Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-07-06
GUERNSEY.
A NashVIIlisn's Impressions OF the
Charming Little Island.

A NashvIIlisn's Impressions OF the
Charming Little Island.
Correspondence Of the Union and American.
GUERNSEY, JuRe II, lS73.-After an Sb-
eence Of nearly two months from Nashville,
find myself IN the beautiful and pictur-
esque Island of Guernsey. This charming
retreat is unknown to many thousand in
America, being as it is not only the "Gsr-
cen spot" Of the "Chanuel Islands," but
the Switzerland of England, ard far sur
passes that charming isle of sea, the Isle of
Wight. II is situated about hundred and
twenty miles from Southampton, and is ac-
cessibie BIZ steamers from there nearly
every day. Guernsey is celebrated for her
beautiful cliffs, hsnsome hills and valleys,
along with the rocky coast aud magnificent
scenery. Here nature is depicted i'm all its
phases, antiquities abound at almost every
step, and one is almost led to the supposi.
ton that a more picturesque and romantic
spot could not be found in Europe. Guern-
sey is one of or up of Jour islands in the
English channel, namely, Jersey, Guernsey,
Alderney and Lark, there are two other
islands, named Herm and Jethon, butt
are small, and Of less importance.
Guernsey has population of thirty thou
sand, is about twenty miles in ciTcumfer-
ence and eight miles in diameter, formerly
belonging TO France, the French language
is spoken here to a great extent. 1t has
one of the finest harboT works in Europe,
the foundation stones OF which were laid IN
1858, is not yet quite finished, and when
completed will cost about one million ard
q half of dollars; GftU' ding as it do s sutf-
cient sEel,eT f 7 hundreds OF vessels Five
hundTe thousand dollars have already
been paid towards liquidating the debt of
this magnificent structure. Guernsey is
also noted fer her elegant and spacious
msrke's, although ancient in appearance,
yet beautiful tG the eye, are to be Temod-
eled for something more modern, and
when completed will compare tayorsbly
with the finest markets in Europe. Or late
years many Few roads have been CONSTRUCT
ed in Guernsey which adds TO the comfort Of
residents and beauty OF, the Island. Guern-
sey might well be He'd lie Nashville, the
"City Of Rocks" because of its many stone
Qu8rries, the owners Of which derive
handsome profit There are many objects
of interest very attractive to strangers, one
of which is "Castle COrneJ,n and is reached
by foot along the pier which forming the
boundary of the harbor works, leads to the
L
mards admiration, especially when il be-
Genes known that nearly twenty years ago
the sea was rolling over the whole extent
which is now brdged by this work. Fort
George is also q great point # interest, &C.
cupying about one hundred acres Of ground.
This 70. I forms a position Of great strength,
con, bini D all the requisites for the accom-
mediation of an adequate garrison. Visitors
Iov, oh lTrt 10 M
of the many bays, namely: Fermaiu Bay,
Bay of Moulin FlueJ Saints Bay, Cob's
Bay an many others.
Guernsey is divided into parishes, st,
Petersprt being the town parish. The
Dovle column is seen from here, VIII CD is
situated in the parish of ST. Martins. This
moDum ut was erected by the people of
Guerns, as mark of Tesuect for Sir John
Dovle, r many years Governor of the
island. There is also another great object
of int rest-the Queens monument
which 7 IS erected many years ago to COM
memoir the arrival Of Queen Victoria
on the is'an' in 1916.
In q csl point Of view the people OF
Guerns, are progerbial for their hospitality
and kinly feeling, along with the pleasant
insercou sc existing between one another.
Morally il cannot be surpassed, there being
less cTire committed here than in any place
for ilsszs in Europe. Politically the PEG
Die sre divided in heart and sentiment, many
believing her Msjesty's government to be
second II no other, while the most intelll-
gent heIa do not echo these sentiments, be-
lieving IS they do that J republican form OF
government is the best government under
the sun, or (as you have it) that the world
ever saw"
Every man in Guernsey that IS capable OF
bearing arms, is supposed to be soldier
but only in defence of his native sol. They
are militia and number about eight thou
sand, ami have no connection with the reg
ulsr army. An incident occurred here few
DAYS aco worthy of no ice. 1t is customary
for private or nCn-cOmmisOned officers il
her Msipsty's service to salute their supe-
rior officers ii pa sing one another. This
rule, however, does not apply TO the Guern-
sey militia. One Of these in passing {
yourg squirt IAN officer of an English regi-
menl) refused to salute this important
persouage, who took umbrage at it and re-
ported the Guernsey soldier to headquarters
OF course this military satrap will not sc
any satisfaction hut will be treated with the
greatest contempt, and laughed at for hi
ridiculous folly. Some of the officers
in Her Majesty's regiments seem to feel
highly indignant when heir Veracity is
ones;;oDed. Some time since an office
bought some china and glass at shop Of
the island, and told the shOpk eper to sem
the goods home, that he was an officer
The goods were accordingly sent, but wit
instructions for tho boy who carried tb
goods 20 collect the money. When th
GOODS were delivered, TIE officer not pay
ing for them, they wrre brought bach
The officer ca led oil tie shopkeeper, an
said, why, did you refuse 10 leave th
rocds?n The shopkeeper replied, "Becaus
thew were not paid for" "Well," said u
officer, very much exaggerated, "didnt
tell YOU that was an officer Of Her Maze
TVS service?" eyes," remarked the shoI
Eeeper, "you did but L have lost mo-
NOISY from officers than l ever did irol
labO-ers.'
To-day was introduced to well knoW
Son,herIIsr, Co.'s John Lewis Peyto
of Va, author of THE American Crisis
srThe Adventures Of My Grandfather al
cover the Alleghanies' and Across Il
Prairies !" The Colonel tells me that he
a rplst ve of ycur ex-member Of Congres
Col. Bale Peyton. L will take with d
10 Nashville one Of his works to bus rel
tivss. and another o the State Librarian,
off, I. N The author, Gel. Joa2 Lewis re
81 w.
TOT.