:

in Brading and at Knighton House, a short distance from this village, lived, in the humble capacity of servant," the Dairyman's Daughter." The Rev. Legh Richmond, formerly curate of Brading, is justly entitled to the merit of having immortalized the names of both these humble individuals, in his well-known and admirably written "Annals of the Poor."

The view from the church-yard is exceedingly imposing, especially at the time when the water covers the haven.

Brading has in its vicinity a tract of marshy ground, comprising eight hundred and fifty-six acres, over which the tide flows at the time of high water, affording sufficient depth to convey small vessels to the quay, and adding much to the beauty of the surrounding scenery. This haven produces mullet, flounders, and other fish. It is celebrated for its cockles; and was a few years since remarkable for its vast bed of oysters; but this has been much diminished by the labours of the fishermen.

On leaving Brading, the fine bay of Sandown opens to the view. This beautiful bay, where the blue waters roll at times with magical enchantment, is bounded in the east by the white cliffs of Culver, and in the west, by the dark and mountainous point of Dunnose. Here the fort built by Henry VIII. rises before us. It is a square building, flanked with four bastions, and surrounded by a moat. This fort commands the entrance of the bay, and in time of war is kept well manned. It is perhaps the most important fortress in the Island: during the American war it was attacked by privateers, but without success. the shores of the bay stands a lovely sequestered cottage. In this retired village, Wilkes, the celebrated politician, spent the evening of his life. The cottage in which he resided stands a little above the inn on

On

the western part of the cliff; and though nothing more than a respectable dwelling-house, it is become an object of great curiosity, from the name with which it is associated. This village is a place of considerable resort; its fine bay gives it great attractions, and its convenient lodging-houses are frequently filled with company of distinguished rank.

Yaverland, which stands between Sandown and Bembridge, is a very small parish most beautifully situated. The hills and sloping grounds around it produce a pleasing effect. The church is very small and of great antiquity. The entrance door is arched, and ornamented with Saxon mouldings, and a neat pillar on each side. The Parsonage is exquisitely beautiful; its chaste and elegant architecture, and its grounds adorned with some fine elm trees, make it perfectly picturesque. The manor farm, which is adjacent, is a fine old mansion, of the age of James I.

From Yaverland we proceed to Bembridge, the easternmost village in the Island. This village is become very attractive, and is rising rapidly to the character of a watering place. A new inn has been lately built, and some neat lodging-houses deck the adjacent shore. It has recently been adorned with a beautiful chapel of ease, which was consecrated A.D. 1827, by the Bishop of Winchester. This elegant little edifice is situated on the summit of a gently rising hill, and adds very considerably to the picturesque beauty of the spot. The country is decorated with a number of elegantly constructed villas. The roads in this part of the Island diverge in a variety of directions, but all are characterized by quietness and rural scenery.

The principal object of attraction at Bembridge is the Down; the ascent to its summit will amply repay the traveller. The views here are enchanting. The ancient family mansion of Nunwell, with its fine

insignificant, that it seems to discover more courage than wisdom to undertake the approach. The pathway to the Hole is so narrow, that if a sheep and a traveller meet, the probability is, that one or the other will be precipitated to the bottom.*

This excursion, in its whole extent, comprises a distance of about thirteen miles.

EXCURSION TO WEST COWES BY WAY OF NEWPORT.

THIS ride presents us with the principal turnpike roads in the Island. Their present appearance forms a striking contrast to the small, narrow, shady lanes through which, in ancient times, the passenger had to travel to the capital of the Island. Should the tourist start from Ryde, the first place which attracts attention, is the beautiful village of Wootton Bridge. The entrance to it, in this direction, is down a deep shoot, called Kite Hill, on the summit of which stands an ivy-mantled house, the residence of Mrs. Popham. The prospect from this hill, at the time of high water is very lovely: the white-walled village, the rustic bridge, the water placid as a lake, and fringed with a shady wood, give it a very picturesque appearance. The church is situated at the top of the hill, a short distance from the village. The old church was burnt, and the present building, which was erected on its

It is a well-authenticated fact, that a gentleman whose curiosity led him to see this wonder of the Island, did meet a sheep in the path-way: aware of his situation, he summoned up presence of mind as he approached the animal, and threw himself on his face; the sheep immediately jumped over him, and by this means he obtained a singular preservation.

site, contains nothing remarkable. The ancient family of the Lisles formerly resided at Wootton. Sir John Lisle, who took so active a part against Charles, and was one of Cromwell's lords, was a branch of this family. A Wesleyan chapel, designed with considerable taste, has lately been erected here.

*

Two passage boats ply between this village and Portsmouth daily.

The road which turns to the right leads to King's Quay, about two miles from Wootton: this is the spot where King John is supposed to have secluded himself among the fishermen; having been compelled by the barons to sign Magna Charta: he afterwards negotiated with the pope to obtain absolution, and to be released from his engagement; and while the negociation was pending, he retreated to this quiet nook of the Island, free from the eye of his enemies, and secure in the confidence of the villagers and his friends.

A little beyond the village stands Fern Hill, the singular and beautiful seat of S. Saunders, Esq. This mansion was built by the late Lord Bolton, then governor of the Island. The grounds are laid out with great taste, and the view is most imposing and extensive. Proceeding towards Newport we reach Stapler's Heath, where we obtain one of the finest panoramic views in the Island. Shortly after, we pass

*The celebrated Lady Lisle (widow of the late Sir John), fell a victim to the savage spirit of Judge Jefferies. She was charged, although a loyalist herself, with having harboured a presbyterian minister of the name of Hicks. The jury, on examining the charge, twice brought her in not guilty; but Jefferies having threatened them with an attaint of jury, to save themselves, they found her guilty. She was sentenced to be burnt, which was however mitigated to beheading. She was a woman of superior intellect and eminent piety; and at the advanced age of eighty years, was enrolled among the noble army of martyrs.