MAN, ISLE OF. An island in the centre of the Irish Sea, whence its Manx name Fannin or Man ain—the middle—id miles south of Burrow ]lead in Wigtownshire, Scotland, and 27 miles equi distant from England and Ireland (Map: Eng land, 11 2). It is 32 miles long, 12 miles broad, and 220 square miles in area. At the south west extremity is an islet called the Calf of Man, containing S00 acres, largely cultivated. The scenery is varied and picturesque. A moun tain chain extends from northeast to southwest, culminating in Snaefell, 2034 feet above the sea ; from its summit the view embraces the wooded glens and undulating country in the foreground; the rich plains of the north and south of the island in mid-distance; and beyond, the Irish Sea, bounded by the highlands of the surround ing countries. Several trout streams take their rise in these mountains.
The greater part of the island consists of clay slate under various modifications. Through the clay-schist granite has burst jn two localities, in the vicinity of which mineral veins are ex tensively worked. Great quantities of lead are extracted annually, as well as considerable quan tities of copper. zinc, and iron; the lead ore is the richest in silver in the 'United Kingdom. The climate is remarkable for the limited range of temperature, both annual and diurnal; westerly and southwesterly winds predominate. easterly and northeasterly winds occurring chiefly in the autumn quarter. Myrtles, fuchsias, and other exotics flourish throughout the year. Agricul ture is followed, especially in the southern part of the island and in the level districts to the north. On the hillsides in the interior many cattle and sheep are pastured. The island is noted for a breed of tailless cats. The Isle of Man is a great summer resort for operatives of Lan cashire and Yorkshire, and at various points dancing pavilions have been erected. Steamers ply regularly between it and Liverpool, Fleet wood, Barrow. Silloth. and other ports. The her ring, mackerel, and other fisheries are important. The manufactures are unimportant, but the na tives derive a large income from the thousands of visitors that come to the island each season.
There are many interesting antiquities on the island. Near Castletown. the ancient capital and seat of government of the island, is the well-known Castle Bushell, which was once the palace of the native kings. Douglas, the capital of the island and its principal seaport, contains the so-called 'fowLr of Refuge,' and the former residence of ti dukes of Athol. Sixteen miles from Douglas Ins Port Erin, a picturesque watering-place on a small bay. Between Douglas and Peel. a dis tamc be rail of 12 miles, is Greeha Castle, the residence of hail Caine, whose writings have done much to make the manners and customs of the Manx familiar to the general public. Peel is rinnarkalde for its castle on Saint Patrick's Isle. joined to the mainland by a causeway, which in its present form dates chiefly from the fif teenth century. The ruins of the eathedral stand within the castle inclosure.
The isle of 'Alan forms a separate bishopric tinder the title of Sodor and Alan. The Manx Church has its own canons and an independent convoeation. The see is, fur certain purposes, attached to the Province of York. There are in the island about forty places 1)f worship in connection with the Established Church of Man. The livings are, with few exceptions. in the gift of the Crown. The principal denominations of dissenters are represented in the island.
The Isle of Man has a constitution and govern ment of its own, to a certain extent independent of the Imperial Parliament. It has its own laws, law-offi•ers, and courts of law. The legis lative body is styled the Court of Tynwald, con rist ing of the Lieutenant-Governor and Connell— the hitter being composed of the bishop, attor ney-general, two demisters (o• judges). clerk if the rolls, water bailiff, archdeacon, and vice general—and the (louse of 24 Keys, or Represen tatives. The native language. Manx, a dialect of the Celtic, is still spoken, and is taught along with English in the parish schools. If is spoken chiefly in the northwestern parishes and in cer tain localities on the west coast. It has a marked similarity to the Irish and Scottish Gaelic dia lects.