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readily bought by any one who happens to have a
little spare money; and as this, includes almost every
farmer in Jersey, there are few who have not been
purchasers, and are proprietors of some quarters.
It must always happen, that where men cultivate
their own land, and labour for their own profit, a certain
independence of character will be engendered,—
an independence, whose foundation is natural and
just,—and which is in itself, honourable to the possessor.
In Jersey, other things contribute to foster this
spirit among the inhabitants,—particularly the possession
of certain political rights and privileges, of
which I shall afterwards have occasion briefly to speak;
as Avell as the isolated position of the island which they
inhabit. The spirit indeed, which animates the mass
of the people,—more especially, the inferior classes,
is strongly republican ; and the blunt independence of
character and manner, as well as other evidences of
this spirit, bear no small resemblance to the traits
which attach to our brethren across the Atlantic. The
surplus labour required upon the soil, beyond that
which the possessors and their families can give,—or
which is wanted for the cultivation of thoseproperties
wdiich are in the hands of English residents, is performed
by English, Irish and French labourers; for,
Jersey labourers are not to be obtained for hire,
though there is no difficulty in obtaining an exchange
of labour, which is more consonant with their notions
of independence. Among female servants too, there
is a good deal of the American “ help.” There is no
absolute rudeness among them; but there is much of
the free and easy; and the same treatment which
would be acceptable to an English servant, would
speedily oifend the sensitiveness of a Jersey born
damsel.
It is a fact, that in all countries where we find a
love of independence, and where that independence of
character is generated by independence in worldly
circumstances, we also find a strong disposition towards
avarice, and its natural accompaniments,—parsimony,
and excessive frugality. The origin of this,
is not difficult to account fo r: independence in worldly
circumstances, is absolutely essential towards independence
of character and action; and men therefore,
naturally employ the means by which this independence
may be secured. With acquisition too, grows
the love of i t : and thus, we may easily comprehend
how, in an isolated community, its members, gradually
enriching themselves, and perceiving yearly, the certain
results of frugality, should acquire habits which
border upon the niggardly and sordid.
That this love of acquisition, and a strict frugality,
form, along with independence, another strong trait ot
Jersey character, is undeniable: and although it be
true, that these traits are sometimes off’erisive, we are
scarcely inclined to quarrel with that, which presents
to us a population without paupers; and a state of
society in which, there is no man who does not feel
himself above the contempt of the proud, and the
sneer of the rich.
The love of acquisition, and the economical habits
which accompany it, are incapable of being separated;
and the same traits aiford proof of both. Of these
characteristics, abundant evidence may be found in