i ;
I• f
Ij
J
f
I i I*'•
282 CHANNEL i s l a n d s :
year. Meat, and poultry, are both somewhat under
Guernsey prices; and the article of dress, costs little,
where nobody thinks of dress, and where there are no
critics on the cut of a coat, and where the milliner has
no customers. There is no doubt emulation in Alderney
however, as well as elsewhere; and a smart
bonnet, though home made, will doubtless create a
sensation in the street, or in the church of St. Anne.
There are a few English residents in Alderney,—
officers on Iialf pay,—who contrive to vegetate in this
remote spot, apart from the din of the world, and only
solicitous to get through life, on the pittance which
they have earned in the service of their country.
Singular contrast, between the stirring scenes of a
camp, and the quiet monotony of this remote and
primitive isle !
The chief resource of those who are not wholly occupied
with agricultural pursuits, and who belong to
the upper class, is the club. There, at most hours of
the day, little coteries of the male population of Alderney
may be found, smoking, drinking brandy and
water, and talking of such topics as island events
afford, or, if a mail chance to have arrived,—of the
events that agitate larger communities. Reading is
almost unknown. There is not a library or a book
society in the island,—and but few books. Indeed so
little taste is there for reading, that only one individual
(the governor) takes advantage of the facilities offered
by the public library of Guernsey, and the frequent
intercourse with that island. Let me not be misunderstood,
as including the clergyman in this condemnation.
The Rev. Mr. Lys, a most intelligent and most
worthy man, to whom I am happy in acknowledging
myself under infinite obligations, finds, in the wants
of a very extensive parish, and in the pleasing, but
necessary cares of a rising family, sufficient occupation
for all his hours. Having mentioned the clergyman,
I may add, that he is paid by a salary from the
crown, -the only tithe to which he is entitled, being
a tithe of fish, —which hoAvever, is always compounded
for. The church, embraces almost the whole population
of Alderney; the only exception being a few
Wesleyans, who have a meeting house in the town.
The church of St. Anne is a plain, ancient, English
looking edifice, with its tower and clock; and is large
enough to contain nearly a thousand persons. The
island belongs to the deanery of Guernsey, and the
diocese of Winchester.
Will it be believed, that even in this little community,
room is found for party spirit ? yet such is the
tru th ; and as a familiar illustration of its intensity, I
may state, that recently on the appointment of two
churchwardens, they refused to act with each other,
owing to the division of party. I will not attempt to
explain in what way the distinction arises, or how it is
maintained; it is too ridiculous to merit any notice.
The people are also litigious; and are seldom satisfied
without an appeal from the judicature of the island'. I
was told however, that law suits were formerly more
common than they are now; and that as many as
seventeen cases, have been known to be entered in
one day.
The climate of Alderney, is less agreeable, though
certainly not less healthful, than the climates of the
..-g.
i!'
i i
Hi
Jf
I
A fl