if I
other islands. Its more northerly position, situated
almost opposite to Cape La Hogue, where the French
coast swerves to the east, leaves the island exposed to
the north-east winds, and fogs, that sweep down the
Channel; while the absence ot wood, leaves the course
of the winds unbroken. There is scarcely a rood of
land throughout the island, that is not exposed to
every wind that blows ; for the only shelter is the
stone walls, here and there used as enclosures. There
are no deep sheltered valleys in the island, as in
Jersey, or even, as in Serk. There is low, and high
ground indeed; but the hollows are wide and open,
and do not lie in the centre of the island ; but towards
the shores. It is not to be expected therefore, that
the more delicate fruits and flowers, will attain in
Alderney, the perfection which they reach in the
sister islands. Under glass however, almost the same
results may be attained; since the rate of temperature
in Alderney, cannot be much lower than it is in
Guernsey.
But it does not appear, that the winds, or even the
occasional fogs of Alderney, affect in any degree, the
duration of human life. From the inquiries which 1
made, and the authentic information which I received,
I am indeed justified in saying, that disease is rare,
life long, and mortality low. Upon this subject, 1
will state a few facts received by me from the Rev.
Mr. Lys,—and which, I think, will bear me out in the
opinion which I have ventured to express.
The population of the parish of St. Anne, may be
stated at J 100.
The number of baptisms during the last ten years,
was 295.
The number of deaths (not reckoning 15 from
shipwreck, and falling down the cliffs) was 201; which
is 20 per annum, on a population of 1100; not quite
two per cent.
But there is one very remarkable fact, connected
with life and death in this island. It is, that there are
a greater number of deaths amongst the old, than
amongst the young; and that between the ages of 70
and 80, there are a greater number of deaths, than
during any previous ten years of human life.
The following is a comparative statement of deaths,
occurring in a population of 1100, during each ten
sucqessive years, from the age of 1 to 100.
36
16
16
16
20
21
15
40
16
5
Fx’om 1 - to - 10
„ 10 20
„ 20 30
„ 30 40
„ 40 50
„ 50 60
„ 60 70
J, 70 80
„ 80 90
J, 90 - 100
The greatest number of deaths therefore, takes place
between 70 and 8 0 ; and as many die between 80 and
90, as in any ten years betwixt 10 and 40.
I found that nearly the same diseases were prevalent
in Alderney as in the other islands; rheumatism being
however, less universal; and consumption rather more
frequent.
In personal appearance, the inhabitants of Alderney
do not differ from the natives of the other islands.
I
4.