of keeping with the general features of the scene.
But these barracks are now put to a use far different
from that for which they were intended. Rozel is
the favourite spot for pic-nic parties; and nothing can
be more convenient than a room in this building, as a
rendezvous after the scrambles of the morning.
Boulay bay, on the northern coast, is not only
remarkable for the bold character of the scenery by
which it is surrounded: but is important in other
respects. The idea has long been entertained by
government, of constructing on some part of the coast
of Jersey, a naval station, which in time of war, would
not only be a safeguard to the island, but an efficient
protection to the trade of the Channel, as well as a
convenient point of observation, from which the movements
of the French coast, from Cherbourg to Brest,
might be watched. Boulay bay seemed to offer the
greatest advantages for this object. Its roadstead
affords easy access, and good anchorage; and there
being a considerable depth of water in Boulay bay,
when all the other bays of the island are dry, attention
was naturally attracted towards it. Several surveys
have accordingly been made, and soundings taken;
and it has been ascertained, that by the construction
of a sufficiently extensive pier, and breakwater, a
haven might be formed, capable of being employed as
a nairal station. A pier on a limited scale, has been
sometime ago constructed by direction of the States
of Jersey, at a considerable cost; and this Avould of
course form the commencement of the government
work, should such a work be resolved upon. The
latest survey was made little more than a year a g o ;
and the result was equally favourable to the plan;
though the sum required for the object, was estimated
at a much larger amount than was at first
contemplated.
As an object of interest to the traveller, Boulay bay
is not without its attractions : the rocks in its neighbourhood,
are bold, and precipitous ; and the contrast
between the wooded and cultivated shores of many of
the other bays,—and the naked, heath-covered heights
that slope from the cliffs above Boulay bay, are even
agreeable.
Between Boulay bay, and the next spot I mentioned,
“ Grève de Lecq,” many interesting spots will be
found by the traveller who makes a circuit of the whole
coast; and the lover of caA^erns, will find abundant
room for the indulgence of his curiosity. Grève de
Lecq is not a bay, but a coA^e ; and to my mind,
realizes the precise meaning of the word, such as
I have been used to affix to it, Avlien in perusing the
voyages of old navigators, I have read, that the vessel
put into a deep and sheltered cove, in some uninhabited
island, in search of Avood and AArater. Such is
Grève de Lecq; approached through a narrow and
deep valley, of a wild, but beautiful aspect ; bounded
by nearly perpendicular cliffs; and offering, alike in its
form, and situation, and general features, a perfect
picture of a solitary island coAm : here too, the sea has
worn caves among the rocks ; and here, on a fine
summer evening, when the sun flames up the narrow
valley, gilding the broad leaved fern, and the clumps
of oak that checker the slopes ; and when all is still,
but the low plash of the little waves, one may linger.