This tale of the Manx people is almost literally copied from 'The
History and Description of the Isle of Man, by George Waldron, London,
1744.'
"A man, one day, was led by invisible musicians for several miles
together; and not being able to resist the harmony, followed till it
conducted him to a large common, where a great number of people were
sitting round a table, and eating and drinking in a very jovial manner.
Among them were some faces which he thought he had formerly seen; but he
forbore taking any notice, or they to him; till, the little people
offering him drink, one of them whose features seemed not unknown to
him, plucked him by the coat, and forbade him, whatever he did, to taste
anything he saw before him. 'For, if you do,' added he, 'you will be as
I am, and return no more to your family.'
The poor man was much affrighted, but resolved to obey the injunction.
Accordingly, a large silver cup, filled with some sort of liquor, being
put into his hand, he found an opportunity to throw what it contained on
the ground. Soon after, the music ceasing, all the company disappeared,
leaving the cup in his hand; and he returned home, though much wearied
and fatigued. He went the next day and communicated to the minister of
the parish all that had happened, and asked his advice how he should
dispose of the cup: To which the parson replied, he could not do better
than devote it to the service of the church. And this very cup, they
say, is that which is now used for the consecrated wine in Kirk
Merlugh."