from the water gives a flash equal to 3,000,000 candles, which can be increased to 6,000,000. The May apparatus is so designed as to give a group of four flashes in quick succession, followed by an interval of darkness lasting thirty seconds. The highest recorded distance at which the reflection of the light has been observed is 61 nautical miles. The May is also provided with a powerful horn, of which the sound serves as a guide during the frequent "haars" or sea-fogs that rise from the North Sea. In addition to this, it has a smaller fixed light which serves as a leading light for ships coming down from Fifeness. It is visible on one side of the island only. Owing to the increased cost of maintenance of the May light--it is estimated at more than £1000 a year--an Order in Council was issued in 1886, authorizing the collection of two-sixteenths of a penny per ton, as light dues, from vessels carrying cargo or passengers, which may pass or derive benefit from the light when on a coasting or home-trade voyage, and of one penny per ton when on an oversea voyage, subject to the usual deductions. The May light is served by seven keepers, the chief of whom does not, however, share the watches. Their quarters, which are neat and commodious, and sufficiently large for the accommodation of such of them as have families, are situated at some distance from the lighthouse, between two hills that afford protection from the prevalent gales. Close to them is the engine-house, with its tall chimney-stalk. The necessary supply of water for it is drawn from the little lake, of which early descriptions of the island make mention, and which has now been turned into a reservoir. FOOTNOTES: for THE ISLE OF MAY [202] _Statistical Account of Scotland_, vol. iii, p. 84. [203] Sibbald, _History of Fife_, p. 101. [204] Hume Brown, _Early Travellers in Scotland_, pp. 68-69. [205] Hume Brown, _Scotland before 1700_, p. 78. [206] _Breviar. Aberdonen._, _Pars Hyemalis_, fol. lxii. [207] Book vi, c. 8. [208] _Vita S. Kentigerni_, pp. lxxxiii-iv. [209] _Carte Prioratus Insule de May_, Charters 12-18. [210] _Records of the Priory of the Isle of May_, p. xiv. [211] _Carte Prioratus_, Charter 24. [212] _Carte Prioratus_, Charter 25. [213] Charters 26, 27, 33. [214] _Carte Prioratus_, Charters 29, 30. [215] Charter 35. [216] _Carte Prioratus_, Charter 38. [217] Charter 39. [218] _Records of the Priory of the Isle of May_, p. xx and Charter 40. [219] _Records of the Priory of the Isle of May_, p. xxi and Charter 41. [220] _Records of the Priory of the Isle of May_, p. ix. [221] "Proceedings Relative to the Claim of the Abbot and Convent of Reading on the Priory of the Isle of May", op. cit., p. lxxxv, _et seq._ [222] Op. cit., p. xxv. [223] Op. cit., p. lxxxiij. [224] Op. cit., p. xxviij. [225] Op. cit., p. xxvi. [226] Op. cit., pp. xcvij, _et seq._ [227] Pinkerton, _History of Scotland_, vol. i, p. 208.