The Manningham Private Hotel and Boarding Establishment
Lawn Terrace
Central Promenade
Douglas
July 30/06
11 a.m.
My dearest Wife,
I was glad to have your letter of Saturday with enclosures just before starting for our trip round the Island onboard the “Ben-my-chree” at 10 o’clock, from the deck of which vessel I am now writing. We have a fine morning again but it is a little hazy so we do not get so clear a view of the coast line as we should if it were clearer, however it is very pleasant sitting in a comfortable chair and enjoying the fresh air and varying views of the Island, we are now getting near the south coast and should soon get a sight of the Gulf of Man – Jack has just pointed it out to me as I write and also Spanish Head, we shall soon come round to Port Erin and Bradda Head which we saw on Saturday.
You would have liked the band of the Royal Artillery yesterday evening in the fine garden of Lacey Glen to which place we went by electric tram, quite a pretty journey up and down hill along the coast line.
11.30 We are just off Port Erin and Bradda Head the coast here is very fine, we are pretty close in and get a good view. Our quarters at “the Manningham” are really quite comfortable and the feeding is quite good, the visitors are not exactly of a cultured class but seem quite decent sort of people, the semi-circular sea front which must be nearly two miles along consists chiefly of boarding houses of this class, some perhaps a little better than others, I should say the terms generally are most moderate and I have visions of you and one of the girls, say Kathleen, spending a week or two on the Island for quite a moderate sum and getting some nice trips into the bargain.
I was sorry to hear of dear little Judy’s bilious attack and hope she will be quite recovered for her journey to-morrow. If Cyril has not heard the result of his exam otherwise, he had better write to George and ask him to inspect the list at head-quarters.
We hope to have another cycle ride to-morrow should have made one to-day but for this trip which is not available on Tuesday, we must try and look up the Vicarage people at Ramsey to-morrow.
I managed to write my letter to brother George late last evening after returning from Laxey.
12.10 We have just passed Peel and shall soon have performed half of the journey, since rounding the south of the island we have got much nearer the shore sometimes scarcely half a mile out.
That outdoor service yesterday at Braddan Church was most imposing, we managed to squeeze into the Churchyard and get within fair hearing but many thousands did not and probably only came to see the throng, an official told me the number in and around the place was probably 15000 and I do not know that he was beyond the mark. I am bringing a book of views which contains one of this Braddan service.
1.50 Just taking passengers on at Ramsay. Hope to get this off by afternoon mail from Douglas.
Much love from
Your affect’ Husband
Julius Sladden
