t
john dorey 5d. to 7d.; plaice Is. to 25.; brill 25. to 35.;
soles 25. to 35. per pair; turbot lOd. to I5. per lb.
The other markets adjoin the fish market; but these
are not so remarkable. They are however, commodious,
and suitable for the purpose. Prices are generally
higher in this island than in Je rsey: indeed, I do
not think they differ materially from London prices.
Beef is sold at from 7d. to 8d. ; mutton 8d. to 9c?.;
veal 7d. to 8cZ.; pork A\d. to 5c?. The poultry consumed
in Guernsey is almost wholly French, very
little country produce being brought to market. Turkeys
sell at from 35. to 45.; fowls 25. 6d. to 35. per
couple; geese 25, 6c?.; Guernsey eggs 8c?. to I 5. per
doz. ; French eggs 5c?. to 6c?. per doz.
I do not consider the supply of fruit and vegetables
at all on a par with the Jersey market: and the prices,
I found somcAvhat higher. In the neighbourhood of
the market a good public library and reading room,
invite the stranger, and opposite to it, are the assembly
rooms. But to these, I shall afterwards have occasion
to return when I speak of society,—its tastes,
and usages.
The only two institutions which I think of sufficient
importance to warrant me in entering into details, are
Elizabeth College; and the public hospital. With
these, I must occupy a few pages, because both of
them are institutions, which confer respectability on
the island; and which, in their objects, as well as in
tlieir management, deserve to be spoken of in terms
of the highest commendation.
Elizabeth College, is not only a noble institution,
hut an attractive object. It is situated on an elevation.
A
behind the town, with a spacious area around it, ornamentally
laid out. The building itself, is decidedly
handsome ; and from its extent alone, would command
attention. Its architecture is mixed; as a whole,
regular,—and yet, with a monastic air about it : and
the interior is admirably adapted to the purpose for
which it was intended.
This seminary of education owes its origin to letters
patent of queen Elizabeth, by which, in the year
1563, eighty quarters of wheat rent were assigned for
the endowment of a school. From the date of its
foundation, up to its erection into a college, this institution
existed in little more than in name ; but to the
honour of the States of Guernsey, means were adopted
in the year 1824, for placing this establishment on
a more efficient footing. This has accordingly been
done, and Elizabeth College, under its present management,
offers advantages for the instruction of
youth, not perhaps to be found in any public seminary
elsewhere. This, I admit, is an assertion, that needs
to be supported; but I think proofs of its truth, are
not difficult to be found. I ground its superior advantages
on the wide circle of knowledge which its
plan embraces, and which appears to be better fxtted
for the purposes of life, than the systems pursued in
the great seminaries of England, or even in the exclusive
universities. A deep knowledge of Latin
prosody, and Greek accentuation, goes but a very
little way in the world now-a-days ; nor will even
the mathematical knowledge of a senior wrangler, be
much more than the passport to a fellowship. In fact,
the education that may have suited the eighteenth
century, cannot be well adapted to the nineteenth.
ill
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