A remarkably large male fish, of the species called Boops, or the pike-headed whale, was discovered ashore upon the inner side of the Shingles, opposite to the Needle rocks, on the 10th of September, 1813, which measured seventy-two feet from the point of the nose to the top of the fins at the extremity of the tail, and sixty feet round. At the time it was discovered, the animal was making strenuous exertions to get off; and in its endeavours to do so, the tail was frequently elevated to a considerable height above the surface of the water, presenting, at a distance, the semblance of a small sailing-boat, which at times suddenly disappeared, and produced a great surf and motion on the surrounding water. A party from Hurst Castle proceeded to the spot in a small lighter, armed in the best manner their means furnished, to secure the prize. With due caution they approached it near enough to inflict several deep wounds on and about the head, from which it bled copiously, and which, in the exhausted state to which it was reduced at the time of their arrival, soon produced its death. Thousands of spectators went to see this fish. It was afterwards towed down to the Motherbank, and cut up by the crew of a South-Sea whaler, who happened to be there at anchor. It yielded, however, considering its size, but an insignificant quantity of oil, owing to its great exhausture, and its apparent previous state of health.

If the traveller has visited Hurst Castle, he may reach the Christchurch road again by passing through the village called HORDLE or Hordwell. The villas called ROOKCLIFF and HORDLECLIFF command fine prospects. Hordle church is remarkable only for its anti

quity, being probably as old as the time of Edward the Confessor. It is a chapel, not in charge, to the vicarage of Millford. The population of the village, in 1801, consisted of 446 persons; in 1811, of 388 persons.

Between Milton and Christchurch, a hard reddish stone is found, which has the appearance of innumerable marine shells coated with an oxyde of iron: of this several ancient structures in the country are built, among which is this parish-church.

Should the traveller be otherwise disposed than to lengthen his journey, by visiting Hurst Castle, he avoids the turn to Millford, mentioned in page 59, and pursues the main road, which is, probably, one of the most winding roads that is any where to be seen.

The forest scenes which we enjoyed in our journey to Lymington are all exchanged for cultivation; and even the hedge rows in this neighbourhood are bare of trees. It is not merely for embellishment, that it is desirable to see a few trees in our prospects: the very great usefulness of timber, and the disadvantages which must hereafter be felt, if planting continues to be neglected, induce us to lament, that, while the present age is consuming the sylvan treasures of its ancestors, it so selfishly persists in taking no thought for posterity.*

*We cannot lose the opportunity of mentioning an instrument, invented by the late Mr. Thomas Nichols, of Redbridge, for planting acorns in hedge rows and bushes, a figure of which is given in his pamphlet on the Consumption of Timber. Its construction is simple and cheap; and the instrument itself may be had at Mr. Winslow's,

At the fifth milestone, on the right, is a residence, which, from its elevated situation, commands a prospect of the isle of Wight, &c. Beyond this, we have an opening on the right into a valley, but the views are not remarkable.

Beyond the sixth stone, is the village of MILTON. It has an old church, which is a chapel, not in charge, to the vicarage of Millford. The population of the village, in 1801, consisted of 522 persons; in 1811, of 728

persons.

Should time allow, it will be found an agreeable addition to the route, to make a circuit by the pleasant bathing village of MUDDIFORD, which possesses an admirable sea-beach with bathing machines, a fine view of the Needles and British Channel, and many pretty cottages as lodging-houses.

Three quarters of a mile further, we pass a villa called CHUTON, looking over a beautiful valley towards the sea. Riding forward, we see, on the right, BELVIDERE. Dr. James Fordyce, a popular divine of the church of Scot

Margaret Street, Cavendish Square, London. The instances Mr. Nichols gives of the profit derived from raising timber on wastes, under the protection of bushes, make the subject well worth the attention of possessors of landed property

Dr. Knox thus concludes his elegant essay on the taste for culti vating vegetable beauty :-"The taste for plantation prevails greatly in this country, and it ought to be encouraged, as it is a never-failing source of pleasure to the planter, and of improvement to the community. But it is to be hoped, that, while we plant the tree for ornament, we shall not forget to drop the acorn, and raise that heart of oak, which bears an analogy to the bravery of the people, and has ever been to this land, et præsidium et decus,' both a bulwark and a Beauty."-Essays, No. 117.

It is pleasing to find, in the premiums of the munificent Society for the Encouragement of Arts, &c. that they do not forget to honour the cultivators of timber.

land, spent many of the last years of his life at this retreat. He was born at Aberdeen, in 1720. After officiating several years at Brechin and Alloa, in his native country, during which time he published several sermons that excited much attention, he removed to London. Here he was for some time highly popular. Ill health at length removed him from the pulpit. In his retirement, he lived in the greatest intimacy with the earl of Bute, to whose valuable library he had unlimited Dr. Fordyce died at Bath, with great composure and fortitude, on the 1st of October, 1796, in the seventysixth year of his age.*

access.

On the left is HIGHCLIFF, now little more than a spacious enclosure; the noble mansion of the late earl of Bute, which formerly adorned it, having been partly taken down by one possessor, and neglected by another, on account, it is said, of the danger of the situation, from the inroads which the sea is perpetually making on the cliff. The land-springs, like a secret enemy, gradually undermines it; while the sea, a more open foe, violently storms it in front. Their joint attacks frequently produce a founder, as it is here called, when large masses of the cliff fall from its sides on the shore beneath. These,

* His biographer in the Encyclopædia Britannica, makes a very instructive remark on the subject of pulpit popularity. "Even Dr. Fordyce, (who had called forth the admiration of the general assembly of the church of Scotland, as well as of crowded audiences in the British metropolis,) lived to see his popularity on the decline: for such as attend a place of worship from mere motives of curiosity, must have feeble and unstable minds, changing their preachers as they do their dress, loving to be where others are, to do what others do, and to admire what others admire, for they have no taste of their own."

forming a bank, for a time secure the land from the assaults of the tide; but, as they are gradually washed away, it again beats against the cliff, and brings down another mass of ruin. Within the last thirty years, the sea has gained, on some parts of this coast, between two and three hundred yards.*

The earl of Bute built the middle part of the house first, and the rest at different periods. The gardens, shrubberies, walks, grounds, and temples, all formed under his own immediate inspection, exhibited equal proofs of taste and of magnificence. That magnificence, like its departed owner, is now no more. The present owner of Highcliff has at different times expended a good deal of This gentleman has, however, money on the house. recently erected another mansion, at no great distance, in a safer situation. It is a singular fact, that, about the middle of September, 1808, the greater part of the middle or main front of the building fell down; lord Bute's confidence in the Roman cement having induced him to form this part of very slight materials. It has since been repaired.

Retired from the agitations of public life, it was on this spot-that his lordship spent great part of his last years. Except his own family, he saw only a very few friends.

*Various kinds of fossil shells are found in this cliff. The late Gustavus Brander, esq. of Christchurch, presented a collection of them to the British Museum. He also published, in 1766, an account of them, with plates, under the title of Fossilia Hantoniensia. They are found about fourteen or fifteen feet below the surface; and may be extricated, with some little difficulty, by means of a trowel. Numerous species, unknown to Mr. B. have been found since his time. It is worth remarking, that he describes the fossils as found in Hordwell cliff, whereas by far the greater part are found only in Barton cliff.