Ward & Lock's descriptive and pictorial guide to the Isle of Man ...
Ward & Lock's descriptive and pictorial guide to the Isle of Man ...
Ward & Lock's descriptive and pictorial guide to the Isle of Man ...
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From Douglas <strong>to</strong> Peel. 105Some autiquaries have suggested that <strong>the</strong> mound is reallya Danish sepulchral barrow, but <strong>the</strong>re is more reason <strong>to</strong>suppose that <strong>the</strong> isl<strong>and</strong> tradition is correct in asserting thatit is an artificial mound, constructed for <strong>the</strong> express purpose<strong>of</strong> holding <strong>the</strong> court ; <strong>and</strong> it may be that <strong>the</strong> tradition isalso trustworthy which says that it was formed <strong>of</strong> earthbrought from each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> seventeen parishes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> isl<strong>and</strong>,lu former times <strong>the</strong> mound was surrounded by a wall withtwo gates, <strong>the</strong> vestiges <strong>of</strong> which were visible less than ahundred years ago. The diameter <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> base <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> hill isabout eighty feet, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>to</strong>tal height about twelve feet. Itrises by four circular platforms, which serve for seats for<strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficial persons, <strong>the</strong> clergy <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> House<strong>of</strong> Keys ;<strong>and</strong> on <strong>the</strong> summit is placed <strong>the</strong> chair <strong>of</strong> state forTWiyALD HILL.<strong>the</strong> Liouienant-Governor. On <strong>the</strong> side facing <strong>the</strong> church,steps have been cut <strong>to</strong> facilitate <strong>the</strong> ascent.As we have noticed in a previous page, every law passedby <strong>the</strong> <strong>Man</strong>x legislature, <strong>and</strong> having received <strong>the</strong> Royalassent, must be promulgated from this hill before it cancome in<strong>to</strong> force. The annual ceremony <strong>of</strong> proclaiming<strong>the</strong> laws takes place on <strong>the</strong> 5th <strong>of</strong> July (except when thatdate falls on a Sunday, in which case it is put <strong>of</strong>f till <strong>the</strong>Monday), <strong>and</strong> that is Tynwald Day, a holiday in <strong>the</strong> isl<strong>and</strong>,a fair being held at St. John's, which is much resorted <strong>to</strong>,<strong>and</strong> which few <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> visi<strong>to</strong>rs <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> isl<strong>and</strong> at <strong>the</strong> timewould miss seeing. The scenes on <strong>the</strong> road from Douglas <strong>to</strong>St. John's on Tynwald Day have been described as resembling(<strong>of</strong> course on a small scale) those witnessed on <strong>the</strong> road fromLondon <strong>to</strong> Epsom on Derby Day. The Lieutenant-Governor
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