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

;160 Guide to the Isle of Han.for there Goclred, son of Harold the Black, of Iceland, whohad invaded the island, after the annexing fashion of the time,defeated the Manxmen with great slaughter, and becamemaster of the island. He was not apparently very covetous,for ho offered his followers to divide the island among themif they chose, or, if they were not disposed to settle down asrespectable landowners, to allow them the privilege of plunderingaccording to their own sweet wills, and then returningto Ireland. Most of them chose the latter alternative,pilaging being more in their line than ploughing and reapingso they loaded themselves with all the spoil they could collect,and returned home merrily. Some, however, preferred toremain with Godred, who established himself in the southernpart of the island, leaving the IManxmen to the enjoyment ofthe northern half—at any rate for a time—making the conditionthat none of the native chiefs should endeavour toestablish hereditary rights, the property and the revenues ofthe whole island being vested in him and his successors ; andit was not until the passing of the Act of Settlement in 1704(due in a great measure, as we have already said, to theexertions of Bishop Wilson), that the residents in that partof the island could obtain a valid title to their property.At the foot of the hiU is Ililntown, a very attractive privateresidence.The parish church of Lczayre, Ilohj Trinity, has the westporch overgrown with ivy, but is modern, and not striking inits architectural features. The beautiful situation and thegroups of walnut and other trees which surround it, make it avery attractive spot. The register dates from 1G3G, and thelocal gossips are almost certain to mention that it contain^an entry (dated IGG(J) respecting a Manx matron, who wascertainly a wonderful woman ; for, if we believe the record(and we ought to believe it, for it is certified by the signatureof the Rev. Edvr^ard Crow, minister), she was the mother ofa child " which was baptized on a Monday ; and she came tochurch to be churched on the Wednesday next after."Having returned home, she again became a mother, and cameagain to be churched on the Saturday of the same week—" churched twice in the same week," says the register.A visit to Lezayre inspired the Rev. James GilborneLyons, LL.D., whose vigorous verses are known on botlisides of the Atlantic, to write a pathetic little poem, 77aIkturn to Lczayre ; but wc cannot say whether it is actuallyan autobiographical reminiscence or an effort of the imagination. The poet says —