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

If Chicago had not been burned it is
not likely that Mrs. 0'Leary's COW would
ever have been celebrated. But il is
COW that has given celebrity to the Chan
mel Islands, for Alderney cows and Jersey
cattle are household words in the New
World as in the Old. Inasmuch as these
islands among islands are very much what
these COWS are among cattle, you may be
sure that they are worth visit from the
summer tourist. They lie in the English
Channel, near the western coast Of that
part Of France which is now most widely
known as the vicinity of Cherbourg.
Every midnight small but powerful
steamer leaves Southampton for Guernsey
and Jersey, the two largest and most Inn
portant Islands of the group. Three times
a week they can be reached from Wey-
mouth. Travellers on the Continent eau
visit them from Granville or ST. Malo
without being more than two or three
hanra fha uatar- -.------.---
Seven hours after the steamer "Guern,
sey' had left Southampton, / went on
deck to find that we were already in sight
Of the Caskets and Alderney. These form
the first group Of the Channel Islands.
The night had been wet and rough, and
the early morn was cold and gusty Black
cloud-drifts and crested waves made very
effective and appropriate setting for the
threatening rocks that raise their ragged
heads in the midst Of the Channel, form
ing dangerous reef more than mile in
length aud separated from Alderney only
by other rocks aud shoals. On the outer
most point is perched the Lighthouse, like
a marine castle and white as snow. When
you consider that there are more rocks
below than are seen above the waves,
that the tides and currents are very power
ful, aud that thick weather is common at
all seasons, il is strange that only three Of
this line of steamers, have been lost in
nine years. Anxious travellers who visit
the Islands from Southampton can easily
make an estimate Of the probabilities Of
being cast away.
Alderney is to be visited by steamer
from Guernsey. II is about three miles
enN haif iohS aho auousu mlle IN Wlutu
containing about two thousand acres Its
highest elevation is less than three hun.
dred feet, but its perpendicular walls oil
rock AID its surrounding islands afford
scenes Of much grandeur and beauty
Though it has given the most popular
name to the famous cattle, | could not as
certain that there was any authentic his
tory Of the Jersey breed, which traced
their origin to this little, northermosi
island Il may be that the facts Of the
case are all familiar to nearly every one
who has ever owned a COW aa
Twenty miles Of sea and two hour.
brought Us to the second group. Of which
Guernsey is the chief and Sark, Herm and
Jethou are the smaller ueighbors W.
soon enter the little harbor Of Guernse,
known as St. Peters Port Clineine Il
the hillside are the houses, churches, spire,
and towers Of the town, surmounted and
surrounded BY rich foliage and yetlanl
fields. An this, in form and color. was &c
like Newburgh on the Hudson that i
could scarcely realize. for moment tl,al
| was stranger in a strange land. Bu
the other surroundings Of this little bow
Of harbor are very unlike ANYTHING Q,
our shores. Il is enclosed with lofty sea
walls, built to endure for unknown genera
tious. BY far the most prominent icotur,
is Castle CorDet, fortress covering an,
browning an island of rock wb,ch Is ,os
connected BY a causeway with the main
land. forming the southern aide oe m,
harbor. This imposing battlcment i I,
commonplace, death-dealine. modern i'm
provement, but perfectly harmless. nictu
rescue remnant Of the Middle Ages Th,
real defense Of the Island Is Fort George
which, with its quiet lines and verdau
s,u,pa;ss ,,;yas - ,,,tu...a 49, II '.f'