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

110 Guide to the Isle of Man.The rock is named St. Patrick's Isle, because, according toecclesiastical tradition, the famous saint—as much revered inMan as in Ireland itself—established thereon the first churchin the island, and made it the episcopal seat of the firstbishop, Germanus or German, a canon of Lateran, andone of his own followers. This German (the name is frequentlyspelt Germain) was a very energetic bishop,especially when any fighting was to be done, for he onlyremained in the island for less than a year, and then crossedover into Wales, where the Britons and the invading Saxonsw^ere dealing hard blows. He sided with the Britons, andwhen their foes were advancing on the camp, he and hiaallies raised such a mighty shouting of " Hallelujah," thatthe Saxons fled in dismay. By this triumphant vocal display,Bishop German acquired the credit of having performed amiracle, and when he died, the Pope canonized him on accountof it, charitably overlooking many peculiarities of character,in the way of loose living, which the bold bishop exhibited,and of which, no doubt, the "devil's advocate" (whose peculiarduty it is to discover every possible symptom of unworthinessin the proposed saint) made the most.Peel Hill.From the town of PocI, the castle may be reached eitherby the ferr >/ -boat, which conveys the visitor across the fewyards of intervening sea " at the small charge of one ijcnnij,'''or by way of a bridge acro.ss the head of the harbour, whichleads to a pathway along the side of the lofty headland, PeelHill, or Horse Hill, as it is sometimes named. The hill isjteep, and tries the breath of the climbers ;but the summitshould be reached for the sake of the view to be obtained,and especially for the opportunity it afi:ords of noting thegeneral plan of the castle and the other buildings. Havingenjoyed the view, and looked down the almost precipitousand jagged front the headland presents to the waves, whichdash against the broken rocks at the base, and sprinkle itsrugged face with spray, we return to the path. Heavy andnot very agile folk had better take care of their footing, ifthey would avoid an awkward stumble, but no serious resultneed be apprehended. Young folks trip gaily to tlie summit,and as gaily back again ;and standing on Peel jetty, a prettypicture with animated groups is often presented. Younggirls bearing baskets of linen on their heads, and with brightcolours in their dress, cross the harbour bridge, and with lightsteps ascend the hill-side and spread out their laundry burden