the view is highly pleasing; the roadstead being then thronged with the yachts of the different members of the "Royal Yacht Squadron," who have made this place their rendezvous.

Within a few years the town has been very considerably improved. The streets have been paved, and a market-house erected, which is daily well supplied with meat, fish, and vegetables. The population of Cowes, consists of 4500 souls. Its celebrity as a watering place adds considerably to the number of its inhabitants during the summer season. Most of the houses in the principal streets are lodging houses; and some of them command a fine sea view. To the westward of the town are a number of elegant little villas opening to the sea, which have been erected as summer residences for those who visit the place.

It

This town was originally a hamlet to the parish of Northwood. The chapel, which is a chapel of ease to the church of Northwood, was erected in 1657. was consecrated by George, Lord Bishop of Winchester: and, what is rather singular, it is not dedicated to any particular saint. This was probably occasioned by its erection during the Commonwealth, when a formal consecration and a titular saint were not deemed necessary to sanctify a house of prayer. There are endowments attached to this place of worship; one by Mr. R. Stevens, of £5 per annum, and another by Bishop Morley, of £20-stipulating as a condition, that the inhabitants should pay £40 per annum, or the treaty be forfeited for ever. It has within a few years been adorned with a noble mausoleum tower, which adds very considerably to the beauty of the building; and, from its elevated situation, has a fine effect on the surrounding objects. The town also contains places of worship for the Roman Catholics, the Independents, and the Wesleyan

Methodists. A very elegant proprietary episcopal chapel has been recently erected; and from the situation it occupies, as well as the splendour of its architecture, is a considerable ornament to the spot.

The Parade, which is at the extremity of the town, is one of the most fashionable promenades. The Solent sea opens before it with the castle, which forms its boundary. The upper part is decorated with some elegant villas and cottages. Cowes castle has nothing remarkable, either in point of antiquity ar architecture, to claim much attention. It has more the resemblance of a bastion than a castle. It was one of the fortresses erected by Henry VIII. in 1539, for the better defence of the Island. To the east of the castle, stands the beautiful villa of the late Sir John Cox Hippesley, Bart., in which His Majesty George IV. dined when he first visited the Island. To the west is an elegant villa; and at a short distance beyond, skirting the shore with a fine sloping back-ground, is Egypt, where stands an ancient family mansion. The singularity of its elevation gives it an interesting appearance. The walk from the Parade to Egypt is very delightful. The fine expanse of water-the elegant villas and lodging houses which skirt the shore-the refreshing breeze-the outline of the New Forest-the distant view of Calshot Castle-and the entrance of the Anton, present to the sight a piece of scenery, as beautiful as it is enlivening. In this direction is a range of cottages, designed for the accommodation of visitors. On the summit of the hill stands Northwood Park House, the seat of George Henry Ward, Esq., commanding a fine bold view of the sea, with an extensive range of country on the opposite shore. At a short distance is Moor House, with its gothic pinnacles; and a little farther to the west, is Vale Cottage. The walk from hence to Gurnet's Bay is beautiful, and

the fine bay, with its lovely land scenery, will amply repay those who may ramble to it. At a short distance from this is the little village of Rue-street. The whole of the scenery in this neighbourhood is of a very picturesque kind; and being at a little distance from Cowes presents a very pleasant walk.

Cowes is a very interesting watering place, and is furnished with almost every thing that can attract the visitor: it has inns, lodging-houses, libraries, ballrooms, and the greatest facilities for bathing. In the height of the season, the vessels belonging to the Royal Yacht Squadron are engaged in a sailing match; this, with the contest that succeeds it the next day with rowing boats, forms a scene of great vivacity and attraction. The principal prize is the gold cup, given by Her Majesty: several others of less value are presented by the ladies and inhabitants of Cowes; together with one by the club itself. These contests excite a very deep interest in the minds of all classes. In addition to the vessels which are engaged in the Regatta, the water is literally covered with yachts, cutters, and boats, crowded with spectators; while the shore, commanding the mouth of the river and the fine expanse of the harbour, is lined with a most brilliant assemblage of company.

There are frequent communications daily from this place to Ryde, Newport, Southampton, Yarmouth, Lymington, Poole, Weymouth, and Portsmouth, by steam or sailing vessels; and also to Newport, Ryde, Shanklin, and Ventnor, by stage

coaches.

East Cowes stands on the opposite side of the Medina. The village is small: there is a ferry to it. A beautiful church, raised under the act for building churches, is an ornament to the place; and two neat chapels belonging to the Dissenters have been recently

erected. The country is lovely; and in ascending its hills a very fine view is obtained of the town on the opposite side. East Cowes still retains its village character; having at present nothing of the busy and mercantile aspect which belongs to the neighbouring town. It contains a small yard, from which several large yachts and vessels have been launched, and from its marine situation appears likely to increase in maritime employment. There are several spacious wellbuilt houses in the village; and its neighbourhood is decked with a variety of beautiful seats and villas. Within a few years it has also become a resort as a watering place. It contains a good inn, and has been furnished with several well-built lodging houses, commanding some very beautiful views. There is a neat parade skirting the river, having a short walk between a row of fine trees: adjacent to this is a newly erected bathing house, which is as convenient in its interior, as it is beautiful in its elevation. The houses situated on the banks of the river are very pleasant; the loveliness of the scene and the description of its houses, quite deprive it of its village character. The view of the adjacent town, with the houses towering one above the other-the boats playing upon the water in all directions-the vessels sailing to and fro-and the steam packets gliding in from the neighbouring ports hour after hour, present a beautifully varied and lively scene, and make this little village a spot of great attraction.

On leaving the village, we observe near the main road the neat villa of the late Thomas Auldjo, Esq. on the right; and on the left we see Slatwoods, the seat of Mrs. Shedden. These delightful residences are succeeded in the journey by the lovely villas of Sir George Thomas, Bart. and Mr. George Shedden. But what catches the eye, and fascinates by the elegance

of its rural architecture, is Elm Cottage, the tasteful abode of the late Mr. W. Lambert.

We have scarcely left these beautiful villas, before the bold castellated seat of the Earl of Shannon rises in view with all its grand and overpowering magnificence. It is finely situated; surrounded with wood, and standing on the side of a rising ground, has the air of boldness and grandeur, which characterizes the residence of ancient feudal lords. At a short distance we pass the entrance which conducts us to Norris Castle, the seat of the late Lord Henry Seymour. This noble mansion, beautifully mantled with ivy, and adorned with a fine tower, has the appearance of an ancient baronial residence, is placed on the summit of a very steep ascent, and commands a most imposing view of the Solent, and the variety of objects which present themselves on the opposite coast, reaching below the mouth of the Anton to the distant shores of Sussex. This beautiful mansion has occasionally been occupied during the summer season, by her present most gracious Majesty, and her illustrious mother and suite, to which spot they appear to be peculiarly attached.

A fine old mansion, called Osborne House, is the next seat we pass. It commands a bold and extensive view of Cowes and the neighbourhood. This manor was in the possession of Eustace Mann, Esq. during the time the civil war was raging between Charles I. and the Parliament. There is a coppice in the manor called the money coppice, from a tradition that Mann buried some money in it, which he could not find again.

Not far from this spot the road branches off, and winds its course adjacent to the banks of the Medina, conducting to Newport. At a little distance to the east stands Barton House, formerly the site of an