Gibbet from which pirates were suspended in the Island of Herm, now in possession of H.S.H. Prince Blücher von Wahlstatt, who kindly allowed it to be photographed for reproduction in this book.
Editor’s Notes.
The following are a few local proverbs and sayings which I have met with at different times, and which I do not find included in Sir Edgar MacCulloch’s collection.
Il est si avare, il ne dounera pouit daeux p’tits œufs pour un gros.—He is such a miser that he would not give two little eggs for one big one.
Coume St. Paterne, tu feras pâlir le Diable.—Like St. Paterne, you would turn the Devil pale, said of a man whom nothing will daunt. St. Paterne was one of our local saints, who was specially noted for the conversion of the inhabitants of the Forest of Scissy—the submerged forest which lies off our western coasts. He was induced to do so by a pious Seigneur of the Forest, and began his work there by going into a cavern where the idolaters were celebrating a great feast presided over by the Devil himself. Armed only with his pilgrim’s staff he routed them all, Satan included. He was specially beloved by birds, who followed him wherever he went. He was made Bishop of Avranches, and died in the year A.D. 495.
La s’maïne de treis (trois) Jeudis ou il n’ y a pas de Vendredi.—The week of three Thursdays and no Friday. This is used when talking of an event which will never come off. Then they say “Ca, se fera, etc.”
Haut coumme un béguin.—As high as a beacon. The Guernsey “béguins” were tall stacks of furze placed on prominent points so that they could be lit in case of an alarm.
Ecoute-paret (paroi) jamais n’ot dret.—He who listens through partitions never hears correctly.
Faire pertus (trou) sous l’iaue.—To make a hole in the water, said of a man who is ruining himself.
I’ vaut mûx pillaïr (plier) qu’ rompre.—It is better to bend than break.