Its ground, commanding a view of the harbour. principal room is furnished with some oaken chairs, curiously carved, supposed to be of the reign of Elizabeth. The old church, formerly a roofless ruin, richly covered with ivy, was rebuilt in 1837, by the late corporation, who, out of the proceeds of the sale of the corporate property, nobly closed their political existence by the erection of another temple to the honour of Almighty God. The excessive beauty of the interior, in connexion with the surpassing splendour of the painted window at the east end, render it, though small in proportions, one of the most elegant and beautiful churches which the diocese can boast of. This piece of architecture, which adds so much to the dignity and comfort of the inhabitants, was designed by Mr. A. F. Livesay, of Portsea, and is a fine specimen of the accomplished talent and taste of the architect. Newtown is thus become a special object of attraction to the tourist. The scenery is soft and beautiful, from the fine stream of water which flows adjacent to the town, and which is of sufficient depth to bear vessels of five hundred tons burthen. The place is celebrated for its salterns. About a mile distant stands the ancient church of Shalfleet. It has a tower of Saxon architecture, having an ornamented fascia running round it. The north porch, which is in the Norman style, has the effigy of a bishop in a piece of rude sculpture; the arms are extended, and the hands resting on animals resembling the griffin. The chancel, whose windows were formerly ornamented with painted glass, is a pleasing relic of the age of Edward III. This is a beautiful little village : its mill, turned by a fine stream of water, its venerable church, and its neat cottages, render it very picturesque. Soon after the road conducts us to Swainston House, I the seat of Sir Richard Simeon, bart. This fine old mansion is situated in a most lovely spot; it has a modern elevation, but contains in its different compartments some fine fragments of antiquity. "A neat Norman double-headed window is visible in the court: and the outside of a pretty chapel is nearly entire." Sheltered in the back ground by a range of noble downs, its front opens with a beautiful view of the Solent; while around it a fine lawn, some richly cultivated grounds, and a fertile valley, give diversity and luxuriance to the scene. A very interesting view of this spot is obtained from the hill which rises in the main road towards Newport. Adjacent to this is the quiet and well watered village of Calbourne. The church is beautifully situated: it is small and of considerable antiquity, but has suffered so much from the ravages of time, that it has been found necessary to rebuild the whole, with the exception of the tower and chancel. The transept on the north side is now restored, from the designs of Mr. Livesay, as a monumental chapel to the memory of Sir Fitz-William Barrington, and is an elaborate specimen of the style of the early part of the 14th century; and like the buildings of that era, constructed entirely of stone. The honour of making this important improvement is due to Sir R. Simeon, who has, in the liberal spirit of olden time, undertaken to restore the transept as an integral feature of the church. A fine old monument, containing a brazen effigy of a man in armour, with his feet resting on a dog, decorates its interior. monument is supposed to be of the fourteenth century. This little village is adorned with a fine mansion. Westover, the seat of the Hon. A'Court Holmes, skirts its quiet and rural boundaries. This The road now passes to Newport. Proceeding up a steep hill, which gives an extensive and beautiful prospect, and having reached its summit, we drop by its winding declivity into the village of Carisbrook, from whence we proceed in the regular turnpike road. When this tour is taken from Ryde, the route generally followed is through Calbourne, after leaving Newport, and across Afton Down; but we have given a description of the road through Shorwell and the other villages, leaving Calbourne till we return, that the visitor may have some knowledge of the southwest part of the Island. This beautiful tour embraces a distance of about forty miles. CHAPTER V. EXCURSIONS BY WATER. To Portsmouth-Stoke's Bay-Wootton-Brading Harbour. THE Island is not only attractive for its lovely scenery, but to persons who visit it for the benefit of the sea air, and of excursions on the water, it presents advantages which are not exceeded in any part of the kingdom. The Solent, which flows like a beautiful river, presents, in its general aspect, so calm and smooth a surface, that the most timid may sail on it for hours, without feeling the alarm which is created by sailing on the waters which open to the boundless ocean; the mighty billows of which, rolling upon the shore, even in their calmest state, produce a gentle tossing which alarms those who have but little courage, and destroys the pleasure of the voyage. Cowes and Ryde present facilities for water excursions not easily surpassed. The variety of points to which the visitor may go, lying within an hour's sail from shore to shore, are such as give it a great recommendation; while the land and wood on each side, afford a pleasant prospect; and at the same time, give |