bouring continent in times of peace, and where a foreign language has always been, and still is, the vernacular tongue,* being constantly employed in the pulpit, at the bar, and in all public documents:-it follows, necessarily, that the modes and habits of the natives, speaking generally, must, in several respects, differ from our own: they cannot therefore fail to excite inquiry; and it has been the author's study to have this natural and laudable spirit duly gratified.

JERSEY exhibits, in its edifices for public worship, that style of Norman architecture, which prevailed from the commencement of the twelfth century to the middle of the fourteenth. Most of those structures, if not all of them, have received considerable additions, and undergone various alterations; yet the original form is still visible. Chapels, evidently anteriour to the present churches, still remain, as lasting monuments of simpli city in design, and solidity in construction.

The intended object of publication was, to produce a series of original designs, drawn expressly for the proposed work, comprising picturesque and romantic prospects in Jersey, together with near views of several public buildings, both ancient and modern; all in highly finished engravings: and to render the plates still more interesting, they were to be accompanied with appropriate descriptions; and a copious introduction was also to be prefixed. Such was the intention;-but in the course of collecting materials for this purpose, they accumulated so much beyond the author's expectation, and he received so many valuable communications from different friends, that he was induced to extend his plan,

* Manx is not properly a foreign but a local language; nor is it in so general use in the Isle of Man, as French is in Jersey.

B

and attempt a more enlarged undertaking. In conformity with this alteration he now proposes to publish two works, so distinct that each will be complete in itself; and yet be so connected, that they may mutually refer to each other.

The present volume contains a general account of Jersey; in which the natural, political, and commercial, importance of the island is displayed, a summary of its laws produced, its geological character adverted to, its antiquities noticed, and the most striking circumstances and events, whether physical, historical, or accidental, are recorded.

But though a more ample statement is now given than was at first intended, yet to call the work a regular history of Jersey, or to pretend that it contains a complete statistical account of the island, would be presumption: it will however be found to comprise a great variety of useful and interesting subjects, particularized in a manner suited to their general or local importance: it is enriched with four engravings, as specimens of the style and execution of those that are to follow, and a correct map of the island, from a recent survey, undertaken expressly for the present work.

The publication of the proposed subsequent work will depend on the reception which the present volume may receive from the public. Should the author's assiduity in this attempt be successful, it is intended that the views, which are already drawn, and their several descriptions, shall be published by subscription; particulars of which will be stated in a prospectus at the end of the present volume. They will then constitute a scenographical and topographical supplement; and having the same type and dimensions, may be bound up with

the present work: but as the engraving of thirty views, and a number of vignettes, must necessarily involve a considerable expense, the author cannot venture to incur the risk, without public encouragement: this encouragement he hopes to receive, that he may be enabled to continue and complete his plan.

That no information however may be withheld, in consequence of not immediately publishing the views, a tour round and through the island is annexed to the present volume: thus an ample description of the country at large is given, without depriving the views of that immediate local interest, which will be necessary to identify the several objects they exhibit, or the scenery they delineate.

Though the present publication is on a different plan from any other respecting Jersey, yet in writing the account of any civilized country, much must of course be drawn from the labours of preceding authors, unless where no such previous work has appeared. This species of plagiarism is absolutely indispensable, and it is not the author's design or wish to depreciate any former writer on the subject: but though he readily acknowledges any assistance he may have derived from former publications, it extends to only a very inconsiderable portion of the work: the far greater part is completely

new.

The original historian of the island was Phillipot Payn, Seigneur de Samarés, who wrote Les Chroniques de Jersey: these end in A. D. 1585, and were never published. From the M. S. of that gentleman, the Rev. Mr. Falle, who is in general the oracle to which all historical appeals are made, copied the early portion of his history. He was likewise supplied with some physical

and other remarks from Mr. Poindextre,* one of the jurats of the royal court. The last edition of Mr. Falle's own book descends only to A. D. 1734. The author of the present work has availed himself of his reverend precursor's assistance; has occasionally, though very rarely, copied from him, and has also drawn much information, in several respects, from other sources. Mr. Falle's account is said to be, in some historical instances, erroneous; but real events are often corroborated by other evidence: and the author hopes he has not followed that writer in any material errors: he has sometimes mentioned what others have said on the same subject. On several points he has found it extremely difficult to obtain precise information. The war prevented researches on the continent, respecting articles of ancient date: the return of peace having removed that obstacle, much valuable assistance from our continental neighbours may very likely be obtained; and it is highly probable that some families possess records that might elucidate many important circumstances.

It is hoped that no offence will be taken at the very few animadversions contained in the work. 66 Though "the office of the historian of human manners is deline"ation, rather than panegyric," yet no general cen"sures have been intentionally introduced. The author can truly say, with a modern writer, "I look upon na"tional reflections, in general, to proceed from the nar"rowest and most illiberal turn of mind; and have al"ways been cautious not to judge of the physical and "moral character of any people, from a partial and su"perficial view." He has seen, in Jersey, the same

*So written by Mr. Falle.

+ Hannah More.

Coxe's Travels through Switzerland.

variety of character that is found in England, and else where he has remarked several proofs of public spirit and general liberality: and in the charms and endearments of private life he has witnessed many instances of kindness, flowing from pure "milkiness of soul"; from the highest and best source, 66 love towards each other"; from a ray of that beneficence which animates the FATHER OF MERCIES, and from whose divine influence, as from a common centre, proceed all the charities that link together the truly humane and generous part of mankind, in one common bond of affection. This social and sympathizing tie must not be confounded with politeness: even a comparison would be too degrading. The author has studiously avoided all discussion of local politics, either past or present: party dissentions form an object of regret, but are not connected with the work. He has merely glanced at some inconveniences produced by them.

The author hopes likewise not to be misunderstood, respecting the public schools, lately established in Jersey. He mentions that defects exist in both the systems now practised in England. Some ameliorations have been effected, and experience will best show where more may be introduced: he is very far from wishing to discredit the laudable attempts. He is even firmly convinced, that several of the regulations, in both the Madras school, and that originally instituted by Mr. Lancaster, might be advantageously adopted in seminaries of a higher nature; but, as it has been well observed, the master of a private school, who should have the hardiness to put either plan in practice, must expect to encounter considerable and probably insurmountable objections; yet the "principles have been partially in