PREFACE. MANY works have been written on the small Island of Jersey, from the elaborate histories of Mr. Falle and Mr. Plees, to the unpretending little publications known only in the Island itself; but not one has yet appeared adapted to the use of the visitor, and at the same time containing so much of its History, Antiquities, Laws, Peculiar Privileges, Commerce, and other Statistics, as would claim a place for it above that of "A Guide." The object of the present work is to supply this. Every thing that has been written on the Island has been carefully examined; MSS. have been searched, and much valuable information from private sources has been obtained if the publication therefore should not fulfil the object intended, it will not be owing to a want of diligent investigation. : Mr. Falle, the first Historian, did not enter much into the ancient state of the Island: indeed, the most remarkable monument of antiquity was not known to exist in his time. It was brought to light in 1785; every particular that is known of this Druid Temple is given in the Chapter on the Antiquities, with a description of others that were either unnoticed, or scarcely mentioned by Mr. Falle. The work of Mr. Inglis has certainly a claim to the place which this presumes to occupy; but it is not to be relied on for historical facts, and he almost repudiates antiquarian research. His object seems to have been merely to give to the public an attractive book, written in a pleasing style. The outline he has drawn may be generally correct, but, like Shakspeare in his Plays, he has filled it up with such particulars as his fancy or his partialities may have dictated. 91 There is one feature in the work now presented to the public, which it may be allowable to notice. There has never been published in a connected form, any account of the eminent men who were natives of the Island: the lives of these lie scattered in various works, and in some instances are to be found in books little resorted to. It has been attempted to collect the names of all those who have distinguished themselves, whether in the service of their country, or in literature, and to glean such particulars of their lives and character as may be considered interesting. They are now presented to the reader in a separate Chapter, as the BIOGRAPHY of JERSEY. It is intended to continue the work on the same plan in reference to the Island of Guernsey; but the author, having found great difficulty in obtaining, information for the present work, of persons deservedly eminent in their native Isle, but of whom no information could be obtained in England, induces him to solicit gentlemen in Guernsey to communicate any particulars they may be in possession of, relative to their ancestors, who would, by their literary attainments, or by having risen to high rank in the service of their country, deserve a Alderney, and the lesser islands in the place in the intended work. Channel, will be included in this work; and will thus form a second volume to the one now published. CONTENTS. CHAPTER II.-Name, Situation, Form and Extent, Appearance, Page |