Not so very long ago, so other informants told me, a female spirit, commonly known as a lanonshaa, frequented the island. The lanonshaa seems to have been a kind of unbidden familiar spirit, for it permanently attached itself to its victim, and nothing could be done to get rid of the unwelcome companion. In one case it attached itself to a big strong burly man, who was compelled to share his food with his lanonshaa. At other times he would place behind him the vessel from which he was about to drink, in order to satisfy its thirst. He was often seen when on horseback laughing immoderately, presumably with his ghostly companion, and throwing his hat into the air to catch it again. On some occasions he was heard carrying on conversations, seemingly with nobody. One night after he had retired to rest a party of curious boys gathered round his bedroom to catch, if possible, some portion of his solitary conversation. In this purpose, however, they were defeated, for no sooner had they got into position than the spirit informed its master, saying in Manx, ‘They are listening now.’ ‘Listening, are they?’ replied he. ‘I will give them listening.’ Upon this he jumped from his bed and snatched up a stick to inflict summary chastisement upon the intruders, but the boys had fled before he could get near them. When these spirits are visible it is said that they appear as women dressed in white. Lang, Taylor, Martin 187