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© F.Coakley , 2026
[from A.M Harrision's Descriptive List of Insular Societies]
A patriotic society where allegiance to the Crown of England and the consequent prosperity of the Isle of Man was celebrated by expatriate Society and suitably eminent Manxmen in convivial surroundings. The Rising Sun and Mona's Herald of 5 October 1822, described an important evening forthe Club. 'On Monday last the 30th of September the first anniversary dinner of The Finish took place at Hanby's York Hotel in this town. At 5'oclock the members sat down to a most sumptuous dinner consisting of every delicacy of the season, redounding great credit to Mr. Hanby's arrangements, and giving general satisfaction to those who partook of it. After the cloth was removed the President (J.Tallan , Esq.) rose, and in a most emphatic manner gave the health of his Majesty, King George the Fourth, and long life to him, with 4 times 4 cheers: then followed the health of the Royal Family. Success to The Finish. 3 times 3, and the cheers most enthusiastic.
The main business of the occasion was the drinking of very varied toasts interspersed with elegant speeches by the President and his vice president R. Moore Esq., almost certainly a member of the merchant Moore of the Hills House family. The Bishop, the House of Keys, on whose behalf Mr. W.L..Drinkwater replied, and the Ladies of the Isle of Man, the patronesses of The Finish were all included.
'After the many jovial toasts were drank. and many excellent songs sung, the greatest harmony and conviviality reigned throughout the evening, and the party reluctantly separated at the midnight hour, highly delighted with the entertainment which was really and truly "the feast of reason and the flow of soul" '.
A Finish according to the Oxtord English Dictionary is 'A house of entertainment where the night is finished'. Possibly too bawdy a title for a respectable club.
M.N.H.L., Isle of Man newspapers, ut supra et passim
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