The Folk-Lore of the Isle of Man

The Folk-Lore of the Isle of Man
by A.W. Moore

HE Isle of Man has been unfortunate in not having had competent collectors of its Legendary Lore. But few have taken the slightest interest in it, and those who have did not understand the language in which they could have learned it at first hand. The earliest of these collectors, and the one to whom we owe most of the tales which are given in the following pages, was George Waldron, an Englishman, who was in the Isle of Man, where he seems to have been acting as Commissioner from the British Government, to watch and report on the import and export trade of the country, between 1720 and 1730. He seems to have had but little knowledge of the Manx people and their ways, and the marvellous tales which he tells are given in his own language, find, probably, with many additions suggested by his fancy. After an interval of a century came Train, who had also the disadvantage of being a stranger, and who was, therefore, obliged to gather the greater number of the few additional tales he gives at second hand.

Chapter I. Myths Connected with the Legendary History of the Isle of Man
Chapter II. Hagiogical, and Mytho-historical Legends
Chapter III. Fairies and Familiar Spirits
Chapter IV. Hobgoblins, Monsters, Giants, Mermaids, Apparitions, &c.
Chapter V. Magic, Witchcraft, &c.
Chapter VI. Customs and Superstitions Connected With the Seasons
Chapter VII. Superstitions Connected With the Sun, Animals, Trees, Plants, Sacred Edifices, &c.
Chapter VIII. Customs and Superstitions Connected with Birth, Marriage, and Death
Chapter IX. Customs Formerly Enforced by Law
Chapter X. Proverbs and Sayings