Mr, Sutheriand’s Account of Jersey. 9S. 
The works of Fort Regent occupy the precipitous hill that 
overhangs the harbour, and completely command Elizabeth Castle, 
and indeed the whole bay. They are of great strength, and im- 
mense masses of rock have been blown away from the cliff in 
order to render it impregnable. The barracks are bomb-proof, and 
scooped in the ramparts ; and the parade ground, which in shape 
exactly resembles a coffin, forms the nucleus of the fortifications. 
This fortress had been completed since the peace, and we found 
the 12th regiment of the line garrisoning it ; but little of the pomp 
and circumstance of warlike preparation was visible on its ramparts. 
The prospect seaward is magnificent, and includes a vast labyrinth 
of rocks called the Violet Bank, which fringes the south-eastern 
corner of the island. One glimpse of this submarine garden is 
sufficient to satisfy the most apprehensive patriot, that Jersey is in 
a great measure independent of “ towers along the steep.” 
At St. Helier a stranger may, without any great stretch of ima- 
gination, fancy himself in England ; but no sooner does he pene- 
trate into the country, than such self-deception becomes impos- 
sible. ‘The roads, even the best of them, are mere paths, narrow, 
deep sunk between enormous dikes, and so fenced by hedges and 
trees, as to be almost impervious to the light of day. The fields, 
of which it is scarce possible to obtain a glimpse from these “ co- 
vered ways,” are paltry paddocks, rarely exceeding two or three 
acres. Hedges and orchards render the face of the country like a 
forest, and nearly as much ground is occupied by lanes and fences 
as is under the plough. The crops, chiefly wheat and barley, had 
been cut down before my arrival; but, judging by the stubble, 
they had been luxuriant. Many of the fields were carpeted with 
a rich aftermath of clover ; and such as were laid down as meadow 
were beautifully verdurous. A considerable extent of ground was 
cropped with potatoes, which premised to be so productive through- 
out the island, that several growers with whom I conversed, pre- 
dicted they would scarcely be worth digging. The potatoe is re- 
puted to attain perfection in Jersey, and the lightness and friabi- 
lity of the soil are certainly favourable to its cultivation ; but I did 
not detect any superlative qualities in such as were produced at 
table during my sojourn at St. Helier. 
A view of the western side of Jersey, is calculated to impress a 
stranger with an idea that it is a barren, unproductive island ; but 
no supposition could be more erroneous, as, in fact, a great propor-~ 
tion of it may be described as orchard. ‘The extent of ground 
planted with fruit trees—apple, pear, and plumb—is prodigious ; 
and consequently cyder-—and very excellent cyder too—is one of 
the staple products of the country, and a favourite beverage among 
the natives. At the Union Hotel, St. Helier, boarders were al- 
lowed to quaff as much as they had a liking for, without being 
subjected to any additional charge. The rage for planting and 
fencing first seized the Jersey proprietors about two centuries ago, 
when the whole island being exposed to the blighting sea wind, 
