MAN, ISLE OF, is situated in the Irish sea, in n. lat. 54° 3' to 54° 25', and w. long. 4° 18' to 4° 47'; the shortest distance between the island find the adjacent countries being from point of Ayre to Burrow head in Scotland, 16 miles. The length of the island is. 33/ m., breadth 121m., and area about 145,325 acres, of which more than 90,000 are cul tivated. At the south-western extremity is an islet called the Calf of Man, containina„.. 800 acres, a large portion of which is under cultivation. A chain of mountains extends from n.e. to s.w., the highest of which is Snaefell, 2,024 ft. above the mean sea-level. from its summit, the view is very imposin,g; the picturesque glens and undulating coun try in the foreground; the rich plains of the n. and s. of the island in mid-distance; and beyond, the Irish sea, bounded by the high lands of the surrounding countries, on which even the corn-fields may be descried. Sevei al streams take their rise in these moun tains, in some of which trout abound, though in many the fish have been destroyed by the washings from the lead mines. The coast-scenery from Maughold head on the e., passing s. to Peel on the w. is bold and picturesque, especially in the neighborhood of the Calf, where Spanish head, the southern extremity of the island, presents a sea-front of extreme grandeur.
The greater part of the island consists of clay-slate under various modifications. Through the clay-schist, granite has burst in two localities, in the vicinity of which mineral veins have been discovered, and are extensively worked. Nearly 4,000 tons of lead are extracted annually, as well as considerable quantities of e,opper, zinc, and iron; the lead ore is very rich in quality, as much as 108 oz. of silver having been occasionally extracted from the ton.
The island is divided into 6 sheadirtgs; these into ittrishes, of which there are 17; these, again, into treens; and, lastly, into quarterlands. The towns are Castietown (q.v.), Douglas, the modern capital (q.v.), Peel (q.v.), and Ramsey (q.v.).
Within the past few years great improvemeuts have been made in the island. At
Douglas, a beautiful promenade has been erected; also a handsome lauding-pier, at a cost of 248,000. Very extensive breakwater and other harbor works have been erected at Douglas. The total expense has been over 2200,000. An outer pier and breakwater, constructed of concrete cement blocks, at a cost of about 2150,000, was opened in 1879_ At Ramsey, a public promenade and inclosure on the foreshore have beeu carried out;. and harbor works have been erected both here and at Port Erin, in the latter case at a cost of 277,500. Port Erin harbor is more- especially designated for the herring fleet, and for the steamers from Ireland, which are expected yet to form a great trade for the island, as a port of call between England and Ireland. A sum of close on 210,000 has, been expended in casing the existing breakwater at Peel. To cover the extensive out lay on harbor works the consent of the imperial treasury was asked and obtained in 1866 for the readjustment of duties on articles imported into the island, such as spirits, wines, tobacco, teas, sugar, etc.
The Isle of Man possesses much to interest the antiquary. Castle Rushen (see CASTLE TowN) probably the most perfect building of its date extant, was founded by Guthred, son of king Orry, in 947. The ruins of Ruslien abbey, dated front 1154, are picturesquely situated at Ballasalla. There are numerous so-called Druidical remains and Runic monuments throughout the island.
The population of the island, in 1871, was 53,763; in 1861, 52,469; the small rate of increase being attributable to emigration. The language of the natives is a dialect of the Celtic, and is closely allied to the Gaelic and the Erse or Irish. As a spoken language, it is almost entirely disused.
The climate is remarkable for the limited range of temperature, both annual and diurnal; westerly and south-westerly winds greatly predominate; easterly and north easterly winds occurring chiefly in the autumn quarter. Myrtles, fuchsias, and other tender exotics flourish throughout the year.