The Waverley novels, by Sir Walter Scott, complete in 12 vol., printed from the latest English ed., embracing the author's last corrections, prefaces & notes.

APPENDIX TO INT1ODUCTION. 307
some conference with the petitioner, I find a motion heretofore was made
by my commissioners, that the Deemster should give this fellow a summe
of money. But he would part with none, neverthelesse now it may be he
will, and I hope be so:wise as to assure unto himself his holding, by compounding with me for the lease of the same, to which, if they two agree, I
shall grant it him on easy terms. For if he break the ice, I may haply
catch some fish."*
The issue of this piscatory project was but too successful. Ewan bent to
the reigqn of terror, and gave up Ronaldsway to his son William, who accepted
the lease, and named his own descendants for the lives. Still the objects
attained were unsubstantial, as being contrary to all law, written or oral;
and the system was incomplete, until sanctioned by the semblance of legislative confirmation.
W]e have seen that the Earl had in the island a considerable military force,
and we know from other sources,t that they lived in a great measure at fiee:quarters. We have his own testimony for stating, that he achieved his
objects by imprisoning, until his prisoners " promised to be good;" and successively filling their places with others, until they also conform.ed to his
theory of public virtue. And the reader will be prepared to hear, without
surprise, that the same means enabled him, in 1645, to arrange a legislaturet capable of yielding a forced assent to his notable system of submission
and loving-kindness.
This is perhaps the most convenient place for stating, that in the subsequent surrender of the Island to the troops of the Parliament, the only
stipulation made by the Islanders was, " that they might enjoy their lands
and liberties as they formerly had." In what manner this stipulation was
performed, my notes do not enable me to state. The restoration of Charles
II., propitious in other respects, inflicted on the Isle of Man the revival of
its feudal government; and the affair of the tenures continued to be a theme
of perpetual contest and unavailing complaint, until finally adjusted in 1703,
through the mediation of the excellent Bishop Wilson, in a legislative compromise, known by the name of the Act of Settlement, whereby the people
obtained a full recognition of their ancient rights, on condition of doubling
the actual quit-rents, and consenting to alienation fines, first exacted by the
Earl James in 1643.#
In 1648, William Dhblne was appointed Receiver-General: and in the
same year we find his elder brother, John (assistant Deemster to his father.
Ewan,) committed to Peel Castle on one of these occasions, which strongly
marks the character of the person and the times, and affords also a glimpse
at the feeling of the people, and at the condition of the devoted family of
Christian. The inquisitive will find it in a note;ll other readers will pass
on.
The circumstances are familiarly known, to the reader of English history,
of the march of the Earl of Derby, in 1651, with a corps from the Isle of
DIMan for the service of the King; his joining the royal army on the eve of
* Covetousness is not attributed to the head of this family; hut the Earl males himself merry wit.h his
gallantry. Natural children, it seems, took the name of their father, and not of their mother, as elsewhere,
and "the deeronster (lid not get soe many for lust's sake, as to make the name of Christian flourish." Of hiem,
or a successor of the same name, it is related, that he "won L.500 at plav from the Bishop of Sodor and Man,
with lhich he purchased the manor of Emwanrig.q in Cumberland, still possessed by that family."
t Evidence on the mock trial of Williamn Dhone.
t We shall see, by and by, a very simple method of packing a judicial and legislative body, by removing
arnl replacing seven intdividuals by one and the same mandate.
~ Report of 1791. App. A. No. 71.
1I A person named Clharles Vaughan is brought to lodge an information, that being in England,, he fell intca
company with a voung man naired Christian, who said he had lately left the Isle of Man, and was in search
of a brother, who was clerklt to a Parliament Officer; that in answer to some questions. he said, " The Earl did
use the inhabitants of that Isle very hardly; had estreated great fines fi om tihe inlhabitlants; had chaneged the,
ancient tenures, anel forced them to takle leases. That he had taken away one hlundred pounds a-year fiom
his father, and had 1kept his uncle in prison four or five years. But if ever the Earl came to Elngland, (lie had
used the inhabitants so hardly,) that he was sure they would never stffer him to land in that island eagain."
An order is given to imprison Jolhn Christian (probably the reputeod head of the finmily, his fiether being advaleied itr years) in Peel Castle, luntil he entered into bonds to he of good lehaviour, and esol to depart the Isle
wfi lhoul lice?zee. —(Tlsulear Records.)-lThe young man in question is said to have been the son of William
Christian of Knockrusllen.