The evident popularity of the Isle of Man services has proved a sore temptation to speculators to start rival lines to those already in existence. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company had a virtual monopoly of the Liverpool and Manx service for close on half a century, but in 1887 two large and fast paddle-steamers, _Queen Victoria_ and _Prince of Wales_, each of 1657 tons, built by the Fairfield Company for the Isle of Man, Liverpool, and Manchester Company, were started in opposition. Both vessels are stated to have done the journey in a trifle over three hours, and the _Prince of Wales_ once accomplished it in under the three hours. After another season’s conflict the two boats were bought by the Manx Company. Another opposition company tried its fortunes for a season with the _Lancashire Witch_, a twin-screw steamer, which now, under the name of the _Coogee_, belongs to the great Australian shipowning firm, the Huddart Parker and Co. Proprietary, Ltd. There have been several other attempts at opposition with boats neither so fast nor so comfortable as those of the established company. [Illustration: =THE MAJESTIC,= Captain OMAN, AND =THE CITY OF GLASGOW,= Captain CARLYLE, Sail from GREENOCK every MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, and FRIDAY, at One o’Clock in the Afternoon, and from LIVERPOOL, every MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, and FRIDAY, at Ten o’Clock in the Forenoon, calling off PORT PATRICK, and at DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN, both in going and returning from LIVERPOOL. These Packets carry no Goods, being expressly fitted up for the comfort and accommodation of Passengers. FARES.