This edifice was erected A.D. 1827, by Hughes Hughes, Esq. It has a gallery, with an organ over the western entrance, two side galleries, and an area neatly fitted up. The pulpit is at the east end, and the altar is beautifully neat. The chapel is surmounted by a small cupola and clock: the architecture is modern; and though it fails to impress by its grandeur, it pleases by its beauty and neatness.

There are also two chapels belonging to the Dissenters. The one in the eastern side of the town belongs to the Independents. The other, in the western side, belongs to the Wesleyan Methodists.

In the cross road to the east stands the Free School: the building is simple in its elevation. It is maintained by voluntary contributions, and by charity sermons at the chapel of ease at different times during the year.

Near the centre of the town stands the Theatre. Its elevation is interesting and its appearance commanding. The building itself is very deceptive: the interior, though very neatly fitted up, is exceedingly small. It is opened during the season for the gratification of the admirers of the comic and tragic muse. This building was originally designed for a marketplace, but at that time, through the want of public spirit in the object, it completely failed.

The Royal Victoria Arcade, in Union Street, is a splendid erection, containing fourteen shops, besides a very spacious room adapted for the exhibition of works of art.

One of the most attractive objects of a public kind is the Pier. This ornament of the town was erected by Act of Parliament, obtained in 1814. The expense incurred by the erection was twelve thousand pounds. It forms a beautiful marine promenade, running from south to north, a distance of 2400 feet, and varying in its width from twelve to twenty feet. There is a

railing on each side, which extends the whole length of the Pier; and seats are placed in different parts for the accommodation of the public. It has an arched gateway at the entrance, and a very neatly constructed lodge for the toll-keeper. The descent to the water is very easy. A flight of steps conducts to a lower basement, from which a wide platform extends on either side, serving at once as a landing-place for several steamers, and a delightful promenade for visitors. Those who delight to inhale the sea breeze will find this the most propitious spot in the neighbourhood. Here, hour after hour may be passed, without being sensible how rapidly time is gliding away. The vivacity which characterises the company-the ocean spreading its fine blue waves in the front-the fishermen at the foot of the pier, occupied in their marine employment-the vessels sailing at short distances -the boats moving in every direction, calmly or swiftly, over the bosom of the deep, form a very beautiful scene; while the eye, looking from these objects to the vast expanse around it, falls upon the distant shores of Sussex; where, on a very clear day, may be seen the towering spire of Chichester cathedral. Passing from this to the scenes adjacent, the view presents the town of Portsmouth, with its venerable church rising above the other buildings; while at a remote distance are seen the masts of the ships lying in its harbour, and some few of the buildings which form its celebrated dock-yard. The eye turning a little farther westward meets the shores of Gosport, and sees in the prospect, as the most prominent object, the fine marine hospital known by the appellation of the Royal Hospital at Haslar. At a short distance from this, just skirting Stoke's Bay, is the beautiful terrace, at Anglesea. Passing from this to the distant point of the west, the entrance of Southampton river may be seen, adorned

with the ancient fortress of Calshot castle; which, from the remote view, looks like an Island in the sea. On returning up the Pier, immediately opposite, the town rises in all its characteristic beauty to the view; while on each hand, the woods, and cliffs, and seats, which skirt the shore, form a very lovely and enchanting scene. On this delightful promenade persons may regale themselves as frequently as they please, by the payment of annual, quarterly, monthly, or weekly subscriptions. Those who do not subscribe, have a toll of two-pence demanded each time they enter the Pier.

Near the centre of the town stand the market Place and Town Hall; for the erection of which, together with the paving and lighting of the town, an Act of Parliament was obtained in 1829. The foundation of this magnificent building was laid the 14th of May, 1830, by the late Dr. Lind, of Westmont.

The

The front elevation is very commanding. centre principal building is adorned with a lofty portico of four columns, of the Ionic order, resting upon. a Doric colonnade, terminated on each side with a wing supporting an attic. On the right is the staircase to the town hall, and the clerk's office; on the left are the porters' rooms, and the weighing room, where purchasers may have their articles weighed.

In the centre, above the market, is the Town-Hall : this elegant room is forty-five feet in length, twentyseven in breadth, and twenty in height. The market is enclosed by a wall, which is ornamented by a range of small elegant pillars.

This spacious Market-place, which is one hundred and ninety-six feet in length, and fifty-six in width, in addition to the usual purposes to which such buildings are applied, has two wings, with shops on each side, for the accommodation of all kinds of business.

This beautiful piece of architecture, which adds so

much to the dignity and convenience of the town, as well as the fine Gothic church, and the adjacent terrace, were designed by James Sanderson, Esq. and are fine specimens of the accomplished talent and taste of the architect.

There are but very few mansions in the town. Adjacent to the coast are the beautiful villas of the Duke of Buckingham and Earl Spencer. The seat of his Grace is almost secluded from the view: the most advantageous sight of it is from the water. Its front opens to the Solent sea, which, on a fine summer's day, spreads its blue waters before it with all the fascination of a majestic river. The villa is surrounded by a very extensive lawn, and has in its back ground a fine umbrageous shrubbery. Adjacent to this is the villa of the noble Lord: this stands on a more elevated spot, and commands a most enchanting prospect. The seat of the noble Earl is so completely walled in, that very little of its elevation can be discovered. At a short distance to the east is Bellevue house, the family villa of H. Hughes, Esq. At the upper part of the town stands Westmont house, the seat of the late Dr. Lind. This is a fine building: an elegant Grecian portico forms the entrance to the mansion; and the grounds which surround it are laid out in great taste and beauty. At a short distance is seen Ryde House, the seat of George Player, Esq.: its situation is extremely beautiful, and its appearance noble and commanding.

These elegant villas, adjacent to each other, and embosomed in the midst of lovely scenery, add very considerably to the vivacity and beauty of the neigh bourhood.

SECTION 2.

The Character and Business of the Town.

THE prominent characteristic of Ryde is that of a beautiful watering place. The fine expanse of water which flows before the town, sheltered by the land on each side, gives it all the advantages of bathing on an open coast; while at the same time it precludes that swelling and rolling of the ocean, which is felt so powerfully and frequently on those shores which open directly to the boundless sea. Here is a beautiful combination of sea bathing with all the placidity of river scenery.

The shore is flat, in consequence of which the depth is not very variable, and the tide ebbs to a great distance; but its long tract of level sands renders it very secure for bathing. The place is well furnished with machines, and there is no difficulty of enjoying this luxury at any time of the tide. The only inconvenience is, that at low water, persons wishing to bathe have either to walk to the end of the pier, and there enter the machine, or else be driven a considerable distance over the sands. The town is well supplied with baths of all descriptions, and the rooms which are used for private baths are very neat and convenient.

The business carried on in this place is of a very limited nature. It has not received in any way the impression of a commercial character. Destitute of