Page:The National Gazetteer - A Topographical Dictionary of the British Islands, Volume 2.djvu/160

Rh GUERNSEY. 152 GUERNSEY. one port of the kingdom to another. The only duties arc Is. per gallon on spirits consumed in the island, which are sold at 3s. 6d. per gallon, 6<7. per gallon on -wine, and Is. per ton wharfage on all goods landed, these last-named dues being levied specially for the erection of a new harbour and wet-dock now in progress. The natives have, too, many of the privileges of English citizens within and without the empire. But in consideration of these immunities, every male inhabitant capable of bearing arms from the age of sixteen to sixty is subject, according to the feudal law, which is still binding in these islands, to be put under arms for the defence of the island in time of war. The militia service, of which there are five regiments, is altogether honorary, but clothing and accoutrements for the men are provided by the imperial government. It was made royal in 1831 by William IV., who, while Hn officer in the navy, twice visited Guernsey. The jurisprudence of the island largely partakes of the Norman element, and is governed by Nor- man customs and ancient precedents. The power of the chief court, called the Royal Court, is very extensive. It consists of the bailiff and 12 juratcs, the former appointed by the crown, the latter by the islanders. There is an appeal in certain cases to the king in council. The pro- ceedings are conducted in Norman French, which, some- what corrupted, is the prevailing language in the island, though English is generally understood, and in the town is more frequently spoken than formerly. The island has always been extremely loyal to the English crown, and though several times attacked by the French, as in the reigns of Edward I., Edward III., and Edward VI., no permanent occupation was ever effected, the only successful attempt being that in the reign of Edward III. , when the French, assisted by Ivan, a Welshman, in league with Spain, acquired a temporary ascendency. In the great civil war of Charles I., the Channel Islands embraced the royal cause, and were not subdued until after the death of the king. Guernsey is well protected by nature, but the English government has further strengthened it by fortifications. Every promontory and headland is now crowned by a battery or bulwark, and every accessible bay has its martello tower or breastwork, while the town of St. Peter Port is defended by a fort and citadel. The expense of these works has been chiefly defrayed by the imperial government. The only town in Guernsey is St. Peter Port, situated on the slope of a hill near the middle of the eastern coast of the island, and extending for nearly a mile along the shore. It is the only port, except St. Sampson's, which is accessible for shipping, and presents a pleasing appear- ance, its roadstead crowded with shipping, and its lines of houses rising in terraces nearly parallel with the shore, and stretching away towards Vale Castle, an ancient structure erected in the 10th century. The streets, though not wide, are well paved with granite. The most modern and best-built quarters of the town are those termed New Town and Hauteville, extending along the slope of the hill to the S.W. of the old town, the streets of which are narrow, steep, and crooked, though many of the houses are well built. The govern- ment house is a substantial structure without architec- tural beauty, in striking contrast to the handsome and extensive range of buildings called Elizabeth College, standing near it. Another remarkable edifice is the Victoria Tower, recently erected at the cost of 2,000 to commemorate the visit of the Queen and the late Prince Consort to Guernsey, in August, 1846. It is above 100 feet in height, and serves as a landmark to ships approaching the roadstead. The population of the town parish, which exceeds that of the rest of the island, being between 15,000 and 20,000, is chiefly composed of the gentry, half-pay officers, merchants, English visitors and residents, who are numerous, being attracted by the cheapness of all the luxuries of life, and by the mildness of the climate, which renders sea-bathing healthful at all times of the year. The central position of Guernsey, with regard to the other islands and Eng- land, gives it a great facility for trade, and its freedom from taxation has long rendered it a promising field for enterprise to the moneyed and speculative portion of thi inhabitants of the Channel Islands. Steamers now run twice a week to Alderney, and the royal mail packet every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturda; to Southampton, to which town Guernsey is a subpOB performing the passage in eight hours. Other lines o: steamers run to Weymouth and Poole, the latter passag< being accomplished in six hours. There is also constant communication with the French coast, and a considerable trade with Spain, Portugal, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, and the Brazils. The greater part of the shipping, however, which in 1850 was registered at 15,547 tons, being the property of merchants and others of the island, is employed in the carrying trade, especially in the importation of corn and provisions from France, and the export of stone to England, between 500 and COO vessels annually lading stone for the metropolis and other seaports. Ship-building and ship-fitting are exten- sively carried on, but the other manufactures of Guernsey are inconsiderable, comprising chiefly Roman cement, tobacco-pipes, bricks, cordage, oil-skin, snuff, beer, and cider. The articles of export are more numerous, in- cluding the famous Alderney cows, building and paving stone, gypsum, cider, vinegar, potatoes, bricks, and fruit, especially the celebrated Chaumontel pear, which here attains an enormous size, and is largely exported to England. Owing to the mildness of the climate, the mean temperature being 42, melons, peaches, myrtles, oranges, and other fruits and flowers, which in England require artificial shelter or heat, are raised in the open air. The country people are generally proprietors of their own patch of ground, and not unfrequently unite with their ordinary occupation of farming, the trades of carpenter or mason, or some handicraft, and when near the coast, that of fishing, which last is very productive, owing to the abundance and variety of fish which frequent these shores, as crabs, lobsters, oysters, cray fish, and the ormer, a delicate shell-fish said to be peculiar to the Channel Islands. No less than 280 varieties of shells have been met with on the beach of this and the adjoin- ing islands. Though most of the cottages of the small proprietors are neat and comfortable, there is an evident want of energy in the profitable cultivation of the soil, chiefly owing to the want of capital, most of the estates or farms being under 12 acres. The chief crops arc mangold-wurzel, potatoes, from which spirits are dis- tilled, parsnips, once the staple produce of the island, clover, and wheat, with a small amount of barley and oats, but these last are generally imported. The largest farm in the island is said not to exceed 200 Guernsey vergees, or atout 74 English acres ; while large tracts capable of improvement are covered with furze, which is generally used for fuel. The dairy farms are the best managed, and butter of exquisite quality, and a bright golden colour, is made from the milk of the Guernsey cow, which is somewhat larger and darker in colour than tho ordinary Alderney breed, so much prized in England. In order to maintain the breed in its purity, every foreign breed is rigorously excluded from the island, except only animals intended for the slaughter-house. The native horses are of an inferior variety, but the breed has recently been much improved. Sheep arc rarely met with in the island, but hogs are numerous, and attain a large size. Poultry is extensively reared, and is sent to market in large quantities. There are three principal markets in the island, which are well supplied with poultry, eggs, butter, vegetables, fruit, flowers, &c. Tho ordinary currency in Guernsey is French silver ; but since 1848 English sitver has also been constituted a legal tender, and bears a premium of 5 per cent. The roads throughout the island arc well macadamised with granite, and are free from tolls. The hedge-rows contain some good timber, but the island is not so well wooded as Jersey. Moulin, Huet, and Saints bays have extensive views. At Norman Point is a large cromlech, which was opened in 1812; also at Perelle Bay and L'Ancn ,-sc Common are Druidical remains, with a Celtic pillar. Cornet and Ivy castles are interesting ruins, as is also St. Michael's, where was a priory. Four newspaper-.