agitated Great Britain, and France, would be remov▴ ed, and the spell, by which war between these two great nations, was supposed to be necessary, dissolved. Such would, indeed, be glorious and happy results. We might, in this case, adopt the language of the evangelical prophet,* and say: The nations "shall "beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears "into pruning hooks." "The wolf shall dwell "with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with "the kid; and the calf, and the young lion, and the "fatling, together; and a little child shall lead them." MILITARY DEFENCES. Though, in war time, the chief defence of Jersey must, necessarily, be confided to the regular troops, who, in such a season, compose a formidable active body, yet the island force alone is neither contemptible, in respect of numbers, nor uninstructed in the use of arms. * Isaiah. The militia comprises six regiments or battalions of infantry, amounting to more than 2,000 men. To each corps is attached four field pieces, and a company of the artillery: these form a body of between 600 and 700 men. There are besides above 900 inhabit ants, less fit for active service, who man the coast batteries in their respective parishes. All the island troops are armed, and clothed in proper uniforms, by government, but do not receive pay. They are fre quently drilled; and a certain number rotatively mount guard every night, at different stations` round the island. Every inhabitant, from the age of seventeen to sixty-five, bears arms, either as an officer or a pri vate; and all boys, from the age of thirteen to seventeen, are exercised, weekly, during the summer months. This juvenile corps amounts to full 800. There is likewise a troop of island cavalry, whose principal duty is to serve as orderly men and guides. The militia staff consists of inspectors and assistant inspectors; and the whole island force is under strict regulations but though the governor or lieutenant governor, appoints the officers, and has this arm entirely under his own command, yet all complaints against individuals are judged and punished by the royal court. The principal fortifications are, the fortress now constructing on the town hill, Elizabeth castle, that of Mont Orgueil, Fort Henry, La Rocco, St. Aubin's tower, Seymour tower, with the tower at Noirmont point, and that at Ich-ho, both recently constructed. Besides these, there is a chain of martello towers, redoubts, and batteries, in every maritime part of the island, where defences are requisite. As an additional security, Jersey and Guernsey together form a station for ships of war. There are, moreover, in Jersey ten signal posts, on different elevated parts, so that a telegraphic communication is established round the island. Barracks for accomodating the regular forces, are to be seen in various quarters; particularly those for the artificers, at Havre des pas, and a very handsome and extensive set of buildings, lately erected, in St. Peter's parish. MILITARY GOVERNMENT. The principal officer in Jersey, he who more im. mediately represents the sovereign,-whose power is the least subject to control,-and who claims the pre cedency of all others,-is the governor. This office was anciently considered in so honourable a light, that it was filled by persons of the first rank, even by princes of the blood: it is now usually the post of an officer of high military rank. To support the dignity of this appointment, the king allows the holder of it his whole revenue in the island; deducting some fees and salaries. This revenue arose formerly from seven manors, let out in fee farm; and from various other sources: at present, it consists principally of the corn tithes of ten parishes. The tithes of St. Saviour's are annexed to the deanery; those of St. Helier's were granted by James the second to Sir Edward Carteret. The governor appoints a peculiar officer, stiled Le Receveur du Roy, who receives these rents, &c. There are now two receivers. The power of the governors has varied, as their respective commissions have, at different times, been either enlarged or restrained. Anciently the governor had a mixed power. He had the administration of both the civil and military authority. He was judge as well as governor, and had the disposal of all places, in court, church, and garrison. So extensive a command shows the dignified character of this office in those times. To relieve himself from the various duties imposed on him, he at length reserved the exercise of the military part alone, and transferred the judicial to another, who thereby obtained the title of bailiff, but who was still a dependant of the governor. The other ministers of justice were equally his creatures. King John began, and King Henry the seventh completed, the establishment of a jurisdiction wholly distinct; the latter taking from him the nomination of the bailiff, and other officers of the court, and forbidding his interposition in any civil affairs. But though the governor has no proper jurisdiction, yet, in consequence of his dignity, his presence is frequently required in court, and is in some respects necessary. He has the court under his protection, and is obliged to assist the bailiff and jurats, with his authority, in the execution of their decrees. He has power, with the concurrence of two jurats, to arrest and imprison any inhabitant, upon vehement suspicion of treason. Foreigners may neither settle, nor even enter the island, without his .permission. He may protract the assembling of the States, and render invalid any business therein transacted without his consent but this with some restrictions. He may attend and deliberate with the States; but in their as : sembly he has only a negative voice; and even this FF |