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2 7 6 CHANNEL i s l a n d s :
It is singular, that the Alderney people do not burn
tlieir vraic; especially since the division of the common
has restrained the free use of turf as a fuel. It
is also singular, that cow dung is not unfrequently
employed as fuel.
Vraic, as a manure, is quite as much prized in
Alderney, as in the sister islands; and vraic-gatliering
is as important an affiiir. Indeed, it is ushered in
with greater solemnity in Alderney, than in either
Jersey or Guernsey. The evening before that appointed
for the ATaic-gatliering, the clmrch bell rings
at six o’clock; vdiicli is. the signal for all who are interested
in vraic-gatliering (i. e.) all the inhabitants of
the island who are owners of land,—to assemble in
the cliurch-yard; and there the important point is discussed,
vdietlier all are ready to commence the next
morning. Any sufficient cause that may prevent any
one individual from joining in the vraic-gatliering,
would be held a sufficient reason for postponing the
day; because the liberty of gathering vraic, is too
valuable a privilege, to be unequally enjoyed. If no
one demurs, the day is considered to be fixed; and all
retire, to prepare, by an early retirement to rest, for
the labours of the next morning. It chanced to be
vraic-gathering, when I visited Alderney; and at high
water, in the morning, the great bay fronting the
south, was lined with a dense semi-circle of eager
islanders, waiting the moment, when the retreating
tide should leave the rich prize within their reach.
But it is time that I should say a few words of the
Alderney cow, by which, indeed, the island is chiefly
known in England.
ALDERNEY. 2 7 7
In my first ride into the country, my notions of
Alderney were disappointed. I did not see, as I had
expected, the little cows everywhere dotting the land.
The part of the country, however, into which I rode,
was not that where they are mostly to be found; and
besides, tlieir stature being so very low, the stone
walls, which form so many of the enclosures, conceal
them from the view. In my subsequent rides, however,
I often j)aused and drew up my horse, to look
over the walls, at these pretty little creatures, whose
beauty and qualities, have immortalized their native
island. My attention was particularly directed to
some acknowledgedly fine specimens; and to me they
seemed well to deserve the encomiums that were
passed upon them. 1 found it, however, everywhere
admitted, that there is but very little distinction between
the Alderney, and the best specimens of the
Jersey cow. The Guernsey cow, though also of the
same breed, is a larger animal; and in the opinion of
many, finer, though certainly not more comely to
the eye.
1 had been told in the other islands, that the true
Alderney breed, such as I should find it in Alderney,
is black and white : but I did not find that the people
of iilderney adopted this criterion of purity of breed.
Red and white, and brown and white, I found equally
common; and the choicest specimens shewn to me,
were white, and reddish chocolate colour; but not
with too great a preponderance of white. The Alderney
people look more to the short curved horns,
than to the colour: and it was stated to me by a gentleman
who had paid great attention to the subject.
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