Rambles among the Channel Islands / by a Naturalist.

Date:
[1855?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Rambles among the Channel Islands / by a Naturalist. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    which do vastly exceed us in expansion of j country, and have brought a far greater addi- tion of power to the English empire; but to demonstrate their majesties’ ancient and indis- putable right over us, and show at the same time how strong our attachment is to England, which has stood the long test of so many ages.” It is not to be forgotten, however, that the first connexion of the Channel Islands with our own was that of a part of a conquering state with a vanquished kingdom. Subsequently, the fidelity of the Channel Islands to England was remark- ably tried, and was not found wanting under circumstances peculiarly perilous to these little states. The conquest of England by William produced little or no effect upon the customs and constitu- tion of the Channel Islands. Their constitution, resembling in many respects that of Normandy, could not, of course, be affected by the mere fact of the duke of that country having added ano- ther kingdom to his duchy. While the most im- j portant changes were introduced into the laws, , manners, and language of England, these islands ^ remained, and to this day in many respects remain, the same. The inhabitants were at- tached to their ancient institutions, and it would neither be the wish nor the interest of the sovereign to operate any change in them. All