Articles

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

19th century

Peter Paul Dobree on Cadiz, Spanish ladies, and politics, 1811

A letter from Peter Paul Dobrée, (1782-1825), who was born in Guernsey and became Regius Professor of Greek at Cambridge University in 1823. In 1811 he had visited 'Don Pedro' (Peter Carey) Tupper, the Guernsey-born and immensely wealthy British consul in Valencia. The illustration of Cadiz is from Sir John Carr's Descriptive travels in the southern and eastern parts of Spain and the Balearic isles, in the year 1809, London: 1811, in the Library collection.

Cadiz again: 1826

An extract of a letter from M. L. B. of the Brig J-, to a friend in this Island, dated Newfoundland, August 1826. Published in L'Indépendance, Saturday, 21 October, 1826.

Sark, 1890: Out of season

From The Star of 11th December 1890, an extract from 'The Channel Islands out of Season,' an article reprinted from the Manchester City News.

September 1858

From the Star newspaper.

Bailiwick Prisoners-of-War, 1813

A letter from Paris, dated 3 July 1813, to Harry Dobree, who organised collections for the welfare of the prisoners. [From the Gazette de Guernesey, September 13, 1813.]

Dead cats and horsewhips: August 1825 in the Royal Court

Two unusual court cases from the Gazette de l'Isle de Guernesey, August 1825 [from the French].

1833: The Manor and Les Gravees are sold

From the Star, December 13th 1833.

Diving Experiment II: more about the Orchard brothers, 1833

From the Star of June 28, 1833. Another description of their trial of their innovative diving suit.

April 1891: The Candie Library

A series of letters to the Star, beginning April 16, 1891. Percy Groves, the first Librarian and relative of Osmond Priaulx, was notorious for running the Priaulx Library—then known as the Candie Library—as a private fiefdom. He was taken to task for this by Osmond Priaulx's old friend and collaborator in the creation of the Library, Amias C Andros. Those days are long gone, we are proud to say; we use the front door now (although admittedly, it was originally the back door!) and have excellent drains, and our visitors can enjoy all the wonderful views from the House!

Peter Bougourd and Henry Cumber, 1837

From The Star of April 10, 1837. Proceedings in the Royal Court, Thurday, April 6th, 1837.

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