at the opening it is fourteen feet in diameter; the water is excellent, the daily supply of which is from 6 to 8000 gallons. Besides the troops that it will contain, there is accommodation for a great number of inhabitants, should an invasion of the Island cause their retreat to it necessary. Stores for ammunition are hewn out of the solid rock. The total expense of erecting this citadel is said to have been a million sterling. The amount paid by government, to the vintaine, for the hill on which Fort Regent is built, was no less than £11,280.*

It has already been observed, that Elizabeth Castle was built during the reign of our renowned queen of that name. Charles the First made great additions to this fortress; he built the lower ward, and otherwise added to its defences: the rock on which it stands, including the hermitage, is a mile in circuit. It is accessible at low water, from the shore, by a bridge of earth, raised above the level of the sand, but as the tide flows it is insulated. Since the erection of Fort Regent, it is principally to be considered as a defence for the bay in this view it may be important as an out-work against shipping, as they approach: at present a few artillery-men only mount guard within its walls.

:

The Church stands on the west side of the Royal Square: it is more modern than any other in Jersey, having been consecrated A. D. 1311. It might, from this circumstance, be supposed to have been subject to fewer alterations than others; whereas not one has undergone more: this was

* A project for fortifying this hill was entertained, as early as the reign of Edward the Sixth: the Duke of Somerset was then governor of the Island. An ordinance, dated April 6, 1550, is still extant, in which the inhabitants were recommended to construct fortifications there, wherein they might find a place of safety, in the event of an

invasion.

probably occasioned by enlargements at different periods, as an increasing population made them necessary.

Over the centre of the northern aisle rises a tower, of no great height, faced with square masonry, and surmounted with a parapet. It is quadrangular, with the exception of a small projection on one side for a staircase. This tower appears of later date than the other parts of the building. In the centre of the northern aisle is a chapel.

*

The church has been materially beautified internally within the space of a few years, and a neat organ erected by voluntary subscription. Several monuments are affixed to its walls, but none of an earlier date than the seventeenth century. One of them is commemorative of the death of Major Pierson, who so bravely fell in repelling the French invasion in 1781: this was erected at the public expense as a grateful commemoration of his services, and as a tribute to his valour and decisive conduct in the attack. As there is no altar in the church, a temporary one is placed before the pulpit, whenever the sacrament of the Lord's supper is administered.

Besides the parochial church, there are two episcopal chapels-St. Paul and St. James; the former is in New street, the latter in St. James's-street: they are both modern erections, and the services in both are performed in English. The various denominations of Dissenters have their respective places of worship; and there are two Roman Catholic chapels, in one of which the service is performed in French, and the other in English.†

At the western extremity of the town is the public Hos

* See General History.

For the time of performing divine service in these several chapels, see Appendix.

pital and Poorhouse for the whole Island. This establishment has been greatly assisted by legacies and contributions:* the general number of inmates may be averaged at a hundred, of which not more than two thirds are natives of the Island. This building has lately been enlarged: the funds for this purpose were supplied by the late Charles Robin, Esq., who left to the institution a legacy of £2500: this munificent bequest has enabled the trustees to build a chapel for the inmates, and to provide for the payment of a chaplain.

Near the hospital is the new Prison: this is a handsome building, in an airy situation; the cells for the male criminals are on the ground floor, each nine feet square. A space under an arcade is allowed them for exercise, and they have a common room, with a fire during the winter. Half the upper story, with a separate staircase, is for the female criminals, who have a private yard for exercise. The debtors occupy the remaining half of the top floor, consisting of twelve rooms. The criminals are never fettered during incarceration: they may be visited by an order from the sheriff,

At this skirt of the town is a large empty space, called Les Mielles. It was until lately covered by sandy hilloc. General Don caused the whole to be levelled, formed into a lawn, and enclosed with a dwarf wall. It

The whole amount raised by a rate, for ten years, ending 1831, for the eleven country parishes, was only £2285 5s. 3d., and this includes all charges; very little more, taking an average, than £20 a year to each parish. The poor rates in St. Helier's amount to about £1500 per annum. There are two other fuuds applicable to parochial purposes, "Le Tresor de l'église," and a "Charity fund," both formed of bequests by pious persons in former times. The former is applied to the repairs of the church, the latter, as its name imports, goes in direct charity, or to assist the pool-rate.