Rough façade of Assembly Rooms, Douglas, Isle of Man, 1932 (b/w photo)

On the back of this photograph John James Frowde writes, "The Old Assembly Rooms. Fort St. The old Wellington Assembly Rooms, and house with the Flemish façade. See story. The ladies arriving here in their sedan chairs and leaving in them in the early morning hours for these homes in the fashionable areas- South Quay, Big Well St. etc.(and Woodhouse Terrace). No drainage system or lighting - other than an occasional smoky oil-lamp, and the street ankle-deep in filth and garbage. Middle of last century and earlier on. The names of buildings and streets in the oldest area of Douglas, are generally indicative of these dates. At the period when the grandes dames attended 'routs' here and at Dixon's on the Market Place, (British Hotel), there was, doubtless, not a single bathroom in the town, and probably not even in Castle Mona. Lady Billborough resided in Woodhouse Terrace where Pratt's Yard is now, if not in the back to back houses still extant and are shewn in Fannin's map (1789) as opposite the residence of His Grace the Duke of Athol. Douglas Hotel these days."