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

Glen Helen.lithe cuUauL-c of the grounds. The hotel, now capable ol diiiiugtwo or three hundred visitors at a time, originated in a smallresidence in the Swiss cottage style, erected by Mr. Marsdcu,a Liverpool gentleman, who purchased and planted the Rhcnassestate. A few years ago the Glen Helen Hotel Companypurchased the property, made great improvements, built alarge dining-hall and dancing pavilion, and formed picturesquepaths in the windings of the glen. The present proprietorhas added to the attractions. The little stream is crossed nearthe entrance pavilion by an elegant iron suspension bridgeand at various spots, commanding the;view of especiallypicturesque bits of scenery, rustic bridges have been thrownacross the lively little river, which, in dry weather scarcelymore than a brook, becomes almost a torrent after heavy andcontinued rains. Its course winds and turns between bankscovered with flowers and crowned with tall ferns. Thecrowning attraction of this delightful spot is the RhenassWaterfall, commonly spoken of as Glen Helen Fall, about amile from the susisensiou bridge. There are two or threefalls, one above the other, the descent being broken byintervening rocks. The height from which the waterdescends is not considerable ;but in admiring the beauty ofthe spot we do not care to calculate dimensions. The visitormay need to be reminded that the rocks are rather slippery,and although a mistaken step might not exactly lead to" shooting Niagara," the consequences might be sufficientlyunpleasant. In the pleasure grounds there are aviaries anda monkey-house : seals bask in the river; and there is amplepi'ovision for lawn- tennis and other games. The stream iswell preserved, and affords good trout fishing, for which aday's ticket may be obtained for a shilling. The admissionto the grounds is fourpence.Beyond the Glen Helen Hotel, the road begins to rise untilthe ascent is so steep that the male passengers get out andenjoy a stiff uphill walk, the panting horses being unequal tothe heavy load. From the wayside cottages, children runout and follow the pedestrians and carriages, mindful of thefact, recognizable in Man as elsewhere, that halfpence areacceptable, and may be sometimes obtained by perseveringlyasking, especially if the visitors can be offered any amusementin return. To run a quarter of a mile, shouting orsinging all the while, and be remunerated by a penny, appearsto be considered good commercial business by the juvenilesof this part of the island. Lithe, straight-limbed, blackeyed,sun-burnt, are these Manx boys and girls ; and where