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•280 CHANNEL ISLANDS î
In the other islands, few are either very rich, or
very poor; but in Alderney, for the word “ fcM’-,”
nobodg, may be substituted. Scarcely any one possesses
more than thirty vergées of land: and the owners
live almost exclusively on the produce of their soil.
There is one striking difference in the character of the
inhabitants of Alderney, and of the other Channel
Islands. The parsimony of Jersey and Guernsey, is
nowhere to be seen. Indeed, in place of parsimony,
improvidence rather, is a characteristic of the people.
This, I should think, is to be ascribed to the effect of
the smuggling trade. “ Light come light go,” is the
rule of action ; and the pound that is easily earned,—
easily at least, to those who are accustomed to a sea
life—is spent on any holiday afternoon. This regardlessness
of expenditure, certainly enters into the
general character of the people ; for although all are
not smugglers, yet many have been at one time or
another, indirectly connected with the trade; and
besides, the example of profuseness is contagious : I
learnt from undeniable authority, that nothing is so
raie, as to find the country people grow rich by saving,
as they are wont to do in the other islands. The great
occasion for spending money, is at weddings. As
much is spent at such times in one day, as would support
the new married pair for a year. All relations
are bidden to the feast; and when I mention, that an
individual lately died, leaving behind him, four hundred
and sixteen nephews, nieces, grand nephews and
grand nieces, it will easily be credited that such entertainments
are not given for nothing.
ALDERNEY.
Some of the inhabitants unite the trade of agriculture,
with that of fishing; but this latter branch is not
very lucrative, nor indeed, very successful. The fish
chiefiy caught, are rock fish, whiting and conger eel,
—considerable quantities of which, are salted and laid
up for winter stock. The lobster too, is also abundant,
and forms an article of export to England. They
are not unusually purchased by contract for the London
market, at sixpence a piece, if they are eleven
inches long; and for all under that size, the half of
this price is given.
The mode of life in Alderney, is primitive; though
I should say, less so than in Serk, or even than in the
inland parts of Jersey and Guernsey, which may
easily be accounted for from the fact, that all the inhabitants
are congregated in one place, by which,
improA^ed habits are acquired, by the infiuence and
example of those who practise them. The absence
too of that parsimony which is so much the rule of
conduct in the other islands, makes the formation of
superior habits easier; and it is a fact, that the “ soupe
á la graisse ” diet, is not the favourite one in Alderney.
Although however, the business of life in Alderney
is not to heap up wealth, and although profuseness is
more common than parsimony, it is impossible to
spend much. With the exception of the governor,
nobody spends 300Z. per annum ; and among the most
respectable classes, the more usual expenditure is from
lOOZ. to 150Z. per annum. Even this limited expenditure
can command a great deal in Alderney. A
tolerable house may be had for 10/., or at most 15/. a
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