LEARNED AND EMINENT MEN. * Circumscribed as JERSEY is in extent, and limited as was formerly the connexion with Great Britain, it has nevertheless produced a number of characters eminent in the various departments of scientific knowledge, celebrated as public characters, or distinguished as warriours. Of these, as literary men, we may mention Durell, dean of Windsor; Brevint, dean of Lincoln; Falle, whose history of the island has been, in several respects, the archetype of all subsequent accounts; D'Auvergne, who transmitted to posterity the most memorable campaign of William the third; Morant, the antiquary; Dr. Durell, principal of Hertford college, Oxford; Dr. Bandinel, public orator of that university; Dr. Dumaresq; and the late Rev. Mr. Le Couteur: to which honourable list may be added two living characters; the Rev. and venerable Dr. Valpy, the author of many valuable works; and the Rev. Dr. Lempriere, the compiler of a biographical dictionary. Nor should His S. H. the present Duke of Bouillon is one of the descendants of this gentleman. the names of John Poingdestre, esq, formerly lieutenant bailiff of the island, and of Phillipot Payn, Seigneur de Samarez, be omitted. The former is honourably mentioned by Mr. Falle, and from the M. S. chronicles of the latter, the reverend historian drew great part of his historical materials. As magistrates, Messieurs Le Geyt, and Pipon, most particularly distinguished themselves. Among the characters, from this island, most celebrated in the naval and military annals, we may notice Philip de Carteret, Seigneur de St. Ouen, in the reigns of Henry the sixth, and Edward the fourth; Sir George Carteret, during the grand rebellion; and, in modern times, Hardy, Durell, and Kempenfelt. During the late war, many of the natives served, both in the army and navy; several of whom highly distinguished themselves, but whose names it might appear invidious to select. Courage is indeed a quality that Jerseymen have always been acknowledged to possess in an eminent degree. The name is variously spelt in different accounts of JERSEY; Poingdestre is now the common orthography. DRESS, CUSTOMS, MANNERS, &c. The dress of all the inhabitants at St. Helier's, and its environs, is now nearly that which is common in English towns. With the men, fashion seems to claim little attention; while among the fair sex there appears to be a general attempt at rivality, which descends even to those that are employed in domestic offices. In this respect there has been, of late years, an astonishing, and, it is to be feared, an unfavourable change, which is daily extending its influence to the distant parts of the island. In some other particulars, equal deviations from former habits have been introduced, in which both sexes are implicated. Though local circumstances have, in this island, restrained dissipation from making the same rapid advances as in larger communities, yet, to adopt Mr. Falle's language," it would be next to a miracle, if it were not tainted in some degree." Only a few years since, among even the higher class of natives, there were chiefly familiar sociable visitings, and the females were plainly apparelled: now expensive dinners attract the gentlemen, detaining them fre quently far beyond the "midnight hour," and a perpetual round of dressed balls, and card parties, invite the ladies. These amusements, circumscribed within proper bounds, we do not cynically mean to condemn; but when indulged without due restraint, they become injurious in both a public and a private sense. In the latter respect, it is truly said: "Domestic happiness, thou ouly bliss "Thou art not known where pleasure is adored.”. COWPER. Were these gratifications, if such they are deemed, confined to that circle of inhabitants alone, the evil would not perhaps be so greatly pernicious; but the fascinating principle descends to the inferiour orders; among these we see, in one sex, a predilection for the same convivial enjoyments; and, in the other, a style of visiting, a sort of equality in dress, and even an affectation of all the whimsies of fashion, with those above them. There is not indeed in JERSEY that essential differ. ence in rank, as in England. What is there under. stood by nobility is unknown here: families are so connected by marriage, and parental inheritances are often, necessarily, so disproportionately divided, that many claims of affinity are made, by persons in much more humble situations, than those with whom they challenge relationship. Still a distinction does exist, and should be maintained, even in appearance, if the bond of society is to be preserved unbroken; and it may exist, without injuring that noble spirit of independence which it is highly honourable in every one to cherish.* It is peculiarly unpleasant to say, that this disre gard to propriety is particularly manifested by the more amiable part of our species. There is now little apparent distinction in dress: a cheap ornament makes a showy appearance: but it should be considered, and well considered, that finery cannot confer elegance of deportment: even the same dress, and of the same materials, will appear different on two females, whose habits of life are not the same. Persons accustomed to genteel life quickly perceive the difference, and are prompted to smile at the attempt. + "I acknowledge to possess a certain pride of feeling, which is "not the best calculated for getting forward in the world. This "pride is not owing to the slightest wish to withhold a respectful "attention to my superiours, in rank and situation in life: but I "cannot bend to an obsequiousness that has an appearance of "sinking, or lessening, my own character." Harriott's Struggles through Life. +"As far as the agreeable effect of an ornament arises from association, the effect will continue only while it is confined to the |