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EXCURSION TO BRADING HARBOUR.

with houses, villas, and cottages; but at Quarr, there is a fine wood skirting the very margin of the shore; while near it the beautifully thatched cottages, just peeping between the trees, give it a very picturesque effect. Fishbourne appears lovely as we turn the angle of the river; and the river itself, bounded by its rustic bridge, looks placid as a lake, reflecting on its clear bosom the fine wood and trees which fringe its margin.

Excursion to Brading Harbour,

This sail to the eastward, extending to Brading Harbour, is the longest, and may consequently be rather more deceptive in the time it may take, owing to the state of the wind; but the visitor will find it amply repay him, even if he should be detained an hour beyond his expectations. The view in going is the most attractive as we approach Priory. The outline of wood stretching from Appley to Puckpool Cliff has nothing remarkable; but when we reach the farther angle of Priory, the rocks, and the woods, and the rude sea-mark which burst almost suddenly upon us, and the neat little village of Bembridge, with its elegantly constructed church on the opposite side of the harbour, are very beautiful; and in passing onward, the fine back ground formed by the distant downs, has a very imposing effect. Bembridge has an excellent Hotel, where, if requisite, accommodations may be had for a party. On the other side is the village of St. Helens; a few of the cottages of which are seen on the top of the cliff. In returning, the sight is gratified with one of the best aspects of Sea View that can be obtained. It looks a very interesting little

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village, viewed from the water; and its rocky shore, as well as its lodging houses, give it a very lively effect; and at a few yards from it, on the summit of a hanging cliff, is seen the Wesleyan chapel, standing in loneliness above the murmuring waters. After this we see Ryde Pier at a distance, and wafted by the breeze, we reach its eastern side.

Voyage round the Island.

Those who are fond of passing over the trackless deep, will find themselves amply repaid, by a voyage round the Island. The majesty of the ocean, which opens its boundless expanse on the southern side, and the blue waters of the Solent, which flow like a broad river on the northern side, form a delightful variety, and a pleasing contrast in the voyage. This excursion by water was formerly precarious in its nature e; as the flowing of the tide and the shifting of the wind, would sometimes render it impracticable to complete the sailing round it in one day; but since the introduction of steam vessels the difficulty is removed: and the visitor may leave Ryde or Cowes in the morning, and return to a late dinner after the voyage.

Should the vessel commence her course in an easterly direction, on leaving the Pier, we pass a beautifully wooded shore, extending, with the exception of a very small spot, to St. Helens. Here some small fragments of broken rock meet the view, and the rude sea-mark, standing on the site of the old church. At this point Brading Harbour opens, over which are seen the distant downs of Shanklin and Wroxall; while immediately above the harbour rises Brading Down, sloping gently to the foot of Bembridge Down. On the other hand we pass from Ryde,

the distant town of Portsmouth, and the fine anchorage for shipping, called Spithead and St. Helens' Roads. To the east, the coast of Sussex presents itself, continuing so far as Selsea Bill.

We now begin to turn to the eastern extremity of the Island. Having passed Bembridge Ledge, a point exceedingly dangerous to shipping in stormy weather, Culver Cliffs rise before us with all their chalky whiteness, and with a boldness which gives an impression of sublimity. Soon after this we enter the beautiful bay of Sandown; the little village, decorated with some elegant cottages, presents a lovely aspect from the water. This softened scene soon gives place to the grand and lofty cliffs which form Shanklin Chine; from these we pass by Luccombe Chine, when the view becomes bounded by the promontory of Dunnose.

Having passed Dunnose we enter the Race of Bonchurch, when a most enchanting piece of scenery opens to the view. A finely broken shore presents itself; above which the romantic scenes of the Undercliff disclose themselves. Along this part of the coast a number of beautiful little coves or bays are seen. Bonchurch, Steephill, St. Lawrence, Niton, and Puckaster, are all adorned with their delightful inlets. The beautiful aspect of these little coves, reflecting the grandeur of the lofty cliffs, adds very much to the pleasantness of the voyage. At a distance the great Land-slip may be observed; while a little beyond it rises the lofty heights of St. Catherines. Here we have a view of Black-gang Chine: this object may be distinguished by its rough black aspect.

Passing this scene of awful magnificence, we enter Chale Bay, and have a transient glimpse of the villages of Shorwell, Brixton, Mottistone, and Brooke. Leaving Chale Bay we pass Freshwater Gate. The little

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scattered houses looking at a distance like so many fishermen's huts. At this point we obtain a glance of. the Cave; its romantic hollow is not very visible at the distance the vessel is obliged to keep.

Freshwater Bay being passed, we gain a sight of the Needles: these rocks, viewed from the deck of the vessel, have a commanding effect; while the chalky cliff of St. Christopher, rising above, overpowers by its altitude and its boldness. Adjacent to these rocks is Scratchell's Bay. We now heave in sight of the Dorsetshire coast-from Poole to Peverel Point.

Just passing the Needles we enter Alum Bay. The view of the cliffs, which skirt this bay, is enchanting beyond imagination; seen from a vessel by the light of a setting sun, they reflect the most beautiful variety of colours. The shores of Totland and Colwell Bay next present themselves, and form a very lovely object; while nearly opposite, Hurst Castle, with the town of Lymington on the back-ground, and the coast adjacent to the New Forest, meet the view.

We now pass Yarmouth, whose ancient castle, washed by the rolling sea, seems to frown defiance on all who approach it. Having directed our course through the narrowest part of the Solent, and proceeding onward, we glance Hampstead Farm on a commanding spot of ground; after which we enter Thorness Bay; the bay is terminated by Newtown Harbour The views over it are very fine. The range of downs reaching from Gatcombe to Freshwater, and the seat of Sir Richard Simeon, bart. add to the beauty of the scene. From this we pass to Gurnard's Bay, until the soft flowing stream conducts us to Cowes.

There is a fine expanse of water opposite Cowes, and the scenery is of a variegated and lively kind. Calshot Castle, Lutteral's Folly, the mouth of the

Anton, and part of the New Forest form the prospect to the north, while on the south a very imposing view of the town of Cowes, its elegant villas, its handsome houses, its neat cottages, and its ancient castle, with the Medina rolling along its busy and fertile banks, and bounded in the distant vision by the towering summit of St Catherines, render this a very delightful part of the voyage.

Leaving Cowes, we pass Old Castle Point, adorned with Norris Castle, the beautiful seat of the late Lord Henry Seymour. Sailing a little farther eastward we catch a view of Osborne House; a finely wooded shore meets the eye, and at length we pass King's Quay. At a distance is seen Fernhill, and Wootton Church and Farm

We now pass Fishbourne; this retired little village, along whose beautifully wooded banks the river Wootton winds its course, is just seen at a distance ; while its shores seem enlivened by the view of vessels and the faint sound of the mechanic employed in the labour of ship building. Soon after this we pass Quarr wood, in the bosom of which stand the remains of its ancient abbey. The eye soon after falls on the parsonage at Binstead, and the marine villa of John Fleming, Esq. We then pass the fine mansion of George Player, Esq.; and on the opposite shore, in Stoke's Bay, is seen the beautiful watering place, called Anglesea; and at length, having reached the Pier, we enter the lovely town of Ryde.