'A Tour through the Isle of Man exhibiting a short account of its scenery antiquities and monuments by a Commissioner'

Date(s): 10 September 1816

Scope & Content: Hardback volume recording a July 1815 tour, illustrated with 34 pen and ink sketches and watercolour paintings. Bears a humorous dedication to the author's fellow travellers, Capt W Latham of the 1st Royal Lancashire Militia, James Leigh of Liverpool and Ralph Greenough of Wigan - their names are disguised. In his preface written at Southport ('Land of Sand'), Walmesley acknowledges Latham as the artist responsible for many of the illustrations.

One humorous sketch is believed to be by Thomas ‘Buck’ Kewin/Keown, signed Douglas Barber Fecit ‘made by the Douglas barber’. For two other cartoons by this man see MNH 1966-0166 and 1987-0266.

Illustrations include but are not limited to Fort Anne (facing p8), Castle Rushen (p14 & 18), giant's quoiting stone (p20), Spanish Head (p21), Bradda Head (p22), Calf of Man (p24), Castletown (p26), St Michael's Isle ((p27), Derbyhaven (p27), Ramsey bay (p53), Mona Castle (p60), Langness (p69).

While the date is given as 1816, the tour occurred in 1815. The main text and many of the illustrations are nearly identical with those in the copy made by S D Swarbreck (for detailed comparison, see notes appended to the manuscript). Spine broken..

For explanatory notes on contents see MS 08534 (MD 1004)

Administration / Biographical History: William Gerard Walmesley was a younger son of the family of Walmesley from Westwood near Wigan. The family intermarried with an heiress of the Gerard family and who himself married Mrs Gerard, the widow of John Gerard Esq, mother of Sir Robert John Gerard, later Lord Gerard and greataunt of Constance Ferrers Nicholson..

Language: English

Extent: 1 volume (82 pages)

Item name: journal

Collection: Manuscript Archive

Level: ITEM

ID number: MS 05531

Retrieval number: MS 05531 A

Record class: Private

Access conditions: No regulations or restrictions are implemented on this material. Advance notification of a research visit is advisable by emailing library@mnh.gov.im

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