Monthly Review of Literature. 655 



synoptical tables already adverted to are chiefly illustrative of the facts or phe- 

 nomena referred to in this chapter. 



In the third chapter the reader will find an interesting description of the 

 town of St. Helier, the capital of Jersey, with its relative position in the 

 Island; the aspect, scenery, and geology of its immediate neighbourhood; the 

 mixed and objectionable character of its architecture, its excessive population 

 and want of due ventilation for its extent, the insalubriousness of many of 

 its localities for want of proper drainage, its want of public walks and of ac- 

 commodations for sea bathing, &c. 



The discreditable facts so abundantly exhibited in this chapter, furnish am- 

 ple evidence of the author's straightforwardness, great good sense and supe- 

 riority over vulgar fears of consequences. 



The fourth chapter commences with a description of the town of St. Aubin. 

 An extract from this section of our little tract will be read with interest, and 

 suffice to give the reader a pretty correct idea of his author's manner. " Next 

 to St. Helier St. Aubin claims our particular notice. In all public records it 

 is I believe called a town, and we need not therefore detract from its conse- 

 quence, by giving it a name of inferior acceptation ; although in point of ac- 

 tual importance it is now little better than a village. It was once the princi- 

 pal seat of trade; and it was no doubt from that circumstance that one 

 common name was bestowed on itself and the bay in which it is situated. 

 Upon the ruins of its commercial prosperity rose that of its rival St. Helier, 

 which soon turned all the main channels of wealth towards its own bosom. 

 Divers reasons have been assigned for this reverse of fortune ; but whatever 

 may be the real one, St. Aubin, in the view which I shall here take of it, 

 derives most of its attractions from its present quiet state, though it is not the 

 less to be admired for the marks it yet retains of better times. Its principal 

 street, which is its main entrance, is built in a style greatly superior to what 

 a distant view might lead a stranger to expect ; and altogether it exhibits 

 many indications of former wealth and fashion. On the quays are many 

 eligible houses, and up to the Vaux, a valley of which I shall presently speak, 

 we likewise observe much neatness in the buildings ; some of which are de- 

 tached cottages. In a word, and to use the lively expressions of Mr. Inglis, 

 it is such a place as might be chosen in a thousand by the lover of seclusion 

 and quiet. Rising on the eastern side of the bay, half-way up a beautiful hill 

 from the very border of the land, it commands a splendid sea view which 

 reaches as far as the opposite coast of France in clear weather. The two 

 towns communicate one with the other by a good carriage road running close 

 to the beach, and at low water by a fine hard sand from one side of the bay 

 to the other. The distance is little better than three miles. 



" From what has been here stated it will not be difficult to conceive how 

 in point of salubrity St. Aubin leaves nothing to desire. Its drainage is 

 rendered effectual by a mill-stream proceeding from an adjoining valley and 

 running at the lowest level of the town over a paved gutter which discharges 

 itself into the subjacent harbour. Towards this stream all the sloping streets 

 converge. On the level ground along the quays ample provision is made for 

 the same important purpose by underground sewers also leading into the 

 pier, which twice a day is freed from all noxious matter by the sea, excepting 

 in neap tides. With such natural and artificial means it is easy to maintain a 

 degree of cleanliness in this little town which greatly enhances its merits as 

 a residence." 



The remainder of this chapter is occupied by a comparative view of the 

 towns of St. Helier and St. Aubin in regard to climate, and by a succinct ac- 

 count of the coast of St. Clement with the bays of Grouville and St. Catherine. 

 These descriptive portions of the little volume before us are truly interesting. 



The whole of the fifth chapter, a considerable proportion of so small a work, 

 is devoted to a practical consideration of the diseases of the island of Jersey. 

 But although not unacquainted with the diseases of England, and especially 



