The Sun.
London, England, 1827-07-19 00:00:00

ISLANDS OF GUERNSEY AND TFRSSSV•

These islands have of late years taken a won-
derful start, and the resort to them of settlers
from England is truly astonishing to those who
do not calculate en the diminution of expenses,
arising from the absence of taxes on the luxuries,
as well as necessaries of life. From the Ist of
January, 1826, to November 1, 1826, it appears.
from the Custom-house Returns, that 39,350
persons landed in Guernsey alone, some as visi-
tors, and others as settlers. Of ships there have
arrived ill Guernsey, during the same period
1,896. The estimated value of property in this
small island is three millions five hundred and
thirty-one thousand seven hundred and forty
pounds sterling ! ! The quantity of land is about
eight thousand English acres, and the popula-
tion about twenty-four thousand. This is at the
rate of three persons to an acre of land. In Eng-
land our political economists are in perpetual
dread of our being over-peopled, and the cause.
assigned for the distresses of the poor is, exces-
sive population, and the necessity of checking it.
And yet it is calculated that we have three acres
of land for one person, whereas in Guernsey
three are three persons to an acre. Here, the
mass of our agricultural population are paupers ;
there, amongst the natives, such a thing is of
rare occurrence as any of them applying to the
public for support. The farmers seldom occupy
above fifty acres of land, and much oftener fit--
teen or twenty. Yet they live and acquire wealth ;
and the island presents the most delightful ap-
pearance, being covered with gardens and
orchards. The average size of the Guernsey
vessels ie 133 tons. The inhabitants use the
marine plant called wrac, both for fuel and ma-
nure, and cultivating the soil in small farms, and
covering it annually with this plant, it becomes
exceedingly rich and fertile. A good deal of
cider is made here, although the quantity is by no
means so large as in Jersey. The island is nine
miles in length, and six. in breadth, and contains
one town, ten parishes, and several villages.---
There is a church in every parish, and Roman
Catholics, Quakers, Baptists, Independents, and
Methodists, live in a state of mutual good will
'and harmony. Steam-packets pass regularly from
Weymouth and Southampton, and it is now de-
cided that the packets shall leave Weymouth at
nine o'clock at night ; so that a person leaving
London in the morning of one day may reach
Guernsey early the next,
Jersey is the larger island, the length being
about twelve miles, and breadth six. The po-
pulation has increased within a few years five
thousand, and an immense number of new houses
have been erected. In every direction new
buildings are going on. In the principal town,
St. Helier's, nearly half the population reside.
The island contains 34,000 persons : the town
15,000. The shipping of Jersey consists of
162 vessels, total burden_l6,979 tons, which
are employed in the South American, African,
Newfoundland, and coasting trade. There are
seven regular banks in the island. A church in
every parish. Five regiments of militia (na-
tives), every hale man being a soldier. There
are several Dissenting Congregations, and two
Roman Catholic Chapels. In the poor-house
there are only one hundied and fifty persons,
principally Irish. A very large quantity of cider
was made last year, and it might be purchased
at the pound's mouth, at 10s. the hogshead. 'The
price now, in consequence of there being no
prospect of a crop of apples this year, is from
20s. to 255. per hogshead. Brandy is retailed.
at from four to six shillings per gallon, and rasa
and gin still lower. Meat is from sd. to 6d.
Eer pound. Exchange 7 per cent. in favour of
nglish bills. The shipping of the island gra-
dually increases. The land is in a high state of
cultivation. Almost all the farmers are owners
of farms. Pauperism amongst the natives is of
rare occurrence. Manufactories there are none.
On small farms of 15 or 30 acres, the proprie-
tors bring up their families in comfort ; and each
one has a little of corn, cider, butter, fruit, and
vegetables, to bring to market on the Saturday.
The farmers and •merchants are, for the most
part, well off Many of each class extremely
rich, and very large holders of French and Eng-
lish funds ; mostly the former. The principal
merchants have branches of their establishments
in South America, whence they import hides
and sugar, which are principally sent to Ham-
burgh. The Jersey butter is remarkably fine;
and the little Norman cows yield an extraordi-
nary quantity of milk. So much as 1413. of
butter per week has been produced from the milk
of one cow.—The World.