The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-08-09

beautiful shells and sea-anem0nes. 1t was
noon as we reached the shores Of Jersey.
the largest and southernmost Of the Chan
mel Islands. Its coast line is like q wall
along the water Before il rise amuni-
tions Of rocks over and around which roll
the white breakers Upon the apex Of
pyramidal, insulated rock is lighthouse.
All along the cliffs the waves pour into
gloomy, noisy cayerns. Nov there isa
break in the rocky sea-wall aud the shore
curves into lovely bay with smooth
beaches, waving fields, shaded homes and
fruitful gardens. Beyond, we come To-
still another and greater bay, with an
island fort, and behind it little town.
Near the southern end Of this second bay
we pass very picturesque ard ancient
fortress upon another islandrock, and then
anchor at the harbor Of st. Helier's, the
principal port and town in Jersey.
More than half Of the population Of the
island live at st, Heliers-that Is. about
thirty thousand. AS, it Is low-tide We
land in small boats. Guernsey has the.
advantage Of Jersey in that lis harber al
ways has sufficient depth Of water In
both places, however, the tides, like those
Of the Bay Of Fnndy, are wonderful.
Capt. Mortimer of the Guernsey told
me that he bad seen rise 10 the tide Of
iorty-two feet in six and half hours.
believe him, for he Is the only captain Of a
vessel ever heard ask blessing at the ia
Bile when the passengers were assembled for
meals. On landing, l drove to JEWELS
Marine Hotel because it was on the bor
ders Of the town, facing the bay and
picturesque island fortress, which proved
to be Elizabeth Castle, built 10 the reign
Of Queen Elizabeth on the ruins Of ON old
abbey, and now merely relic and an or
nament. Here Charles the Second once
took refuge for several weeks. Since the
early morn of the shores Of Alderney We
had come into another climate or there
had been very great change Of weather.
The sky was cloudless aud gentle breezess
cooled butnot chilled the June midday.
Twelve hours upon the water was
good preparation for few hours drive
upon the land SO, after hearty dinner,
| set forth in an open carriage to spend
the afternoon among the varied beauties
OF the island II is a little less than
twelve miles from east to west, and a
little less than six miles from north 10
south. There are no mountains, for the
highest elevation is but three hundred
: ieet. It's surface, however is diversified
with hill and vale, rayinc and precipice.
a and adorned with fruitful fields, noble
: trees, luxuriant vines, and countless How-
ers- For miles the smooth, hard road
wound through shaded avenues bordered
e BY old moss-colored walls, festoned with
I ferns and draped with ivy. Here and
c there, on every side, where the cattle
2 the very ideals Of the ambitious dairy
man the sisters, cousins and auuts OF
i the celebrities of Echo Farm" Very Of
y ten you are greatly disappointed in visit
:: ing place, because you do not see at all
II the very objects for which the place is
y famous. This is a familiar experience to
l. the indefatigable tourist But there is
3 no such trial in store for the tourist in
r Jersey. Iwould not like to say how many
n hundreds Of slate -colored coffee. .coIored and
10 dark-colored cattle | saw tethered aud
&c feeding on the rich pasture during these
- Aasss sew hvurs. fun tho, do nvu irs IN,
a. cattle run az largo in the field, but Ii,
% them to a stake and make them take theil
ht food IN a circle, just as accurate as though
m measured with dividers think the COW.
s are perfectly satisfied with this plan, for ]
ID did not hear one voice lifted in remon.
* STRANGE, high or low, all the afternoon
y Indeed, it was a very silent, Sunday-like
le atmosphere, $50 much so that when / lis.
ID tened could hear nothing but the songs Of
a. birds. But the island does not seem lonely
IN and deserted, for everywhere are evidences
" Of industry and its happiest fruits. Both
T men and women are at work in fields and
&c gardens From these comes great sup.
N ply Of carly potatoes and other vegetables
Ks for the English market On the steamers
IS, were heaps Of empty baskets, and those
r. very baskets now seem to be in tie hands
at Of those good people at work in yonder
Of field. The island is divided into parishes
in named after as many different saints, who
ut were doubtless equally good as these par,
ly ishes are equally pleasant. In each there
Of is an attractive village with church and
school, many Of them being beautiful and
er costly edifices
es And yet everybody is not happy even
b, 10 Jersey with all this milk aud honey
Is Read this conclusion to an advertisement
n 10 the Jersey Times, whose appropriate
OF motto is:--"Fro rege, lege, gregg" The
rd owner Of house for sale says:
" "In order to explain how il is that she
ar owner is willing to sell, for a sum Of only
y fl,000 sterling, property on which he
7, has hipsey expended an amount exceeding
ca fl,6OO, he thinks it right to state that be
y is led to make this great sacrifice sotel,
NC for family reasons, and because the law,
ne OF the Island preclndc him from willins
away the property in question according
US TO his own wishes and the dictates Of com
en mon Justice"
~ ~ Here is trouble, for the law Of ibis It'll.
~ ~ land compels every parent to leave hii
y property in certain way. lie canno
~ give the house to any other Than the eldes
"a son. lie cannot, even during life, give Il
!, - child any more than his legal portion
- do not remember any other Of the nam
y eFous restrictions, but worthy Jerseymar
i, told me that there were instances Of pro
nj perties being allowed to greatly deteriorat'
II 10 value because the owners would no
- cherish and improve them for the sake q
y" unwelcome heirs. There ere many othc
i. curious things about Jersey law whiel
=, cannot be recorded here as. for instance
~ ~ che statutes and penalties 10 regard to IN
- - importation Of cattle, BY which the abso
- - lutte purity Of the bovine family Of thi
~ island Is secured beyond the possibility q
= doubt or error,
y will conclude this narrative al once
+ \, lest the reader should be far more fatieue'
IL than ! was with days excursion 10 ID
= = Channel Islands.