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WALK TO QUARR ABBEY.

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and elegance is an object of general admiration. To the west of the church stands the Parsonage. This beautiful cottage, enclosed by a fine quickset, is situated in a spot almost paradisiacal. The grounds and the views which surround it, are of exquisite beauty; and the scene which opens from the terrace is one of perfect enchantment.

On leaving the lane which conducts from the church, the visitor will do well to walk through the thick umbrageous wood before him. Its narrow winding path conducts to a fine open spot of ground, on which stand the fragments that remain of Quarr Abbey. This ancient monastery was called in some of the oldest grants Quarraria; the name was probably obtained in consequence of its proximity to some stone quarries. This abbey was among the first monastic buildings erected by the Cistertian order in England. It was begun by Baldwin, Earl of Devon, who in the thirtysecond year of Henry I. gave the manor of Arreton to the abbot of Lavigny, in Normandy, for the purpose of establishing this monastery. It was dedicated to St. Mary, and the revenue, A.D. 1132, was £134 per One of the ancient historians of the Island says, although the Islanders boast "that they neyther had amongst theim, monks, lawiers, wolves, nor foxes, yet I find theim al save one, in one monasterie, called Quarre, valued at 134 pounds of yearly revennue."* Its chapel contained the remains of Earl Baldwin, Aldeliza, his countess, and their son Henry. The Earl died at Quarr, in the first year of Henry II. William-de-Vernon bequeathed £300 for a tomb here for himself and his father. The chapel also contained a monument to the memory of the Lady Cicely, second daughter of Edward IV. The Abbey was purchased,

annum.

* Worsley, p. 176.

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after its dissolution, by Mr. G. Mills, a merchant of Southampton; when the gothic spirit of the mere tradesman, ravaged its venerable walls for the sake of the materials; regardless alike of its holy altars and its splendid sepulchres. It came at length, by purchase, into the hands of the Lord Chief Justice Fleming, among whose descendants it remains to this day.

This magnificent and extensive ruin contained within its walls thirty acres of ground: it is now so completely dilapidated, that but few of its remains are to be seen. The only fragments standing, are the refectory or common hall, which is now a barn: to the east of it stood the church or chapel of the monastery, a part of which remains, richly covered with ivy at the west end are the vestiges of stone vaulted cellars, and a few buttresses; and these, with the wall that enclosed the Abbey, and the broken arches, and masses of stone scattered about in what is now a farmer's garden, are all that remain of this once celebrated seat of superstition. Towards the sea was a gate armed with a portcullis; and just above the high water mark were the ruins of a fort, built in the reign of Edward III.; but not a fragment is left of this ancient military edifice.

On leaving the ruins of the Abbey, if the visitor cross the road and enter the path which is tracked out in the fields before him, he will be led through a pleasant piece of country to the neat, quiet, marine village of Fishbourne. In this village is a yard for the purpose of ship-building. During the late war, frigates have been built in this secluded spot, and there are frequently vessels of very considerable dimensions on the stocks. The number of mechanics which are occasionally employed, and the river Wootton running at the banks of the village, give it a lively and beautiful appearance. Should the visitor wish to

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change his course in returning, he will only have to keep through the village, and by inclining to the left, will fall into the main road from Ryde to Newport; but if he wish to avoid the dust, and enjoy the luxury of a shady rural walk, he will retrace his steps. The whole of the walk from Ryde to Fishbourne, is two miles and a half; and is not easily surpassed in the variety and beauty of its scenery.

WALK TO SEA VIEW.

Above

THIS little village was originally called Old Fort: it stands to the east of Ryde. The road leading to it forms a most beautiful marine walk. At the commencement it passes along the foot of Appley; after which the course may be pursued, either by the sandy shore, or through the narrow path which rises above, and winds through the midst of a fine wood. this stands St. Clare, the seat of the late Lord Vernon. The view of it in this direction is very limited; being so much embosomed in the fine hanging wood. A little beyond this we pass an elegantly constructed villa; this building presents a beautiful specimen of the ancient mode of ornament. At the termination of the wood the road passes over Puckpool Cliff, where a pleasing assemblage of land and water scenery meet the view. The cliff is decorated with two antique lodges leading to the adjacent villa. As we approach Sea View, we pass a large salt manufactory. At a short remove from the village, stands a beautiful villa, named Sea Field. The village itself is finely situated. The broken pieces of rock and cliff which lie at the base, give it a romantic appearance. The sea opens here with

very great sublimity: while the boldness of the view is softened by the eye falling on the distant shores of Sussex. There are several good lodging houses in the place, and in the height of the season, this sweet retired village is frequently filled with company.

A little above this village is Fairy Hill, the lovely abode of Mrs. Glynn. A most enchanting view opens in front of this neat retired villa. Adjacent to this, on the summit of the eastern cliff, is Sea Grove. A short distance further to the east, is seen the Priory, the seat of the late Sir Nash Grose, one of the judges of the Court of Queen's Bench. The mansion is embosomed in the midst of a fine wood and most beautiful grounds, and has in the fore-ground a fine sea view; while at the base of the cliff, near which it stands, the water rolls into a delightful bay; and when it has ebbed, leaves a mass of sands, which form a pleasant walk. This place was called Priory, from its being formerly a monastic cell to an abbey in Normandy. Some few of the remains are to be found in the farm and out-houses adjoining. The convent built a small church here, which they supplied from their own body, until the canon required vicars to be constantly resident. The parish was so small, that originally the bishop licensed the prior to celebrate mass and administer the sacraments.

The walk from Sea View to the woody cliffs of Priory is very beautiful. As we approach the eastern curve of the bay, the appearance is very commanding. It is enriched with large masses of rock, thrown together in wild disorder, and forms a striking contrast to the velvet sands which are spread over the centre of the bay. Here, seated on the rock, sheltered by the cliff, and fanned by the breeze, the visitor may spend many a delightful hour. The smoothness of the shore, the placidity of the waters, which flow into the small

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