It was the Devil that was seen at the saidGallienne'shouse in the form of a rat and a weazle, she herself being then in the neighbourhood ofGallienne'shouse, and he [the Devil] came to her in the form of a man, and struck her several blows on the face and head: by which she was bruised and torn in the way that she was seen the next day byThomas Sohier. And she believed that the cause of this maltreatment was because she would not go with the Devil to the house of the saidGallienne.
She never went to the Sabbath except when her husband remained all night fishing at sea.
Whenever she wanted to bewitch anyone and her powder happened to have been all used up, the Devil appeared to her and told her to go to such a place, which he named, for some more, and when she did so, she never failed to find it there.
DEPOSITIONS CONTRE COLLAS BECQUET.
Le xvij Mai 1617.
Susanne Le Tellier, veufve dePierre Rougier, depose que son mary estant decedé, trouva des sorcerots en son lict; et qu'en son djt lict mortuaire, il se plaignoit esté ensorcelé parCollas Becquet, avec lequel avoit eu dispute, sur laquelle dispute luy dyt que s'en repentiroit; et la dessus fut prins de m...[A]duquel fut douze jours malade; qu'ils trouverent quarante-quatre sorcerots en l'oreiller de son enfant, que les uns estoyent fait comme herissons, les autres comme pommes, et les autres plats comme la rouelle de la main; et du fill de chanvre entortillé avec de plumes.
Susanne, femme deJean Le Messurier, depose que son mary etCollas Becquetplaiderent à jour passé ensemble; qu'allors ils avoyent ung enfant ayant de viron six semaines, et comme elle le despouilloit au soir, pour le coucher, il tomba sur l'estomac du djt enfant une beste noire laquelle fondit si tost que fut tombée, d'aultant qu'elle fist debvoir de la rechercher et ne peut jamais apercevoir qu'elle devint; incontinent l'enfant fut prins de mal et ne voulu teter, mais fut fort tormenté; que s'estant avisée de regarder dans l'oreiller du djt enfant y trouverent des sorcerots cousus de fil, et les ayant tirés et bien espluché la plume de l'oreiller, y regarda sept jours appres et y entrouva derechef avec une febve noire percée; dequoy, ayant le djtBecquetouy qu'il en estoit suspecté, sa femme vint ches la deposante comme le djtBecquetestoit à la mer, et luy djt qu'à raison du bruit que la deposante avoit sucité sur son mary, iceluyBecquetfuetteroit le djtMesurier, son mary, et elle, et les tueroit; qu'apres cela la deposante fut ches eux leur dire que ne les craignoit, ny luy ny elle, de ce qu'ils la menacoyent de tuer son mary et elle; qu'ayant la deposante un jour six grands poulets qui couroyent appres leur mere, ils sortirent de leur maison et revinent au soir; et un à un se mirent a saulter en hault contre la cheminée et manget la scie, qu'ils moururent tous un à un, à voy ...[B]comme ils sautoyent, jusques au dernier qui dura en vie jusqu'à une heure devant le jour qu'il mourut; que depuis que l'eurent declare àMrDeljsleet les eut menacés, il a amendé à son enfant et se porte bien.
Collas Rougierdepose que son frerePiere Rougieren mourant chargeoitCollas Becquetde sa mort.
Collas Huguesraport qu'estant en une nopsce y survintCollas Becquetjouet avec sa belle-fille, laquelle le rebouta; et des le mesme soir elle fut frapée de telle facon qu'on pensoit qu'elle mourust à chacune heure; qu'elle est demeurée mechaignée de coste, et trouva un des sorcerots en son lict, qui pour lors furent monstrés à Messrsde Justice qui estoyent à tenir des veues à St. Pierre; que la djte fille tomboit quelque fois y terre toute aveuglée.
La femme du djtHuguesdepose tout de mesme que son mary.
Jean De Garis, filsGuillaume, depose qu'il y a viron deux ou trois ans qu'ayant presté quelque argent sur un gage àCollas Becquet, luy demandant son argent, ou qu'il feroit ventiller son gage; luy repartit le djtBecquetà feray donc ventiller autre chose; qu'estant le djtde Garisarivé en sa maison, trouva la fille malade et affligée; qu'ils trouverent des sorcerots et aultres brouilleries par plusieurs fois à l'oreiller de leur enfant; mais que la mere du djtBecquetestant venue en la maison du djtde Garis, luy donna à boire de l'eau et la moitié d'un pain comme avoit esté conseillé de faire; depuis ne trouverent plus rien à l'oreiller du djt enfant; toutesfois pour eviter les djts sorcerots, ont toujours depuis couché leur enfant sur la paille; croit que ce mal leur ariva par leur moyen.
MrThomas de Ljsledepose queThomas Brouart, qui demeure en sa maison, ayant appellé le fils deCollas Becquet, sorcier, il arriva qu'il fut un jour trouvé au lict du djtThomasgrand nombre de vers, et les ayant le djtSieur de Ljsleveus, les jugea comme une formioniere, tant estoyent mouvans et espais, et à peine en peuvent vuider le dit enfant, l'ayant mis en plusieurs endroits; qu'appres fut le djt enfant accueillis de poulx de telle maniere que quoyque luy changeassent des chemises et habits tous les jours ne l'en pouvoyent franchir; et qu'ayant le djtThomas Brouartun corset tout neuf, fut tellement couvert de poulx qu'on n'auroit peu cognoistre le drap, et fut contraint le faire jetter parmy les choux; surquoy fait menacer aultreMasside la batre si elle ne s'abstenoit d'ainsy traiter son enfant; qu'estant revenu trouva le djt corset parmis les choux denue de poulx, lesquels du depuis ont quitté le djtBrouart.
Jacques le Mesurierdepose qu'il y a viron deux ou trois ans qu'il rencontraCollas BecquetetPerot Massi, quj avoyent du poisson, et d'aultant qu'ils lui debvoyent de l'argent, il voulut prendre de leur poisson à rabatre, mais ne luy en voulant bailler, eurent quelque dispute; sur quoy l'un des djtsBecquetouMassile menacerent qu'il s'en repentiroit; qu'au bout de deux ou trois jours il fut saisi d'un mal que le brusloit, et quelques fois devenoit tout morfondu, sans qu'on le peust eschauffer, et sans aulcune relache; qu'il fut en ces tourments pres d'un mois.Collas Becquetentendit que le deposant le chargeoit d'estre causte de son mal, et menacoit qu'il tueroit le djt deposant; mais bientost appres fut le djt deposant guery; dit de cuider et de croire les djtsBecquetetMassy, ou un d'iceux, fut cause de son mal.
[TRANSLATION.]
DEPOSITIONS AGAINST COLLAS BECQUET.
MAY 17, 1617.
Susanne Le Tellier, widow ofPierre Rougier, deposed that after her husband was dead she found witches' spells in his bed; and that while he was upon his said deathbed he complained of being bewitched byCollas Becquet, with whom he had had a quarrel, and who during the quarrel told him he would repent of it; whereupon he was taken with ...[C], whereof he was ill for twelve days; they also found forty-four witches' spells in her child's pillow, some of which were made like hedgehogs, others round like apples, and others again flat like the palm of the hand; and they were of hempen thread twisted with feathers.
Susanne, wife ofJean Le Messurier, deposed that her husband andCollas Becquethad angry words together one day; they had an infant about six weeks old, and as she was undressing it in the evening to put it to bed, there fell upon the stomach of the saidinfant, a black beast which melted away as soon as it fell, so that although she carefully sought for it, she could never discover what had become of it; immediately afterwards the infant was taken ill and would not suck, but was much tormented; being advised to look into the said infant's pillow, she found there several witches' spells sewn with thread; these she took out and carefully dressed all the feathers in the pillow; yet when she examined it again a week afterwards, she found there a black bean with a hole in it; of which, the saidBecquethearing that he was suspected, his wife came to witness's house while the saidBecquetwas at sea, and told her that on account of the rumour which witness had raised about her husband, he the saidBecquetwould thrash the saidMessurier, her husband, and herself, and would kill them; after that, witness went to their house to say they were not afraid either of him or her, or of their threats to kill her husband and her; witness had six big chickens which ran after their mother, going out of the house in the morning and returning at night; and one by one they began to jump up against the chimney and eat the soot, so that they all died one after the other, ...[D]as theyjumped, until the last one which remained alive up to one hour of daybreak, when it died; after they had told this toMr. de Lisle, and he had threatened the people, her infant recovered and remained well.
Collas Rougierdeposed that his brotherPierre Rougierwhen dying chargedCollas Becquetwith causing his death.
Collas Huguesreported that being at a wedding,Collas Becquetarrived there, and began to toy with his daughter-in-law, who repelled his advances; the very same evening she was taken ill in such a manner that they thought she would have died from one hour to another; besides which she remained under the charm, and they found one of the witches' spells in her bed, which was shown to the Members of the Court, who were making an inspection at St. Peter's; the said girl sometimes fell to the ground quite blinded.
The wife of the saidHuguesdeposed to exactly the same as her husband.
Jean de Garis, son ofWilliam, deposed that about two or three years ago, having lent some money on pledge toCollas Becquet, he asked him for the money, or else for a verification of his security;when the saidBecquetreplied that he would let him know what his security was; the saidde Garishaving then returned home, found his daughter sick and afflicted; they found witches' spells and other conjurations several times in their child's pillow; but the mother of the saidBecquethaving come to the saidde Garis'shouse, he gave her a drink of water and half-a-loaf of bread, as he had been advised to do; since which time they had found nothing more in the child's pillow; however to avoid all risk of the said witches' spells they had always since then let their child sleep upon straw; he fully believed that this evil had come upon them by their means.
Mr. Thomas de Lisledeposed thatThomas Brouart, who resided in his house, having called the son ofCollas Becqueta wizard, it happened that there was one day found in the saidThomas'sbed a great number of maggots, which the saidSieur de Lislesaw, and compared to an ant-hill, so lively and thick were they, and they could hardly clear the said child of them, although they put it in different places; afterwards the said child gathered lice in such a manner that although its shirts and clothes werechanged every day they could not free it; the saidThomas Brouartalso had a brand new vest, which was so covered with lice that it was impossible to see the cloth, and he was compelled to have it thrown among the cabbages; upon which he went and threatenedMassi'swife that he would beat her if she did not abstain from thus treating his child; and on returning he found the said vest among the cabbages clear of lice, which had also since then quitted the saidBrouart.
Jacques le Mesurierdeposed that about two or three years ago he metCollas BecquetandPerot Massi, who had some fish and who moreover owed him money; he wished to take some of their fish at a reduced price, but they would not agree to it, and they quarrelled; whereupon one of the two, eitherBecquetorMassi, threatened him that he would repent of it; and at the end of two or three days, he was seized with a sickness in which he first burnt like fire and then was benumbed with cold so that nothing would warm him, and this without any cessation; he suffered in this way for nearly a month.Collas Becquetheard that witness charged him with being the cause of his sickness, and he threatened that he wouldkill witness; but very soon afterwards the said witness was cured; and he affirms and believes that the saidBecquetandMassy, or one of them, was the cause of his attack.
NOTE ON THE GUERNSEY RECORDS.
The Records at the GuernseyGreffe, from which the foregoing confessions and depositions have been transcribed, and whence the following list of accusations is compiled, are of a very voluminous character. In fact there is enough matter in them, connected with Witchcraft alone, to fill at least a couple of thick octavo volumes. There is, however, so much sameness in the different cases, and such a common tradition running through the whole, that the present excerpts give a very fair idea of the features which characterise the mass. While some of these Records are tolerably complete, the greater part of them unfortunately are fragmentary and imperfect. The books in which they were originally written seem to have been formed of a few sheets of paper stitched together. Then at some later period a number of these separate sections—in a more or less tattered condition—were gathered into volumes and bound together in vellum. It is evident, however, that very little care was exercised in their arrangement in chronological order. The consequence is that one portion of a trial sometimes occurs in one part of a volume, and the rest in another part; sometimes the depositions alone seem to have been preserved; sometimes the confessions; while in many cases the sentences pronounced are all that can now be discovered. Nevertheless these old Records enshrine much that is interesting, and very well deserve a more exhaustive analysis than they have ever yet received. There are also in the margins of these volumes, scores of pen-and-ink sketches of a most primitive description, depicting the carrying out of the various rigours of the law. Rough and uncouth as these illustrations are, they nevertheless possess a good deal of graphic significance, and I hope to reproduce some of them in facsimile, in a future publication. They represent, for instance, culprits hanging on the gallows—sometimes two or three in a row—with a fire kindled underneath; others attached to stakes in the midst of the flames; others, again, racing away under the lash of the executioner, &c., &c., and thus form a most realistic comment on the judicial severities recorded in the text.
QUEEN ELIZABETH.—1558-1603.
Helier Gosselin, Bailiff, 1550-1563.
November 19th, 1563.
Gracyene Gousset,Catherine Prays,Collette Salmon, wife of Collas Dupont,
Condemned to death and the Royal pardon refused.
Condemned to death and the Royal pardon refused.
December 17th, 1563.
Françoise Regnouff,Martin Tulouff,
Condemned to death and the Royal pardon refused.
Condemned to death and the Royal pardon refused.
December 22nd, 1563.
Collette Gascoing.
This woman was found guilty, and the Royal pardon being refused, she was whipped, had one of her ears cut off, and was banished from the island.
This woman was found guilty, and the Royal pardon being refused, she was whipped, had one of her ears cut off, and was banished from the island.
Thomas Compton, Bailiff, 1563-1572.
July 30th, 1570.
Jeannette Du Mareesc,
Was banished for seven years.
Was banished for seven years.
October 27th, 1570.
Michelle Tourtell,
Banished from the island.
Banished from the island.
November 3rd, 1570.
Coliche Tourtell,James de la Rue,
Both banished from the island.
Both banished from the island.
November 10th, 1570.
Lorenche Faleze, wife of Henry Johan,
Banished from the island.
Banished from the island.
November 17th, 1570.
Thomasse Salmon.Marie Gauvein, wife of Ozouet.
Both these women were whipped, had each an ear cut off, and were banished from the island.
Both these women were whipped, had each an ear cut off, and were banished from the island.
Guillaume Beauvoir, Bailiff, 1572-1581.
No prosecutions for Witchcraft seem to have taken place during his tenure of office.
No prosecutions for Witchcraft seem to have taken place during his tenure of office.
Thomas Wigmore, Bailiff, 1581-1588.
1583.
Collas de la Rue.
The result of this trial is uncertain.
The result of this trial is uncertain.
Louis Devycke, Bailiff, 1588-1600.
No Witchcraft prosecutions during his term of office.
No Witchcraft prosecutions during his term of office.
KING JAMES I.—1603-1625.
Amice De Carteret, Bailiff, 1601-1631.
1611.
Marie Rolland.
The result of this trial is uncertain.
The result of this trial is uncertain.
June 11th, 1613.
Oliver Omont,Cecille Vaultier, wife of Omont,Guillemine, their daughter,
Were all banished from the island.
Were all banished from the island.
July 17th, 1613.
Laurence Leustace, wife of Thomas Le Compte,
Banished from the island.
Banished from the island.
July 4th, 1617.
Collette du Mont, widow of Jean Becquet.Marie, her daughter, wife of Pierre Massy.Isabel Becquet, wife of Jean Le Moygne.
All three women, after being found guilty, confessed under torture, and were then hanged and burnt.
All three women, after being found guilty, confessed under torture, and were then hanged and burnt.
August 8th, 1617.
Michelle Jervaise, widow Salmon.Jeanne Guignon, wife of J. de Callais, and two of herchildren.
These four persons were hanged and burnt, after being put to the question.
These four persons were hanged and burnt, after being put to the question.
October 17th, 1617.
Marie de Callais.Philipine le Parmentier, widow of Nicolle, of Sark.
These two women were hanged and burnt, after being previously put to the question.
These two women were hanged and burnt, after being previously put to the question.
November 25th, 1617.
Thomasse de Calais, wife of Isaac le Patourel,
Banished from the island.
Banished from the island.
November 25th, 1617.
Christine Hamon, wife of Etienne Gobetell.
This woman was banished from the island, but returned on May 6th, 1626, when she was again arrested and sentenced to death. She was hanged July 21st, 1626.
This woman was banished from the island, but returned on May 6th, 1626, when she was again arrested and sentenced to death. She was hanged July 21st, 1626.
August 1st, 1618.
Jean de Callais, together with his son, and servants.
All these were charged with practicing Witchcraft, and were sent out of the island.
All these were charged with practicing Witchcraft, and were sent out of the island.
December, 1618.
Jean Nicolle, of Sark,
Being found guilty, was whipped, had an ear cut off, and was banished from the island.
Being found guilty, was whipped, had an ear cut off, and was banished from the island.
May 1st, 1619.
Pierre Massi,
Condemned to be hanged. He, however, contrived to get out of prison and drowned himself.
Condemned to be hanged. He, however, contrived to get out of prison and drowned himself.
August 7th, 1619.
Jeanne Behot,
Banished from the island.
Banished from the island.
April 22nd, 1620.
Girete Parmentier,Jeanne Le Cornu, widow of Collas le Vallois.
These two women were banished.
These two women were banished.
May 8th, 1622.
Collette de l'Estac, wife of Thomas Tourgis.Collette Robin.Catherine Hallouris, widow Heaulme.
These three women were hanged and burnt, after being put to the question.
These three women were hanged and burnt, after being put to the question.
October 17th, 1622.
Thomas Tourgis, of the Forest.Jeanne Tourgis, his daughter.Michelle Chivret, wife of Pierre Omont.
All three were burnt alive.
All three were burnt alive.
October 19th, 1622.
Jean Le Moigne.Guillemine la Bousse.
This man and woman were set at liberty.
This man and woman were set at liberty.
November 30th, 1622.
Perine Marest, wife of Pierre Gauvin,
Banished, together with her husband and children.
Banished, together with her husband and children.
October 3rd, 1623.
Etienne Le Compte,
Hanged and burnt.
Hanged and burnt.
May 28th, 1624.
Marguerite Tardif, wife of P. Ozanne,
Set at liberty.
Set at liberty.
June 4th, 1624.
Ester Henry, wife of Jean de France.
This woman was burnt alive. The sentence states that her flesh and bones are to be reduced to ashes and scattered by the winds, as being unworthy of any sepulture.
This woman was burnt alive. The sentence states that her flesh and bones are to be reduced to ashes and scattered by the winds, as being unworthy of any sepulture.
July 16th, 1624.
Collette la Gelée.
This woman was hanged and burnt.
This woman was hanged and burnt.
October 22nd, 1624.
Jean Quaripel,
Hanged and burnt.
Hanged and burnt.
KING CHARLES I.—1625-1649.
July 23rd, 1625.
Elizabeth, wife of Pierre Duquemin,
Banished for 7 years.
Banished for 7 years.
August 11th, 1626.
Jeanne de Bertran, wife of Jean Thomas,
Hanged and burnt.
Hanged and burnt.
August 12th, 1626.
Marie Sohier, wife of J. de Garis,
Hanged and burnt.
Hanged and burnt.
November 10th, 1626.
Judith Alexander, of Jersey, wife of Pierre Jehan,
Hanged and burnt.
Hanged and burnt.
August 25th, 1627.
Job Nicolle, of Sark,
Condemned to perpetual banishment.
Condemned to perpetual banishment.
January 16th, 1629.
Anne Blampied, wife of Thomas Heaulme, of the Forest.Thomas Heaulme, of the Forest.
Both banished for seven years.
Both banished for seven years.
May 1st, 1629.
Marguerite Picot (l'Aubaine),
Hanged and burnt.
Hanged and burnt.
August 7th, 1629.
Susanne Prudhome, wife of Guilbert, of the Castel,
Put to the question, hanged, and burnt.
Put to the question, hanged, and burnt.
Jean de Quetteville, Bailiff, 1631-1644.
July 1st, 1631.
Jehan Nicolle, of Sark,
Set at liberty.
Set at liberty.
July 15th, 1631.
Marie Mabile, wife of Pierre de Vauriouf.Thomas Civret.
Both were put to the question, hanged, and burnt.
Both were put to the question, hanged, and burnt.
July 23rd, 1631.
Susanne Rouane, wife of Etienne Le Compte,Judith Le Compte, }Bertrane " } four daughters of the above.Ester " }Rachel " }
The mother was condemned to perpetual banishment from the island, and the daughters were banished for fifteen years.
The mother was condemned to perpetual banishment from the island, and the daughters were banished for fifteen years.
October 1st, 1631.
Marie Mortimer, wife of François Chirret.Also her son.
Both were set at liberty.
Both were set at liberty.
October 1st, 1631.
Vincente Canu, wife of André Odouère.Marie de Callais.
Both were set at liberty.
Both were set at liberty.
December 10th, 1631.
Jehan Canivet.Renette de Garis, wife of Martin Maugeur.Elizabeth le Hardy, wife of Collas Deslandes.Simeone Mollett.Marie Clouet, wife of Pierre Beneste.
All the above were condemned to perpetual banishment.
All the above were condemned to perpetual banishment.
January 28th, 1634.
Jacob Gaudion, of Alderney,
Condemned to perpetual banishment.
Condemned to perpetual banishment.
May 16th, 1634.
Marie Guillemotte, wife of Samuel Roland, known asDugorne.Marie Rolland, her daughter.
The mother was hanged and burnt, and the daughter was condemned to perpetual banishment.
The mother was hanged and burnt, and the daughter was condemned to perpetual banishment.
By J. Linwood Pitts.
In concluding the editorial duties connected with the issue of this fourth volume of the "Guille-Allès Library Series," it seems to me that the time is an opportune one for adding some short account of the origin and foundation of the noble Institution from which the "Series" takes its name. The Guille-Allès Library is proving such an immense boon to our little insular community, that very naturally, many inquiries are from time to time made—especially by strangers—as to how its existence came about.
In order to answer these questions we must go as far back as the year 1834. At that time Mr. Guille—who is a Guernseyman by birth—was but a boy of sixteen, and had been two years in America. He was serving his apprenticeship with a well-known firm in New York, and he enjoyed the privilege of access to a very extensive library in that city, founded by a wealthy corporation known asThe General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen. The pleasure and profit which he derived from this source were so great, and made such a deep impression upon his mind that, young as he was, he formed the resolution that if his future life proved prosperous, and his position enabled him to do so, he would one day found a similar institution in his own little native island of Guernsey. Throughout the whole of his future career this intention was present with him; and commencing at once,—in spite of his then very limited means—to purchase books which should form anucleus for the anticipated collection, he began to lay the foundation of the literary treasures which crowd the shelves of the Guille-Allès Library to-day. At the age of twenty, when out of his apprenticeship, he found himself the possessor of several hundreds of volumes of standard works, many of which are now in the Library, and upon which he must naturally look with peculiar and very legitimate pleasure, as being the corner stones of the subsequent splendid superstructure.
Business affairs prospered with Mr. Guille. As time rolled on he was taken into partnership with the firm, as was also his friend and fellow-countryman, Mr. F.M. Allès, and his increasing prosperity enabled him to put his cherished project into more tangible shape. While on a visit to Guernsey in 1851, he wrote a few articles in theGazette Officielle, with the view of drawing public attention to the importance of forming district or parish libraries. These articles attracted the notice ofThe Farmers' Club, an association of intelligent country gentlemen who met at the Castel. Their secretary, the late Mr. Nicholas Le Beir, wrote to Mr. Guille at the request of the members, informing him of their appreciation of his views, and of his having been elected an honorary member of their association, in token of their esteem. They had previously elected in a similar way the famous French poet Béranger, and also Guernsey's national bard, the late Mr. George Métivier. Mr. Guille accepted the honour, and the correspondence which ensued resulted in his offering his collection of books—supplemented by a considerable sum of money—towards forming the commencement of such libraries as he had been advocating. Nothing, however, really definite was done until Mr. Guille's next visit to Guernsey in 1855-6, when after consultation with that devoted friend of education, the late Mr. Peter Roussel, a meeting of a few friends—including Mr. Roussel and his venerable mother, Mr. Guille, Judge Clucas, Mr. Le Beir, and Mr. Henry E. Marquand—who were known to be favourable to the project was held, several handsome subscriptions were promised, Mr. Guille renewed his offer previously madetoThe Farmers' Club, and a workable scheme was matured.
THE GUILLE LIBRARY,
for so the Committee decided to name the undertaking, consequently commenced its useful career in 1856. The collection of books was divided into five sections, which were placed in separate cases, and located at convenient distances about the island—where they were taken charge of by friends—the largest being reserved for the town. The intention was to exchange these cases in rotation, and so establish a circulating library in the most comprehensive sense of the term. But this was, in reality, never carried out, for after the volumes had been read in their respective stations, they were returned to their places, and left to slumber unused, until Mr. Guille once more came to the island in 1867, with the intention of remaining permanently, and he then had them all brought to town and arranged in one centraldepôt.
Mr. Guille also opened a branch Reading-room and Library at St. Martin's, in the hope of being able thereby to draw the young men of the parish from the degrading attractions of the public house. For three years he kept this comfortable room open, while in winter and summer neither rain nor storm prevented him from being present there every evening to personally superintend the undertaking. Ultimately, however, he found the strain too much for his health, and he discontinued the branch so as to concentrate more attention upon the central establishment in town.
For five-and-twenty years, from 1856 to 1881, Mr. Guille worked steadily and unostentatiously at the benevolent enterprise which he had inaugurated. Death removed several of his early coadjutors, and for many years he bore all the financial burdens and toiled on single-handed and alone. What was still more discouraging was that he unfortunately had to encounter for a very long time an almost incredible amount of mental supineness on the part of those whom he was so disinterestedly seeking to benefit. It was not as thoughany desire for knowledge existed among the mass of the Guernsey people, and he only had to assume the pleasant duty of satisfying that desire. Such a desire did not exist. Many of the people not only never had read any books but they flatly declined to begin. Mr. Guille felt that this deplorable attitude ought to be combatted, and he therefore persevered in the thankless and difficult task of trying in the first place to create the want, and in the second place to satisfy it. A quarter-of-a-century's earnest effort in a good cause, however, cannot fail to produce some fruit, and within the last three or four years much brighter days have dawned. Mr. Guille's lifelong friend and former business partner, Mr. F.M. Allès,—who had often previously substantially assisted him,—has latterly thoroughly associated himself with the work, and the result is that the rudimentary scheme of 1856 has at length culminated in the splendid
GUILLE-ALLÈS LIBRARY,
which was thrown open to the public in the old Assembly Rooms, on the 2nd of January, 1882, and bears on its portal the appropriate motto:Ingredere ut proficias—"Enter that thou mayst profit." How admirably this fine Institution is fulfilling its mission is well-known to all who frequent it. It already contains a collection of over 35,000 volumes—to which constant additions are being made—of valuable and standard works in all branches of science, literature and art, both in the French and English languages, besides numerous works in German, Italian, Greek, Latin, &c. It has a commodious Reading-room, well supplied with journals and periodical publications; while a Society of Natural Science has also been inaugurated and meets in connection with it. The Guernsey Mechanics' Institution—after an existence of just half-a-century—was absorbed into it at the close of 1881; and the Library of theSociété Guernesiaise—founded in 1867—now finds a home on its shelves. The subscription for membership is merely nominal, and Messrs. Guille and Allès have made arrangements to endow the Institutionwith such ample funds as shall secure in perpetuity the many benefits which it is conferring upon the island.
THE FUTURE OF THE INSTITUTION
is therefore fully assured and its wants provided for. The spacious new buildings which have been for many months in process of erection are now (December, 1885) rapidly approaching completion. They comprise a spacious and handsome Lecture Hall, capable of seating from 250 to 300 persons; a Book-room 63-ft. by 25-ft., exclusively for the lending department, and which will accommodate on its shelves from 45,000 to 50,000 additional volumes—with a large anteroom for the convenience of the subscribers. The present Reading-room will then be used for a Reference Library and Students' Consulting and Reading-room. There are also a General Reading-room, a Working Men's Reading-room, and numerous apartments suitable for Class-rooms and Committee-rooms. The roof of the original building has been reconstructed and raised so as to form a suite of rooms 100-ft. long, 24-ft. wide, and 10-ft. high. Lighted from the top these are specially adapted for the exhibition of objects of interest, pictures, or for a local museum. A convenient residence for the Librarian is arranged in a separate building, which is extended so as to provide on the ground floor convenient rooms for the reception and storing of books and for the special work of the Librarians.
When the Library was first removed to the Assembly Rooms, the premises were leased from the States, who had purchased them in 1870. Subsequently, however, in December, 1883, Messrs. Guille and Allès purchased the Rooms from the States for £900 British, and afterwards bought from the Parish the plot of land behind the Rooms—which belonged to the Rectory—and upon which they have now built the spacious new premises above-mentioned. As soon as these extensions are available, the founders purpose inaugurating comprehensive courses of popular illustrated lectures on physical science, economic products, natural history, microscopic science, literary subjects, &c., which will appeal at once to the eye and the understanding, and impart a large amount of very useful knowledge in an easy and agreeable way. There will also be classes in various subjects, including the French, German and Italian languages, drawing, music, &c., &c., all of which will be open to girls as well as boys, women as well as men. In an island like Guernsey, where from the smallness of the community many of the young people necessarily have to go and seek their fortunes abroad, the advantages for self-culture offered by an Institution like this can scarcely be over-rated. The local facilities afforded for the acquisition of French are particularly marked, while it cannot for a moment be doubted that a young man or woman who can use both French and English with fluency, is much better equipped for the battle of life than is a person knowing only one of these languages. Whatever intellectual needs may become apparent in the people, these the Guille-Allès Library will set itself to supply. Its founders, indeed, are especially anxious that there should be no hard and fast barriers about its settlement, which might cramp its expansion or fetter its usefulness. On the contrary they desire—while adhering, of course, to certain main lines of intellectual activity—to imbue it with such elasticity of adaptation as will enable it to successfully grapple with the changing necessities of changing times. The chief wants of to-day may not necessarily be the most pressing requisites of a century hence. Therefore, one of the greatest essentials—and at the same time one of the greatest difficulties—in a foundation like this, is to provide for and combine within it such a fixity of principle and such an adaptability of administration as shall enable it to keep pace with the progress of the ages, and suit itself to the several requirements of succeeding generations as they pass.
COST AND ENDOWMENT.
The cost of carrying out this great enterprise—including the erection of buildings, purchase of books, fittings, &c.—has already amounted to between £15,000 and £20,000,and the outlay shows no signs of cessation. In addition to these expenses there is the Endowment Fund already referred to, and for this the munificent donors intend to set apart a sum to which the above amount bears but a small proportion. So that altogether the community will be indebted to them for an educational foundation worth a magnificent figure in money value alone, while besides this, we must not forget the long years of thoughtful care and of self-denying energy involved in maturing these splendid projects, or the healthy mental and moral stimulus which the conduct of these patriotic gentlemen has supplied.
PRESENTATION OF PORTRAITS.
A very pleasing ceremony took place on Wednesday, December 17th, 1884, at St. Julian's Hall, when His Excellency Major-General Sarel, C.B., Lieut.-Governor, presented Messrs. Guille and Allès with their portraits on behalf of a numerous body of subscribers resident in all parts of the island, and also in Paris, New York, and Brooklyn. A public meeting had been called on the 4th of February previous, when an influential Committee was appointed; about £227 was speedily raised, and then Mr. Frank Brooks was commissioned to paint two life-size portraits in oil, which gave great satisfaction when finished, and are now hung in the Library. Julius Carey, Esq., Chief Constable (Mayor) of St. Peter-Port, as President of the Portrait Committee, opened the proceedings, by briefly narrating the circumstances which had called the meeting together.
His Excellency then, after a few preliminary remarks, said:—