OLD SARNIA. Sir, — I am afraid that anyone tempted by "U n Guernese" en "to visit Anneville Manor house will feel disappointed. Time was— a few short years ago — when the old place was, as your correspondent graphically des- cribes it, a really picturesque ruin. I can recall few more pleasant memories than of my father holding the Cour ?? in its roofless hall surrounded by moss-grown, ivy-clustered walls. The old Manse, so far from sharing the fate of Apolline, has of late taken a fresh lease of life. It has, in- deed, been " renovated " in style. Crumbling walls have been rebuilt, a nice fresh roof of beautiful Bangor slates has been thrown over the building and everything has been put into thorough repair, till— but for the beautiful old Gothic porch — it looks much like a modern residence. So much so that I feel almost ashamed when, once a year, I avail myself of my right to invade the building to hold the Court. Mr. Mahy, however, takes it very good-humou redly, and the manner in which he decorates the hall with whitewash, and fits it up for the Grand Function with judicial benches, tables and chairs, and plenty, of clean silver sand does him credit. But it ia not the same thing as in the old Lame days when the blue sky showed through the roof and the jackdaws cla- moured on the walls wondering what the plague was going on below. No, the pic- turesque element has disappeared from Anneville manor, just as it is disappearing everywhere else in the island. Heaven grant that the old Chapel at the back will not be slated and restored ! It lacks but this to complete Time's revenge on my an- ancestors for having sold the heritage which had been theirs since 1661. Happily tbe Fief itself and the famous old Garenne still remain to us. I was much struck on lately visiting the latter (of which I hold tho royal grant of free warren, dated 1406) to find that, since my last visit, glasshouses had sprung up all around it, covering acres of ground and coming nigh tbe reedy moat which for centuries has surrounded the Garenne. It will become an oasis in the glassy desert by and by. Your correspondent is right in supposing that the Fief ?? at one time in- cluded that of Le Comte. " Antiquarian "— why will he use the adjective %— 3eems to have got muddled over Anneville and Le Comte, as " Guerneseen " very properly points out. I thought I had explained this in the Star, when writing about "Anskettle " in relation to " Hauteville." Annevillp, in Point of fact, included one half of the North Western portion of the island. The lord of this Seigneurie, good old Berry informs us, is 'next in rank to the Clergy." In view of this tremendous fact, what I want to know is if be take precedence of any of our august Functionaries. How, for example, about the Prokeler and the Deceiver-General ? I must enquire into this for they are both near relatives of mine, and it is but right that we should know our proper places. Dites done, tres chers cousins ? What if the king comes to the island, and the Seigneur has to attend him as his En "re during his stay ? Figurez vous / L-cuse, Sir, the light-hearted tone of this communication, but really it is exhilirating to find people waking up to an interest in our old buildings, which I have so often preached about in the Star. Yet it was only the other day that one of the most typical and perfect examples of ancient architecture in the town parish was turned into a cottage orne, and its oak panelling, carved figures which had looked down on High Street for 250 years, pargetted ceilings, glorious old granite _orbelled mantels, and other relics of a bygone age, swept away without a sigh of regret or a word 0 f remonstrance from anybody in Guernsey l So it has been with other houses. Let us hope that the Antiquarian Society will keep a watchful eye on those remaining to us, and, as they are doomed one by one, have careful scale drawings and photographs taken of them before the iconoclast begins to pull down — or to " restore." I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, , . A. C. A. London, 15th May, 1891. P,S.— To the enquiry of " Paroohus," I have not yet been able to reply. 

AUX FRAIS DE SA MAJESTE It is just about a year ago that we described in the pages of the Star how we had dined with Royalty at the Chief Pleas. It was the first Royal banquet over which the new Receiver General had presided, and we mustered strong to pepper him with congratulations on his debut as Her Majestys representative. We had a gay time of it ! We made the Receiver blush — some, but the tint was nothing to the rosy flush which his Veuve Cliquot pre- sently infused into the cheeks of Her Majesty's guests. The Procureur rose to the occasion. He got up and he said with considerable, and we may add unwonted unction, that we were on the eve of Her Majesty's Jubilee and it behoved Guernseymen to do Something to commemorate that auspicious event. Whereat we all gushed mightily. We promised and vowed that the Jubilee should be worthily commemorated, and we came away from the Victoria Hotel bursting to set to work to carry out the Procureur's'idea. How we did so has become a matter of history. The battle over the St. Julian Emplacement will not soon be forgotten. Our children will remember how the Guernsey Public set their hearts upon erecting a Statue of the Queen on the emplacement hitherto disgraced and disfigured with barbarous sheds, stone cracking yards, and other nameless nuisances. They will remember how the Powers that be got up a Public Meeting to vote a portrait of Her Majesty and how the public rejected the project. They will remember how the States determined not to be baffled in their "projet," incontinently voted the portrait out of the ' public funds, and how the portrait was painted, and — by the Lord Harry ! — hung as high as Hainan in the Royal Court ! And there it hangs uato this day to witness to our truth. Her Gracious Majesty's head is jammed well up against the ceiling, and the tail of her voluminous skirts of the stiffest of brocade, costing ever so much a yard, enwraps the Bailiffs chair. We have computed the altitude of the portrait with a theodolite and have arrived at the result that it measures fifteen feet in height, and that if Her Majesty could come out of her frame and walk up High Street she could look comfortably into the first floor windows and prod people in the ribs with the fan she holds in her hand. Sir John Doyle in his top boots and Lord de Saumarez in his silk stockings look quite little fellows alongside the Royal Lady, and as to the Patres Conscripti gathered round the horseshoe they are mere pigmies compared with the Frankenstein of their and Val Prinsep's creation a long way after Yon Angeli. Never mind how that the Guernsey public wanted a Statue on the pier and held an enthusiastic meeting to vote for it, and petitioned the States through the Bailiff to clear the decks at the emplacement for that purpose. Never mind how that their peti- tion was shelved for three weary months, and when it came before the States was handicapped by other proposals which the Body could ' not stand, and so the Statue came to naught and the Guernsey public were foiled, ha ! ha ! Nevertheless, a time will come, let us dissemble — and so forth. (Forked lightning and distant thun- der.) But to return to our muttons, or rather to the bounteous fare provided for us at New Old Government House last Monday. The change of venue from the dear stuffy old room in High Street was extremely welcome, aud no less than thirty guests assembled to do honour to the occasion, and to mark their appreciation of Her Majesty's Representative in entertaining us in what may figuratively be called the marble halls of Mr. John Gardner with vassals and serfs by his side. The banqueting room, in which the feast was served, was worthy of seigneurial times. Without measuring, it appeared to us to be about a hundred feet loug and proportionately broad and high with decorations, illuminations and adornments worthy of the Middle Ages combined with the latest modern adornments, appli- ances and means to boot, to render ita credit to Mr. Shaw, the champion decorator of Guernsey. There is, certainly, no room like it in the island, and we cannot but applaud the spirited enterprise of our worthy friend Mr. Gardner in having constructed such a superb tabernacle for the entertainment of the thousands of visitors who patronise Government House, and go away and recommend it and Guernsey, to their friends abroad. We were thirty at table— a table tastefully adorned with choicest flowers, illumined with gorgeous lustres and chandeliers, and sparkling with costly plate. Sir Edgar Mac- Culloch, Bailiff, and Mr. John Le Mottee, Lt.- Bailiff, occupied the head of the table. To right and left of them sat Mr. J. R. Tar- dif, Capt. Carr6, R.N., Messrs. J. Ross De Havilland, Alfred Collings, G. Allez, Joseph Collings, De Vie Tupper, Jurats. Then came HM.'s Procureur, Mr. T. G. Carey, HM.'s Controller, Mr. E. C. Ozanne, H.M.s Receiver-General, Mr, Julius Carey, H.M.s Greffier, Mr. Cohu, H.M.s Serjeant, Mr. De Jersey, Messrs. William Carey,De Mouilpied, and Cecil Carey, members of the Guernsey Bar. The Guernsey Fiefs owing hommage were represented in proprid persond by Seigneur Amias C. Andros d'Anneville et de Mauxmarquis, Seigneur Reginald Bainbrigge, dcs Rohais, and Seigneur Lenfestey (Frie) in right of his wife Rachel Le Messurier, dcs Phillippes. The Fief of Saumarez, St. Martin, was represented vicariously by Mr. Thomas Mauger, as also were those of Blanchelande by Col. Naftel, of Canelly by Mr. Thos. Le Mottee, of Fan- tome by Mr. Isemonger, of Bruniaux de Noirmont by Mr. Le Messurier, and of Bruniaux de St. Martin by Mr. George de Garis — Then there were Capt. Philip de Sau- marez, RN.., Major-General, R. B. McCrea, R.A., and Capt. Freeth, R.A., Mr.W. de Jersey, et voila tout. In such a goodly company, and when Mr. John Gardner's bill of fare was put before us, we prepared to do justice to it. Would the gentle reader like to know of what the fare consisted ? Then here goes for it. We had soup au vermicelli, and soup a la Reine. Our fish was Turbot, sauce homard. Our Entrees were profusely liberal. What think you of LaTigues d'agneau en kan, Ris- de-vcau d la Villeroi. Cotdettes de mouton d la Russe, Filets de pigeons a la Ducelle, and cotelettes de veau, sauce tomates 1 Then for the Removes what say you to Tits de veau au naturel, to Gigot cVagneau, Aloyau a la broche, to Dinde a la puree de ceteris, to Canetons au pere Douillits, and Grouse % Ah what indeed 1 As for sweets, smack your lips over V Tarte de pommes efc la Creme, Gelee de Dantzic, and Creme d, la Vanille, and if these do not invite a gusto for dessert in season, accompanied with generous wines, we do not knpw what would. Truth compels us to state that the wine was not supplied by our host, but came from Mr. Nicolas Ferguson, of the Pollet. Howbeit the generous vintage was so highly appreciated that ere the banquet was over, the chief butler had to explore the cellars of Government House for fresh supplies. The waiting was performed by Mr. Gardner's own "satellites, one of whom was evidently intended by nature for his vocation. The manner in which he balanced three plates of entrees on his single arm, and whipped them before each guest to pick and choose between was wonderfully dexterous. It was a feat we had never seen performed before, but is too distract- ing to be recommended in future. Owing to pressure on our space we are compelled to defer the conclusion of this article till next week, during which we hope the dinner will keep hot. Summer Waking.— The following was the only yacht arrival during the past week: — Alba, s., 66 tons, owned by Mr. Lapraick. A Good SiGN^-For the second Saturday, in succession, there were no police cases brought before the Court to-day. This, we think, is a very good sign. Eldad Church.— Mr. J. J. Hardie, organ- ist of St. James's Church, will preside at the New Organ, built by Messrs. Nicholson for the Eldad Church, at the services to-mor- row, for the first time. Parochial Election.— At a meeting of the Ratepayers of St. Sampson's held on Tuesday last under the presidency of the Rev. F. H. S. Pendleton, Messrs. D. O. Le Patourel and Alfred D. Naftel were elected Collectors of the poor, to replace Messrs. T. H. Henry and H. Robin. The Town Church Font, which was removed to make room for tho more beautiful on<* given by the family of the late Mr. Havilland Carey, has been accepted by the rector of St. Saviour's, and will shortly be erected in the baptistry of that church. Navigation.— Mr. A. Callaghan, fourth son of the late Mr. R. Callaghan, of the Canichers, passed a successful examination, on Tuesday last, at London, before the Local Marine Board, entitling him to a second mates' certificate in the Foreign Service. Another Princely Gift.— The Princess Stephanie has presented Capt. Lihou of the s.s. Alert with a massive gold pin in recog- nition of his services while in command of the Alert during her visit. The pin bears the Imperial Cypher, and an Anchor, sur- mounted by an Imperial Crown. The gift is a handsome one and is highly treasured by the recipient. Excursion to Morlaix.— By reference to our advertising columns it will be seen that an excursion is to be made to Morlaix in the early part of next week, should a suffi- cient number of passengers offer. There is to be a very large fair, and intending excur- sionists would do well to secure their tickets from Mr. Lame without delay. Early Closing.— lt has been decided by the stationers and some ofthe tradesmen in the town, to close their establishments at 5 o'clock on Wednesdays, up to the end of November, During the month of December they will remain open till 7 o'clock as before. After Chrismas, however, it is probable that early closing will begin again. 

; AUK FRAIS DE SA MAJESTE. (Concluded from last issue.) One gentleman is reported to have helped himself freely to all three dishes at once and then asked for carrots. Another to have sampled a fearful wild fowl called Grouse, and pronounced it " Saloperie," but this was the only criticism we heard of on Her Majesty's good things. Dinner over, we spread ourselves for further enjoyment, and we had it. First Sir Edgar proposed the health of the Queen, which was drunk with all due honours. Then followed the Royal Family, then the Lieut.-Governor, and then the health of the Receiver-General was proposed in graceful terms, but being situated at some distance from the Bailiff, we were unable to take down his words. Mr. Julius Carey in responding said he had been congratulating himself on his way to the banquet that he could not possibly be called upon to speak on this occasion, and was therefore quite unprepared for the honour that had just been done him, for which he begged to return his best thanks. The company present were that evening inaugurating the opening of Mr. Gardner's new banqueting room, and certainly if any praise was due, it snould be accorded to Mr. Gardner rather than to himself, who had merely brought them together at this new locale, which he believed would prove — as it certainly had proved in his opinion — a most suitable and fitting place for the Chief Pleas dinners. Everything had been well done ; he felt certain that all present had passed a most enjoyable evening, and he hoped that he might have the pleasure of meeting them here again on future occa- sions. (Hear, hear, and applause.) Mr. Tardif then proposed the health ofthe Bailiff in highly eulogistic terras, the toast being received with unbounded enthusiasm. Sir Edgar responding in his usual po- lished style proposed the health of the Seigueurs present coupling the toast with the name of the Seigneur d'Anneville. Mr. Andros briefly returned thanks leaving the honor of responding in fitting terms to General McCrea who for the nonce was re- presenting him as Seigneur de Maux- marquis. General McCrea proved himself equal to the occasion. He said " Ladies and Gentlemen (laughter), I say ladies because from certain glimpses I have had behind that screen I am not sure that Mrs. Gardner, in her earnest desire that the inauguration of her husband's magnificent room and the entertainment of this distinguished assem-blage should prove a perfect success, may not be within earshot of what I am saying. Representing as I do for tonight the Seigneurie of Mauxmarquis, at such a Gathering as this of the Bench, the Bar, the Crown Officers and the Seigneurs of the old Guernsey Fiefs owing Hommage to Her Majesty, I feel more than ever imbued with the spirit of a Guernseyman. Though I reside in England as do other Guernseymen whose avocations deny them the inestimable privilege of dwelling in the land of their birth, speaking for them as well as for myself, I may truly say that though we live in England, our hearts are in Guernsey. (Loud cheers.) We take the greatest interest in all that happens here. We rejoice at everything that happens for the good of the island, and we share in your regrets for any evils which may befall it. (Cheers.) Speaking in this strain, I am reminded of the story of the Scotchman who said he had been to London, to Paris, to Berlin, to Vienna, and to Madrid. He found them mighty cities, but he added, 'Give me Peebles.' Now, Peebles being a small town where grass grows in the streets, this showed much for the enthusias- tic and genuine love for his native place evinced by the braw Scotchman, and following his example, I say 'Give me Guernsey.' This reminds me of another native of the Land o' Cakes, who leaving his native town and coming to London, told his friends that so enor- mous were the expenses of the Metropolis that he had not been in it for many hours, before ' Bang went saxpence ?? (Laughter.) I mention this to illustrate my experience of the increased expenses of living in Guernsey. When I was a boy I can remember that strawberries could be bought here for a penny a pound and oysters at two pence a dozen. (Sensation.) Now, thanks to the progress of events, such prices nowadays would be considered ridiculous. (Hear, hear.) If I want to treat myself to fruit or oysters, before I have time to turn round in the Market, 'Bang goes saxpence ?? With all your grand improvements, your new harbour, new markets, this is not to be wondered at. Guernsey must advance with the times, and it is a sign of her prosperity, which I for one, as a loyal Guernseyman, greatly rejoice at, though it may place a limit to our expenditure in frujt, oysters, and other luxuries which in the good old clays, as they are called, we were enabled to enjoy without counting the cost. After all if 'Bang goes saxpence' in the Guernsey Market, it is a comforting reflection that the bawbees go into the pockets of our countrymen, and that owing to our favoured climate, their thrifty habits and indomitable industry, the Guernsey farmer is on the high road to fortune and success.' (Tre- mendous cheering, during which the gallant General resumed his seat.) The Receiver-General then proposed the health of the Supervisor. He alluded to that gentleman's re-election that very morning. Colonel De Vie Tupper, whose name had long been a household word in Guernsey, worthy indeed of his much- lamented father Henry Tupper, the loss of whom Guernsey could never sufficiently deplore, had now held the important office of Supervisor for a year, and the anticipa- tions which had been formed of his financial abilities had been amply fulfilled, for in Colonel Tupper it had been proved that we possessed an active, zealous and com- petent Treasurer of the States. (Loud cheers.) He congratulated the Court on their selection as well as the public, and more especially the maritime popu- lation whose interests the Supervisor had so warmly at heart. (Hear, hear.) Only last week he had met him at Cher- bourg, whither Colonel Tupper had gone to inspect a " whistling buoy " the like of which he proposed to establish at the entrance of the Little Russel, with a view to lessening the dangers which beset those mariners who trade to our rock-bound coasts. With such a Supervisor he felt sure that, whatever pc- Jils might lurk in the near future, with Col. Tupper at the wheel, we might safely trust him to pilot us through all rocks and shoals of fortune, whether by land or sea. (Im- mense applause.) To this eulogium Colonel Tupper replied in feeling terms, but his speech being delivered in the French language we much regret our inability to do it justice. Sir Edgar then proposed tbe health of the Crown Officers, to which H.M.s Comptroller replied, after which Mr. Andros proposed the health of the Jurats of the Royal Court. He said that nothing could exceed the disinterested spirit in which these gentlemen tlirew themselves into the service of the public. At all times, from year's end to year's end, they were ready to render their services ungrudgingly, ancl unwearied were their patience and temperance on all occasions. Only the other day he had witnessed a police case in which the Bailiff, several Jurats, Law officers, and Court officials were occupied for nearly an hour in trying a charge of the most trivial nature, and he could not help feeling how much the community were indebted to gen- tlemen who so cheerfully sacrificed their time and leisure for the public good. If he might compare them to a steam-hammer, they could come down with crushing effect, but at the same time they could restrain, with- out sparing, their powers to the cracking of the smallest nut which the exigencies of Justice might bring before them. (Hear, hear.) To this Mr. Ross De Havilland responded with considerable force, and branching off to another subject proposed the health of Mr. John Gardner which was drunk with acclamation, drawing our worthy caterer from behind the screen and eliciting a graceful and appropriate response. By this time we were ripe for harmony, and one of the company suggested that it would be well to test the acoustic proper- ties of Mr. Gardner's splendid salle a manger by trying a song, and called upon Captain de Saumarez, R.N. The gallant veteran, nothing loth, immediately acceded and sang " A tine Old English Gentleman," with much spirit, the company joining in chorus till they made the rafters ring. Mr. Julius Carey, whose voice was never better pitched, followed with a "Friar of Orders Grey," which brought down the house, and was succeeded by Mr. Ross de Havilland who sang a jovial hunting song which made us fancy ourselves at General Gordon's Drag Hunt following the nimble herring, and elicited a chorus of applause. (Yoicks ! Tally ho!) Finally Mr. de Jersey, dcs Fauconnaire, fairly convulsed the audience by a song "Tv n'es pas maitre dans ta maison," which was given with such exquisite humour and action, as has set us dying to hear it again, and then Mr. Julius Carey wound up the proceedings by singing the National Anthem, in which we all joined with fervour, and the company separated in the tirm conviction that the Chief Pleas pinner, especially at Old Go- vern menc House, is an Institution, which it would not willingly let die.

COUR D'ANNEVILLE Mr. Amias Charles Andros, the new Seigneur of the Fief d'Anneville and Fauville, for which he did " Homage " at the Chief Pleas last week, presided at his Court at the old Manor House on Monday last. Mr. J. C. Le Mottée pre- sented the Act of Court appointing him Senes- chal of the Court of Anneville and Fauville, and the same was ordered to be registered on the records of the Fief, after which Mr. Elias Queripel was sworn Vavasseur. The different Provosts then called over the names of the tenants, and Mr. Joseph Naftel was afterwards sworn Provost of Anneville for the 7th Bou- vee, and Mr. James Le Patourel Provost of Fauville for the 11th Bouvee. Mr. Andros afterwards entertained the mem- bers of the Court at the Longs Camps. The dinner was provided by M. Robin, jun., and was done ample justice to. At the conclusion of the repast the Seigneur proposed the health of her Majesty which was received with all due honours. Mr. Andros then proposed the health of the new Seneschal in the following terms : — •' Messieurs, j'ai grand gret que j'n peus pas vous addressais en la langue Guernesiaise, mais v'la si longtemps que j'nai etai en Guernesi que vous m'excuserais si je vous parle en Anglais. Gentlemen, — I beg to propose the health of our new Seneschal, Mr. John Carrel Le Mottee. The present is a landmark s in the history of the Fief passing — as decreed by the irrevocable laws of Nature — from the hands of the dead to those of the living, which I determined to celebrate by coming over from England and personally inaugurating my succession. It is rather a remarkable conjunction that not only is this the debut of a new Seigneur, but also of a new Seneschal and a new Vavasseur. When Mr. Le Mottee's name was proposed to me as Seneschal I was much gratified at the selection, having always entertained the highest opinion of Mr. Le Mottee who is so well known to all and so highly respected and esteemed by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. I am sure the office of Seneschal never was in better hands, and that Mr. Le Mottee will fulfil his duties in a manner worthy of the name he bears and of tho ancient Fief. I beg to couple with Mr. Le Mottle's name that of Mr. Queri- pel, the new Vavasseur, and I hope we may all be spared to gather round this festive board for many a Michaelmas to come." Mr. Le Mottee replied as follows : — "In meeting this day forthe discharge of our official duties, we have done so under somewhat unusual circumstances. The Manor is held by a new Seigneur, the Court presided over by a newly appointed Sen6cl?al, and a new Vavas- seur of the Court has also been sworn into office, and all these changes I regret to say are brought upon us by the death of the last surviving re- presentative of the Fief, and of our late es- teemed friend Mr. Ed. Thomas Moullin, who for mauy years past held the office of S6nechal of this Court. To be honoured with the presence of the Lord of the Manor at our annual dinner is a very rare occurrence, and although I have belonged to this Court for over thirty years I ?? recollect seeing the late Seigneur Mr. Thos. Andros present on one occasion. We have oc- casionally seen tbe late Captain Andros, but, if I mistake not, he was net the sole Seigneur, but a representative, the Manor not having been divided at the death of the late Mr- f Andros but held in common by his brother and sisier, till lately on the death of the last sur- vivor it has become the property of the present Seigneur Mr. Amias Andros. Having therefore the honor of the presence of tho actual Seig- neur with us this duy, I have much pleasure Gentlemen, in proposing his health, feeling con- fident that you will do it that justice which it deserves, at the same time hoping that ho may long live to enjoy the title of Monsieur le Seig- nieur d'Anneville, and the honours appertaining thereto. Mr. Andros as you all know, Gentle- men, isa member of one ofour oldest Guernsey families, a family which has given us two Bailiffs, and a Lieut.-Governor, besides several Jurats, and I am happy to see that Mr. Amias Andros, like his ancestors, identifies himself with our local Institutions, by re- taining this Fief in his family, to be no doubt handed down later to his descendants as an heir loom, from past generations from a very remote date. We require no further proof than this to tell us that Mr. Andros is a thorough Guernseyman, (Un vrai Guernesiais) a friend of his native land and an admirer of its Insti- tutions, which, however peculiar they may ap- pear to some persons, nevertheless contribute largely to the prosperity and happiness of our community." The toast was drunk with due honours and Mr. Andros replied :•— "My friends, — I thank you very much for the honour you have done mo in drinking my health. It is I assure you a source of great pride and satisfaction to me to occupy the position I do to-day, in representing — however unworthily — the ancient Fief d'Anneville, which has been in possession of my family since the year 1660, and I hope will remain in our pos- session as long as the name of Andros exists. Gentlemen, you are no doubt all well ac- quainted with the origin and history of this old Fief, but it may refresh our memories just to glance at its records for a moment. In the year 1061 Guernsey was invaded and ra- vaged by piratical hordes causing the inhabi- tants to flee for safety and for succour to the Vale Castle, Ivy Castle, and Jerbourg Castle. The news was conveyed to Duke William — ■ afterwards the Conqueror — who at once des- patched a detuchment to the relief of the is- landers under tho command of his Esquire, Sampson d'Anneville, who speedily put the pirates to the sword. In recognition of his ser- vices Duke William granted to Sarapaon of the island by the title of Fief and Seigneurie d'Anneville, while another fourth was granted to the Abbot of St. Michael. Sampson waa followed to Guernsey by a number of Norman emigrants, and Duke William granted to them other Fiefs such as Saumarez, Mauxmarquis, Canelly, Fantome, and Rohais &c. The Fief ?? however was the noblest tenure in the island. The lord of this Seigneurie, we are told, ranked next to the clergy and was so cited in the King's Courts, and he was bound to attend the King as his Esquire when he came to the island. He also possessed in common with tho Abbott of St. Michael, the droit de haute justice, or, the power of trying and executing criminals and enjoyed the usual privileges which attaclied to the Seigneurs of the period ' avec tous les rentes, chefrentes, droits Seigneuriaulx, treziè- mes, poulages, champarts, et autres revenus, emoluments, casualites, appartenances et depen- dances sans aucune exception avec tous les Dtoits, Chartres, Titres, et Prerogatives, gui de- pendent dv Fief." "At that time the Fief included'what is now called the Fief Le Conte, and was situated partly in the Vale, St. Sampson's, St. Pierre-du- Bois, St. Saviour's, and the Catel. It was afterwards subdivided and parcelled out, and finally escheated to the Crown on the extinc- tion of the Anneville race in 1143. Then it passed to the Earl of Mortaigne, afterwards to the family of de Vere, and was granted in 1247 by Henry 111. to Guillaume de Chesney, from whom it descended to Sir Robert Wil lou^hby who disposed of it in 1509 to Nicolas Faschin, gentleman-usher to King Henry VIII. It continued in the possession of the Faschins for a century, and then passed into the Andros family, as I have already mentioned, in 1660, by the marriage of Charles Andros, Captain of the St. Martin's regiment and a jurat of the Royal Court, with Alice Faschin sole heiress of Aoneville Fief. This Chades Andros was brother to Amias Andros, bailiff of Guernsey in 1661. From Charles Andros the Seigneurie has descended through six generations of An- droses till through the decease of my late lamented father, uncle, and aunt, who held it jointly for the last 30 years, it has como to myseif. I have from my boyhood alwayß taken the greatest interest in this old Fief, and I take all the more now that it has come into my pos- session. It really is a delightful heirloom. Here are two ancient documents which I invita you to inspect. One is the original Charter dated 1406 granted by Henry IV to Edmund de Chesuey, confirming him in the right of free warren originally bestowed by Prince Edward in 1248, on his ancestor William de Che3ney. This refers to tho old Garenne ?? which exists in our possession to this day. The other document dated 1546 is a Charter by Henry VIII. confirming letters patent, granted to the de Chesney's by Henry 111 in respect of the Fief. " Coining down to a later date I hold in my band the records of the various Courts held in the Fief since it haa been in my family. Let us turn to this day two centuries ago, and see what the entry says. Here it is : ' Les chefs plais capitos de la Court et Seigneurie ?? tenus apres le jour St. Michel, lan 1682, par devant M. George An- dros, seneschal, presens a cc les Srs. Pierre la Pere et Nicollas Ozane, vavasseurs. ' Sr. Pierre Robin demeure provost pour Madame de Houmot pour la segonde aulx mille six cents huictante et deux. 'Sr. Harivel Cohu continue provost pour la segonde uiille six cents huictante et deux pour M. Ellie le boutillier.' " That is the entry, and so they go on year after year in this old book down to 1827. Here is another curious and interesting old relic. It is the Livre de Percharge of Anne- ville made in 1683, containing the accurate measurements of all the fields, and signed by all the tenants— Pierre la Pere, Thos. do la Marche, Pierre Robin, James Bichard, Pierre Martin, James Le Mesurier, Daniel Cohu, Jacques Ozanne, Nicolas Ferbrache, and Pierre Holonbins. One name at least, that of M. Robin, still appears on the list of the tenants, and wbo answered at the Court this morning. " Having myself done ' Homage ' for the fiefs ?? and Mauxmarquis ttt the Royal Court last week, I referred with much curiosity to an ancient document in my posses- sion describing how George Faehin, the Seig- neur of Anneville, performed the same cere- mony in 1610. It appears to have been a vory much more important ceremonial than the present, which now consists simply of the Seigneur standing like a criminal at the bar, while tho Procureur reads certain conclu- sions from a scrap of paper. This is the form : ' La formo d'hommage faite a Milord George Carew, Baron de Clauton, Capitaine et Gouvor- neur General dv Chateau et Isle do Guerne- sey pour sa Majeste, par Monsieur George Fachin, Seigqeur d'Anneville, lo Gme. jour dv mois ?? en lan 1610. ' La Seigneurie ayant pris place en la grande salle dv chateau Cornet, accompagn£e de Mon- sieur le Baillif et de Messrs. de Justice et dcs Officiers dv Roy. Le dit Seigneur d'Anneville a esté conduit vers le dyt Gouvemeur par Messire Jowin Heme chevallier le quel apees avoir sallué bumblement le dyt Seigneur Gou- verneur, le dyt Messire a proferre, les parolles suivantes. ' Mon Seigneur,— vostre Seigneurie en cc gouvernement Lieutenant du Roy nostre souverain Seigneur Jacques par la Grace de Dieu, Roy de la Grande Bretagne, France et Irelande, deffenseur de la foy aussy vray, naturel et legitime Duc et Seigneur souverain de ce Duché de Nortuandie au droit de que Duché, ce gentiihoiume present tenant de par son droit naturel et successif, en qualité de teneure noble, a foy et hommage de sa Majesty, comme estant a ce authorizé Recevoir par expres sous son grand seau d'Angleterre ses dits devoirs de foy et hommage pour le dyt Fief et Seigneurie et appartenancee. ' Apres quoy le dyt Seigneur d'Anneville mettant les geuoux a terre, et ses mains entre les mains du dyt Gouverneur, a ses genoux dv proferré les parolles suivantes. Je devious vostre homme a vous porter foy et hommage contre tous. Et le dyt Gouverneur a sur cela repondu les parolles suivantes. Et moy pour sa Majeste, nous y accepte avouant tous vos legitimes droits titres, proprietez et possessions en queiconque, nos terres fief et seigneurio Relevant eh cette Tenure noble de sa Majesté, sauf pareilleuient a sa dyte Majesty ses droits et regalitez gui justement lvi doivent appar tenir." - ?? Such was the form of Homage in the good old times. Gentlemen, I like to think of them and I cherish with the greatest reverence and affection everything connected with the time honoured institutions, manners and customs of our beloved uativa island. I cannot refrain from mentioning an incident which occurred to me last Saturday. Walking over the fief I got into conversation with one of my ' tenants ' who owns the old mansion where the Court was held to day. The porch is an extremely curious and beautiful specimen of old Gothic architecture almost unique of its kind, even in Guernsey, and I said so to my friend. He then told me that some time ago a wealthy resident in Guernsey had offered to buy the porch aud cart it away. What was my friend's reply ? It was admirable. ' Sir,' he said, ' you are a rich man, but you do not possess the money that will buy that porch.' Gentle- men, thi3 is tho spirit which I am sure ani- mates the whole of us, and all who like our- selves cling to what time has spared of the work bequeathed to us by our forefathers in the brave days of old. Weare prou lof beinij Guern^eyraen, and we are resolved to uphold its Institutions, and we have need to be tirm in our resolve, at a time when Society is changing very much from what it was, and that a fresh generation is springing up that knows little, and I am afraid cares less, for the Guernsey of tho past. Speaking for myself, as Seigneur d'Anneville, I promise that the good old cus- tom of holding our yearly Court, and the equally fin equally fine old Institution of this our Annual dinner shall be kept up as long as I live, and I hope and believe by my descendants after me. Mr. Andros then said, " Gentlemen, — I have one more toast to propose. It was my most earnest wish to have invited several relatives and old friends to this celebration, but unfortunately the size of tho room rendered it absolutely impossible and I have not had time to arrange for a larger one. We have however found room for Mr. Julius Carey, our worthy Uiijh Constable, and my near and dear kinsman , and I feel we must not separate without drinking his health,and thanking him for his august presence here to-day. Gentlemen, we all know Mr. Carey and to begin singing his praise is like gilding refined gold or painting the lily. Mr. Carey is a gentleman whose bountiful nature intended expressly to he our High Constable, for the office was never so efficiently and admirably filled before. Mr. Carey combines the suaviter in mo'do with the fortiter in re in a manner which wins all hearts and occasionally breaks heads. There is only one fault about Mr. Carey and that is, that he makes himself too popular, so much so that criminals have been heard to declare that it is a positive pleasure to be locked up or knocked down by such a pleasant gentleman. I have heard him described by a humorous writer of the period as L'Empereur des Isles de In Munche and I am sure if he lie I not the Emperor, he ought to be. Beneath him ! sway Guernsey has prospered for years and I hope it will bo many more before we shall have to say He was a man — and a Constable to j boot — take himn for all in all we ehall not iouk upon his like again." This toast was received with tremendous j enthusiasm, when Mr. Carey rose and said : — *• Monseigneur d’Anneville, de Fauville et dependences, de Mauxmarquis et de Beauvoir — Monsieur de Normanville et de la Petite Marche — mon très cher cousin. Je me lève.- vous remercier infiniement pour votre beau discours, et en même temps remercier également ces messieurs presents pour la manière bienveillante dont ils ont bien voulu accueillir votre ' toast.' Votre partialité, votre affection envers ma personne vous a rendu aveugle .. mes imperfections je ne mérite nullement les éloges que vous m'avez tribute ; c'est vrai que nous nous connaissons intimement au dèla de 40 ans, et que ja suis fier d'être considéré comme un de vos plus intimes parents. Nous avons étudié ensemble, nous avons voyagé ensemble en France, en Espagne, en Angleterre, et quoique la mémoire de nos expéditions est imperishable, je dois vous dire franchement que ce n'est rien comparé a la memoire que je porterai a jamais de cette fete d'inauguration, vous voyant environné des officiers de votre cour, et de votre fils bien-aimé occupant le fauteuil de Président et Seigneur. J'ose esperer vous voir d'année en année occupant cette digne position. J'espère, Monseigneur que sous peu vous viendrez fixer votre résidence parmi vos concitoyens, et que nous vous verrons un unde ces jours suivant les traces de vos ancêtres, occupant ce que plusieurs d'eux ont déjà fait avec honneur, le fauteuil de Juré justicier de la Cour Royale de notre cher ile de Guernesey." Other toasts followed, Mr. Carey obliged the Company with several of his best songs, delivered in a manner not often heard at the Longs Camps, and the festivities were prolonged till late in the afternoon, when the company separated, wall pleased with their entertainment, and unanimously agreed that the feudal Institution, though more than eight hundred years old was still in as green old age as the patriarchal provost M. Robin, who, with eighty years upon his back, played as good a knife and fork as the youngest member of the company.