peculiar in their dress; sandals or kerranes being now seldom seen. Blue cloaks are more common here than red ones in London or in Dublin. The market-baskets and panniers are made of straw-bands, crossing each other at right angles, usually from two to four inches apart, in a manner not unlike that before described for fastening down a thatch. The common dress of strangers