Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-04-20
A TRIP ABROAD.
The Voyage From England to
France via ths Channel
Islands.
St. Peters Port and its Industries
The Residence of Victor
Hugo.
The Island of Jersey and the
Home of the Lilly.
Correspondence fublic Ledger.
ST. PETER's PoRT, GUERNSEY,
March oath.

we concluded to leave London earlier
than we first proposed. Most Ameri-
can tourists cross over to the CONT
nent by the way of Calais or BOulogne,
but We chose the longer route 10
France via the Channel Islands; as
we have some friends living in Guerra
sey, whom we have long promised to
visit. We left London from Water
loo station at 8 p m. for Southampton
where we arrived shortly before mid
night, and Immediately embarked on
board the steamer Diana. The sail
down the harbor. passing the Isle OF
Wight, aud the Needles was delight>
full; the sea being smooth; light winds
having prevailed for sometime past.
Comfortable sleeping quarters were
provided for the passengers, so that
we enjoyed a very quiet nights rest.
In the early morning we we're on
deck, aud as we neared the Island Of
Guernsey the view from the steamer
was quite picturesque. The town Of
st. Peters Port is built upon a slOp-
ing hillside, a large part of the place
being in full view from the deck as we
approach the Island. There is a sub
stsntial granite breakwater connecting
Castle Cornet with the shore, enclos-
ing the harbor, which affords safe
anchorage for large number Of sail
ing vessels.
Guernsey is about 100 miles from
Southampton, is the second in size Of
the Channel islands, containing as it
does an area of nearly "A square miles,
or about $1,000 acres. The dock or
wharf OF which we landed is a sort of
two stored structure, to accommodate
the different stages of the tide. Our
friend Mr.. Allies was waiting to receive
US as we stepped ashore, and after a
cordial salutation we were escorted
over the town, which contains about
10000 inhabitants, fully sDe-half Of
the whole population Of the island
There is an air of solidity about the
houses and public buildings Of ST.
Peters Port, and though some of the
streets we're quite narrow we we're very
much pleased and edited by our ram
BILE through them. We visited the
market, which is nearly 200 feet long
and of great height. 1t is an aichi-
tectural ornament, and would be a
credit to any city. We saw a great
supply of sea fish, which were neatly
displayed on slabs Of marble. Among
other kinds were the turbot, mullet,
cod and bass, immense Congo cells; and
shell fish IL great variety. In another
part of the market we saw stores Of
rich, golden hued butter, for which
this island is celebrated all over Eu-
rope This is market day, and the
people from the interior have come to
town to sell their products and to
make their weekly purchases. They
seem to be well to do class, healthy
looking and neatly dressed.
We strolled through the streets
leading to the more elevated part Of
the town, and were shown a mansion,
situated on a narrow, crooked street,
that has become renowned as the resi-
dence Of Victor Hugo during his exile.
1t is called "Hautville House." the
name no doubt originating from its
elevated location. The building is not
particularly attractive on the outside,
the front being painted a very sombre
hue, but within there is much to in.
tereSt the visitor who is acquainted
with the productions of the banished
poet The walls are magni6cently
ornamented with white porcelain re.
lievos, and adorned with costly enam.
els, artistic China, and immense vases
OF flowers. The oak gallery contains
an interesting museum, having speci-
mems of wood carvings from Victor
Hugo's own hand. Here is the couch
offered by the exile to Garabaldi when
be was invited to accept the hospital
ties of "Hautville House." after the
occurrence at Montana. Although the
Italian could not accept the urgent
invitation ef his brother patriot, the
room is still known as Garabaldi's
chamber. A short distance from this
mansion is the Elizabeth College, an
Institution of great renown which was
established byQueen Elizabeth in 1863.
Many OF the students are from En-
gland, attracted here by the advan-
tages offered by this institution for a
thorough education.
Our friends took US to the
courthouse, where a trial was
going on in Eaglish form, but in the
French language. 1t looked singular
to American eyes to see the lawyers
aud the Judges wearing wigs, and
dressed In long black robes.
Alter strolling through the old
churchyard, where ancient monument.
told OF the virtues Of departed genera.
tons, We visited the church, built in
| the Twelfth century, and lookinl
almost as ancient as the granite cliff,
themselves, yet still in an excellent
state Of preservation, and in constant
use. The carriage OF our host wa,
now in waiting for US, and we wer,
, soon rolling over the smooth roat
: leading from the town to st. Pierre
du Bots. The residences in the en-
vlrons of st. Peters Port are yer,
elegant, substantial structures, hay
ing comfortable, homelike appear
ance. The ample grounds are adorne,
with variety Of bright bued flowers
and the houses were empowered Wit
clinging vines, making, altogether
charming pictures of rural architec
ture and taste. The different estate
are divided BY walls, covered wit
furze, which had a yellow blossom
adding beauty to the landscape /
every direction. Even the humble,
cottages that we passed we're embel
lished with luKuriant foliage. and
variety Of flowers that would be eI
] otics in the same latitude of our cor
tinent The vegetable gardens SCENE
to be thoroughly cultivated, the so
being enriched by the seaweed gail
cred from the shores of the islam,