JERSEY, AS A RESIDENCE FOR OFFICERS ON THE HALF-PAY OF THE ARMY AND NAVY.

Ir is unquestionably a matter of some importance to officers on the halfpay of his Majesty's navy and army, to make a judicious selection of a place of residence; and yet to make such selection is no easy matter, because it is difficult to find authentic sources of the kind of information wanted. Travellers seldom make inquiries of this nature a leading object; and military or naval men have in few instances had opportunities of judging for themselves. The number of those officers who travel for pleasure is comparatively limited; and to those who can afford to travel with this object, the inquiry as to a cheap and eligible place of residence is of little importance. My peregrinations have carried me to many places frequented by the English, and adopted as a residence by officers on the half-pay; and my own object being to discover an eligible spot wherein to cast anchor, the results of my observations, inquiries, and experience will not, I think, be without their value. It may be proper also for me to inform those for whose benefit I write, that I am a married man, without a family, and may with propriety spend about 300l. per annum; but the information I shall give will be of such a nature as will equally suit those who can spend 100%. less

or more.

I have said that I have visited many of those places resorted to by the officers on the half-pay of the army and navy. Let me enumerate them :Boulogne, Brussels, Havre, St. Malo, Caen, Ostend, Tours, Blois, Lausanne, Pau; but I have not found that in any of these a man can live every way so well and comfortably upon a small income as where I now am-Jersey; and my present purpose is, never more to break up my encampment, and, at the same time, to give sufficient reasons for this resolution, not adopted hastily, but after an experience of more than a year; and with the results not only of my own experience, but with the advantage also of that of a large circle of acquaintance, comprehending many officers of the army and navy, who have resided much longer than myself in this island.

Now, the first point upon which I shall enlarge a little, and certainly the first also in importance, is the possibility of living comfortably upon a small income; and this point includes under it the price of the necessaries of life. First of all, then, to begin with house-rent, which is the dearest thing in Jersey houses, or, as they are generally called here, cottages, of greater or less dimensions, and with gardens, are everywhere scattered in the environs of St. Helier's, the chief town; and the situations of these are, for the most part, as agreeable as any one could desire. Such houses, fit for a small family, containing perhaps six rooms, with kitchen and conveniences, and a small garden, let at from 30l. to 351. Jersey money, or from 271. 10s. to 327. sterling. In the outskirts of the town, in some directions, houses of five rooms and kitchen, and with a very small garden, let as low as about 247. sterling. This, it will be observed, is higher than house-rent in many of the English counties; but the difference is more than made up for in the lower price of the necessaries of life, in the total absence of taxes and rates, and also in the price of furniture. For this last Jersey offers many advantages, owing to the absence of all duties on wood, owing to the cheapness of labour, and owing to the frequent sales by auction, at which furniture may be picked up at a moderate expense. It is certainly more advantageous to purchase furniture than to live in a furnished house; and in case any one who has furnished a house should be desirous of making a trip of a few months during the summer to England or France, his house will readily let furnished at a high rent. There are also upholsterers in Jersey, who will furnish a house, charging 20 per cent. on the price of the furniture the first year; at the end of the year it is again valued, and the per centage on the

deteriorated value charged the second year; and so on every year, the occupant having the power at any time of purchasing the articles at the then value. In this way one may gradually furnish without laying out a large sum. I will only add upon this point that a small house may be plainly furnished here, exclusive of linen, for 701. or 801.

Leaving rent and furniture, I now come to the price of the necessaries of life. Beef, mutton, and veal-the beef no way inferior to English beef-sells at from 6d. to 64d. per lb. of 17 oz.; pork, during the winter, of the very finest quality, 44d. to 54d.; bread, of an excellent quality, finer or coarser, from 1d. to 2d. per lb.; butter, superior to what is generally found in England, about 10d. during the summer months, 2d. more during the winter; eggs, during the summer, 5d. to 6d. per dozen, in winter at least a third dearer; milk, 1d. to 2d. per quart; best loaf sugar, 64d. per lb.; good moist sugar, 34d. to 44d.; excellent black tea, nowise inferior to that which sells in England at 7s., 3s. 4d.; best green tea, 68. All kinds of vegetables are to be purchased at a very low rate. Oysters, during the season, are sold at 1s. per hundred; it must be admitted, however, that they are coarser than the oysters generally eaten in England. Jamaica rum sells at 4s. 4d. per gallon; Hollands at 3s. 4d. These prices are all stated in Jersey money; that is, if an article costs a shilling, and you give 1s. British, you get a penny back. 17. British is worth 17. 18. 8d. Jersey.

Such being the prices of the necessaries of life, we are enabled to ascertain whether Jersey possess advantages on this point to those whose incomes are so limited as to exclude luxuries in England. It may be conceded that a house which lets in Jersey at 30l., may be had in the remoter of the English counties at 201.; but if to this 201. be added rates and taxes, and the difference between Jersey and English currency, the real advantage in house-rent is not more than 57. or 67. in favour of England; and it is scarcely necessary to say that this sum is greatly overbalanced by the difference in groceries, exciseable commodities of all kinds, including spirituous liquors, butter, milk, and vegetables; so that it may safely be averred, that he whose income in England will barely purchase the necessaries of life, will find in Jersey an overplus sufficient to command a little stock of its luxuries. If I were to speak of Jersey in comparison with foreign residences to the same class of persons, I would say that most places in France are upon a par with Jersey in point of expenses; for although house-rent be dearer in Jersey, exciseable commodities are cheaper; and I shall be able to show, by and by, that Jersey possesses advantages of another description, to which no continental residence can lay claim. The conclusion at which I arrive is, that supposing two persons to pay 301. for rent, having purchased their own furniture, and to keep one female servant, 1007. sterling will cover house-rent, eating and drinking, (excluding luxuries of all kinds and wine,) servant's wages, and coal.

I now proceed to speak of Jersey as a residence to those whose means are somewhat more ample. These, if their incomes allow them to live merely comfortably in England, will, upon the same income, in Jersey, be placed within the range of many luxuries. Among these, the first deserving mention is the article of wine. This, by persons of moderate income in England, must be very sparingly dealt in; but in Jersey, all who could afford to drink beer in England, can drink wine here. Excellent Port and Sherry may be purchased, for ready money, at about 22s. sterling per dozen; Marsala, certainly superior to the common run of this wine in England, and beyond all comparison better than the whole family of Brontes and Capes, costs 11s. sterling per dozen; light Grave and Barsac are sold at from 10s. to 158.; good Burgundy, at 228. sterling; Rhine wine at something less than 16s. Clarets, of course, are at all prices, but a very pleasant wine may be bought for 13s. 9d. sterling. Vin du pays of France costs 6d. per bottle. Rum and Hollands have already been mentioned; but as we speak at present of luxuries, we must not omit mention of Cognac, which, of a quality far supe

rior to any that is usually to be met with in England, costs 78. per gallon, Jersey currency. But besides the article of drink, there are various other luxuries to be commanded in Jersey by an income which, in England, contents itself with the purchase of little beyond necessaries. Among these, I would mention fruit in the first place-grapes, for example, which may be currently purchased at 4d. and 6d. per lb., while the best qualities, such as the black Hamburgh, and even the Muscat, reared under glass, but without artificial heat, cost from 8d. to 18. Melons also may be had at 8d. or 9d. apiece; while, if we descend to the commoner fruits, baking apples are sold for literally next to nothing; and vegetables of all kinds, especially the finer sorts, are sold for one half of what they cost in England. In the article of fish, too, there is something for luxury to cull from. The John Dory, the red and grey mullet, the bass, the lobster, and occasionally the turbot, may all be purchased at a price which brings them within the reach of the most moderate income. There is another luxury which must not be omitted,— the power of keeping a little vehicle. The keep of a pony, to one who has a stable, will not exceed 177. or 187. sterling; and there are no taxes either on horses or vehicles, neither are there any toll-bars. It is evident, then, from these details, that as one who in England can barely command the necessaries of life, can live at least comfortably in Jersey, so one who, in England, can live merely comfortably, may command very many luxuries in Jersey.

But in other matters than the greater cheapness of both the necessaries and the luxuries of life, Jersey possesses important advantages as a residence. These I shall shortly enumerate: and first, let me notice the eligibility of Jersey as regards its geographical position, supposing the question to be a choice between Jersey and any foreign residence. It is almost unnecessary to speak of the great inconvenience of a distant Continental residence, such as Pau or Lausanne; and there are, undoubtedly, contingent disadvantages attending a residence in any foreign country, however near it may be to the shores of England. Jersey has none of these,-it is a British dependency, under the protection of the English government; and its position is all that can be desired by those who, although compelled from prudential motives to live out of England, yet desire to be within a step of her shores. Twelve hours in the mail-packet carry one twice a week to Weymouth; while four or five hours more put one ashore two other days in the week at Southampton. Then there is a conveyance every week to St. Malo, or Granville, a voyage which occupies only three or four hours; and thus there are constant facilities of visiting either London or Paris, at a trifling expense. These steam-boats, too, offer constant opportunities for the conveyance of parcels and packages; and there is a post and delivery twice a week.

As another advantage, let me mention climate,-which, to persons of feeble or injured constitutions, (as many who have seen foreign service are,) is no slight consideration. The climate of Jersey is warmer than the warmest part of England; while the vicinity to the sea, at the same time that in winter it tempers the cold, moderates also in summer the intensity of heat. It has been ascertained too, by authentic tables, that the mortality of Jersey is lower than in any part of England; and in no population of the same extent that I have ever seen, have I observed so few who exhibit in their aspect the ravages of disease.

Let me notice, as a third recommendation of Jersey, the extreme beauty of the island, which, although perhaps a matter of no real importance, is yet a recommendation to some. Besides the fine marine views which are presented on every hand, the interior of the island offers the most beautiful and varied scenery, wood, orchards, gardens, meadows, deep ravines, clear rivulets, cottages, farm-houses, and country seats, reminding one of the most fertile parts of Gloucester or Monmouthshire. Excellent roads everywhere intersect the island, so that for walks, rides, drives, and excursions of al' kinds, every possible facility is afforded.

It only remains that I should add a few words on the state of society. It is, perhaps, unnecessary to say, that in a place where there are from six to seven hundred officers on the half-pay of the army and navy, there can be no lack of society to those who choose to mix in it. Those who can afford it may be in company every evening; while, on the other hand, a little caution at the beginning will limit intercourse to the capabilities of one's purse. There is a general disposition, I would say, among the naval and military officers, to be neighbourly and friendly with each other, and also to accommodate the style of intercourse to the means of those who partake in it. Besides this general intercourse, there are clubs, particularly whist clubs, which serve to pass some agreeable evenings to those who are fond of this amusement. A certain number of families meet at stated intervals, at each other's houses,―the play is limited,—the hours are fixed,—and the entertainment is confined to such articles as may not prove inconvenient to the state of any purse. I should say, that society among the English residents in Jersey is of a better tone than can be found in any of the French or Flemish towns; and that those who are fond of society, and have the means of enjoying it, will find it here sufficiently extensive.

To those who have families, it is important to be known, that education in Jersey is both good and cheap. The best masters in French, music, and drawing, may be obtained at from one-third to one-half of their cost in England; and for the chief branches of male education, there are many eligible schools, presided over by able masters.

These details may serve as some guide to the officers on the half-pay of the army and navy, as to their choice of residence; and I shall conclude this paper with offering my opinion, that those whose incomes range from 100%. to 400%. per annum cannot anywhere spend them to so much advantage as in the island of Jersey.

G.

DETAIL OF SIEGE OPERATIONS EXECUTED BY THE TROOPS AT

CHATHAM, ON THE 18TH JUNE.

We have been favoured with a copy of the detail and a description of some siege operations carried on by the garrison of Chatham, in concert with the Royal Engineers, on the 18th June; and as they are represented by a well-qualified eye-witness to have been of a highly interesting nature, we give them to our readers, and shall avail ourselves of the opportunity of making some passing remarks.

The explosion of some experimental mines having been fixed for the 18th June, for the purpose of ascertaining the effect produced on an inclined gallery of 120 feet in length, which had been executed immediately under a line of charges, advantage was taken of the occasion to carry on some other operations of a siege in connexion with them; and Colonel Sir Leonard Greenwell, the Commandant of the garrison, having kindly acceded to a request that he would occupy the trenches, executed for practice this season, with a portion of the troops under his command, and also post some others as defenders, to add to the interest of the operations, the following disposition of troops and plan of operations were decided on :

250 men, as a relief, will be drawn up in the first parallel, and the two batteries in front of it will be armed.

200 men, as a reserve, will be posted in the second parallel.

500 men will occupy the third parallel, and the temporary cover that has been obtained between it and the outwork, which is supposed to have been taken during the early period of the attack.

100 men will be posted in the trench cavalier.

150 men will be posted in the advanced trenches.

300 men will act as defenders, and will be posted in the redoubt and temporary intrenchments between it and the salient.

GENERAL PLAN OF OPERATIONS.

It being premised that the works against which the attack is carried on are quite irregular, and that the parallels and approaches have not been executed in reference to them, but are only used on the occasion to make their general application apparent

The intention is to assault the works on the springing of a mine, which may be supposed to have been established from the third parallel, for the purpose of blowing in a counterscarp or breaching a work; and, after driving the defenders into a detached redoubt, to establish a lodgment for musketry by the flying sap, in furtherance of an attack upon the redoubt itself.

Colonel Sir Leonard Greenwell, attended by Colonel Pasley, will take post in the outwork to direct the operations.

The troops being posted as detailed, a general firing will be commenced on a concerted signal, which will be maintained on both sides until the bugle sounds" cease firing."

Soon after the commencement of the firing, a signal will be made for the explosion, when the troops in the trench cavalier and advanced trenches will retire into the approaches below the hill, to avoid its effects.

Two companies will now be detached from the reserve, and, formed as a column of attack, will be drawn up under cover of the broken ground in their front, in readiness to move forward by the road on their left, to attack the intrenchments between the redoubt and the salient.

100 men of the force occupying the third parallel will also be formed as a storming-party, and held in readiness to march out from the left of the third parallel to assault the face.

The dispositions for the assault being made, the mine will be sprung, and, on the signal to move forward, the advanced trenches and trench cavalier will be immediately re-occupied to cover the attack.

One column, as directed, will then advance from the left of the third parallel, and storm the face, and, after driving the defenders from it, will be established on the reverse of the exterior slope of the parapet.

The other column will move forward by the road, and dislodge the defenders that are posted between the salient and the redoubt. This column will be established in any cover that may be found there, and will hold the ground as far as the old battery, so as to protect the execution of the flying sap.

When the defenders have been driven from their positions, 50 sappers will advance from the outwork, and establish a lodgment for musketry by the flying sap, which will be occupied as soon as completed.

Captain Wortham, Royal Engineers, will direct the mining operations, and will examine the effect produced by the explosion, reporting the result, before the signal is given for the advance,

Lieut. Beatson will accompany the storming party on the left.

Lieut. Hutchinson will accompany the officer in command of the right attack.

Lieut. Molesworth will superintend the execution of the flying sap.
C. W. PASLEY, Col. Royal Engineers.

Chatham, 14th June, 1833.

The general arrangements being approved by Sir Leonard Greenwell, the 50th regiment, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Wodehouse, was posted in the third parallel, advanced trenches, and trench cavalier, and furnished the storming party; and the rifles, commanded by Major Hope, were detached from the reserve to attack the intrenchment and covert way.