St Helier

St Helier, the capital of Jersey, is situated on the south shore of the island, and the east side of St Aubin Bay. It is defended by Elizabeth Castle (1551-86), on a rocky island off the shore, approached by a causeway at low-water; and by Fort Regent, on the south-east side of the town, built in 1806-15 on a scarped granite rock, at a cost of £1,000,000. Victoria College (1852) is a handsome edifice; and one may also notice the courthouse (1647), the public library (1736), a gilt statue of George II. (1751), and the harbour, forming an outer and inner basin. An active trade is carried on with England, France, and India. Pop. (1851) 29,153; (1871) 30,756; (1891) 29,100. See JERSEY, and CHANNEL ISLANDS.