The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-06-19
ISLAND OF GUERNSEY.

Lndierous description If iI ArtstOcrdcy
Guernsey Is the v.rv model Of an island arts.
iocrilcnl As We arr in England they bea, us hol-
low in tins particular There are three classes
IN Guernsey - 9 Sixties, the Furties aud the
people OF no account, OF the noughis, il Que
must describe them at all The SIXTIES are the
original settlers, the nobility as it were, the an.
Gent families, and like the great people IN most
places they are for the most part the most mar
row minded and stupid, the worst educated, aud
the least prosperous persons in the island. Ibe
forues come neat they are the people of yes
terday, the terra flii, and among them ma, be
found the most wealthy and the most en-
ierprsing persons in the island But the SIX
ties will not associate with them Many of TIN,
forics, tue children OF rich men, receive the besi
education in England, aud are received IN the
best English society; but when they return to
Guernsey they are refused admission INTO the as
semby rooms, and cut up by the Lilipuilan Al is
ioctacy as an inferior cast. now come TO the
distinction OF the Sixties to he entitled to carry
TWO candles IN the lanterns. by which they see
Their way through their filthy streets and marrow
lanes AT night The Forlcs are permitted 20 car.
~ but one candle III their lanterns but as for
the zeroes or nobodies do not know whether
they are privileged TO carry a light or not
they may he permitted tarthing rusl-lighis, but
cannot speak with any certainty on this head.
Certainly, ON the night of drum, Ia Guernsey
party OF very hundrum character, so called ]
II is great and glroious thing, TO see the bea-
cons OF worshipful pedestrians blazing, the en-.
Signs of ancient race shining about the streets
and alleys, mol flashing aud fitting at the RAPID
undgn lied rate OF lamps borne by rafting
London carriage, but proceeding at the staid de-
cofous, pace OF maid of all work, in red cloak
marshallmg her sixty master or mistress, the
way 'hat he or sin should deign to go. These
lanterns are the armorial bearings of Guernsey
nobility. The dull light OF their moulds IS their
proud blazonry The contrast is very striking
indeed between the high bearing Of lantern
with two candles, and the humble 90 by the
ground carriage of one with solitary mould,
and il II were not for seeing the sixties IN the day
time shorn by then tallowy beams, one would
conceive high respect tor them iromthe exclu-
siVe plurality of their lights. But look Mt them
IN broad day; cut Them of from their lanterns
and they are poor bcnlghted creatures ; they are
as bright MS glo"-worms by night, but very mag
gots by day. The Sixties are for the most part
poor creatures, but their lanterns are of "A good.
~ bgness, and the two candles therein are pro-
portloned TO their roomy recepaclcs. The For
ties though restricted 10 one lie ht, though groan-
ing under the tyranny of Sixty ascendcncy, and
declared incapable of holding Two candles IN
one lantern, are allowed 10 go TO any reasonable
size in their lanterns and do not observe that
they differ in magnitude from those of the 81.
ties Indeed, IT is a point of prudence with the
Fortes not 10 attempt to aggrandizc their Ian.
tern, for such an ambition would but render the
inyidious unity of the candle the more gIa,ing