On the Sundays in August it was customary, a few years ago, for large crowds from all parts of the island to assemble in the afternoon on the causeway at St. Sampson’s called “Le Grand Pont.” The favourite mode of proceeding thither was on horseback, but the only object that the visitors seemed to have in view was that of seeing and being seen. It is difficult to ascertain exactly what gave rise to this custom, or indeed whether it is of ancient date. It is certain, however, that the improvement of the roads at the commencement of the present century, and the works carried on at the same time for the recovery of a large portion of land from the sea, in this neighbourhood, concurred in attracting a considerable number of persons to the spot. If the custom existed previously it must have been one of old standing, and may perhaps be traced to a church wake or feast held in honour of St. Sampson, who is said to have been among the first who preached the gospel in the island, and whose name the neighbouring church bears. The calendar commemorates this saint on the 28th of July, and the practice of meeting together on the Sunday following the anniversary of a saint, in the vicinity of the church or chapel dedicated to him, is universal throughout Brittany, where these assemblies are known by the name of “pardons.” In some parts of Normandy, too, the custom is observed, and the meetings are known as “Assemblées.” If not held on, or near, the actual anniversary of the saint, they are often fixed for some Sunday in August, when, the harvest being over, the peasants have more leisure time for amusements. EDITOR’S NOTE.--“In the southern parts of this nation,” says Bourne, “most country villages are wont to observe some Sunday in a more particular manner than the rest, _i.e._, the Sunday after the day of dedication, or day of the saint to whom their church was dedicated.” _Antiq. Vulg._, chap. xxx. [Illustration: Maison du Neuf Chemin.] September. On the Sundays in September it was the custom, at any rate in the early part of this century, to ride out to the “Maison du Neuf Chemin,” at St. Saviour’s, which was kept by a man called Alexandre. There they would eat pancakes, apples and pears, and not come home till dusk. This is the “Mess Alissandre” to whom Métivier alludes in “La Chanson des Alexandriens,” “Rimes Guernesiaises,” 1831, p. 52. _“Vouloüs passair dans l’pu bel endret d’l’île_ _Une a’ r’levaie sans paine et sans chagrin!_ _Tournai mé l’dos ès sales pavais d’la ville,_ _Et galoppai sie l’vieil houme du Neuf-Ch’min, etc.”_ [TRANSLATION]. “Do you wish to go to the most beautiful neighbourhood of the island One afternoon without difficulty or trouble? Turn your back on the dirty pavements of the town, And gallop out to the old man of the New Path.” CHAPTER II. Local Customs--Civic, Aquatic, Ceremonial. “Ordain them laws, part such as appertain To civil justice, part religious rites.”