dependent: but Jersey is everywhere undulating;
broken into hollows and acclivities; and intersected
by numerous valleys, generally running north and
south,—most of them watered by a rivulet; and as
rife in beauty, as wood, pasturage, orchard, a tinkling
stream, and glimpses of the sea can make them. There
is one picturesque feature, which enters into every
view in Jersey: the trunks of the trees, are, I may
say without exseption, entirely covered with ivy;
which not only adds to the beauty of the scenery
when the trees are in leaf; but greatly softens !he
sterility of a winter prospect, and gives a greenness to
the landscape throughout the year. Nor is the luxuriant
growth of the ivy in Jersey confined to the trees;
it covers the banks by the way side; creeps over the
walls; and even climbs upon the rocks by the sea
shore. About two miles to the east of St. Helier,
there are several elevated rocks, the bases of which,
are washed at high water, and which, higher up, are
entirely overgrown with ivy; and from the natural
outline of these rocks, and their green covering, they
have all the appearance of ruins.
I have said, that the valleys generally contain a
stream; and these, although insignificant in comparison
with the rivers to which we are accustomed in England,
are yet, more considerable than one might expect
to find in so small an island. Mr. Falle in his valuable
History of Jersey, assigns, and I think correctly, as a
reason for this, the peculiar shape of the island, which,
although greatly diversified in its surface, is, as a whole,
an inclined plane, sloping from south to north : the
consequence of which is, that the streams have a
longer course than if the island were most elevated in
the centre,—and are more likely to unite their waters,
than if they flowed to the sea in different directions;
and indeed, so considerable are these streams, that
nearly forty mills are turned by them. None of the
Jersey rivulets however, afford sport to the angler.
This may no doubt be partly owing to their scantiness;
but not altogether so : for both in Scotland, and on
the continent, particularly in Bavaria, I have allured
trout from moorland or mountain rills, quite as insignificant
as the streams of Jersey.
Although in walking, or riding up some of the Jersey
valleys, the scenery of these individual valleys is laid
open, it is difficult by walking or driving across the
island, to obtain any view over it. The roads are in
many places, over-arched with trees; and even if they
were not, as they invariably are, skirted with trees,—
the high banks, covered with underwood and ivy,
generally shut out the prospect. Stand up in your
/ vehicle, or on your stirrups, or climb up one of the
banks, and the matter is not much mended: a thick
orchard is sure to be on the other side; and though an.
open grass field, or a corn field, occasionally seems to
hold out expectations of a more open prospect, these
are probably bounded on the other side by orchards,
so that the view is still circumscribed.
It is fortunate however, since nature has refused the
means of obtaining a view over the island, that art has
supplied the defect: and indeed, I do not know any
district, in any country, where the stranger can post
himself more advantageously, for obtaining a correct
idea of the general aspect of its surface. The chief