BALLY-SALLY, though not usually reckoned among the towns, is yet a considerable inland village, where formerly stood the abbey of Rushen, founded A.D. 1134, upon lands given by Olavus King of Man, the ruins of which still remain. This was the latest dissolved monastery in these kingdoms. The rest of the inhabitants have their houses built in the most convenient part of their estates for water and shelter; the better sort have good substantial houses of stone, and covered with slate; others with thatch, which they have found a way to secure against the winds (which in winter are boisterous enough) by ropes of straw, very readily made, and neatly crossed like a net over one another, which no storms can injure.
BALLASALLA, a pleasant village, where a cotton mill has been established, which has afforded employment to many poor families in the neighbourhood. The raw cotton is imported from Liverpool, and, when spun, is sent to Manchester. The vicinity of the Isle of Man to these markets, and other local advantages, seem to indicate the profits that would accrue from an encreased htimber of similar establishments. This village, however, has derived no small importance from its being the residence of the Deemster, or chief judge, of the Island. The Deemsters were anciently, in virtue of their office, persons of great dignity; for, besides being chief judges, they were also the Lord's privy counsellors, and their influence over the people was very great. Like the Druids of old, they were reputed the oracles of justice; and in their bosoms resided the laws, which were divulged to the people only on importent occasions. In each of the principal towns is a high bailiff, or inferior judge, who determines suits for sums not exceeding forty shillings, Manks currency; but all money negotiations to a larger amount, and 12 prosecutions for personal injuries, are generally brought before the Deemster, who either decides upon them in person, or submits them to a jury, where he sits as judge. At a small distance from Ballasalla.
Kirk Santon, a small church, lies on the left; and about a mile from thence are several druidical vestiges, being stones elevated and placed in a circular form. Following the direct road, you arrive at Balla Llonay Bridge, usually called the Devil's Bridge, which is said to be the scene of his satanic majesty's frequent exploits, on which account it is with extreme reluctance the natives venture over it after dark.
Balla Salla is the largest and most populous village in the island; the river and scenery a particularly beautiful, and some remains of Rushen Abbey still adorn the banks of the stream. This retreat was founded by Olave King of Man, in 1104; but the church, though begun at the same time, was not finished or consecrated till 1257, though it had in that long interval served as a burial place for several of the royal family. The Monks were twelve in number, besides the abbot. They practised great austerities, wearing neither shoes or linen nor eating flesh. In 1192 the recluses removed to Douglas, but in four years they returned to the abbey. In 1316 this place was plundered Richard de Mandeville, who carried off the treasure to Ireland; and it was finally suppressed with the monasteries in England, in the reign of Henry VIII. but whether by the Lord of Man or by the King of England, I have not been able to discover. From Balla Salla to Castletown, a distance of only two miles, the road is greatly beautified by some flourishing thorn hedges, which are cultivated with great attention on the estate of George Quayle, Esq; these were, a very few years since, the only specimens of this ornamental fence in the island.
The streets of Castletown are regular and airy; in the centre is an open space or square, around which are several very excellent houses, and at one end a neat and well appointed chapel. The keys have a house-appropriated to their use, but it is a mean building, unsuited to the station held by this branch of the legislature. The free school of this town is considered as a very beneficial institution: it owes its rise to Bishop Barrow, who founded it in order to secure a succession of students, who should be properly educated for the ministry. About a mile and a half across the sands is the Isthmus which joins the peninsula, called Langness Point, to the shore, and by its bend on one side forms an excellent and secure creek, called Derby Haven, where are the remains of a round tower, built by the Earl of Derby in 1603. Peel, which was originally called Holm Town, is twelve miles distant from Douglas, and eight from Castletown; it is more remarkable for its ancient than its present rank.
In the feudal times, this town must have derived consequence from its vicinity to the castle; and when the smuggling trade was at its height, 'a Peel was a station of importance, but it is now little more than a narrow and dirty fishing town. The population is estimated at twelve hundred people. The bay abounds with excellent fish and on this coast the herrings have, for many years, been taken in the greatest abundance Peel Castle stands on a peninsula about one hundred yards west of the town; at low water it is joined to the main land by a stone wall, shelving to the top. Formerly, the approach was by; flight of steps, but time has rendered them near, useless, and travellers now make their way the ruins by clambering over the rocks. Within the Castle walls are the remains of two cathedrals, one dedicated to St. Patrick, and believed to be the first Christian church erected here; the other, inscribed to St. Germain, and built about 1245. Three miles from Peel is the celebrated Tynwald mount.
Two miles north-east of Kirkmichael is that village of Ballaugh, one of the most populous id the island, some manufactories for coarse hate being established there. In this parish is still a good deal of boggy land, intersected by tub Currah drain. Between Kirk Bride and Ramsay is Kirk Andreas, a rectory and arch deaconry, of which the old church has within a few years been replaced by a new one: near an ancient seate called Balla Hurry. The approach to the town of Ramsay lies over a stone bridge of three arches, which crosses the Sulby river.