The Argosy — page 140: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Channel Islands. 127 In 1781 an attack, made by de Rullecourt, was, on the other hand, all but successful. Probably it would have been quite so but for the bravery of Major Pierson, who, at the age of five-and-twenty, proved himself a hero worthy of his country, and had he lived would no doubt have fulfilled an illustrious career. In January, 1781, the French landed a body of 1,200 men, surprised and took the town of St. Helier; the Governor was seized in bed, made prisoner, and forced to send an order to the troops commanding them to remain in barracks. Pierson, however, disregarding the order, rapidly assembled his troops, and marched upon the French. ‘They met and fought in the Royal Square, and the French were overcome. De Rullecourt fell, and, so, alas, did Pierson ; the latter before he could know that his bravery had saved the island. De Rullecourt was buried in St. Helier’s Churchyard, Pierson within the church itself’ A monument was erected to his memory; the memory of one of the truest and bravest officers ever placed at the head of British troops. Thenceforth the Channel Islands were to be left in peace. Wars and rumours of wars were to affect them no more. They might turn their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks, and give themselves up to the quiet pleasures of cultivation. The fruits of their labours are apparent. Scarcely a foot of ground in Jersey but seems turned to some profitable account, From the summit of Prince’s Tower you may see the greater portion of the island. It looks as one large, flowering, fruitful garden, dotted about with rich pastures, where the Jersey cattle luxuriate ; intersected by ~ admirably-kept roads, and hedges from beginning to end neat and well-trimmed as if they enclosed the park of a fastidious owner. And we have seen that the inhabitants appreciate their privileges, and by beautiful and poetical names endeavour to impress upon them- selves and others that their little island is not merely a fertile garden but an Arcadia. So much, in few words, for the history of the island. This record shows no reason why the Jersey of to-day should not be prosperous. As we sow we reap. It is thus with the individual, and the history of any country is after all only the history of many individuals taken collectively. The inhabitants of Jersey, energetic and industrious, reap the fruits of their labours. The chief productions of the soil are potatoes and grapes, which are exported to the amount of many thousands of pounds. Apples and pears also yield a large harvest ; and the Jersey pears, especially the Charmontel, are not only delicious, they are costly. The apple orchards abound. When we were there the trees looked overladen, and yet the ground was strewed with windfalls—effect of the disastrous gale of the second of September. In many parts of the island, too, are large vineries; and it is worth a visit to Jersey to see the rich, ripe green and purple grapes hanging in countless CONMIEIOO KS (E(©) m