nor any other foreign timber pays any duty; and since
also, labour is considerably cheaper. Other more
ornamental articles of furniture, are also cheaper than
in England, owing to the same causes,—such as
mirrors, French papers, and metals.
Servants’ wages are about the same in Jersey, as in
England; and wearing apparel, is, generally speaking,
dearer than in England.
I have now’, I think, exhausted that important
subject,—expense of living. But I have still something
farther to say, on the advantages and disadvantages
of Jersey, as a place of residence. The advantages
yet to be enumerated, are indeed minor to that
important one upon which I have enlarged: still, they
must not be omitted. The most important of these,
is climate ; but, as this has already been spoken of,
and will afterwards, in connexion with disease, receive
a more lengthened notice, I at present only mention
it, without enlarging upon it.
The geographical position of Jersey, may be named
as an advantage. Situated as it is, within fifteen
hours’ sail of England, and within four or five hours’
sail of France, it oifers greater convenience for the
resident, than any other resort with which I am
acquainted. Letters put into the post-office in
London, on Tuesday or Friday evening, are delivered
in Jersey, on Thursday and Sunday morning. There
are communications by steam, twice a week to Southampton,
as well as to Weymouth; and still oftener to
the French ports of St. Malo and Granville: so that
excursions may be varied to different parts of England
and France, to the Isle of Wight, and to Guernsey;
and all, at a very moderate expense.
It is another advantage, that, in Jersey, one lives
under the protection of the British government;
though under the exclusive laws of Jersey. The
revolutions, and civil commotions, which, in foreign
countries, have driven hundreds from their adopted
homes, and have even endangered their lives and their
property, could never be more than matters of curiosity
in Je rsey ; and few will deny, that the British government
is a good government to live under, to those who
can enjoy its blessings, exempt from the evils by which
these are accompanied,—taxation, and wide-spread
pauperism.
Such, is a summary of the advantages, which Jersey
possesses as a residence.
The chief disadvantage, under which Jersey lies, is
the total want of amusements. There are no field-
sports ; there is no angling. There is a theatre
indeed; and there are winter assemblies: but the
latter are few in number; and not particularly attractive
; and as for the former, there is so little encouragement
given to the drama in Jersey, that the
company is most commonly indiff’erent. The native
inhabitants do not sufficiently understand the English
language, to relish English drama; and the residents
are not rich enough to afford of themselves, sufficient
encouragement to the theatre. It must also be admitted,
that naval and military men, are not those
amongst whom a taste for the drama is most likely to
be found. Companies of French actors, however, are
tolerably well supported by the native inhabitants.
Of good music, there is even a still greater dearth.
The native inhabitants do not encourage music; and
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