64 
Agriculture of the Islands of 
to rest later than the native farmers of the Channel Islands : 
it is not uncommon to hear of their being at work in the morning 
before four o'clock, and yet seldom is it that they take their 
rest before ten at night. The regular meals are — breakfast at 
half-past six o'clock, dinner at noon, and tea tit six. The morn- 
ing and evening meals consist of tea, bread, butter, and fish. In 
Guernsey it is common for the men, instead of tea, in the evening 
to substitute what there is called rotie — this is made with cider 
and bread, &c. The dinner consists chiefly of vegetable soup 
and meat. At all times the beverage is cider. 
To persons of a limited income the Channel Islands offer 
several advantages : the articles which are regarded as necessaries 
of life are considerably cheaper than in England. The cUmate 
also is a great recommendation ; its mildness and evenness of 
temperature render the islands a very desirable abode, espe- 
cially for invalids. Houses may be obtained at moderate rents, 
free from taxes of any amount. The markets are well sup- 
plied, and, last, but not least, no class of individuals can justly 
complain of the lack of good society. It has been said that, in 
Jersey, the spirit of independence is a marked trait in the 
native's character; here the same is found, though somewhat 
less sturdy ; but in matters concerning the agriculture of the 
island they are truly devoted to their ancient customs — so much 
so, as almost to consider any change as detrimental to its 
interest. 
Alderney. 
Alderney is the nearest of the islands to either coast. The 
general appearance of the island is strictly barren : the absence oi 
woods leaves it exposed to winds from all sides of tlie Channel, 
and the only shelter are the stone walls which here and there 
serve as enclosures. Although Alderney is more exposed, it 
is quite as healthy as any of the other islands. Of late years 
great changes have taken place in consequence of Govern- 
ment works, which are being carried out here on an exten- 
sive scale. The position of the island makes it the principal 
outpost, in fact, one of the keys of the Channel. Before 
tliese works were undertaken it was annually growing poorer, 
and the population growing less, for want of work. At the 
time of the last census, in 1851, the exact number of inha- 
l)ilants was 3333. Of these, 167 1 were natives, 1083 English 
and Welsh, 324 Irish, 150 French, and 99 Scotch. Ten years 
before the entire population scarcely exceeded 1000. The 
<'ntire length of the island is said to be between three and four 
