and these, mingled as they are, with gardens and
ordiards, form a very pretty feature in the scenery of
this part of the island. I think the church of Grouville,
one of the prettiest in Jersey; there is ranch
quiet rural beauty about it, and the neighbouring parsonage.
Scarcely will the interior of any of the
churches repay a visit to them; but in general, their
situation is highly attractive; their plain towers or
steeples, and ancient solid architecture, are in excellent
keeping with the close, and wooded scenery which
generally surrounds them; and Avhich has itself, an
antique character, from the quantity of ivy which
clings to the trunks of the trees, and the over-arching
branches which in many places meet, above the road
The dmrches of Jersey differ very much in their
antiquity,—and consequently, considerably in their
stde. That of Grouville, is one of the most modern;
It was erected Jn the beginning of the fourteenth
century.
Mont Orgueil Castle is seen, some time before one
reaches the village of Gorey, Avhich lies at its foot; but
the village must be skirted before reaching the castle.
The village lies, partly close to the sea and harbour,
and partly on the height, which rises towards the
entrance to the castle; and in situation, has every
thing to recommend it. But it is owing to the oyster
siery, that any peculiar importance attaches to this
itt e town. This fishery, is the chief support of Gorey,
and IS of considerable importance to the island at large.’
Jpwards of two hundred and fifty boats are employed
m the fishery; about one half of which belong to the
island: and In recent years the fishery has employed
as many as fifteen hundred sailors, besides nearly a
thousand persons, chiefly women and boys, in matters
connected with the fishery. The oysters after being-
brought to Gorey, are sorted; the large, are sent to
St. Helier for sale,—while the smaller are set apart for
the English market; and it is from the Gorey fishery,
that the Colchester oyster market is chiefly supplied.
It is computed that between 20 and 30,000/. is annually
returned into the island, from the produce of
the oyster fishery. The oysters brought to St. Helier’s
market, are of an inferior quality : they are coarse, and
tough; and scarcely to be relished by those who have
been accustomed to the best Colchester oyster.
I t may easily be believed, that during the season,
from the 1st of October to the 20tli of May, Gorey
presents a scene of bustle and animation; and the
spectacle is not only animated, but beautiful, when on
a fine spring afternoon, the fleet of fishing boats with
full sails and bent masts, is seen under the influence of
a gentle breeze, making for their general rendezvous.
Some awkward disputes have arisen from time to
time, and now indeed exist between the English and
French authorities, respecting the fishing boundaries;
which are not very clearly defined. The oyster banks
lie near to the French coast, and it is not yet settled,
whether the distance from the French coast, within
which, the fisheries are permitted, is to be computed
from low or high water mark: a difference however of
very material consequence, as regards the productiveness
of the fishery, on a coast, where the tide recedes
nearly four miles. It is certainly of the utmost importance,
that this dispute be settled speedily. Already,