Articles

The Library's unique collections are a treasure chest of unusual, interesting and sometimes surprising material just waiting to be found. This anthology, written by the Editor, is based on an eclectic selection of our archive. The author asserts her copyright on all material on the Priaulx Library website except where copyright of other authors is expressly notified. Permission to reproduce material from this website and full attribution to the author is required in all cases.

Trade & Commerce

Nonsensical sheep-grassing, August 1636

According to Jean de la Marche, on Sunday, August 5, 1636, the Earl of Danby was 'out hunting in his Island of Herm, whither he had taken the greater part of the Gentlefolks of the Town (although by so doing they profaned the Day) and he having given his Horse the Spur, it ceased not to rear and turn round and round until it had thrown him to the Ground.'

Notes on cider-making in Guernsey, 1823

Note on cider-making; by M. Bosc. (From The Accounts of the Meeting of the Agricultural Society of Rouen, 1823).

Experiment with Diving Dress, 1833

JOHN and JOSEPH ORCHARD having constructed a DIVING DRESS for the purpose of searching the Bottom of the sea in a moderate depth of water, beg leave to inform the public that they will, on TUESDAY MORNING at 10 o'clock, go down at the pier head and walk underwater towards Castle Cornet. This being the first thing of the kind ever made in this island, they invite the attention of the public to the above trial.

Mansell versus Robin: Brandy smuggling, 1833

Cadic's shop in 1845, Priaulx Library Collection

Lots of trouble over French brandy. The illustration is a detail from one of the earliest photographs in the Library's collection, dating from 1845, showing Cadic's 'inn near the South Pier,' not far away at all from Cow Lane, the scene of the crime. Next door to his establishment was the inn, the 'Three Tuns,' proprietor Mrs Simon.

November 1824: A Review of the High Street

Detail from print, High Street in the 1830s, Priaulx Library Collection

From Dumaresq and Mauger's Monthly Selection for 1825. Part One, by 'Ergo.'

The first flower show, July 1833

The Gardener's Magazine, Vol. 9, 1833, and other extracts from local newspapers.

It's 1681: what's on the menu in Guernsey?

Three letters from Sir Thomas Browne, polymath and oyster expert. He wrote often to his children, of whom he seems very fond. His favourite daughter Elizabeth married his friend, Captain George Lyttleton, who was appointed Guernsey's Lieutenant-Governor in 1681. There is a copy in the Library of one of Browne's works, Pseudodoxia epidemica, published in 1686, which can be viewed upon request.

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Articles

Trade & Commerce

Nonsensical sheep-grassing, August 1636

Notes on cider-making in Guernsey, 1823

Experiment with Diving Dress, 1833

Mansell versus Robin: Brandy smuggling, 1833

November 1824: A Review of the High Street

The first flower show, July 1833

It's 1681: what's on the menu in Guernsey?

May 11, 1815: Fire in Town

January 1854: Off to Australia

Review of the High Street, Part II; December 1824

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