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—or any fear of offending the other,—I am bound to
sajq speaking with reference to those classes which,
from station or wealth are usually denominated the
iipper classes, that it will require at least another
generation, before the general level of civilization in
Jersey, can be raised so high as it is at this moment in
Guernsey. To the most cursory observer this must
be obvious. Guernsey, and its localities, though far
from indifferent to a Guernseyman in the educated
classes, do not wholly engross his thoughts, or form
the theme of his conversation. The world at large
has a share in both: and if this were the only distinction
between Jersey and Guernsey, it would be sufficient
to establish the superiority; for it is, in fact, the
best evidence that could be adduced, of a higher state
of civilization.
That there should be this superiority in Guernsey,
is no way wonderful; though I believe it has been the
product of but late years. The absence of that party
spirit, which in Jersey, so divides society, is perhaps
of itself, sufficient to account for i t : not only because
it has allowed a freer intercourse; but more especially,
because the absence of those topics of local politics,
which in Jersey are the fulcrums upon which party
spirit hangs, permits the mind to be employed in more
useful, and more humanizing speculations; and leaves
conversation at liberty to be a means of mutual instruction.
In Guernsey, I have never heard conversation
turn upon any question of local politics. I
make a distinction between questions of local interest,
and questions of local politics. It would be a poor
compliment, to say, that the agriculture, the commerce.
the improvement of the island, formed no theme of
conversation in Guernsey; but such themes are very
dissimilar from the angry discussions, or the engrossing
colloquies, on matters of party politics, which are
so inimical to the progress of civilization in the sister
island.
1 may state as another reason of the higher standard
of civilization in Guernsey, the greater wealth of the
upper classes. As I am not writing a history of
Guernsey, I do not concern myself with how that
wealth was acquired : it is sufficient for my purpose
that it has been acquired ; or is inherited ; and that it
has been possessed by many, so long, that the tastes
and habits incident to the act of acquiring, have been
lost; and that those other tastes have grown, which
are the sure followers of pecuniary independence, and
which lead to, and indeed, mark the refinement of a
people. It is possible, that in Jersey, there may be
a very few on an equality in wealth, with any in
the sister island ; and it is probably also true, that in
Jersey, there are many more individuals in the way of
acquiring wealth,—the natural result of its superior
trade ; but in Guernsey, there is a vast preponderance
over Jersey, in the number of those, whose
fortunes now are, or have always been, independent
of trade.
From this fact, arises a third reason why civilization
is higher in Guernsey than in Jersey. The inhabitants
have seen more of the world. To meet a
travelled Jerseyman, is rare. In Guernsey, few who
have the means of travelling, have omitted to a^rail
themselves of the opportunity.
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