an island in the English channel, believed to be the island called in the Itinerary Caesarea, in succeeding times Augia, by us Jersey, more frequently Jersey. It is situated in the English channel, 18 miles to the west of Normandy, and 84 to the south of Portland in Dorsetshire, and in the time of the Romans was called Caesarea. It is not above 12 miles in length, nor much above 6 where broadest, which is at the two extremities. It is defended by rocks and dangerous quicksands. On the north side the cliffs rise 40 or 50 fathoms high, which render it inaccessible on that side; but on the south the shore is almost level with the water. In the west part of the island is a large tract of land once cultivated and very fertile, but now a barren desert, caused by the westerly winds throwing up sand from the bottom to the top of the highest cliffs. The higher lands are diversified by gritty, gravelly, stony, and fine mould; the lower by a deep, rich, and heavy soil. The middle part of the island is somewhat mountainous, and so thick planted with trees, that at a distance it resembles one entire forest, though in walking through it there is hardly a thicket or any other thing to be seen but hedge-rows and orchards of apple-trees. The valleys under the hills are finely watered by brooks, and have plenty of cattle and small sheep, with very fine wool, and very sweet meat, which is ascribed to the shortness of the grass. The horses are good for draught; but few fit for the saddle. The island produces variety of trees, roots, and herbs; but not corn enough for the inhabitants, who therefore send for it to England and France, and sometimes to Dantzic. The fields are inclosed by great mounds of earth, raised from 6 to 8 or 10 feet high, proportionably thick and solid, planted with quicksets and trees. As the air of this island is very healthy, those of the inhabitants who are temperate live to a great age: but the coast is very subject to storms by westerly winds, from which they have no land to shelter them nearer than North America; and there is a vast chain of rocks about the island, among which the tides and currents are so strong and rapid, that the navigation is dangerous to those who are not perfectly acquainted with the coast. The buildings of this island are generally of rag stone; but some of the wealthy inhabitants have their houses fronted with a reddish white stone, capable of being polished like marble, and of which there is a rich quarry on a hill called Montmado. The ordinary dwellings are thatched. The churches are very plain buildings, most of them with square steeples; and the com- The staple manufacture is knit stockings and caps, many thousand pairs of which are weekly sold at St Helier to the merchants; also cider, of which 25,000 hogsheads have been made here in one year. Their principal foreign trade is to Newfoundland; whither, particularly in 1732, they sent 24 ships; these proceed from thence to the Mediterranean to dispose of their fish.

On the south of the island the sea seems to have encroached upon the land (which, as we have before observed, declines on that side), and to have swallowed upwards of six square miles, making a very beautiful bay of about three miles long, and near the same in breadth. In the east corner of this bay stands the town of St Helier, very happily situated. But the principal haven is in the western corner of the bay, which receives its name from it, being called St Aubin's. There are, besides these, several other havens of less note; as, St Brelade's bay, at the back of St Aubin's; the great bay of St Ouen, which takes in the greatest part of the west side of the island, where the largest ships may ride in 12 and 15 fathoms, safe from all but east winds. La Crevalle is a port only for boats; Greve de Lecq and Port St John are also small havens on the north side, where is likewise Bonnemont. On the east there is the bay of St Catharine, and the harbour of Rofel. To the south-west lies the haven de la Chauffée. The last we shall mention is the Port de Pas, a very little to the eastward of St Aubin's bay.

The towns of St Helier and St Aubin, which, as already mentioned, stand both in the same bay called St Aubin's bay, opening to the south, are about three miles astern. St Helier took its name from Elerius or Helier, a holy man who lived in this island many centuries ago, and was slain by the Pagan Normans at their coming hither. He is mentioned among the martyrs in the martyrology of Coutance. His little cell with the stone bed is still shown among the rocks; and in memory of him a noble abbey of canons regular was founded in the little island in this bay, and annexed to Cherburg abbey in Normandy in the reign of Henry I. and suppressed as an alien priory. The town of St Helier stands at the foot of a long and high rocky hill at the east end. It is a well-built and populous place; greatly improved and enlarged within the last century; and contains about 400 houses, mostly shops, and near 2000 inhabitants. The marketplace in the centre is spacious, surrounded with handsome houses, among which is the Cohue-Royale or court of justice. At the top of the market-place is a statue of George II. of bronze gilt. The market is held on Saturday, and much frequented.

St Aubin at the west end of the bay is principally inhabited by merchants and masters of ships, whom the neighbourhood of the port has invited hither. It is not more than half the size of the other town, though greatly increased within these 100 years; and has a good stone pier carried far into the sea, where ships of considerable burden lie safe under the guns of the adjoining fort.

The isle of St Helier, more to the east in the same bay, is in circuit near a mile, surrounded by the sea at or about every half flood. On the site of the abbey before mentioned is now Elizabeth castle, one of the largest and strongest fortresses in Britain. Queen Elizabeth began it, and gave it her name. Charles I. enlarged, and Charles II. who was twice here, completed it. It was the last fortress that held out for the king. It is the residence of the governor and garrison, and occupies the whole isle, from whence at low water is a passage called the bridge, half a mile long, formed of land and stones. A citadel was begun in the last war on a hill, whence the castle might be bombarded, but since the peace left off.

Mount Orgueil castle, called also Gourray from the neighbouring village of that name, lies to the south of Rofel harbour in the bay of St Catharine. It was a place of strength before Henry V.'s time, and bid defiance to the attempts of the French under the constable De Guelfin 1374 at the end of the reign of Edward III. It was repaired by Queen Elizabeth, but is now neglected, yet preserves an air of grandeur answering its name even in ruins. The ascent to its top is by near 200 steps; and from thence by a telescope may be seen the two front towers of the cathedral of Coutance. The famous William Prynne was confined in it three years.

The island is divided into 12 parishes, which are so laid out that each has a communication with the sea; these are subdivided into 52 vintaines, so called from the number of 20 houses, which each is supposed to have formerly contained, just as in England 10 houses anciently made a tything. The whole number of inhabitants is computed at about 20,000, of which 3000 are able to bear arms, and are formed into regiments. Their general review is on the sandy bay between the two towns, when they are attended with a train of above 20 brass field pieces, and two small bodies of horse in the wings.

The chief officer is the governor, who has the custody of his majesty's castles, with the command of the garrisons and militia. The civil government is administered by a bailiff, assisted by 12 jurats. They have here also what they call an assembly of the states. These are convened by the governor or his deputy; the bailiff confers with himself and the jurats, the dean and clergy, and the 12 high constables.

There were formerly many druidical temples and altars in Jersey, some remains of which are still to be seen. The cromlechs are here called pouquelays, and there are some tumuli and keeps. Roman coins have also been dug up in this island; and there are the remains of a Roman camp in the manor of Dilamant. Christianity was first planted here in the middle of the 6th century, and the island made part of the see of Dol in Bretagne, and it is now governed by a dean. Besides the abbey of St Helier, here were four priories, Noirmont, St Clement, Bonnemont, and le Leek; and above 20 chapels, now mostly ruined. During the last war this island, together with that of Guernsey, became an object of desire to France, whose vanity, no less than her interest, was concerned in depriving Britain of those last remains of her continental possessions. The first attempt to achieve this conquest took place in the year 1779. A force of 5000 or 6000 men was embarked in flat-bottomed boats, and endeavoured to land in the bay of St Ouen, on the first of May. In this this attempt they were supported by five frigates and other armed vessels; but met with such a vigorous resistance from the militia of the island, assisted by a body of regulars, that they were compelled to retire without having landed a single person. Much discontent and mutual recrimination took place among the French naval and military officers on this failure; and though the expedition was represented by many as ill concerted, and destitute of every hope of success, another attempt was resolved on. Both the troops and seamen that had been employed in the former expedition were equally desirous of retrieving their honour; but they were for some time prevented from making any attempt of this kind by bad weather; and, before another opportunity offered, the squadron which was designed to cover their descent was attacked by Sir James Wallace, who drove them ashore on the coast of Normandy, silenced a battery under whose guns they had taken shelter, captured a frigate of 34 guns, with two rich prizes, burnt two other large frigates, and a considerable number of smaller vessels.

Thus the scheme of invading the island of Jersey was totally disconcerted, and laid aside for that time, but was resumed in the year 1781. The conduct of this second expedition was given to the baron de Rullecourt, who had been second in command when the former attempt was made. He was a man of courage, but fierce and violent in his disposition, and seems to have been very deficient in the prudence and conduct necessary for bringing any military enterprise to a successful issue. The force entrusted to him on the present occasion consisted of 2000 men; with whom he embarked in very tempestuous weather, hoping that he might thus be able to surprise the garrison. Many of his transports, however, were thus dispersed, and he himself, with the remainder, obliged to take shelter in some islands in the neighbourhood of Jersey. As soon as the weather grew calmer, he seized the opportunity of a dark night to effect landing at a place called Grouville, where he made prisoners of a party of militia. Hence he proceeded with the utmost expedition to St Helier's, the capital of the island, about three miles distant. His arrival was so unexpected, that he seized on a party of men who guarded it, together with the commanding officer, and the magistrates of the island. Rullecourt then drew up a capitulation, the terms of which were, that the island should be instantly surrendered to the French, and the garrison be sent to England; threatening the town with immediate destruction in case of non-compliance. It was in vain represented to him that no act of the deputy-governor and magistrates could be valid while they remained in his power; but, as Rullecourt still insisted, they were obliged to comply, lest his menaces should have been carried into execution. This point being gained, he advanced to Elizabeth castle in the neighbourhood of the town, summoning it to surrender in virtue of the capitulation for the town and island just concluded. To this a peremptory refusal was given, and followed by such a vigorous discharge of artillery, that he was obliged to retire into the town. In the mean time the British troops stationed in the island began to assemble from every quarter under the command of Major Pierlon; who, on being required by the French commander to submit, replied, that if the French themselves did not, within 20 minutes, lay down their arms, he would attack them. This being refused, an attack was instantly made with such impetuosity, that the French were totally routed in less than half an hour, and driven into the market-place, where they endeavoured to make a stand. Their commander, exasperated at this unexpected turn of affairs, endeavoured to wreak his vengeance on the captive governor, whom he obliged to stand by his side during the whole time of the conflict. This, however, was quickly over; the French were broken on all sides, the baron himself mortally wounded, and the next in command obliged to surrender himself and the whole party prisoners of war; while the captive governor escaped without a wound. This second disaster put an end to all hopes of the French ministry of being able to reduce the island of Jersey, and was indeed no small mortification to them; 800 troops having been landed at that time, of which not one escaped. A monument was erected at the public expense in the church of St Helier, to the memory of Major Pierlon, to whom the deliverance of the island was owing; but who unhappily fell in the moment of victory, when only 24 years of age.

All the landing places and creeks round the island are now fortified with batteries, and 17 or 18 watch-houses are erected on the headlands. These are round towers with embrasures for small cannon and loop-holes for musketry; the entrance by a door in the wall out of the reach of man, and to be ascended by a ladder afterwards drawn up. This island, with those of Guernsey, Sark, Alderney, and their appendages, were parcel of the duchy of Normandy, and were united to the crown of England by the first princes of the Norman line. The language of the pulpit, and the bar, is the French, which is that generally spoken by the people at large. They are governed by their own laws, which are for the most part the ducal customs of Normandy, being collected in an ancient book of customs entitled Le grand coutumier. The king's writ, or process from the courts of Westminster, is here of no force; but his commission is. They are not bound by any common acts of our parliaments, unless particularly named. All causes are originally determined by their own officers, the bailiff and jurats of the islands. But an appeal lies from them to the king and council in the last resort.—Jersey is an earldom in the Villiers family.

New JERSEY; or, as it is commonly called, the Jerseys, (being two provinces united into one government,) one of the united states of North America, lying from 39 to 41 degrees of north latitude, and from 74 to 75 degrees 30 minutes longitude west from London; in length 160 miles, in breadth 52.

It is bounded on the east by Hudson's river and the sea; on the south by the sea; on the west by Delaware bay and river, which divide it from the states of Delaware and Pennsylvania; and on the north, by a line drawn from the mouth of Mahakamak river, in latitude 41° 24', to a point on Hudson's river, in latitude 41° 3', containing about 8320 square miles, equal to 5,324,800 acres. New Jersey is divided into 13 counties, which are subdivided into 94 townships or precincts. In 1784, a census of the inhabitants was made by order of the legislature, when they amounted to 140,435, of which 10,501 were blacks. Of these blacks New Jersey blacks only were slaves; so that the proportion of slaves to the whole of the inhabitants in the state is as one to 76. The population for every square mile is 18. As to the face of the country, soil, and productions, the counties of Sussex, Morris, and the northern part Bergen, are mountainous. As much as five-eighths of most of the southern counties, or one-fourth of the whole state, is sandy and barren, unfit for cultivation. The land on the sea coast in this, like that in the most southern states, has every appearance of made ground. The soil is generally a light sand; and by digging, on an average, about 50 feet below the surface (which can be done, even at the distance of 20 or 30 miles from the sea, without any impediment from rocks or stones), you come to salt marl. This state has all the varieties of soil from the worst to the best kind. It has a greater proportion of barrens than any of the states. The barrens produce little else but shrub oaks and white and yellow pines. In the hilly and mountainous parts of the state, which are not too rocky for cultivation, the soil is of a stronger kind, and covered in its natural state with stately oaks, hickories, chestnuts, &c., &c., and, when cultivated, produces wheat, rye, Indian corn, buck wheat, oats, barley, flax, and fruits of all kinds common to the climate. The land in this hilly country is good for grazing, and the farmers feed great numbers of cattle for New York and Philadelphia markets, and many of them keep large dairies. The markets of New York and Philadelphia receive a very considerable proportion of their supplies from the contiguous parts of New Jersey. And it is worthy of remark that these contiguous parts are exceedingly well calculated, as to the nature and fertility of their soils, to afford these supplies; and the intervention of a great number of navigable rivers and creeks renders it very convenient to market their produce. These supplies consist of vegetables of many kinds, apples, pears, peaches, plums, strawberries, cherries, and other fruits; cider in large quantities and of the best quality; butter, cheese, beef, pork, mutton, and the lesser meats.

The trade of this state is carried on almost solely with and from those two great commercial cities, New York on one side, and Philadelphia on the other; though it wants not good ports of its own. The articles exported, besides those already mentioned, are wheat, flour, horses, live cattle, hams, which are celebrated as being the best in the world, lumber, flax-seed, leather, and iron in great quantities in pigs and bars. Formerly copper ore was reckoned among their most valuable exports; but the mines have not been worked since the commencement of the late war. The iron manufacture is the greatest source of wealth to the state. Iron works are erected in Gloucester, Burlington, Morris, and other counties. The mountains in the county of Morris give rise to a number of streams necessary and convenient for these works, and at the same time furnish a copious supply of wood and ore of a superior quality. In this county alone are no less than seven rich iron mines, from which might be taken ore sufficient to supply the United States; and to work it into iron are two furnaces, two rolling and flinting mills, and about thirty forges, containing from two to four fires each. These works produce annually about 540 tons of bar iron, 800 tons of pigs, besides large quantities of hollow ware, sheet iron, and New Jersey nail rods. In the whole state, it is supposed there is yearly made about 1200 tons of bar iron, 1200 do. of pigs, 80 do. of nail rods, exclusive of hollow ware, and various other castings, of which vast quantities are made.

The character, manners, and customs of the people are various in different parts of the state. The inhabitants are a collection of Low Dutch, German, English, Scotch, Irish, and New Englanders, or their descendants. National attachment and mutual convenience have generally induced these several kinds of people to settle together in a body; and in this way their peculiar national manners, customs, and character, are still preserved, especially among the lower class of people, who have little intercourse with any but those of their own nation. Religion, although its tendency is to unite people in those things that are essential to happiness, occasions wide differences as to manners, customs, and even character. The Presbyterian, the Quaker, the Episcopalian, the Baptist, the German and Low Dutch Calvinist, the Methodist, and the Moravian, have each their distinguishing characteristics, either in their worship, their discipline, or their dress. There is still another very perceptible characteristic difference, distinct from either of the others, which arises from the intercourse of the inhabitants with different states. The people in West Jersey trade to Philadelphia, and of course imitate their fashions, and imbibe their manners. The inhabitants of East Jersey trade to New York, and regulate their fashions and manners according to those of New York. So that the difference in regard to fashions and manners between East and West Jersey, is nearly as great as between New York and Philadelphia. The people of New Jersey are generally industrious, frugal, and hospitable. There are, comparatively, but few men of learning in the state, nor can it be said that the people in general have a taste for the sciences. The lower class, in which may be included three-fifths of the inhabitants of the whole state, are ignorant, and are criminally negligent in the education of their children. There are, in this state, about 50 Presbyterian congregations, subject to the care of three presbyteries, viz. that of New York, of New Brunswick, and Philadelphia; 40 congregations of the Friends; 30 of the Baptists, 25 of Episcopalians; 28 of the Dutch, besides a few Moravians and Methodists.

There are two colleges in New Jersey; one at Princeton, called Nassau Hall; the other at Brunswick, called Queen's college. The college at Princeton was first founded about the year 1738, and enlarged by Governor Belcher in 1747. It has an annual income of about 900l. currency; of which 200l. arises from funded public securities and lands, and the rest from the fees of the students. There is a grammar-school of about 30 scholars, connected with the college, under the superintendence of the president, and taught by two masters. Before the late revolution this college was furnished with a philosophical apparatus worth 500l. which (except the elegant orrery constructed by Mr Rittenhouse) was almost entirely destroyed during the war, as was also the library, which now consists of between 2000 and 3000 volumes.—The charter for Queen's college at Brunswick was granted just before the war, in consequence of an application from a body of the Dutch church. New Jersey church. Its funds, raised wholly by free donations, amounted soon after its establishment to 4000l.; but they were considerably diminished by the war. The students are under the care of a president. This college has lately increased both in numbers and reputation. There are also a number of flourishing academies in this state; one at Trenton, another in Hackensack, others at Orangedale, Freehold, Elizabeth-town, Burlington, Newark, Springfield, Morristown, Bordentown, and Amboy: but there are no regular establishments for common schools. The usual mode of education is for the inhabitants of a village or neighbourhood to join in affording a temporary support for a schoolmaster, upon such terms as is mutually agreeable. But the encouragement which these occasional teachers meet with, is generally such as that no person of abilities adequate to the business will undertake it, and of course little advantage is derived from these schools.

There are a number of towns in this state, nearly of equal size and importance, and none that has more than 200 houses, compactly built.—Trenton is the largest town in New Jersey. This town, with Lambertown, which joins it on the south, contains 200 houses, and about 1500 inhabitants. Here the legislature meets, the supreme court sits, and the public offices are all kept, except the secretary's, which is at Burlington. On these accounts it is considered as the capital of the state.—Burlington stands on the east side of the Delaware, 20 miles from Philadelphia by water, and 17 by land. The island, which is the most populous part of the city, is a mile and a quarter in length, and three quarters of a mile in breadth. On the island are 160 houses, 900 white and 100 black inhabitants. There are two houses for public worship in the town, one for the Friends and Quakers, who are the most numerous, and one for the Episcopalians. The other public buildings are two market-houses, a court-house, and the best gaol in the state. Besides these, there is an academy, a free school, a nail manufactory, and an excellent distillery, if that can be called excellent which produces a poison both of health and morals.—Perth Amboy stands on a neck of land included between Raritan river and Arthur Kill sound. It lies open to Sandy Hook, and has one of the best harbours on the continent. Vessels from sea may enter it in one tide, in almost any weather.—Brunswick was incorporated in 1784, and is situated on the south-west side of Raritan river, 12 miles above Amboy. It contains about 200 houses and 1600 inhabitants, one-half of which are Dutch. Its situation is low and unpleasing, being on the bank of the river, and under a high hill which rises back of the town.—Princeton is a pleasant healthy village, of about 80 houses, 52 miles from New York, and 43 from Philadelphia.—Elizabeth town and Newark are pleasant towns; the former is 15, and the latter nine miles from New York. Newark is famed for its good cider.

The government of this state is vested in a governor, legislative council, and general assembly. The governor is chosen annually by the council and assembly jointly. The legislative council is composed of one member from each county, chosen annually by the people. The general assembly is composed of three members from each county, chosen by the freemen. The council choose one of their members to be vice-president, who, when the governor is absent from the state, possesses the supreme executive power. The council may originate any bills, excepting preparing and altering any money bill, which is the sole prerogative of the assembly.

The first settlers of New Jersey were a number of Dutch emigrants from New York, who came over between the years 1614 and 1620, and settled in the county of Bergen. Next after these, in 1627, came over a colony of Swedes and Finns, and settled on the river Delaware. The Dutch and Swedes, though not in harmony with each other, kept possession of the country many years. In March 1664, Charles II. granted all the territory called by the Dutch New Netherlands, to his brother the duke of York. And in June 1664, the duke granted that part now called New Jersey to Lord Berkeley of Stratton, and Sir George Carteret, jointly; who, in 1665, agreed upon certain concessions with the people for the government of the province, and appointed Philip Carteret, Esq. their governor.—The Dutch reduced the country in 1672; but it was restored by the peace of Westminster, February 9, 1674.

This state was the seat of war for several years, during the bloody contest between Great Britain and America; and her losses, both of men and property, in proportion to the population and wealth of the state, were greater than any other of the thirteen states.

Jersey, among woolcombers, denotes the finest wool, taken from the rest by dressing it with a Jersey comb.