THE ARCHIPELAGO OF CHAUSEY. 25 



doubt, to preserve a thrifty housewife, who was 

 often called upon to prepare their scanty meals and 

 perform other useful services for them. After the 

 peace, Mere Lebuffe, as she was generally called, 

 retained the management of the farm until her age 

 and infirmities rendered it impossible for her to fulfil 

 the duties of this office. At the time of my voyage 

 she was still living at Granville, in the enjoyment of 

 a pension which her old master had settled upon her 

 in acknowledgment of her long and arduous services. 

 At the present time, in consequence of the impor- 

 tance which Chausey has acquired, a special manager 

 is appointed to take charge of the supplies of food. 

 He has also under his orders a farmer, a baker, two 

 farm-boys, and two women, who attend more par- 

 ticularly to the care of the cattle and to the indoors 

 work. 



The post of Manager of Chausey is in great 

 request, and gives rise to as many intrigues as the 

 portfolio of minister under a constitutional king 

 could possibly excite. Thus revolutions are not of 

 rare occurrence in this little government, and I had 

 the pleasure of watching one through all its various 

 phases. I had been received on my arrival by an old 

 man, who had formerly acted as master of a coasting- 

 trader, but who for a number of years had performed 

 the important duties of vicegerent to M. Harasse. 

 A few days afterwards vague rumours informed me 

 that he was going to be superseded, and, accordingly, 

 one fine morning, the Utile, a small coasting vessel 

 which was constantly engaged in the service of the 

 island, set sail with our great official and all his 



