to it; this house commands a fine view of the sea, and is conspicuously seen as you approach the island. The Markethouse, erected by order of the States, August, 1799, ́is near the square, and close to the church-yard; but as this was opened only once, during my abode in the island, and then only for the purpose of killing or dressing a calf there, it may be safely said, that there is not much occasion for a meat market in the present state of Alderney.

Near the Market-house is the public school-room for boys, built in 1790, and endowed by Governor Le Mesurier with 4007. sterling, vested in the three per cents British funds, in the names of the Governor, Lieut.-Governor, Minister, and Judge of Alderney. This, with the house and garden attached to the school, and three-pence per week, the utmost sum the master can charge for each boy born in the island, constitutes his salary. There are generally about fifty or sixty boys, who are taught reading, writing, and arithmetic in English, upon the old plan. I could not learn why Dr. Bell's system is not adopted in this school, as well as in that of the girls. The trustees are the visitors. The late Governor's lady very laudably established a girl's school upon Bell's system, which is kept at the Governor's private house: there are generally about sixty scholars. The governess is paid a salary, with the privilege of receiving six shillings per quarter for the children of those inhabitants who are able to pay for their education. The girls are here taught plain work, to knit, to read in English, to write, and cipher, and those who have voices for singing are instructed to sing plain psalm tunes and hymns; and they constitute, with other females, the English garrison church choir, in which they unite, with harmony and devotion.

In the back lane, leading from the square by the church on the right, is a large methodist chapel, erected in 1813, capable of holding between three and four hundred persons.

This is the only place of worship for the dissenters in the island. "In the beginning of the year 1787, the Rev. Adam Clarke, an itinerant preacher of the society of methodists, then stationed at Jersey and Guernsey, came to Alderney, which gave rise to the society here. A small chapel was built, and preachers were stationed at Alderney, by their annual conference. Mr. John Wesley, their rev. founder, visited this island, in passing from Southampton to Jersey and Guernsey, which he did in 1787, with Dr. Coke. In 1813, the methodists in this island increased so much, from the unaccountable conduct of the minister of the church of Alderney, that they were obliged to build a larger chapel." The last and least of the public buildings in the town is the courthouse, built by John Le Mesurier, Esq., the Governor, and by the public, according to the Act of Chief Pleas, dated 20th January, 1772. This is situated in St. Anne's, or entrance street; but it is hardly worthy the name of a court of justice, or a place where the States of the island hold their assemblies. A stranger, seeing the grass growing near a court of law, as was the case when I was in Alderney, might naturally conclude that the inhabitants were not litigious. 2

To the west of the Court-house, a new street was commenced; but the war ceasing, and the trade decaying, there are only two or three houses at present in it. The principal, or high street, is of good width, and contains some neat looking houses. This is paved, as are several of the other streets; the gutters are in the middle, with a narrow cause

1 See Dr. Clarke's letter, dated March 16, 1787, to the Rev. J. Wesley, published in the Rev. William Toaze's Memoirs of Mrs. Elizabeth Arrivé, of Guernsey.-Edit.

2 Rousseau thought that the English were a humane people, from seeing the foot passengers provided with causeways along all the high roads which he travelled over, whilst in England: a trifle often shows the character.-Edit.

way

of small flat stones, either on one, or on both sides. The by streets have a very mean appearance, and, excepting the footways, are not paved. The middle parts of some of them were filled with the long dung thrown out from the stables, which stand on both sides of the street, intermixed with the houses.

It is also curious to observe many of the stables, or cottages, in these streets or lanes, stuck over with cow dung, in small irregular patches, this being their mode of drying it for fuel. The old stone walls, round the enclosures near the town, do not add to its beauty.

Upon the whole, it may be observed, that the town has the appearance of some country towns in England: the streets are tolerable, with here and there a comfortable, good-looking house, belonging either to the Governor, the Judge, some of the Jurats, the Commandant, or to the Barrack-master, etc. There are two good houses as you enter from the harbour, which appear to be falling fast into decay. There are several shops, where grocery and haberdashery, and other goods, are sold, at a trifling advance on the Guernsey prices, the supply being chiefly from thence: there are also butchers, bakers, and one public brewer. The only manufactory of the town is tobacco, and only one of that. There is no lack of public houses; but there are none very elegant. The regulations for these in this island are most excellent, for which see Appendix, No. IV.

I ought not to omit mentioning, that I had comfortable lodgings, at a moderate rate, at Mrs. Wallace's, and received great attention from herself and family. The town is well supplied with water, and there is a public pump near the town. This island may boast of having what its sister isle of Sark has not, namely, a resident regular medical practitioner. 1

I

1 R. Kent, Esq., assistant surgeon of the Royal Navy, whose skill and abilities in his profession are highly esteemed by the

inhabitants. The public are indebted to his pencil for two of the views of the island; and the writer has to acknowledge his best thanks to him for these, as well as for his other friendly communications. A school for young ladies being very much required in Alderney, the daughter of this gentleman opened one, in the summer of 1827.-Edit. By an Order of Council, dated 15th December, 1828, an impost of one shilling per gallon on all spirituous liquors consumed in the isle, was granted for the benefit of the island, for five years, the produce of which is ordered to be laid out in public works.

CHAPTER IV.

ALDERNEY is called, according to Cellarius, in Latin, Riduna. Heylin says, p. 294," an island called by Antonine, Arica;" by the French, and in our old records, known by the name of Aurigni, Aurney, or Aurency. Dans les Ordres des Commissaires Royaux du 30 Septembre, 1585, it is spelt Origni, in the Governor's patent it is written Aureney. At last, for a long time past, it has acquired the present name of Alderney.

This island was formerly parcel of the dutchy of Normandy, and is under the same laws as those of Guernsey. The civil jurisdiction is here exercised by a Judge and six Jurats, the former being nominated by the Governor; the latter elected by the commonality of the island, holding their separate appointments for life, unless removed for misbehaviour, or malversation in office. 3 These, with the King's

1 Which name some authors have given to Sark, with greater propriety.-Edit. Heylin's Survey, Book VI.

2 Arinia, Arin-i, and Origni, in the Breton, Irish, and probably in the Welsh languages, means the Island of the Point.

3 This happened in the year 1609, as appears from the following extract:"Nicholas Le Roux was sent to prison in the Castle of Guernsey, for having induced five of the Jurés of Alderney to sign a false certificate of contract. The Jurats were, William Duplain, Stephen Duplain, Nicol Simon, John Le Cocq, and Edward Gaudion. On Friday, the 23d of March, 1609, Nic. Le Roux had sentence passed on him, viz. Nic. Le Roux condamné à faire en presentiment en pleine audience reparation honorable tete nue et