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

;Siilhy— Lezayre. 159the artist's labours or poet's description. No matter wherethe footstep Lends, there are points which fill tlie mind withthemes for thonght and food for sentiment, for the wholeisland teems witli historical associations for the poring antiquaryor the peripatetic student, seeking the solace of seclusionfrom the toils and researches of academical archives ormusty volumes ; whilst the botanist, the geologist, and thenaturalist will constantly find objects to occupy the closestattention and create the liveliest interest. There are indeed\eYj few spots where there are so many wonderful materialscropping up for researcli and graphic illustration.For a few miles farther there is a pleasing continuation ofextremely beautiful and attractive "studies," clothed withpark-like timber and studded with unique and elegant villasand a superior class of domiciles ; whilst the road is garnishedwith thriving plantations and as stately a growth of majesticforest-trees as can often be seen around the aristocratic abodesof the wealthy landed proprietors in England, The soil isproverbially good, and the herbage excellent for feedingpurposes. The neighbourhood is, therefore, rightly consideredthe garden of the island, where many families oflocal standing find a delightful and sahibrious retreat. Atdifferent places on the road a good view may be obtained ofthe country in the north of the island, the south side beinghidden by a range of well-wooded hills. The range on theestate of Glentrammon, or "the glen of th. trammons "(English, elderberries), in the stem of which plant the fairieswere supposed to dwell, is almost covered by large specimensof fir, larch, spruce, &c.And now our road crosses the railway near the station forLezayre,a parish in the centre of one of the most pictvu-esque and interestingdistricts of the island,—interesting historically, becausemany of the early contests between the Scandinaviansand the Irish were fought in the locahty ; and geologically,from the changes which the scientific observer will recognizeas having taken place in the conformation of the sm-face.Tradition refers to several lakes, with islets, which have nowno existence ; one of these, named Mircscogh, was an almostsacred spot in the early ecclesiastical history of the island. Alarge tract, once nearly covered with water, is now known asthe Curragli. Shje Hill, a well-wooded eminence, the summitof which is reached by a pleasant and not too fatiguing walk, isof great renown in conuection with the early histoiy of Man