leap, shewing that amatory hydrophobia is not confined to people or country; for I dare venture to say, it is the twentieth I have seen in different parts, (all the rest in England,) and it certainly is so pretty a place for the purpose, that were I affected with the mania, I would as soon terminate my career at this spot as at any other. The poet says, 1 "Men may live fools, but fools they cannot die." I hope he excepts all who have ever made, or supposed to have made, so forlorn an experiment as to try the strength of their heels or heads against the solid rock at the depth of 200 or 300 feet. By way of varying the scene, the pleasantest way of returning to St. Heliers is to take a boat across the Bay, and by so doing the visitor may stop at Elizabeth Castle, and survey that commanding fortress, which is now esteemed one of the strongest in Britain it stands in the bay between the two towns, upon an immense ridge of rocks, and at low water is accessible on foot from the shore, by means of a cause way of stone and sand. In one part of the rock are the remains of a hermitage, said to have been inhabited by a recluse some time in the seventh century, who was murdered by the Normans on their invasion of France. The castle takes its name from its founder, Queen Elizabeth: it was the last fortress that held out for the unfortunate Charles I. The antiquary might be delighted by the sight of a variety of relics, among which, the boot of Oliver Cromwell seems to take precedence-as genuine, no doubt, as the thumb of St. Thomas, or the vial of Egyptian darkness. A few days since the annual races were held-not on a course of turf, or in the precincts of a lordly park, but on these very sands over which our little bark has just been borne by the waves ;-the banks on the shore supplied the place of stands, and were covered with spectators ;-the starting-post was erected in the sand, and the course lay in a straight line, about three quarters of a mile along the sands; the horses going down it, and then, turning round a post, returned the same way; the running, you may easily imagine, was not first-rate, and what with the wetness of the sand, and the sharpness of the turn, not more than one out of every three horses that started returned to the winning-post. Horse-racing, as well as all other field sports, are at a very low ebb hunting does not exist at all, and shooting is very limited, the only game found on the island being a species of partridge, though the market is well supplied with game both from England and France. The cheapness of living in Jersey-owing to the absence of all taxation, and the low price of all excisable commodities*— causes it to be the residence of numbers of retired English families, of limited income; especially half-pay officers, who resort here to spend the evening of their days, and drink wine at half-price; generally showing their strict regard to economy by consuming just double quantity. They thus form a circle of society, quite exclusive to the native inhabitants, as well as the English trades-people, and pass their time in walking, riding, sailing, playing at billiards, and decrying that naughty, economic radical, Mr. Hume. The native inhabitants are Normans by descent, and retain both the dress and language of their ancestors,-the latter is a corrupt mixture of French and English, and the only language used in the interior parts of the island: in the town it is getting gradually superseded by English: the service in the country churches is also performed in French. As regards the literature of Jersey, but little can be said: the libraries and news rooms are plentifully supplied with all the English and French publications of the day; and six newspapers are published and respectably supported, two of them are in French, the others in English; and two or three are published twice a week, as they are quite free from either stamp or advertisement duty,-the price is 24d. Here is a fact well worthy of observation: this island, with its population of 30,000, *The average price of all kinds of groceries, is, at least, 30 per cent less than in England. The best Cogniac brandy 7s. per gallon: Hollands 3s. 6d. : Jamaica rum 4s. 6d. inferior qualities may be had at far less. Wines -Port, from 15s. to 25s. : Sherry, 18s. to 30s. Claret, 15s. to 40s. per dozen; and all others in like proportion. Grapes, melons, &c. extremely low; and another inducement is the small cost at which a horse or gig may be kept, there being no taxes upon either, and no toll bars, though every road in the island is kept in excellent condition. supports no less than six weekly Journals, (and three of them being published twice a week makes it equal to nine,) while a town of the same population, in England, is barely able to maintain one: and, at the same time, the London daily and other papers are circulated in the island to a considerable extent ;-now were you to take a district in England which supports nine weekly Journals, I dare venture to say that you would have to include at least a quarter of a million of inhabitants. From what cause does this vast difference arise? It cannot be from a superiority of wealth, intelligence, or commercial importance, for in these respects the ratio will be in favour of England, at least fifty to one. I submit it as the most probable conjecture, that it is attributable principally, if not entirely, to the incubus which is fixed as a dead weight on the energies of the British press, by the paralyzing hand of the stamp office. On the one hand the Journal is left to fight its way free and uuencumbered, and on the other it is shackled with a tax of 200 per cent. It were as reasonable to suppose that a dray horse could compete with the speed of a racer, as to imagine that the extent of newspaper circulation could be the same in both the above cases. This, I am aware, is a digression from my subject, and I therefore pursue it no further. I have already mentioned that Jersey and the neighbouring islands are entirely exempt from the imposts which exist in England on all exciseable articles; their privileges also extend to all import and export duties. They import all articles from France and elsewhere, without any obligation to government whatever; and they also can send to England, on the same terms, anything that is bona fide the produce of the island; but if one single ingredient in any article so offered, is proved to have come from any other port, it is not allowed to pass the English custom-house. This licence is doubtless necessary to keep the islands under the small allegiance they acknowledge; for it could be no very difficult matter for them to reject the British yoke. But there is much policy in their retaining it under existing circumstances; situated as they are between two powerful nations, an entire independence is out of the question; but still I am inclined to think that neither party could retain them in possession, were they to exert their energies in favour of the other; and, garrisoned as the island is along every coast, and surrounded by such an accumulation of rocks as to render the navigation perilous in the extreme. An hostile invasion would be an hazardous attempt, else why has this island enjoyed an uninterrupted state of tranquility ever since the year 1781, through all the course of the exterminating war which has since then so often ravaged Europe? Is it probable that France has never wished for the possession, or felt the gall of suffering it lie, under the very skirts of her robe, one of the fairest . gems of her regalia, for so many centuries in the undisputed power of her formidable rival? Jersey has formed part of the British dominions ever since the Norman conquest, and all attempts to wrest it from her have proved totally ineffective. The island is not at all rich in the relics of antiquity; the only objects that have been discovered being the remains of some monuments regarded as Druidical; and in 1785 a stone circle was discovered, buried on the top of a large hill, which had, doubtless, formed part of a building or temple, used by them in exercising their mystic rites. The stones composing this circle were removed by General Conway, who was then governor, and placed in his park in Berkshire. There were also here, in ancient days, five priories, and more than twenty chapels, which are now all utterly destroyed, with the exception of some very trifling ruins. I must now, dear L-, bid you adieu. I have finished my sojourn here; and tomorrow I commit myself once more to the winds and waves; and when I have found another resting place, I shall not fail to greet you again. Your's truly, G. P. J. "Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves." THE cause of "The Widow and Orphans' Fund'' progresses in the Unity beyond the most sanguine expectations of its best wishers. All the communications on the subject (and they have been not a few, and from different parts of the country) express a desire for its formation; the only point on which there is any difference of opinion is, from what source the necessary funds should be raised. I had not intended to have written on the subject this quarter, but having been personally called upon to do so, I offer the following observations, premising I am in favour of a voluntary rather than a compulsory payment: the initiation shillings is a warning beacon. I suggest that the profits of the Magazine should be appropriated to the formation of a fund to be called "The Widow and Orphans' Fund," and to be at the control and management of the A. M. Cs. That no person should be entitled to any assistance from this fund, unless he has been a regular subscriber to the Magazine for the space of VOL. 4-No. 2-K. That a certificate of the party being a subscriber, and of the state of his widow and family should be given by his Lodge, and confirmed by the decision of a Quarterly or Special Committee of the District to which the deceased member belonged, recommending the party as fit objects for the benefit of the Fund. That the A. M. C. at its next meeting appoint a sub-committee to frame a code of laws for the government of the Fund, and to report to the following A. M. C. thereon. Such is a brief outline of my plan; and on which subject I find several valuable communications have already appeared in the Magazine. To many the above may appear vague and unconnected; but I flatter myself they contain the fundamental ground-work. Let us but lay the foundation stone, and I have no fears for the superstructure. I urge its friends, to increased and unceasing activity. Canvass your members, your Lodges, and your Districts on the subject. I hope a proposition will come in from more than one District on the subject; and like Cato of old, whose concluding sentence to every speech was, "Carthage must be destroyed." Let ours be "A Widow and Orphans' Fund ought to be and must be raised." If established, and which I have no doubt the Derby A. M. C. will sanction, it will strengthen Grateful for the desirable an object, "The sympathetic chain Which binds the Order all in one, favourable notice taken of my humble endeavours to promote se Believe me to be the Order's well-wisher, Board Room, Manchester, 26th November, 1835. JOHN S. MYERS. On the necessity there is for, and the Advantages that would result from, Odd Fellows holding their Meetings in TEMPERANCE HOTELS, or other places apart from Public Houses. TO THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT AND EDITOR OF THE ODD FELLOWS' MAGAZINE. GENTLEMEN, Ar the Select Committee appointed by the House of Commons in 1834, to inquire into the causes, extent, and consequences of the prevailing vice of intoxication among the labouring classes of the United Kingdom, in order to ascertain whether any legislative measures could be devised to prevent the further spreading of so great a national evil. It was there given in evidence that one great cause of drunkenness was the vast number of meetings held by the working classes in publichouses on a Sunday, by Odd Fellows, Foresters, Druids, and other secret Orders. The Select Committee recommended the prohibiting such societies from holding their meetings at public-houses or places where intoxicating drinks are sold, as such institutions can, with far more economy and much greater efficacy, rent or occupy for their periodical meetings equally appropriate rooms in other places. I will not attempt to prove or refute the above charge, but leave the Order to draw its own inferences. An opening, however, presents itself for addressing the suggestions of the above-named Committee, by opening Lodges and transacting their business at Temperance Hotels, where Lodge property would be equally as secure as at public houses, the rents of which (if any) being paid out of the Lodge funds, would fall equally upon all, and not as is now the case. for those to pay them who do all the work and look after the welfare of those who never attend, and who receive equal benefits. In assembling in such places there would be no inducement for the members to squander their money, waste their precious time, and keep untimely hours, as is now too often done, to the injury of themselves and families, and bring the Order into disrepute. Our Brethren in America enjoy this privilege, and are greatly benefited thereby If they are allowed to do so, why not we? virtue and vice are everywhere the same, and the same means will have the same effect, or nearly so, throughout the world. There is no law to prevent them from being opened or old ones removed to such places; but custom has got the precedence, and which cannot be deviated from until the subject has been before an A. M. C., and it issues an edict to allow it, which in common courtesy to thousands of our members, who crave the boon, and who would deem it one of the greatest blessings and wisest acts our legislature could do, by making this overture. At all events the plan is plausible and worthy of trial, since if carried into effect the most inestimable benefits would be immediately derived from it. Take, for instance, the beneficial effects produced through the medium of Temperance Societies. An Order has already been founded embracing all the privileges that O. Fs. enjoy, without their disadvantages, so that it would be bad policy not to allow this to be done among O. Fs., which if not done at the next A. M. C. (before which this subject will be brought), circumstances in a few years will press it upon the notice of future A. M. C.s to its final adoption. Our Annual Moveable Committees are composed of men of talent, discernment, benevolence, and humanity, and labouring men too, consequently will coincide with such measures as will ease the burdens of their fellow probationers. I feel persuaded that it would have been adopted long since had the subject been laid before them, if it had gone through its preparatory channel. In a few years the saving would be immense to labouring men, which ought to preponderate in their favour. In this one simple matter is seen, the necessity for the act and its advantages. With these few remarks I must close this letter, and hope the suggestions here thrown out will meet with the attention of those whose chief duty it is to watch over and protect our interests. I remain, Gentlemen, your's in friendship's bonds, Victory Lodge, Manchester, January, 1836. (ORIGINAL.) THE WIDOW AND ORPHAN. BY A LADY. Dear mother, now my father's dead, 'Tis true, indeed, the former pleasure And, think, dear mother, if 'tis thus My mother parent too was borne. Ah! no, my child, it cannot be, My husband's form, and held my boy And though a many years have sped The path of life is lone and drear. Then do not talk of brighter years, Since all thy fondest hopes are vain ; I still must walk in sorrow's train. |