[taken from Chapter 5 Manx Worthies, A.W.Moore, 1901]

THOMAS CALLISTER

wrote, in 1815, a book which, according to his own very voluminous description contains " An accurate, interesting, and particularly entertaining description of that lucrative branch of business, the herrring fishery of the Isle of Man, which affords employment for more than three months every year to above five thousand poor people, to a number of coopers all the year round, and to a variety of other crafts periodically. Of the superior quality of the red herrings manufactured in Douglas, as that of the pickled herrings, in a comparative point of view with all such as are caught and cured elsewhere. of the various curious modes of preparing these monarchs of the tinny tribe, throughout the Island in their fresh state, for their immediate consumption, and also the several amusing ways of making use of pickled herrings. A particular and very pleasing account of the flourishing town of Douglas, which has been long considered the emporium of the island with regard to commerce; comprising its present state, its commodious quay and harbour, its new streets, the many genteel houses built in the modern taste in many of the old streets, the several places of public worship, the grand new public library, the famous newcharity school, the large new poor house, etc. Likewise a list of the several packets and constant traders, and a correct abstract of the British Act of Parliament passed in July 1814, repealing the old harbour dues of the Island and substituting new ones in lieu thereof, on the fishing boats and on all British and foreign vessels not only entering its harbours, but even anchoring in its bays; also the duties payable on every kind of merchandise imported into the Island. To all which is added a very curious, descriptive, entertaining, and picturesque view of the much admired seats and estates of the nobility and gentry in the vicinity of the town. Humbly inscribed to his Excellency the most noble John, Duke of Atholl; Governor-in-Chief and Captain General of the Island." (All the details, of which the foregoing is the summary, are given in 30 pages octave !)