Ward & Lock's descriptive and pictorial guide to the Isle of Man ...

King William's College. 9B;—*' In so shifting a scene, who would confidence \Aa,i:«In family power, youth, or in personal grace i'No character's proof against enmity foulAnd thy fate, William Dhone, sickens our soul."Scott himself describes the transaction as taking place *' :i Ithe conclusion of a civil war, when revenge at least wa^awake, if justice slept."Nearly opposite Hango Hill—a very short distance separatinga spot charged with the memories of troubled and crueltimes, and another representing the milder spirit of modernlearning—isKing 'William's College,the most important educational establishment on the island.In 1830, the trustees of estates left by Dr. Isaac Barrow forthe advancement of education in the island, found themselvesin possession of £2,0l)0 ;and, other funds being raised,partly by subscription, the erection of a college was decidedon. By August, 18iJo, the building, named after WilliamIV., was ready to receive students. It was destroyed by flroin 1844, but was immediately rebuilt, with various improvements.It is a cruciform structure, the transept being thechapel of St. Thomas's. The square tower at the intersectionis 115 feet high; the length of the building, from east towest, 210 feet ; and from north to south, 135 feet. A veryfine library was destroyed in the fire, but a new one, containingmany valuable works, has been formed;and there is amuseum, containing a largo number of objects interestingin connection with the history of the island. The governingbody consists of the lieutenant-governor, the bishop, the archdeacon,the attorney-general, the first deemster, and the clerkof the rolls. It is essentially a Church of England institution,is endowed with eighteen scholarships and has exhibitionsto the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, and Dublin.An easy ten minutes' walk may be taken toDerbyhaven,a little fishing village on the bay of the same name, knownin old times as Rognvald's Vaglr (Reginald's Bay), a namewhich has experienced several variations, and is now settleddown into Ronaldsway, the designation of an estate at itsnorthern extremity. Severe fighting took place here in theold times. In 1250, the Manxmen gained a victory over oneJohn Dugalson, who claimed to be king of the isles, buttwenty years afterwards the islanders were defeated by aScotch force under Alexander Stewart and John ComjTi. 4