Pièces Commémoratives
SUR L'ÉRECTION D'UNE STATUE AU CHEVALIER GEORGE DON,
À ST.-HÉLIER, JERSEY, 1886.
(Par le Rév. RICHARD BELLIS, Curé de All Saints, St.-Hélier).
DEDICATIO MONUMENTI
APUD SCTI HELERII OPPIDUM IN CAESAREA ANGLO-NORMANNORUM INSULA
IN HONOREM ILLUSTRIS VIRI, GEORGII DON, EQUITIS,
EJUSDEM INSULAE QUONDAM PRO-PRAETORIS,
VIARUMQUE IBIDEM STRATARUM QUASI CONDITORIS,
A CIVIBUS GRATIS POSITI.
Cartretti proceres (1) quo tempore Regis ad aulam
Acciti (2) patrias deseruere domos,
Ne damnum capiat gens tot per saecla fidelis,
Anglia, ceu prisco more (3) vocata, cavet.
Namque ibi Normannis, veteri ditione relicta,
Contigerat sedes asseruisse novas.
Peirsonus (4) hinc subiit, juvenilibus auctior annis,
Jessiades alter, nec sine dante Deo ;
Qui laqueis captam certando restituit rem;
Degenerare sibi nos periensque vetat.
Haud mora : Conovius (5) Druidum vult cedere molem
Turrigerae speculae, militiaeque larem.
Addidit et Domnus (6) prudens memorabile donum,
Romana sollers arte parare Vias.
Usibus ars eadem belli pacisque ministrat :
Nea fruimur grati. Laus tibi, Domne, manet.
Nunc excelsus in aere sonas quasi : 'Progrediendi
Est locus amplus adhuc, me duce sicut erat.'
(1) Les chefs de la Maison 'de Carteret' furent autrefois prééminents à Jersey.
(2) Au temps du Roi Charles II d'Angleterre.
(3) C'est-a-dire, comme au moyen de 'La Clameur de Haro'.
(4) Le Major Francis Peirson, tué au moment de la victoire dans la Bataille de St.-Hélier, Jan. 6, 1781.
(5) Le Général Conway (ensuite Maréchal), Gouverneur en chef de Jersey de 1772 à 1795. Les Etats de l'Ile lui présentèrent un Dolmen magnifique, qu'on déplaça du Mont de la Ville, pour y faire ériger des travaux défensifs. Cc Dolmen a été rétabli selon le plan original dans les terrains de Park-Place, près de Henley sur Tamise, en
Angleterre.
(6) Le Général Sir George Don, Lieutenant-Gouverneur de Jersey, 1806 à 1814, à l'exception d'un court intervalle en 1810, pendant qu'il servait dans l'Expedition à Walcheren.
SONNET
ON THE INAUGURATION OF A COMMEMORATIVE STATUE
AT ST. HELIER'S, JERSEY,
IN HONOUR OF GEN. SIR GEORGE DON, FORMERLY LT.-GOVERNOR,
AND ORIGINATOR OF THE MAIN ROADS OF THE ISLAND.
When Royal choice to higher need elsewhere
(1) The heads of the 'de Carteret' family long held a chief place in Jersey, as feudal Seigneurs. In the reign of Charles II Sir George de Carteret was called to high employment in England, where his descendants were subsequently ennobled.
Called Carteret's (1) chiefs, fear was of hurtful maim
To Jersey's pristine fealty and fame.
Like Haro (2) cry, this woke responsive care
In England's realm, since Rollo's seat was there.
Thence - a young David - heaven-sent Peirson (3) came;
The rescue led from alien snares and shame;
And, dying, left a deathless pattern fair.
Next Conway (4) displaced old Druidic pile
For watch-tower, and home-ease for Soldiery.
Whilst wary Don, (5) with memorable guile,
Bade the old Roman art of Roads to try.
Full well War's art subserves the ends of Peace :
Don's Statue speaks aloft : 'Let no like Progress cease!'
(2) The so-called Clameur de Haro still exists as a legal process in Jersey, in cases of trespass. It is supposed to be addressed to the Sovereign, as representing by descent Rollo the first Norman Duke, the initial letters of whose name appear in 'Ro'. The entire formula runs thus: Ha-Ro! Ha-Ro! Ha-Ro! A l'aide, mon Prince! On me fait tort!
(3) Major Francis Peirson, at the early age of 24 years, had the chief command of the English troops and Island Militia in the Engagement with the French invading force under Baron Rullecour in the Town of St. Heller's. Peirson fell in the moment of victory, and has a conspicuous Monument in St. Helier's Church. Rullecour also died of wounds received in the confiict, which took place Jan. 6, 1781.
(4) Genl. (afterwards Marshal) Conway was non-resident Governor in chief of Jersey from 1772 to 1795. After the French invasion in 1781, he came to Jersey to look after its defences. He improved the Militia, and built several defensive works. An ancient Cromlech, which was removed for this latter purpose from St. Helier's Town Hill, was
presented to him, and he had it re-erected in statu quo at Park Place, near Henley-on-Thames.
(5) Genl. Sir George Don was Lieut.-Governor of Jersey from 1806 to 1814. He continued the defensive measures for the security of the Island, and, with the same object in view, projected Main Roads to traverse the country. A statue to his memory was for this reason voted by the States of Jersey in 1872, and erected in 1885.
- Poetry in Jersey
- Lines on the Departure of General Don
- Le Dévoilement de la Statue
- L'Inauguration de la Statue jubilaire de la Reine
- The Queen's Statue
- The Unveiling of the Jubilee Statue of Her Most Gracious and Most August Majesty Victoria the Good