bay, and the broken pieces of rock which are scattered at the foot of the village, make it an attractive promenade.

To those who are fond of romantic excursions, the walk from Sea View to St. Helens by the shore is very enlivening; it must be taken when the tide has ebbed, as the large pieces of rock, which are scattered in every direction, render it difficult to pass at any other time. A few paces from the eastern point of the bay of Priory stands the sea-mark, formed out of the remains of the old church, at St. Helens. There are some hillocks about it, supposed to be graves; and its base and part of its lofty sides are covered with ivy and nettles. It stands on a plain, in solitary grandeur, and adds to the beauty of the spot.

The sketch here given extends to the farthest route of this line of shore, though visitors seldom feel it convenient to walk farther than from Ryde to Sea View-which walk of itself is rather more than two miles in extent; or the return may be made by passing through the village of Sea View, crossing Nettlestone Green, and perambulating the main road.

CHAPTER III.

An Excursion to the Eastern part of
the Island.

ST. HELENS, BRADING, SANDOWN, YAVERLAND, AND
BEMBRIDGE.

THE excursion to the eastern part of the Island, if not characterized by romantic scenery, is yet almost a succession of rural beauty. In proceeding to St. Helens, we pass St. John's, the seat of Sir R. Simeon, Bart. ; but the umbrageous wood which forms its back ground, nearly precludes the mansion from observation. As we proceed, a beautiful prospect opens to the north, commanding a fine view of the line of country, extending from Portsmouth to Selsea Bill, with the new buildings at Hayling Island, and the lofty downs of Hampshire and Sussex. At a little distance from this, is seen in a commanding situation, Westridge House, a noble family mansion. Solitary in the spot it occupies, it looks imposing in its structure, and gives a fine relief to the open country which surrounds it. On the left, with fine woody back ground, and opening in front to the sunny morning and the deep blue ocean, stands Woodlands.

A short distance from this we approach St. Clare, the magnificent castle of the late Lord Vernon. This noble residence gives the same splendour to the East, as Norris Castle does to the West of the Island; its

elegant architecture, its ornamented grounds, its rich wood, and its fine sea prospect, render it a spot of perfect enchantment. Just before reaching Nettlestone, we pass Westbrook. This singular edifice stands in a commanding situation, and adds to the loveliness and beauty of the spot. We now pass through Nettlestone Green, where the sight is entertained with a delightful rural view; and at a distance Ashey Down, with its fine rotundity and pyramidical sea mark, bounds the prospect. The ride conducts us by St. Helens' church, which is situated about a mile from the village. This church, which was erected in 1719, stands in a very open site, rather distant from the village itself. The old church stood near the shore, but the encroachments of the sea were such, that they wasted a great part of the church-yard, and endangered the church itself. After leaving the church, as we approach the village, a fine bold seaview presents itself.

The village stands on the summit of a small hill, adjacent to the banks of Brading Haven, which at the time of high water gives a softness to the surrounding scenery. This little village, in the reign of Edward III. was invaded by the French, who landed and marched forward till met by the Islanders, before whom they retreated and embarked on board the fleet. St. Helens is beautifully situated, and commands a fine view of the ocean; while in the near prospect, the eye glances on Bembridge, a delightful little watering place, rising from the opposite banks

*

* There is not a regular ferry between the two villages, but the fishermen on the shore will gladly convey passengers across for a trifle. There is also a horse-boat kept for the conveyance of carriages. It would add much to the prosperity of this delightful watering place, were there a floating bridge established across this passage.

of the Haven, and adorned with its chapel, villas, hotel, and rustic cottages.

The route now winds through lanes and fields, till we reach the main road; shortly after which we obtain a distant view of Nunwell, the seat of Sir W. Oglander, Bart. This fine old mansion is situated on the right. The downs which are adjacent, and the umbrageous wood in the back ground, give it a most enchanting appearance. This seat is supposed to have derived its name from the nuns of Ashey Monastery resorting to the well or spring situated in these lands, and which was then called Nunwell.

Brading, which is the next place in the route, is an old market town, and invested with the honour of a corporation. The common seal is encircled with the words " THE KYNG'S TOWNE OF BRAYDYNGE.” The fee farm annually paid to the Exchequer is £2 13s. 4d. The Town-Hall, which stands adjacent to the church, is a small, mean-looking structure, with a market-place beneath.

It once sent members to Parliament, but this privilege, which many a town solicits, Brading resigned, it is said, through the poverty of its inhabitants. There are several inns in the place and a few lodging houses. The church is the most remarkable object. It is a fine old pile, considered to be the oldest building of the kind in the Island. It is supposed to have been erected by Wilfred, bishop of Chichester, A.D. 704, and who, from a record in the old parish register, is conjectured to have baptized his first convert in this spot. The interior consists of a nave, side aisles, and chancel, with massy pillars of Saxon architecture. At the end of each aisle is a small chapel. The eastern extremity of the church has some fine monuments of the Oglander family. This mausoleum is separated from the chancel of the church by a screen of carved

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work. It contains the figures of Sir William and Sir John Oglander, clothed in armour, and extended at full length on their respective tombs. Within the altar rails is a stone, bearing the inscription of a person L of considerable rank. According to the custom of the age, the memorial is inscribed round the margin, and contains the following record of the deceased:

"Hic jacet nobiliis vir Johannes... .....armiger dum vivebat constabularius castri de Porcester qui obiit anno dni. millemo. quadringenmo. quadrageo. primo die ultima mens. Octobris animacuus requiescat in pace. Amen."

The church-yard is spacious and of high antiquity. It gives indications of having been the burial place of some of the "rude forefathers" of the Island, prior to the introduction of christianity. This opinion is supported by the fact, that human bones have been found which do not accord with the stature of the present race of men, and one so imbedded in the rock as to be invisible till part of the rock was removed; and when separated from its bed, it instantly crumbled to dust between the fingers. In this cemetery is to be found the celebrated epitaph, so exquisitely set to music by Dr. Calcot:

Forgive, blest shade, the tributary tear,

That mourns thy exit from a world like this;
Forgive the wish that would have kept thee here,
And stay'd thy progress to the seats of bliss.

No more confin'd to grovelling scenes of night,
No more a tenant pent in mortal clay;
Now should we rather hail thy glorious flight,

And trace thy journey to the realms of day.

Here, also, a humble tombstone directs the attention of the visitor to the spot where lie the remains of "Little Jane, the Young Cottager." This interesting female, many of our readers are aware, was a resident