Lane view with Douglas Head in distance, Douglas, Isle of Man, 1932 (b/w photo)

On the back of this photograph John James Frowde writes, "No.4 Bond Lane - entrance to Noble's Court at small patch of sunlight on right. Bond Lane north to south. Entrance to Noble's Court on left where the first patch of sunshine appears half way down the narrow lane. Just shewing on left the gable of St. Matthew's Hall, formerly the first Douglas Grammar School in the house part of which the Rev. T. E. Brown, Manx National poet, first saw the light 1830. The house in centre (like most in this region) was an old Inn; as the ground floor windows and door would indicate. No.4 Bond Lane - above - was an ancient hostelry, like most of the fine buildings in this area. Names now forgotten. Aug./33 Mr. W. G. Barwell, manager Steam Packet Co., informed me that he definitely knew that this has been a tavern not long before his time. The country coaches to Castletown Peel and Ramsey all started and arrived at the foot of this lane on the quayside - from front of the Royal to the double corner at the Coffee Palace."