formerly available to m an : but that Jersey ever
approached at any period, the shores of the continent,
is an assertion too ridiculous to merit examination.
Marvels are always popular; and the people of Jersey
are not less credulous than their neighbours. These
traditions have probably originated in the great
fluctuations of the tid e ; and the shallowness of the
sea in many parts. Around Jersey, the tide, as I
have already mentioned, rises from forty to forty-five
feet; and on the opposite coast, at St. Malo, the rise
is not less than fifty-five feet. The reader will be able
to form some idea of the distance which the tide ebbs,
by referring to the map, on which the dotted line
marks the sea line at low water.
CH A PT ER V.
t h e i n h a b i t a n t s of JERSEY.
Tiie Condition of the Country People—Their Character—Independence—
Penuriousness —Industry— Saving Habits — Facts
and Illustrations—The “ Quid Pro Quo”—Mode of Life—A
Jersey Farm House—Cooking—Peculiarities of Life—Dress—
Holidays, and Amusements—Personal Appearance—Reputation
for Honesty—Vraic Gathering, and its Accompaniments—
Ancient Usuages.
Now that I have given the reader, as I trust I have,
some idea of the appearance of the island of Jersey,
he may possibly feel some desire to know, what sort
of people inhabit it. To this subject, I shall devote
the present chapter.
I need scarcely say, that the character, manners,
and genius of a people, are not to be judged of from
what we observe among the upper, or higher classes.
These in all countries, resemble each other ; and
although, from the isolated position of Jersey, and
from other causes which I shall afterwards enumerate,
peculiar traits are more observable among the upper
classes of Jersey, than in larger communities,—yet I
shall look in the first place, for national traits, among
the country people,—that largest class of the natives,
who are at once, proprietors, occupiers, and labourers
of the soil This is, with few exceptions, the condition
of all the country people. Their possessions are
from two, or three vergées, up to twenty or thirty ;
but that I may speak more intelligibly, I may say
from one, up to ten or twelve English acres. Some
few properties may run up to fifty, sixty, or even
more acres ; but this is extremely rare. The wealth
of a Jerseyman, is not, however, to be estimated by
the number of his vergées. A man possessing but
a limited number of vergées, may be an extensive
holder of rents, secured upon other possessions: and
this requires a few words of explanation. A man who
is in want of money, charges his property with the
payment for ever, of any number of quarters of wheat;
and these quarters, are transferable in the market,
and divisible, (i. e.) If A. lends B. a sum of money,
equal to twenty quarters annual charge,—A. may
transfer these to C., D., E., and F., five quarters to
each ; and each of these individuals again, may
transfer his claim to five différent individuals : so that
quarters, are a floating heritable property, and are