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76 CHANNEL ISLANDS :
party, there is usually a slight sprinkling of native
inhabitants; but there is far from being any general
intercourse. Those only indeed, who have brought
letters of introduction to Jersey families ; or, who
maintain an establishment superior to their neighbours,
receive the civilities of the island families ; and these
civilities are for the most part confined to a formal
dinner ; or a rare invitation to a large evening party.
Many of the English complain of want of hospitality
on the part of the native families; of a deficiency
in those attentions, which, as strangers, they
think they had reason to expect: but I think they
complain unjustly. It is certainly not to be expected,
that the respectable Jersey families should voluntarily
make the acquaintance of the English residents indiscriminately
; and if those, who carry introductions, do
not receive all the attention which similar letters
would receive in England, all that can be said is, that
every place has its usages; and the English have no
more reason to complain of the exercise of hospitality
in Jersey, than of the exercise of that virtue in most
of the continental countries which are much frequented:
and every one who has travelled much,
knows, that to the generality of travellers, French or
Italian hospitality, is not English hospitality. The
mere fact, that Jersey derives advantage from the
English who spend their money in it, is no good reason
for expecting unwonted civilities. Strangers seek
Jersey for their own interest; and receive, in their
greater command of the luxuries of life with a limited
income, the only return they had any right to expect.
I will admit, however, that there is not a perfectly
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JERSEY. 77
cordial feeling between the natives and the residents:
the tradespeople, indeed, and others who owe almost
their existence to the English residents, would be
fools not to express the utmost respect for them, and
not to rejoice in their neighbourhood. But there is
unquestionably, a very different feeling on the part of
the natives, towards the residents, and towards each
other. To the British government, and to Britain as
a nation, there is no want of attachment in Jersey:
this may arise chiefly from the respect which has been
paid to the privileges of the island; and from the
greater advantages which Jersey derives from its connexion
with Britain, than it could derive from a connexion
with any other power. I think, however, this
attachment to Britain, is somewhat of an abstraction.
But, to return to the English society.
The residents, owing to their great numbers, are
quite independent of Jersey society; and are certainly
disposed to keep up much good fellowship amongst
themselves. I scarcely think there is a spot in
Europe, where, among the same number, there is
such constant interchange of visits. One very sufficient
reason may be given for the familiarity of intercourse
maintained among the English residents.
Three-fourths, at least, of the whole number, are
naval and military men, who have served campaigns
together; and who find pleasure in renewing their
acquaintance, and fighting their battles over again.
And even those who have not been messmates, or
shipmates, have many subjects of conversation, in
common; and their information, recollections, and
even prospects, run much in the same channel. At