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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/34867-8.txt b/34867-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c7e2118 --- /dev/null +++ b/34867-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6010 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ports, Harbours, Watering-places and +Picturesque Scenery of Great Britain Vol. 2, by William Finden + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Ports, Harbours, Watering-places and Picturesque Scenery of Great Britain Vol. 2 + +Author: William Finden + +Illustrator: W. H. Bartlett + J. D. Harding + T. Creswick + +Release Date: January 6, 2011 [EBook #34867] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PORTS, HARBOURS *** + + + + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Susan Skinner and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive) + + + + + + + + + + + + +FINDEN'S + +PORTS, HARBOURS + +AND + +WATERING PLACES. + +[Illustration: ENTRANCE TO THE PORT OF BERWICK.] + + + + +THE + +PORTS, HARBOURS, WATERING-PLACES, + +And Picturesque Scenery + +OF + +GREAT BRITAIN. + +ILLUSTRATED BY VIEWS TAKEN ON THE SPOT, + +BY + +W. H. BARTLETT, J. D. HARDING, T. CRESWICK, + +AND OTHERS. + +WITH DESCRIPTIONS, HISTORICAL AND TOPOGRAPHICAL. + +VOL. II. + +JAMES S. VIRTUE, CITY ROAD, AND IVY LANE, LONDON. + + + + +LIST OF PLATES. + +VOLUME II. + + +THE RIVER MERSEY, AT LIVERPOOL. + +LIVERPOOL--CANNING DOCK AND CUSTOM-HOUSE. + +--------- ST. NICHOLAS' CHURCH, WITH SHIPPING. + +NEW BRIGHTON, NEAR LIVERPOOL. + +MATLOCK, DERBYSHIRE. + +CONWAY CASTLE, WITH THE SUSPENSION-BRIDGE. + +------ QUAY, WITH THE CASTLE AND BRIDGE. + +MENAI BRIDGE, WITH THE STRAIT. + +BANGOR, AND PORT-PENRHYN. + +BEAUMARIS, WITH THE MENAI STRAIT. + +HOLYHEAD, THE LIGHTHOUSE, TRIUMPHAL-ARCH, &c. + +--------- SOUTHSTACK LIGHTHOUSE. + +CARNARVON CASTLE, THE EAGLE TOWER. + +--------- GENERAL VIEW. + +HARLECH CASTLE, NORTH WALES. + +BARMOUTH, WATERING-PLACE. + +SWANSEA BAY, WITH LIGHTHOUSE IN THE DISTANCE. + +OYSTERMOUTH CASTLE, OVERLOOKING SWANSEA BAY. + +THE MUMBLES' LIGHTHOUSE, SWANSEA BAY. + +THE NASS SANDS' LIGHTHOUSES. + +CARDIFF, GLAMORGANSHIRE. + +GLOUCESTER, PORT AND CATHEDRAL. + +BRISTOL CITY, FROM ROWNHAM FERRY. + +------- REDCLIFFE CHURCH AND BASIN. + +CLIFTON, WITH THE NEW SUSPENSION-BRIDGE. + +BATH, WITH THE CITY, CATHEDRAL, AND DOWNS. + +CORNWALL, TINTAGEL CASTLE. + +PLYMOUTH, DEVON. + +--------- MOUNT EDGECOMBE. + +BRIXHAM, TORBAY, DEVON. + +EXMOUTH, DEVON. + +BUDLEIGH SALTERTON. + +SIDMOUTH, VIEW FROM THE BEACH. + +CAVES AT LADRAM BAY. + +WEYMOUTH, WITH THE HARBOUR. + +HURST CASTLE, KING CHARLES'S PRISON. + +COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT. + +SOUTHAMPTON. + +------------ THE ANCIENT WALLS. + +PORTSMOUTH, ENTRANCE TO THE HARBOUR. + +----------- RIGGING-HULK AND FRIGATE. + +----------- VIEW FROM THE SALUTING PLATFORM. + +GOSPORT, FLAG-SHIP SALUTING. + +SPITHEAD, WITH SHIPS OF WAR. + +BRIGHTON, SUSSEX. + +HASTINGS, WITH THE TOWN AND CASTLE. + +--------- VIEW ON THE BEACH. + +RYE, SUSSEX, WITH ITS ANCIENT GATE, CHURCH, &c. + +FOLKESTONE, FROM THE BEACH. + +DOVER, WITH THE CASTLE. + +------ FROM THE CASTLE. + +SANDWICH, KENT, ANCIENT GATE AND DRAWBRIDGE. + +RAMSGATE, KENT, ENTRANCE TO THE HARBOUR. + +BROADSTAIRS, ISLE OF THANET, VESSEL ASHORE. + +WRECK IN KINGSGATE-BAY. + +MARGATE, TWO VESSELS ASHORE. + +CHATHAM, WITH THE DOCKYARD. + +GRAVESEND, FROM THE RIVER. + +LONDON, FROM GREENWICH PARK. + +PORT OF LONDON. + +THE TOWER. + +VIGNETTE-ENTRANCE TO THE PORT OF BERWICK. + + + + +THE + +PORTS AND HARBOURS + +OF + +GREAT BRITAIN. + + + + +BERWICK.--LIGHTHOUSE ON THE PIER. + + +The view of the Lighthouse, at the head of Berwick Pier (which forms the +vignette to our Second Volume), is taken from the entrance to the +harbour, about half a mile below the bridge. This Pier, the building of +which was commenced in 1810, stands on the north side of the river, and +is chiefly erected on the foundations of an old one, which is said to +have been built in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. From the lighthouse, +which was finished in 1826, two lights are exhibited at night, the one +above the other. The upper one, which is of a pale, white colour, is +lighted from sunset to sunrise; the lower one, which is of a bright red, +is a tide-light, and is only displayed during the time that there is ten +feet water on the bar. + +Berwick Harbour is not well adapted for vessels of large burthen, for +the greater part of the shore, in front of the quay, is dry at low +water. On the Tweedmouth side, near the Car Rock, is the best water +within the bar; and a vessel drawing from sixteen to eighteen feet water +may lie there at all hours of the tide without touching the ground. The +entrance to the harbour is narrow, as a bank of sand stretches out to +the eastward, from the Spittal shore, to the extent of nearly half a +mile, and approaches to within a cable's length of the rocks on the +north. When the wind is from the eastward, there is always a swell on +the bar; and the ebb-tide--more especially when there is a _fresh_ in +the river, in consequence of rain--runs out with such velocity that it +is impossible for a vessel to make head against it. Vessels bound for +Berwick, which cannot take the harbour in bad weather, usually seek +shelter in Leith Roads. + +The salmon fishery forms a most important branch of the trade of +Berwick. About the middle of the last century, the fish used chiefly to +be conveyed to London by small vessels of about forty tons burthen, +belonging to Harwich and Gravesend, engaged by the London dealers; the +fresh-caught salmon and gilse were conveyed in wells in the hold, but a +large portion was sent pickled in kits. About 1787, the practice of +packing salmon in pounded ice was suggested by George Dempster, Esq., of +Dunnichen, then M.P. for Cupar, to Mr. John Richardson, a salmon-dealer, +of Perth, who immediately adopted it; and the next year the +salmon-dealers of Berwick followed his example. + +Most of the salmon sent from Berwick to London are caught between the +mouth of the Tweed and Norham, which is about eight miles up the river, +and the highest point to which the tide flows. In 1799, the yearly +rental of the fisheries within this distance, on both sides of the +river, was estimated at £10,000; and in 1817 it was nearly double that +sum. In consequence of the decline of the salmon fishery since 1820, it +does not at the present time exceed £9,000. Various causes have been +assigned for the decline of the salmon fishery in the Tweed; such as the +building of the New Pier at the north side of the harbour; with the +draining of lands and the destruction of fish in close time towards the +upper parts of the river. How the building of the New Pier, and the +draining of lands in Selkirk and Roxburghshire affect the breed of +salmon, has not been clearly shown; and poaching in close time has not +prevailed to a greater extent during the last twenty years than in the +twenty years previous to 1816. The unremitting manner in which the river +was _legally_ fished between the mouth of the Tweed and Norham, from +1800 to 1817, is more likely to have been one great cause of the +decline; but the proprietors of the fisheries seem unwilling to admit +that a river may be over-fished, as well as land exhausted by +over-cropping. + +It can scarcely be said that there is a public market for salmon in +Berwick, almost all that are caught being engrossed by factors or +fish-curers, and sent to London; and salmon is generally as dear there +as in the metropolis. The fish, as soon as caught, are packed in large +boxes, between layers of pounded ice, and in this manner conveyed to the +metropolis. + + + + +[Illustration: THE MERSEY AT LIVERPOOL.] + + + + +THE MERSEY. + +FROM LIVERPOOL. + + + "A thousand keels the subject wave divide,-- + Float with the flow, or stem the ebbing tide,-- + Winged messengers that haste, with sails unfurl'd, + To barter produce with some distant world!-- + With oar and paddle, sail and thundering steam, + They row--they cleave--they plough the Mersey's stream; + That stream, which, fretted by a thousand prows, + No silent rest, no liquid slumber knows; + Whate'er the hour, whatever wind prevail, + Behold the outward and the homeward sail!" + +The Mersey is to Liverpool what the Thames is to London--the grand +channel of mercantile prosperity--the main artery that carries health +and vigour into the heart of the city, and thence distributes them by a +thousand ramifications through all classes of the community. The +navigation of this river has long been an object of primary import to +the prosperity of our national trade; and therefore every suggestion +which promised to obviate and remove those impediments which nature had +thrown in the way, has been met with the greatest promptness and +liberality. Whatever it was possible for art to accomplish has been +attempted, and that so successfully that, if the ultimate object has not +yet been obtained, the navigation of the Mersey has at least been +rendered comparatively safe and expeditious. The grand enterprise for +facilitating the intercourse between Liverpool and Manchester was +commenced in 1720, when a canal was formed, and the navigation of the +Mersey and Irwell was so greatly improved, that the "flats"--which were +previously ten or eleven days in going from one town to the other--could +now, by taking advantage of the tide, accomplish the same distance in as +many hours. How amazingly this distance has been again shortened in our +own times, by the introduction of steam power, is familiar to every one. + +The rise and expansion of Liverpool--in all that regards it as a +mercantile emporium--have taken place within the last two centuries. In +1650, the town--a mere fishing hamlet--consisted of only five or six +streets. A pool, branching from the river, extended over the space now +occupied by the new Custom-house and the three streets adjoining; and, +for the convenience of intercourse, a ferry-boat was kept at the corner +of Church-street and Whitechapel. This ferry was at last superseded by a +bridge, erected by the proprietor of the land, Lord Molyneux; and since +that period the advancement of the Mersey in the list of great navigable +rivers has been unprecedentedly rapid and successful. The grand +municipal improvements, however, have all been effected within the last +century. During that interval, splendid squares, streets, and public +monuments have sprung up into existence. Previously to that epoch there +was no spirit, no scope for commercial enterprise, and consequently no +harbour, nor dock, nor warehouse. But now spacious harbours extend for +several miles along the bank of the Mersey: on the bosom of the river +stately merchantmen, outward or homeward bound, laden with the produce +of every clime, are continually passing and repassing; while the usual +embellishments which follow a train of successful industry are apparent +at every step of our progress, adding ever varying features of beauty +and animation to the landscape. He who would form a just estimate of the +vast and unlimited resources of this great commercial city, should spend +at least a day, partly in a promenade along the banks, and partly on the +spring-tide of the Mersey. + +This river is navigable for vessels of considerable burden so far as the +mouth of the Irwell,--a distance of thirty-five miles from Liverpool. It +derives its source from the confluence of several small streams on the +Cheshire and Derbyshire frontier, and pursues a serpentine course, +gradually inclining to the south-west. Its largest tributary is the +Irwell, which falls into it near the village of Flixton, seven miles +from Manchester. A little below Warrington, the Mersey expands into a +broad arm of the sea, and turning abruptly to the south-west, contracts +its channel as it passes Liverpool to about three quarters of a mile in +breadth; but in proceeding farther inland, it again increases its width +to more than three miles. This peculiarity is very advantageous to the +port, as the great body of water, passing and repassing at every tide, +keeps the navigation of the Mersey always open. A range of sand banks +run parallel with the coast for many miles, but several channels +intervene, giving sufficient depth for vessels of the heaviest draught +at high water, at which time the Mersey presents the most interesting +and striking scene,--particularly when a westerly wind favours the +arrival of the numerous fleets destined to this port, bearing the flags +and freighted with the produce of all nations that have found a place in +the chart of commercial enterprise. + + + + +[Illustration: CANNING DOCK AND CUSTOM HOUSE, LIVERPOOL. + +Dedicated to the Right Hon. Viscount Sandon, M. P.] + + + + +CANNING DOCK AND CUSTOM-HOUSE, + +LIVERPOOL. + + +Liverpool presents one of the most remarkable instances on record of the +vast influence of commercial speculation, when pursued with steady +vigour, prudence, and resolution. Commerce is the first step to empire, +and, successfully prosecuted, never fails to consolidate the strength +and independence of the state. To this important end no city in the +kingdom has so amply contributed as Liverpool; none of our rivers, the +Thames excepted, has wafted to our shores so many precious cargoes as +the Mersey, nor exported so much of the produce of our native +manufactures to all parts of the world. This great commercial city, +rapid as its progress has been, is still advancing in the career of +prosperity; hardly a month passes without some local improvement,--some +substantial proof that her trade is on the increase, stimulating +domestic industry, and affording the means of unlimited intercourse with +every shore of the commercial world. + +Canning Dock, with the Custom-house, forms one of the finest points of +view in Liverpool, presenting at one view a building of elegant design +and execution, and a forest of masts which sufficiently indicate the +bustle of trade, and the air of business that pervade every feature of +the place--animate or inanimate. Canning Dock--so distinguished in +honour of Mr. Canning, a name happily identified with Liverpool and the +prosperity of its trade,--covers a space of five hundred yards in +length. On the west side it communicates with three graving docks, where +vessels are laid up for repairs, and is chiefly occupied by vessels +trading to the northern coast. It is the first of the seven docks +extending southward, and is generally filled by vessels in the act of +discharging or taking in their cargoes. It presents a scene of great +bustle and activity, and, though only one out of many, affords the +stranger a very clear idea of the vast amount of traffic that is daily +shipped or entered at this emporium. + +The Custom-House is of recent date, and replaced the old official +buildings, which were found quite inadequate to the purposes of a daily +extending commerce. Through the united interest of Canning and +Huskisson, negociations were entered into with Government as to the +necessity of a new Custom-house; and after a short time arrangements +were concluded for its immediate erection. Mr. Foster, architect to the +Liverpool corporation, was engaged to prepare the designs, and made +choice of the present site as the most appropriate for a commercial +building of this size and character. + +The lower apartments of the Custom-house consist of spacious vaults for +the safe custody of bonded and other goods; and in the centre is the +apartment known as the Long Room. The offices of customs occupy the +whole extent of the west wing; and it is intended that part of the east +wing shall be appropriated to the use of the general post-office. Above +these are the excise offices and those of the dock-treasurer and +secretaries. The remaining portions of the edifice are subdivided into +the board-room, the dock-committee's offices, and the stamp-office. + +The chasteness and beauty of the Ionic style of architecture adopted in +this magnificent edifice have been much and justly admired. The centre, +and the east and west fronts are adorned by lofty porticos, each +supported by eight Ionic columns. The centre of the building is +surmounted by a magnificent dome, lighted by sixteen windows, and +ornamented round by pilasters. Inclosed within the outer dome is a +smaller one encircled by twelve windows, so as to afford sufficient +light to the Long Room. The interior of this building will amply repay +the stranger for a visit. The grand front is opposite Castle-street; +and, entering in this direction, the first object which claims attention +is the massive grouping of the pilasters which support the floor of the +Long Room over head. The stairs, flanked by handsome iron +balustrades,--the landing-places supported by eight Ionic stone columns, +each of a single piece,--the four pilasters, and the elaborate +ceilings,--are all deserving of particular attention. The Long Room is +altogether splendidly designed and executed; lighted by fourteen windows +on the sides, and by twelve as already observed, in the inner dome. The +ceiling is divided by lateral and transverse beams into regular +compartments, all beautifully ornamented. At each of the opposite ends +of this noble apartment are a corresponding flight of stairs and +landing-places. But to convey a just description of this monument to the +genius of commerce is at once difficult and tedious; we therefore +recommend all who may visit Liverpool, as admirers of its docks, +harbours, and splendid edifices, to devote an hour to the +Custom-house--a building which reflects great honour upon the architect, +and serves as a lasting ornament to the second city of the empire. + + + + +[Illustration: ST. NICHOLAS' CHURCH, LIVERPOOL. + +(from St. George's Basin)] + + + + +ST. NICHOLAS' CHURCH AND ST. GEORGE'S BASIN, + +LIVERPOOL. + + + "Here have the wild deer bounded,--here the trees + Waved, a wide-spreading forest, in the breeze! + Then came the woodman's axe,--the forest fell,-- + The shrine arose, and peal'd the chapel bell;-- + The crowd of pilgrims and the sound of prayer + Disturbed the woodland savage in his lair.... + What hear we now!--what see we in the gale! + The city's shout,--the far-expanding sail,-- + The crowded Mart,--the tramp of busy feet-- + And wheels that shake the densely-peopled street." + +St. Nicholas, or the Old Church, is supposed to stand upon the site of +an ancient chapel built about the time of the Conquest. But whether this +be correct or not, there is at least evidence to prove that, in 1361, +license for burial here was granted by the Bishop of Lichfield. It was +endowed by Queen Elizabeth with a small sum, under five pounds, to be +paid annually out of the chantry rents to the minister; and another sum, +between five and six pounds, as a yearly grant to the schoolmaster. In +the olden time a statue of the patron, St. Nicholas, erected in the +churchyard, was much frequented by mariners, who believed that an +offering made to the saint would conciliate the winds in their favour, +and secure a prosperous voyage. Time, however, put an end to this +confederacy between the saint and seamen. St. Nicholas was dethroned; +and for a time the winds "blew as if they would have cracked their +cheeks" at the downfall of one who had so long laid them under arrest. +But at length a better knowledge of the compass and the coast made the +seaman ample compensation for the loss of his ghostly patron, and showed +him that a skilful mariner and a stout bark are better securities +against storm and tempest than any saint in the calendar. + +In 1774 this church was rebuilt,--"The old roof, walls, and Gothic +pillars, the old blue ceiling, black and white clouds, golden sun, moon, +and stars, painted and gilt thereon," were removed, and the +re-edification completed, under the direction of Joseph Brooks, Esq. In +1810 this church was the scene of a dreadful catastrophe; the steeple +suddenly gave way as the children of the charity-school were entering +the church. It fell upon the body of the building, and twenty-four lives +were sacrificed, seventeen of which were girls belonging to the school. +Many others were severely wounded. The accident was attributed to the +weakness of an old arch upon which a modern spire had been erected. The +spire was subsequently restored by Mr. Harrison, of Chester, with a +degree of taste and execution which does him credit. It consists of an +ornamented Gothic tower, surmounted by an open lantern, with an air of +great lightness and elegance, and forming a very striking feature among +the many architectural objects--civil and ecclesiastical--by which it is +surrounded. The height of the tower is one hundred and twenty feet, and +that of the lantern sixty; so that together the steeple has an elevation +of not less than one hundred and eighty feet. During the night the clock +opposite the river is illuminated, so that it may serve as a landmark to +assure the mariner that St. Nicholas is still on the watch for his +safety, as in the good olden time. + +St. George's Dock, from which the view of the Church is taken, was +constructed according to an act of parliament obtained in 1762, and +completed at an expenditure of twenty-one thousand pounds. It is two +hundred and sixty-four yards in length, one hundred in breadth, and +lined on the east side by a row of very large warehouses, with footpaths +under the piazzas. Extending along both sides are sheds for merchandise; +and on the pier-head, at the west side of the dock, are the public +baths. The latter, comprised in a large building of plain but classical +design and execution, were erected by the corporation at an expense of +thirty-six thousand pounds, and opened to the public in the month of +June, 1829. Nothing could be better adapted to its purpose than this +great public edifice, in which the twofold recommendation of ornament +and utility are happily combined. The water is constantly flowing +through the baths in a fresh current; being supplied from the river at +high-tide, filtered, and contained in a reservoir of eight hundred tons +under the centre of the building. Private, cold, shower, warm, tepid, +medicated, and vapour baths are to be had at all hours; and from the +excellent manner in which every department is arranged and conducted, +the inhabitants possess in this establishment one of the great means of +promoting health and averting disease. + + + + +[Illustration: NEW BRIGHTON.] + + + + +NEW BRIGHTON. + + +New Brighton has already taken a prominent station in the list of +fashionable watering-places, and in several respects bids fair to +eclipse even the attractions of its celebrated namesake in Sussex. +Highly favoured by nature in a romantic point of view, the striking +features of this locality have been duly taken advantage of in +constructing a series of marine villas, all in harmony with the native +landscape. These, with the most picturesque effects as viewed from a +distance, combine every accommodation that can be desired,--either for +families of distinction, or private individuals; while the air, which +the invalid inhales from the atmosphere around him, produces a degree of +vigour and exhilaration, which is rarely experienced in situations more +inland or less elevated. + + "The rural wilds + Invite; the mountains call you; and the vales, + The woods, the streams, and each ambrosial breeze + That fans the ever-undulating sky-- + A kindly sky!" + +The honour of founding New Brighton belongs to James Atherton, Esq. A +bold design, as it at first appeared, but which judgment, taste, and a +liberal hand have converted into a lasting monument,--creditable alike +to the originator and to the discriminating public, who have manifested +a decided preference for the situation, and thus amply justified the +enterprise. The first step taken by Mr. Atherton was to purchase nearly +two hundred acres of land, including the site of the future town. These +were put under the care of persons well instructed in the plan of +operations. The design was prosecuted with unremitting zeal; houses +sprang up, streets were laid out, and in a comparatively short time the +skeleton of New Brighton was completed. Strangers resorted to the spot; +the citizens of Liverpool became eager for its completion, and for those +enjoyments which it presented as a summer retreat, as well as for the +many advantages which it offered to the invalid. Thus encouraged by the +vote of public approbation, the works made rapid progress, and shortly +after assumed the name and consideration of a favourite watering-place. + +In the design and execution of the various embellishments of the place, +the architect has never stepped aside from the rules of good taste. The +pleasure and accommodation of the visitors have been carefully studied. +Spacious streets, fifteen yards in breadth and nearly a mile in length, +insure a free circulation of air, and throw open an agreeable promenade +to the public, who resort thither in great numbers during the summer and +autumn. The partiality evinced for this watering place, (of which the +inhabitants can so readily take advantage,) is every day adding to the +number of its visitors, and thereby contributing to the further +extension of the original plan. A commodious and elegant hotel has been +erected, where casual visitors and others, in conjunction with the +allurements of a well-served table, can enjoy the exhilarating prospect +of the sea, and the numberless vessels of all denominations that stud +and traverse its waters. For the accommodation of the resident +population, a reservoir, containing nearly two thousand gallons of +water, has been constructed, and supplied from a fine spring on the +beach. + +The Fort and Lighthouse are objects well deserving of attention. The +former is very strongly built, and covers a space of nearly four +thousand yards. It is approached from the main land by means of a +drawbridge, and mounts sixteen pieces of cannon with others in the +embrasures of the towers. On account of the great sandbank at the +entrance of the river, it is ordered that every ship of heavy burden +shall pass within nine hundred yards of the Fort. + +The Lighthouse is constructed of Anglesey marble, and is considered a +masterpiece of its kind. It rises about ninety feet above the rock; each +stone is worked to a given geometrical form, and made to lock and +dovetail with those adjoining with great accuracy. The whole is cemented +together by a liquid volcanic substance brought from the vicinity of +Mount Ætna, which, in the course of time, becomes as hard as marble. The +lantern is illuminated by revolving lights--two of which are brilliantly +white, and the other of a deep red. The work is from the design of Mr. +Foster, and executed by Mr. Tomkinson, at an expense to the Liverpool +Corporation of twenty-seven thousand five hundred pounds. + + + + +[Illustration: MATLOCK BATH.] + + + + +MATLOCK, + +DERBYSHIRE. + + + "To MATLOCK'S calm, sequester'd vale + Bear that maiden, faint and pale! + There--'mid streams like music flowing, + There--'mid flowers profusely blowing, + Health and beauty shall return, + And snatch a victim from the urn." + +The reputation of the Matlock water is supported by the recorded +testimony of more than a century; while the picturesque scenery in which +the village is embosomed forms no small addition to its medicinal +attractions. The number of invalids who resort annually to this +salubrious spring appears to be on the increase,--the best criterion of +the value attached to it. In the superior accommodation which it now +offers to every class of visitors, nothing has been neglected that even +the most fastidious can desire. Those domestic comforts, in particular, +which are often of more real importance to valetudinarians than the +skill of the physician, have been provided with a scrupulous exactness, +which makes the stranger at Matlock feel completely at home. + +Matlock, however, though so friendly to the invalid, is neither gloomy +nor isolated; but to those who delight to mix in the gayer scenes of +artificial life, it possesses every attraction which refined society and +social intercourse can bestow. He who seeks health, and he who seeks +relaxation and pleasure, may enjoy every facility which science or +fashion can offer; and nowhere are the amusements better conducted, or +the rules of society more strictly observed, than at Matlock. + +The environs embrace some of the most striking and romantic scenery, as +well as historical sites, in England; and so close at hand that many of +the finest features enter into the same picture. Washed by the crystal +Derwent and finely wooded,--with rocks, and fountains, and precipices, +scattered at random through the charming landscape,--the visitor is +tempted to pass much of his time in the open air, which accelerates the +cure the water has begun. Romantic foot-paths, meandering along the +rocky acclivities, and opening at short intervals upon enchanting points +of view, allure the indolent to that salutary exercise which seldom +fails to reward the _piéton_ with increased strength and exhilaration of +spirits. The roads in the vicinity are kept in the best possible order, +and, owing to the nature of the soil, rain is so speedily carried off, +or absorbed, that the invalid may indulge in out-door exercise without +apprehension. + +That portion of Matlock in which the invalid is most interested consists +of the Old Bath, the New Bath, the Hotel, and several commodious +lodging-houses, situated on the south-east side of the Derwent. These, +with the various additions and improvements recently effected, offer to +his choice all that can be desired in point of comfort and convenience. +The buildings are of stone, elegantly constructed externally, and +presenting internally an arrangement admirably adapted to the purposes +of their erection. The servants of the establishments are well +conducted, and attentive to their several duties; and the vigilance with +which every department is regulated is a subject of commendation with +every visitor. + +The water of Matlock is remarkable for its sparkling purity; it springs +from limestone rock in a copious stream; and, having a temperature of +sixty-eight degrees of Fahrenheit, is to be considered as a thermal +water. It has been found to contain a small portion of neutral +salt--probably muriate of soda--and an earthy salt, chiefly calcareous. +Of the latter, when the water is exposed to the air, a deposition is +quickly effected, and incrustations formed upon every substance immersed +in it--some curious specimens of which are seen at what are called the +Petrifying Wells. + +In a medical point of view, the water of Matlock may be employed in all +those cases in which a pure diluent drink is advisable; but it is +chiefly used as a tepid bath--or at least as one which exceeds the +extreme limits of a cold bath. On this account, it produces only a +slight shock on immersion, and is, therefore, peculiarly fitted for +those delicate and languid habits that cannot exert sufficient reaction +to overcome the effects of the common cold-bath, and on which the +benefit it produces chiefly depends. It forms a good intermediate bath +between that of Bath or Buxton and the sea, and may be recommended as a +preparative for the latter. The abundant supply of water always at the +same temperature is a circumstance in favour of natural baths; while the +purity of the air and exquisite beauty of the situation must always +render Matlock a favourite resort for the invalid and man of taste. To +the geologist it presents a wide and interesting field of observation. +Few districts in England comprise within the same limits so great a +proportion of poetical and historical scenes. + + + + +[Illustration: CONWAY CASTLE.] + + + + +CONWAY CASTLE, + +NORTH WALES. + + + "Tantôt c'est un vieux fort, qui, du haut des collines, + Tyran de la contrie, effrei de ses vassaux, + Portait jusqu'au ciel l'orgueil de ses crénaux; + Qui, dans ces temps affreux de discorde et d'alarmes, + Vit les grands coups de lance et les noble faits d'armes + De nos preux chevaliers...... + Aujourd'hui la moisson flotte sur ses débris." + +Conway, or more properly Aberconway--so called from its position on the +river of that name--makes no inconsiderable figure in the page of +ancient history. It appears, on the testimony of Suetonius, the Roman +governor in Britain, that the chief motive entertained by his countrymen +in their occupation of this coast was a pearl fishery at the mouth of +the river Conway; a specimen of which, presented by Sir R. Wynne to the +Queen of Charles the Second, is said to have found a place among the +jewels that now adorn the British diadem. + +The town of Conway is large, though not populous, and in situation and +appearance highly picturesque. It is surrounded by lofty embattled +walls, a mile and a half in circumference, well preserved, defended by +twenty-four round-towers and four gates, and presenting at all points a +striking picture of the ancient style of fortification. From the side +towards the river ran two curtain-walls, terminating in watch-towers, +but of which only one remains. + +The castle, a truly grand and imposing structure, was built in 1284; an +epoch which gave origin to so many of those native fortresses, which +will long continue to be the subject of interest and admiration to every +traveller in this romantic country. + +Conway had, unlike Carnarvon and other fortresses situated on a level, +no imposing portal to usher into the interior. Its two entrances were +small, both practised for security, between an advanced work flanked by +two small towers, one ascending by winding stairs from the river, the +other, from the interior of the town, crossed the defensive moat by +means of a drawbridge, and passed through a portal and outwork of small +turrets into the great court of the castle. This stands on a rock, its +courts flanked by eight enormous battlemented round-towers of unequalled +beauty of proportion, those next the river having in addition small +turrets. Of these towers, all are perfect as to their exterior save one, +called Twr Dwu, or the broken tower, of which the lower portion, with +the rock that supported it, has fallen away, exposing to view the +immense solidity of its fractured walls. The interior of each tower was +occupied by several stages of spacious apartments, the flooring and roof +of which are entirely gone, with the fire-places, and lancet windows, +the interior yawning in vacant desolation, blackened, weather-stained, +and overgrown with rampant weeds and briers. There were stairs to ascend +to the upper apartments from the courts below, and a way round the +battlements which may still be followed out. The interior of the castle +consists of two courts, comprising the different apartments. As we enter +the grassy area, surrounded by ivied walls, and picturesquely surmounted +by the battlemented turrets, the great hall appears on the right; three +spacious windows of pointed architecture, and formerly highly enriched +with mullions and tracery, lighted it on the side next the court, and +the side wall, furnished with six lancet windows, with recessed and +raised seats, looking out upon the creek, which, running up from the +Conway, defended the walls on the south. Two carved fire-places of ample +dimensions warmed the immense and royal apartment, supported by several +gothic arches, some of which, clothed with ivy, still span the vacant +space above, while beneath, among nettles and brambles, yawn the offices +below. At the extremity of the hall is a noble arched window. The walls +are now mantled thick with ivy, and the nettle and bramble overgrow what +remains of the floor of this royal apartment, where Edward, whose statue +in Westminster Abbey is of unequalled beauty, and Queen Eleanor, with +masque and antique pageantry, entertained the throng of knights and +barons bold, who had assisted in the subjugation of the Welsh, who +besieged, however, the potent monarch in his own castle, and would have +starved him into a surrender, but for the timely arrival of a fleet +bearing soldiers and provisions. Since that period, its history is +little remarkable. It was held in the civil war, for Charles I., by +Archbishop Williams, who, being superseded by Prince Rupert, assisted +the Parliamentarians in effecting the reduction of the place. + + + + +[Illustration: CONWAY QUAY.] + + + + +CONWAY QUAY. + + +The district of Conway is mostly agricultural, and possesses no distinct +manufactures by which the prosperity of the town and its population can +be greatly promoted. A few small trading-vessels belong to the port; and +here also ships of burden are occasionally repaired. The great +improvement to the harbour is the erection of the quay; and the channel +of the river having been deepened, and every impediment to the +navigation removed, it may be anticipated that a speedy increase of +trading intercourse will succeed its former languor and inactivity. The +exports consist chiefly of timber, slate, and lead; and the imports, of +coal from Flint and Liverpool, and of tea, sugar, cotton, with various +other articles of domestic consumption. + +The chain-bridge, which constitutes so beautiful a feature in the +picture of Conway, was erected by Mr. Telford, of whose genius Wales +possesses several of the noblest monuments. That immediately under +notice--constructed on the same principles as the bridge over the Menai, +but much smaller in its proportions--is three hundred and twenty feet +between the supporting towers, and eighteen feet above high-water mark. +Nothing can be more elegant and beautiful, as it appears lightly +spanning the river, and suffering the eye to penetrate its net-like +fabric, so as scarcely to offer an obstruction to the landscape which +shines through it. The scenery at this point is exceedingly interesting, +and presents the works of nature, and art, and human genius, in striking +combination. + +The town of Conway, before the formation of the railroad, was one of the +most old-world places imaginable, unique for its faded and forlorn +appearance, small as is the area enclosed, a considerable portion being +occupied by open spaces and gardens. Everywhere entered by gothic +portals, and as its interior was traced, with the defensive wall +everywhere in sight, it transported the beholder back to the middle +ages, more than any other walled city in England. There is a singular +and picturesque variety of ancient houses; some at the head of the +street leading to the castle, curiously carved, appear almost as old as +the castle itself; others with their gable roofs, and black rafters, are +of later date, and the Plas Mawr, or great mansion, in the principal +street, prominently challenges the traveller's attention with its air of +faded magnificence and singular construction. It is of Elizabethan +architecture, and the arms of England, with initial letters E. R. and R. +D., supposed to be Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, as well as those +of R. W., Robert Wynne of Gwydir, sheriff of Carnarvon in 1591, and +founder of the house, occur frequently, and the place is lavishly +adorned with various decorative devices of the age--swans, owls, +ostriches, mermaids, ragged staves, &c. The church contains little to +interest beyond its front, and an inscription to a certain Nicholas +Hooker, of Conway, gentleman, of a very anti-Malthusian import, the said +Nicholas, though the father of twenty-seven children, being but a +degenerate copy of his father, who could boast--_O si sic omnia!_--of no +less than forty-one. + +Numerous and delightful are the rambles about this most picturesque +place, which is backed by bold heathy hills and green sequestered +valleys. One of the prettiest is to Gyffin, about a mile distant, which +may be reached by following up the shores of the creek, south of the +castle, and the small stream coming down into it. The little church is +very ancient, and contains some curious paintings worthy of inspection; +it is half buried, and so unpretending is the building in aspect, that +it may be passed almost without noticing its sacred character. There is +an excellent view of the town and castle from the upper road on the +return; the long line of walls may be traced from the highest point, as +they sweep round and join the castle, the whole space thus enclosed +resembling in its outline the Welsh harp, as often suggested. The river +and hills appear finely beyond. The artist especially should not omit to +view Conway from this, perhaps its finest point of view. + +So unique is, or rather was, Conway Castle in picturesque effect, that +it is difficult to mention any particular point from which it appears to +greater advantage than another. From the quay, or the river, from every +eminence around, seen in front or flank, near or distant, either by +itself, or where the walls of the town prominently enter into the +composition, it is, or rather was, alike unequalled. The tourist who is +not pressed for time, and delights to hover around so magnificent a +memorial of past ages, will study it at every point. On taking a +solitary walk round the walls, he may fancy himself tracing the +abandoned battlements of some old gothic town of the Orient, Rhodes, or +Antioch, or the Saracenic defences of Jerusalem; a dream which may +hardly be long indulged at present; for now, as Hood says, + + "That iron age, which some have thought + Of mettle rather overwrought, + Is now all over_cast_," + +and its crumbling memorials are sharing the same fate. Furness Abbey is +turned into a railway station, and the passing train thunders through +the very centre of old, castellated Conway, reminding us, while it +indeed scares away all romantic daydreams, of the happy change from +feudal oppression and border warfare, to the fusion of jarring +interests, and the progress of enlightened civilization. + + + + +[Illustration: THE MENAI BRIDGE, BANGOR. + +(North Wales.)] + + + + +THE MENAI BRIDGE. + + +The Menai Bridge, one of the many triumphs of modern engineering, arose +from the following circumstances. During the summer of 1818, Mr. +Telford, the engineer, was engaged on a survey of the extensive line of +road from the metropolis to Holyhead--that point of the Welsh coast +nearest to Ireland, and situated in the Island of Anglesea. Between this +island and the Caernarvon coast flows that arm of the sea familiar to +every reader as the Menai Straits, through which the tide rushes with +great velocity, owing to local peculiarities well known to all who have +navigated that portion of the Channel. There were at this time five or +six ferries across the strait; but these, owing to the circumstances +mentioned, were generally difficult, and seldom without danger; so that +the intercourse between the opposite shores being much impeded, was a +source of daily inconvenience to the inhabitants. This was more +particularly felt from the fact that one of the staple productions of +Anglesea was its cattle, which, when sold for the inland counties or the +London market, had to be driven into the water, and compelled to cross +the strait by swimming, which was attended with risk of property as well +as inconvenience. These circumstances were brought before the eyes of +Telford, and his ever-active and ingenious mind set instantly to work, +in order to remedy the evil by providing new facilities of intercourse. +The result of his reflections and mature calculations on this engrossing +topic was the possibility of throwing a bridge across the Menai. + +The grand obstacle was a deep rapid tide-stream with high banks. To have +erected a bridge of the usual materials would have obstructed the +navigation; and any attempt to erect piers in the shifting bed of the +sea must have inevitably proved a failure. Telford therefore recommended +the erection of a suspension-bridge; and the plan, after due +consideration, being approved by government, the work was commenced in +1820, carried on with great spirit, and in 1826 brought to a most +successful termination. It is partly of stone, partly of iron, and +consists of seven stone arches. These arches connect the land with the +two main piers, which rise on an elevation of fifty-three feet above the +level of the road, over the top of which the chains are suspended, each +of which measures from its fastenings in the rock, one thousand seven +hundred and fourteen feet. The topmasts of the first three-masted +vessel which passed under the bridge were nearly as high as those of a +frigate, but they cleared twelve feet and a half below the level of the +roadway. The suspending power of the chains is calculated at two +thousand and sixteen tons; and the total weight of each chain is one +hundred and twenty-one tons. + +Since the day it was first opened, the Menai Bridge has been the wonder +of every traveller, an object of pilgrimage for scientific men of all +countries, and a source of daily advantage to the United Kingdom, which +no other work would have supplied. "The visiting of the Menai Bridge," +says Mr. Smith, in his _Guide to Snowdonia_, "forms a new era in the +lives of those who have not had that pleasure, and is a renewed luxury +to those who have. There is something to be admired at every step: the +effect of a passing carriage; the vibration caused by the mere +application of the hand to the suspending-rods; the depth of a hundred +feet to the level of the water; the fine view of the Straits in both +directions; the lofty pillar erected in honour of Lord Anglesey; the +diminutive appearance of persons on the shore; the excellence and +strength of the workmanship, the beauty of the arches over the road +through the suspension-piers, and the echo in them, all conspire to +fascinate and detain the spectator. There is so much elegance, beauty, +and magnificence, in this grand work of art, that it harmonizes and +accords perfectly with the natural scenery around; and although in +itself an object of admiration, still, in connexion with the features of +the landscape, it heightens the effect of the general view." + +"Seen, as I approached it," says Mr. Roscoe, "in the clear light of an +autumnal sunset, which threw a splendour over the wide range of hills +beyond, and the sweep of richly variegated groves and plantations which +covered their base; the bright river, the rocky picturesque foreground; +villas, spires, and towers here and there enlivening the prospect--the +Menai Bridge appeared more like the work of some great magician than the +mere result of man's skill and industry." Such were the encomiums +lavished upon the first bridge which crossed the Menai; but men have +since learned to view this structure with diminished admiration. +Telford's great work no longer stands alone. The tubular bridge of his +great successor, Stephenson, has taken its place beside the older and +lighter work, and the very fact of its existence tends to diminish the +wonder with which the first was looked upon. + + + + +[Illustration: PORT PENRYN AND BANGOR.] + + + + +PORT PENRHYN AND BANGOR. + + +Bangor, although a city and the oldest see in the principality, is +inconsiderable in size and population; but the natural beauty of its +situation, the advantages which it commands from its inland as well as +maritime connexion, and its excellent society, render the town and +environs a most desirable place of residence, as well as a favourite +resort for those families and individuals who employ the summer months +in the pursuit of health, recreation, or improvement. The numerous +walks, rides, and drives in the vicinity, all enhanced by their +immediate and varied prospects of the sea, offer those facilities to +health and enjoyment which cannot be too highly appreciated either by +the tourist or resident. The city consists principally of one irregular +street, fully a mile in length, with a fine vista towards the Menai--a +name which the genius of Telford has rendered familiar to all the +admirers of science and art. The houses are well-built, of a moderate +size, neat in their appearance, and present to the stranger's eye a +pleasing air of domestic comfort and progressive improvement. In the +latter respect, no year passes away without contributing something to +the public ornament or utility--objects which are zealously patronised +by the influential inhabitants, and encouraged by those numerous and +spirited visitors, estimated at fifty thousand annually, whom business +or relaxation attract to the place. But to convey the best proof of the +advances which Bangor has realised in the scale of provincial +importance, and in all that has immediate reference to social and local +improvements, we need only state that at the commencement of the present +century the number of houses was only ninety-three, but that now it +amounts to nine hundred or upwards. During three-quarters of the year a +regular communication between Bangor and Liverpool is kept up by the +steamboats that ply along this romantic and much-frequented coast, and +which contribute greatly to the interests of the place. The environs are +enlivened by many picturesque villas, and every accommodation is +provided in the hotels and private lodging-houses for the reception of +visitors. + +The great object of general interest at Bangor is its cathedral,--a very +ancient and venerable structure,--the foundation of which was among the +earliest of those primitive temples which marked the triumphant progress +of Christianity on the British soil. It is understood to have been +founded by St. Daniel, at the commencement of the sixth century, and +bears the sainted name of the founder. The choir was built by Bishop +Deane, in or about 1496, and is used only for the cathedral service. The +nave, built by Bishop Skivington in 1532, is fitted up as a parish +church; and in one of the transepts the service is read in the Welsh +tongue. + +The free school,--founded in 1557 by Dr. Glynn, brother of the bishop of +that name,--five daily schools within the parish, the central National +school, four Sunday-schools, and almshouses, give a most favourable +impression of the religious and civil advantages enjoyed by the +inhabitants of Bangor, who evince a spirit and zeal worthy of those +blessings which, in comparison with other and far more populous towns, +place them in so enviable a position. + +The principal export is the product of the slate-quarries, which is +conveyed on a railway from Llandegai, six miles distant, to port +Penrhyn, at the egress of the river Cegid into the Menai. This port is +now capable of receiving vessels of large burden. It is nine hundred +feet in length, and in all respects well adapted for the trading-craft +which here take in their cargoes. The slates are of all dimensions, from +large tombstone slabs down to the smallest size for roofing. For +cyphering-slates, inkstands, and other fancy articles, there is a +manufactory near the port. At a short distance is a handsome building +containing hot and cold sea-water baths, with rooms for dressing and +refreshment. The construction of this establishment, with its terrace +and other appurtenances, is said to have cost the late Lord Penrhyn +thirty thousand pounds. In the straits of Menai there is a good fishery, +near Garth Ferry. There is a weekly market every Friday; and fairs are +held in April, June, September, and October. No stranger should neglect +to visit Penrhyn Castle, one of the finest baronial mansions in +Europe. + + + + +[Illustration: BEAUMARIS.] + + + + +BEAUMARIS, + +ANGLESEA. + + + "I have stood gazing on Snowdon and Plinlimmon, the vale of Clwyd, + the straits of Menai--lake, river, sea, and land--till they seemed + of themselves to say, Stranger, well mayst thou gaze! we merit + thine admiration--we are of GOD!" + +Beaumaris is finely situated on the picturesque banks of the Menai, +where it opens into the bay, and presents many attractions derived from +its historical monuments, its natural advantages, and modern +improvements. As the principal town in the island and county of +Anglesea, it has long been a place of fashionable resort, and being at +the same time the borough and market-town, it is a scene of considerable +activity, cheerfulness, and animation. It is in general well built; +particularly one street, the houses of which are large and commodious, +and of superior design and execution. Of the original wall by which it +was once enclosed, considerable portions still remain--sufficient to +demonstrate, by their massive strength and durability, the iron +features, and the no less iron policy of feudal times. The +castle--erected by Edward the First, and now an imposing ruin close to +the town--covers a large space of ground, but stands too low to produce +that effect upon the spectator which it would have done had it, like so +many of its cotemporaries, occupied an isolated and commanding position. +It is surrounded by a deep fosse, with an entrance between two embattled +walls on the east, with round and square towers. The gate opens into a +spacious court, measuring fifty-seven yards by sixty, with four square +towers, and an advanced-work on the east, called the Gunner's Walk. +Within these was the keep--the body of the castle--nearly square, having +a round tower at each angle, and another in the centre of each façade. +The area forms an irregular octagon, of the dimensions above named. In +the middle of the north side is the hall, twenty yards long by twelve +broad, with two round towers, and several others about the inner and +outer walls, built of a bluish stone intermixed with square stones, +which produce a rather novel and pleasing effect. + +There appears to have been originally a communication round the whole +buildings of the inner court by means of a gallery two yards broad, and +which still remains nearly entire. In various recesses in different +parts of the sides of this gallery are square apertures, which appear +to have had trap-doors or openings into a dungeon beneath. The two +eastern towers served also as dungeons, with a dark and narrow descent +to each--sufficiently characteristic of the dark and despotic purposes +to which they were applied. On the east side of this building are the +remains of a very small chapel, arched and ribbed with painting and +intersecting arches; also some Gothic pilasters and narrow lancet-headed +windows, and various compartments, with closets constructed--after the +manner of those times--in the centre of the massive walls. + +When Edward the First built the town, and erected it into a corporation, +he endowed it at the same time with various lands and privileges of +considerable value, in order to secure more firmly his possessions in +the island, and changed its name from Bonover to Beaumaris, in allusion, +it is supposed, to its low but pleasant situation. He caused also a +canal to be cut, in order that vessels might be brought up close under +the battlements to discharge their cargoes, as the iron mooring-rings +affixed to the walls clearly indicate. + +The church, which forms a prominent feature in the picture of Beaumaris, +is a spacious and very elegant structure, having a lofty square tower, +visible at a great distance, and presenting in all its proportions and +compartments a fine specimen of ecclesiastical architecture. The other +public buildings consist of the county-hall, the town-hall, the +free-school, and the custom-house; each possessing, in an eminent +degree, every ornament and accommodation befitting buildings of their +class and destination. The view from the green commands a striking +prospect of the most interesting portion of the Menai Strait, bounded in +the distance by the Caernarvon mountains, which gradually overtop each +other till they unite in the majestic Snowdon, whose summit--now belted +with clouds, and now glittering in the sunshine--asserts his claim to +undivided empire as "Sovran" of the British Alps. + +With respect to trade, Beaumaris can hardly be said to enjoy any +exclusive advantages: the vessels belonging to the port are generally +hired by neighbouring merchants and others, who have trading connexions +with Liverpool and other ports on the English and Irish sides of the +Channel. The bay, though not spacious, is safe and commodious, and +affords shelter and good anchorage for vessels that take refuge here in +tempestuous weather. The town has a weekly market on Wednesdays, and +three annual cattle fairs in February, September, and December. During +the season it is much resorted to as bathing-quarters, and has +everything to recommend it as a summer residence. A steam-boat plies +regularly between this and Liverpool, thereby affording every facility +to visitors, and presenting in the passage a rich succession of +beautiful, picturesque, and sublime scenery, which successively invites +and fascinates the eye of the spectator. + + + + +[Illustration: HOLYHEAD.] + + + + +HOLYHEAD. + + +Holyhead is familiar to every reader as the favourite point of +rendezvous for all who are on their way to the Irish capital. By the +admirable arrangements of the Post-office, and the sure and +swift-sailing packets that are here in regular attendance, a passage +across the Channel is now a matter of as much certainty, as to time, as +that of the mail from London. The perfect order and the surprising +expedition with which passengers and despatches may thus be forwarded to +and from Dublin are the general theme of admiration amongst foreigners, +and a means of vast accommodation to our own commercial houses. During a +long series of years the improvement of Holyhead has engaged the special +attention of Government; every suggestion, entitled to the approbation +of skilful and experienced engineers, has been liberally carried into +effect: so that in the present day it seems hardly possible that any +packet-station can offer greater facilities for all the purposes of +Government, or for the interests of social and commercial intercourse, +than Holyhead. The steam-vessels which carry the daily mails are of the +best possible construction, commanded by experienced naval officers, and +affording excellent accommodation for the passengers who are constantly +passing to and fro between the British and Irish shores. + +The harbour of Holyhead is shaped by the natural cliffs which overhang +the sea, on the verge of which stand the ancient sanctuary of the place +and its cemetery. The foundation of this church--originally a small +monastery--dates from the close of the fourth century: it was long +afterwards remodelled into a college of presbyters by one of the Lords +of Anglesey; and, after undergoing many alterations suitable to the +varying taste of the ages through which it has passed, it assumed its +present appearance--that of an embattled edifice built in the shape of a +cross. + +Under the Head--the mountain from which the harbour takes its name, and +which overshadows the town--are two rocky eminences nearly opposite the +church, both of which are crowned with ruins which carry the mind far +back among the bright days of Cambrian independence. In the rock is a +wide and lofty cavern, supported by natural columns, on which tradition +has conferred the title of the Parliament-house; and it is not to be +denied that patriotic legislators have been often worse accommodated. +This curiosity requires to be visited in a boat. On the highest point +stands an uncemented circular stone wall, about ten feet in +circumference, which is conjectured to have served as a _pharos_ in +ancient times; for this coast has a perilous celebrity attached to it, +and no vessel could safely approach the haven by night without a warning +signal of this kind. + +The pier of Holyhead is admirably constructed. It is built on a small +island north of the harbour, called Inys-halen, and combines in an +eminent degree the requisites of security and accommodation in a work of +such importance to the interests of trade. The foundation was laid in +1809, under fortunate auspices; and the grand object, which had been so +long and anxiously cherished, was happily accomplished, under the able +direction of Mr. Rennie, within a comparatively short period. It has a +depth of four fathoms water, so that vessels of heavy burden can ride at +anchor in perfect safety. At the extremity is a lighthouse, finely +proportioned, substantially built, and highly ornamental as well as +useful to the pier and harbour. + +The pier extends a thousand feet in length; and close adjoining to it +are the Custom-house, with several respectable family houses, among +which are those for the harbour-master and resident engineers. The +lighthouse contains twenty lamps and reflectors, at an elevation of more +than fifty feet above the sea, and exhibiting in every direction a +steady blaze of light. At the present time, works for improving and +enlarging the harbour are proceeding on a very extensive scale, and bid +fair, upon completion, to render Holyhead one of the first harbours of +the United Kingdom. + + + + +[Illustration: BRIDGE TO THE SOUTH STACK LIGHTHOUSE. + +(near Holyhead.)] + + + + +THE SOUTHSTACK LIGHTHOUSE, + +HOLYHEAD. + + + "Approaching it from the water, its singular aspect, its wild site + and deserted air--the lighthouse towering seventy feet in + height--the neat, comfortable dwellings close under its guardian + wing--the sounds of life and industry mingled with the lashing of + the sea--and the cry of innumerable birds, ever circling above and + around--were altogether of so unwonted a character, that, had I + been transported to the antipodes, I could not have felt more + unfeigned surprise."--ROSCOE. + +Few objects on the British coast excite more individual interest than +the subject of this illustration. The singularity of its position, the +difficulties which attended its erection, the grand objects of humanity +to which it has been made subservient, are all calculated to interest +the heart, and afford scope for the imagination. + +The Southstack islet is about thirty yards from the rock known as the +Head; and on this the lighthouse was erected in 1809, under the +direction of Captain Evans, of the Royal Navy. Its form is that of a +round tower, the foundation of which is a hundred and forty feet, and +the light two hundred feet above the sea--so that it embraces within its +sphere the whole bay of Caernarvon. The approach by water to this +remarkable sanctuary of human life is well calculated to make a lasting +impression upon every visitor, and should never be omitted where a +favourable opportunity is presented by the state of the weather. It is +here that the extremes of natural desolation and human industry are +brought into juxtaposition; where human enterprise has established an +asylum amidst the ruins of nature, the war of waves, the wreck of +tempests, to shed the "light of hope" over the heart of many a +despairing mariner. + +Happily for the cause of humanity, vast efforts have been made, and are +continually making, to diminish where they cannot entirely remove the +dangers which have so long invested our native coast; and it is +impossible to calculate the number of lives and the amount of +merchandise which have thus been saved from imminent destruction. Much, +however, still remains to be effected--much that is really +practicable--and it is earnestly to be desired that the attention of +Government should be constantly directed to those points on which the +science of the engineer can be most beneficially employed. Holyhead in +particular is still susceptible of vast improvements; and with the +addition of a capacious outer harbour, sufficient to admit +merchant-vessels and others of larger size than those now frequenting +the port, it would speedily realize all that could be wished for by +those most interested in the welfare of the place, and in the prosperity +of trade. This is also a subject well deserving of attention on the part +of the Admiralty; for, with proper accommodation, her Majesty's ships, +in the event of a war, might be advantageously stationed at this port, +so as to secure free intercourse, and serve as a protection to the +coast, which is now in a defenceless condition and open to any attempt +at hostile aggression. We are happy that this question has received the +consideration of her Majesty's Government; and feel assured that the +steps which are now making towards the accomplishment of so great a +desideratum will ensure the grateful approbation of the public, and the +increased prosperity of Holyhead. + +The Southstack, as already mentioned, is cut off from the promontory by +a deep chasm thirty yards in width, through which the sea roars and +boils with great force and impetuosity. To cross this formidable ravine +an oriental rope-bridge was formerly employed, that is--a sliding basket +was attached to the cable, which was secured at either side of the +abyss; the passenger entered the basket, and by the ingenious working of +lateral pulleys it was sent off or hauled in, according to the arrival +or departure of visitors. This hempen apparatus was replaced in 1827 by +a handsome suspension-bridge, on the same principles as that over the +Menai. It was suggested by the intelligent veteran already mentioned, +Captain Evans, and has answered every purpose contemplated in its +erection. The roadway is five feet in width, and its height above +high-water mark is about seventy feet. The airy span of this bridge is +highly graceful and picturesque, and adds greatly to the interest of the +picture. On the rock, close under the walls of the lighthouse, are +several cottages for the use of the Superintendent and those under his +command. The different points of view which it comprises are all deeply +interesting to a stranger, particularly from the lighthouse, where the +sphere of vision is greatly enlarged. + + + + +[Illustration: THE EAGLE TOWER, CARNARVON CASTLE.] + + + + +EAGLE TOWER, + +CAERNARVON CASTLE. + + +Caernarvon Castle, of which the Engraving annexed presents so faithful +and striking a resemblance, is a subject of no ordinary interest: it +generally engrosses the attention of all strangers in these parts, and +is, in every sense, one of the noblest specimens of castellated +architecture in existence. Like so many others of similar design and +execution, this fortress owes its origin to the policy of Edward the +First, who built it, according to contemporary history, by appropriating +the revenues of the See of York, then vacant, to the purposes of warlike +enterprise and ambition. The town is understood to have arisen under the +same auspices. The Castle defends it on the south by means of a narrow, +deep moat in front. In its west wall are three circular towers, with two +others on either side, and a narrow gate or entrance, over which is +placed a bare-headed figure with flowing locks,--the statue of the +founder,--holding in his left hand a sword, which he draws with his +right hand,--or rather, perhaps, is returning to its scabbard, in +allusion to the subjugation of the Welsh,--and a defaced shield under +his feet. This gate leads to a narrow, oblong court. At the west end is +a polygon, or many-sided tower, with three others of hexagonal form +above, and eagles sculptured on the battlements, from which it received +the name, preserved in the Engraving, of the "Eagle Tower." It is a +noble structure, having ten sides, and a staircase of three hundred +steps to the battlements. In this tower is the birth-chamber of Edward +the Second,--the first Prince of Wales,[1]--whose nativity, on the 25th +of April, 1284, was an humiliating epoch to the spirit of Cambrian +freedom. The room measures only eleven feet by seven,--dimensions little +in accordance with the importance attached to that event,--but still in +some measure characteristic of the fortunes of the royal heir, who, +after an eventful reign, was destined at last to perish by a horrible +death in the dungeon-room of Berkeley Castle. Adjoining this chamber is +a semicircular apartment, traditionally described as the King's Nursery. + +The Castle and the court which it encloses are very nearly a mile in +circumference. From the outside, twelve towers are seen; out of which, +as observed in those of Conway Castle, issue several smaller angular +turrets, which, relieved against the horizon, produce a very picturesque +effect. A gateway on the south side of the Castle is called the Queen's +Gate, from the circumstance of Queen Eleanor having entered the fortress +through this gate, by a temporary bridge erected for the occasion. + +Our limits do not permit us to indulge in more minute description of +this vast and imposing fortress, which, from the state of repair in +which it is still kept, may brave the changes of season and the fury of +the elements for many generations to come. Externally it is still +entire, and challenges the admiration of all who have the least taste +for what is sublime and striking in architecture. The castle-walls are +still washed by the sea on the north and west, as they formerly were on +the south. Founded upon a rock, and occupying so strong a position, it +might well have been considered impregnable in the absence of gunpowder. +Immense as the structure appears, it is said to have been built within +the short space of twelve months; a fact which would appear incredible, +did we not reflect that in those days of bitter vassalage the _will_ of +the sovereign was a law that could not be transgressed without certain +destruction to the offenders. If a work was considered impracticable, or +of doubtful accomplishment, all hesitation was removed--all difficulties +cancelled--by these expressive words, _Le Roi l'a voulu!_ And under the +more than magical influence of this laconic phrase, the "towery +fortress" of Caernarvon may have sprung into sudden existence. + +[1] The origin of the motto ICH DIEN--I serve--is generally attributed +to Edward the Black Prince who, in leading the vanguard of his army to +the battle of Cressy, slew John of Luxemburg, King of Bohemia, and then +deplumed his helmet of those ostrich feathers which, in memory of this +victory, became his _cognisance_,--sometimes using one feather, at +others three, as appears on his seals and tomb, with scrolls containing +this motto, ICH DIEN. But the ancient arms of the princes of Wales, +while they were independent sovereigns, were quarterly _gules_ and _or_, +four lions _passant_, counterchanged. The Charter of Edward the First to +his son is dated March 24th, 1305,--_i.e._ when the Prince had attained +his majority. + + + + +[Illustration: CARNARVON.] + + + + +CAERNARVON CASTLE. + + + ----"Rifled towers + That, beetling o'er the rock, rear the grey crest + Embattled." + +The first royal charter granted in the Principality of Wales was that +conferred on the town of Caernarvon by Edward the First. It is a place +of great historical interest and importance, and, in connexion with its +magnificent castle, presents one of the most imposing features on the +British coast. The town is not large; but the recent improvements--public +and private--which have been carried into effect have materially +contributed to its internal convenience and outward embellishment. Of +these the Baths demand especial notice, as one of the principal +recommendations to strangers and invalids who resort to this part of the +Cambrian shore either for health or relaxation. The building in itself +is a good specimen of classical taste--combining elegance of design with +excellent workmanship, and presenting, in the distribution of its +apartments, every convenience for the reception of visiters and +invalids, a choice of hot and cold sea-water baths, with the appendage +of comfortable dressing-rooms. For those who have the pleasure in the +"cold plunge," as the means of bracing the relaxed system by the +exercise of swimming, there is excellent accommodation in a capacious +bath, appropriated to that salutary purpose, which is refreshed by a +constant supply of water drawn by a steam-engine from the sea through +iron pipes, and received into large reservoirs of the same metal. This +edifice, which combines in an eminent degree the useful and ornamental, +was built at the expense of the Marquess of Anglesey, and is said to +have cost upwards of ten thousand pounds. + +Within the walls this ancient town is intersected by ten streets, +crossing each other at right-angles, which, at various points, fix the +stranger's attention by those features and recollections of "other +times" with which they are so closely associated. Of these, the main or +high street runs from the land to the Water-gate, and is a very fair +specimen of that architecture which characterises almost all town +buildings of the feudal period. Beyond the walls the town assumes a very +different character; elegance, taste, and comfort, and those features +which mark the progress of art and refinement, are brought into +immediate view; while numerous cottages, and several villas of handsome +design and finely situated, throw an air of luxury and domestic comfort +over the rural suburbs, the natural character of which is highly +favourable to buildings of this description. The town is well paved, +lighted with gas, and abundantly supplied with water. + +The Port of Caernarvon has accommodation for shipping not exceeding four +hundred tons burden, and is frequented by a great number of vessels in +the coasting-trade, as well as by others in connexion with London, +Liverpool, Glasgow, Dublin, Cork, Bristol, and various port-towns in the +United Kingdom. The principal exports consist of slate and copper-ore, +the inland transport of which has been greatly facilitated since the +construction of the railway. The imports are chiefly colonial produce, +Birmingham and Manchester goods, and various articles of +home-consumption from the London markets. The quay and harbour of +Caernarvon, which formerly presented serious obstacles to the shipping +interest on account of the _bar_ at the entrance, have been so improved +that the danger, if not entirely removed, is at least so far diminished +as to excite little apprehension for the safety of the ordinary craft in +connexion with this port. To defray the expense of these public works, +Government has levied additional port-dues; and it is much to be wished +that, in all other harbours of difficult or dangerous access, the same +advantages could be obtained on similar conditions. + +The town is now, agreeably to the Municipal Act, divided into two wards, +and governed by a mayor, six aldermen, and eighteen councillors. In +addition to the picturesque civic retreats already alluded to, as giving +so much animation to the native scenery, the neighbourhood is +embellished with the baronial seats of the Marquess of Anglesey, Lord +Boston, and Lord Newborough. The ruins of Segontium, several Roman +stations, part of a military road, and a considerable number of +primitive domestic edifices, are among the chief objects of antiquity +which deserve the attention of visiters to this neighbourhood. + + + + +[Illustration: HARLECH CASTLE.] + + + + +HARLECH CASTLE, + +NORTH WALES. + + + "The tower that long had stood + The crash of thunder and the warring winds. + Shook by the slow but sure destroyer--Time, + Now hangs in doubtful ruins o'er its base." + +Harlech Castle, according to the Welsh historians, derives its origin +from Maelgwyn Gwynedd, prince of North Wales, who flourished at the +commencement of the sixth century. The present castle appears to have +been rebuilt by Edward I., on the foundations of the original fortress, +portions of which are still observable in the masonry of the latter +epoch, so well known as the "castle-building reign" in England. In the +reign of Henry IV. the castle was seized by Owen Glendower, but was +retaken four years later; and, after the battle of Northampton, in 1460, +afforded temporary shelter to Margaret of Anjou. + +In 1468, the castle of Harlech was captured, after a short siege, by the +Earl of Pembroke; of whom Sir John Wynne, in his history of the Gwydir +family, quotes some Cambrian lines expressive of the ravages committed +by him in the counties of Merioneth and Denbigh at that unhappy period. +The last of the many tempestuous scenes with which this fortress has +been visited occurred in 1647, when William Owen, with a garrison of +only twenty men, surrendered it to Cromwell's forces under General +Mytton; but this was not accomplished till every other castle in Wales +had deserted the royal cause. + +This castle is a strong square building, with a round-tower at each +angle, and one of the same form at each side of the gateway. Besides +these there are four other turrets, smaller and higher, which rise above +the towers at the angles, and are in a more dilapidated state. The +entrance is under a pointed arch, which formerly contained six gates of +massive strength and construction. Although the roofs, doors, and +casements of this interesting stronghold have long disappeared, it still +presents in the distance an air of even habitable preservation. There +are the remains of stone staircases in every tower, and in the area one +of these, leading to the top of the battlements, is still entire. In +all the rooms fire-places, with pointed arches, are visible, as well as +window recesses, which in the state apartments are three in a row, and +of spacious dimensions; while those in the smaller rooms gradually +contract outwards till they terminate in a "slit" or loophole, as in +most other castles of this style and period. + +The view of Harlech Castle is among the finest in this picturesque and +interesting country; the situation is commanding, and the effect of +these venerable towers and battlements, as they first burst upon the +traveller's eye, is strikingly bold and impressive. His fancy is hurried +back to the days of other times: the shades of native harpers and native +heroes flit before his eye; history and romance divide the empire of his +mind; and for a time he rests with mute but intense interest on these +castellated landmarks of Cambrian history. + +The rock upon which the fortress is built rises from the Gamlas,--a +level marsh, resembling water in the distance, nearly a mile in breadth, +and which it is probable was once covered by the sea. On the side +overlooking this marsh, the rock is precipitous, and steep at either +end. In front it is on a level with the town of Harlech, from which it +is separated only by a deep trench or moat, and overlooked by a group of +magnificent mountains in the rear, from which the view is sublime. The +whole platform of the rock is occupied by the castle, except a narrow +belt of about four or five feet in width, forming a beautiful green +path, which winds round the outer walls, skirting the very brink of the +precipice. + +The town of Harlech is an ancient free burgh, and originally one of the +chief places in the county of Merioneth. It is now reduced to the +condition of a secondary village, has a corporation governed by a mayor, +is one of the polling-places for the county members, and is enlivened +during the year by several periodical fairs and weekly markets. + +Various objects of antiquity have been discovered from time to time in +the neighbourhood of Harlech. In 1692 an ancient gold _torque_ was dug +up in a garden near the castle. It is in the form of a wreathed bar, or +several rods twisted together, about four feet long, flexible, bent in +the form of a hat-band, neither sharp nor twisted, but plain, evenly +cut, an inch in circumference, and in weight about eight ounces. This +interesting relic is an heir-loom in the Mostyn family. Several coins of +the Roman empire have also been found in and near this town, which +afford indisputable evidence of its great antiquity. The distance of +Harlech from London is two hundred and twenty-nine miles. + + + + +[Illustration: BARMOUTH.] + + + + +BARMOUTH: + +OR, ABERMAW. + + + "Here, beneath the mountain's brow, + Hygëia hears the pilgrim's vow; + Here the breath of summer seas, + The balm of morn, the evening breeze, + The charms of a romantic land, + Refresh and gem the Cambrian strand,-- + Where still the muse of Cymry lingers, + And strikes the harp with raptured fingers." + +Barmouth, the only port in Merionethshire, occupies a romantic situation +at the mouth of the river Mawddach, where the tide at high-water forms a +bay of about a mile across, but rather hazardous, owing to the shifting +sandbanks by which the channel is interrupted. Overhung by lofty +mountains, which leave no adequate space for the horizontal expansion of +the village, the houses appear to hang almost perpendicularly from the +steep side of the cliffs, so that the chimneys of the one appear to be +the foundation of the other. They form eight successive tiers or +terraces, to which there is no better approach than by steps hewn in the +rock. + +This romantic village, which consists of only one irregular street, is +much frequented as sea-bathing quarters, for which it has every +accommodation, and, in respect to bold and picturesque scenery, has few +rivals in the whole Principality. The sea-beach affords every facility +for pedestrian exercise; the walks along the banks of the river are +numerous, and command the most striking points of view; while regular +assemblies, and some of the best Cambrian harps, promote social +intercourse and hilarity among the visitors, and give a stir and +animation to the whole neighbourhood. + +Barmouth, says Mr. Roscoe, is considered to the north-west part of the +kingdom, much like Weymouth and other fashionable watering-places to the +south, and is resorted to during the summer months, not only by numbers +of families in the Principality, but by many others residing in the +surrounding counties. The sands are very fine and hard, extending along +the beach for several miles, and the bathing is at all times as +excellent as can be desired. The restless tides of the Channel dashing +against the surrounding coast produce that constant and salubrious +motion, which is extended to the waters of the bay. There are two +convenient inns, the "Commercial," and the "Cors y Gedol Arms," besides +a number of respectable lodging-houses. + +The town has the benefit of weekly markets, with an excellent supply of +fish and poultry, at a cheap rate, and is further enlivened by two +annual fairs, in October and November. The native manufactures consist +chiefly of flannel and hosiery, a great quantity of which is exported. +The other _exports_ consist of corn, butter, cheese, oak-bark, timber, +&c.; the _imports_, of coal, culm, and other articles for the use of the +interior. + +The number of small coasting-vessels, and others belonging to this haven +that trade with Ireland, is stated at a hundred or upwards; and +commercial business, upon the whole, is considered to be in a +flourishing state. + +The distance of Barmouth from London is two hundred and twenty-two +miles, and it communicates with Caernarvon by a cross-mail. The resident +population is considerably under two thousand, but is greatly augmented +during the bathing season. The shipping at the pier communicates to the +place a particular air of prosperity and cheerfulness, and gives +employment to a very considerable portion of the inhabitants. + +"The beauties of the road from Llanilltyd to Barmouth," says Mr. Pratt, +"are so manifold and extraordinary that they literally beggar +description. New pastures of the most exuberant fertility, new woods +rising in all the majesty of foliage, the road itself curving in +numberless unexpected directions,--at one moment shut into a verdant +recess, so contracted that there seems neither carriage nor bridle-way +out of it, and at another the azure expanse of the main ocean filling +the eye. On one side, rocks glittering in all the colours of that beauty +which constitutes the sublime, and of a height which diminishes the wild +herds that browse, or look down upon you from the summit, where the +largest animal appears insignificantly minute. On the other hand, +plains, villas, cottages, or copses, with whatever belongs to that +milder grace which appertains to the beautiful." + + + + +[Illustration: SWANSEA BAY.] + + + + +SWANSEA BAY. + +GLAMORGANSHIRE. + + + "In front, the Bay its crystal wave expands, + Whose rippling waters kiss the glittering sands + Far o'er its bosom, ships with spreading sails + Export the _ores_ from Cambria's sunny vales. + Above--yon feudal bulwarks crown the steep, + Whose rocky base repels the stormy deep; + Here health is found,--there Industry resides,-- + And Freedom on her native shore abides." + +The reputation which Swansea has long enjoyed as a delightful +watering-place has suffered no diminution in consequence of the numerous +rivals with which this coast is so agreeably diversified. As bathing +quarters, it enjoys peculiar advantages in its shore, which is admirably +adapted for that purpose; while the adjacent scenery, and the various +objects of interest or curiosity with which it abounds, serve as +pleasing incentives to exercise and recreation,--the happy effects of +which are soon observable in the health and appearance of invalids who +make choice of Swansea as their summer residence. Every resource which +visitors can desire, for promoting either health of body or agreeable +occupation for the mind, is here amply provided. Warm, sea-water, and +vapour, baths,--public rooms, billiard-tables, reading-rooms, +circulating libraries,--with comfortable private lodgings and excellent +hotels, are among the list of daily luxuries at their command. + +The Harbour of Swansea is capacious,--well constructed, defended by two +strong stone piers, about eighteen hundred feet in length,--and affords +accommodation to a great many trading-vessels. On the west pier, a +light-house and watch-tower offer additional security to the shipping; +and every facility is provided for lading and unlading. The tide flows a +considerable way up the river, which is navigable to the extent of two +miles for vessels of burden. The canal, running parallel with the river, +extends to Brecknockshire, a distance of sixteen miles; and in its +course passes through thirty-six locks, and over several aqueducts. Its +head is nearly four hundred feet higher than its mouth, which readily +accounts for the great number of locks. There is also a canal from the +Swansea to the Neath canal, on which a packet-boat is established, and a +_tram_-road from the former to Oystermouth. With Bristol and Ilfracombe +there is a regular communication kept up by means of steam-vessels, +which leave and arrive according to the state of the tide. + +The public buildings of Swansea--ancient and modern--are numerous in +proportion to the population. The Town-hall, erected in 1829, is an +elegant structure, approached by two flights of steps, and adorned with +columns of the Doric order. The castle, situated nearly in the centre of +the town, was originally a building of great extent, and of a strength +well suited to the purposes of its erection. A massive tower, surmounted +by a range of light arches which support a parapet, is the principal +part now remaining of this once redoubtable fortress. It appears to have +been founded at the remote epoch of 1113, by Henry Beaumont, Earl of +Warwick,--a Norman leader who conquered Gowerland; but being soon after +laid siege to by a Welsh chief,--Griffith ap Rhys ap Theodore,--a +considerable portion of the outworks was destroyed. It is now in the +possession of the Duke of Beaufort, "Earl" of Glamorgan, who is +hereditarily entitled to the "prisage and butlerage" of all wines +brought into the harbours of Swansea and Chepstow. + +The public rooms of Swansea stand on the north side of the promenade, +called the Burrows, which consist of several acres tastefully laid out +in parterres. Here also are an excellent House of Industry and an +Infirmary, established in 1817 and situated on the beach. Besides the +free Grammar-school, founded in the seventeenth century, by Hugh, Bishop +of Waterford and Lismore, there are the Lancasterian and +National-schools, which are incalculable blessings to the increasing +population of Swansea. + + + + +[Illustration: OYSTERMOUTH, + +(Swansea Bay.)] + + + + +OYSTERMOUTH CASTLE. + + + "Here--the 'grim-visor'd knight,' at the head of his band, + Has cased him in armour, and girt on his brand; + While Beauty looked down from her lattice on high, + With the 'smile on her lip and the tear in her eye.' + But victor nor vassal shall hither return:-- + The castle is roofless,--the chief's in his urn; + And those ramparts, that frown o'er the surf-beaten rocks, + Are the haunt of the sea-fowl,--the lair of the fox." + +This stately relic of the feudal ages overlooks the picturesque Bay of +Swansea, and attracts many strangers to its gate,--not only for its +venerable antiquity, but for its bold position on the verge of lofty and +abrupt limestone cliffs, which command a magnificent view of the +subjacent scenery. It is supposed by some to have been erected by the +Earl of Warwick, in the reign of Henry the First; by others, to have +been the family fortress of the Lords of Gower, in the reign of King +John. But to which of the two the credit of founder belongs is matter of +conjecture. Like the Castle of Swansea, already mentioned, it is now the +property of the Beaufort family, whose mineral possessions in this +district are said to be of incalculable value. + +The principal walls of this domestic fortress have suffered +comparatively little from the lapse of time, or the hand of violence. +Most of the original apartments may be easily traced out, so as to give +a tolerably correct idea of their shape and dimensions, and the internal +economy with which they were arranged. The general figure of the main +body is polygonal; the ramparts are lofty and massive, but not flanked +with towers, except at the entrance, which appears to have been strongly +secured by double gates and a portcullis. + +In many parts along this picturesque coast, the limestone rocks swell +over a fine sandy beach into perpendicular cliffs of great boldness, +exhibiting vast quantities of organic remains, and worn in many places +into deep and lofty caverns. Built on a cliff of this description, and +with all the necessary accessories of vigilance and security, it could +have been hardly possible to have selected anything more eligible for a +feudal keep, whose chiefs generally chose their fortalices as the eagle +chooses his eyry,--to secure a wide field for himself, and exclude +lesser birds of prey. + +The village of Oystermouth--about half a mile to the south of the +castle--occupies a beautiful position on the verge of the Bay. A lofty +rock throws its shadow over it; the headland of which, called the Mumble +Point, stretches far into the sea, and affords a safe anchorage for +shipping. The village is chiefly inhabited by fishermen, who, as the +name implies, are mostly employed in dredging for oysters, which are +found of superior quality in the adjoining bay. During summer, it is +much resorted to by strangers, for the benefit of sea-bathing,--a source +of annual revenue to the inhabitants, who, by letting their apartments, +secure very good returns. + +This is understood to be the natal soil of Gower,--the father of English +poetry,--and therefore classic ground:-- + + "Here, in the olden time the 'moral' GOWER + Attuned his harp upon that rocky strand; + Gather'd the shell, and pluck'd the vernal flower, + And struck the wild chord with a master's hand. + To him the summer sea, the stormy wave, + Were heaven-born music in their various keys; + As, thundering through yon subterranean cave, + The billows sang in chorus with the breeze." + +The railway from Oystermouth to Swansea is a source of great convenience +to the inhabitants, as a means of ready intercourse between the most +frequented points of the coast adjacent. Newton, proverbially known as a +healthy station for invalids and sea-bathers, and Caswell Bay, within +half-an-hour's walk of Oystermouth, are well deserving of a stranger's +attention. The latter is remarkable for the number and extent of the +marine caverns already alluded to, as well as for the beauty and variety +of the sea-shells with which the sands at low water are profusely +enamelled. + + + + +[Illustration: THE MUMBLES ROCKS AND LIGHTHOUSE. + +(Swansea Bay.)] + + + + +THE MUMBLES' LIGHTHOUSE. + + + "Amidst the storms,--when winds and waves are high, + Unmoved I stand,--undimm'd I shed my light; + And through the blackness of December's sky + I pour effulgence on the seaman's sight." + + INSCRIPTION FOR A LIGHTHOUSE. + +The Mumbles' Lighthouse is much frequented by visitors from Swansea +during the season. Few jaunts of this character can be productive of +more enjoyment than a trip from Swansea to Oystermouth Castle and the +Mumbles' rocks. The road, issuing from the western extremity of Swansea, +follows the shore of the bay, with the open sea on the left, and on the +right a range of wooded hills; of which advantage has been taken for the +site of numerous pretty villas. Some gentlemen's seats occupy the +intervening level, and their plantations skirt the high-road. Of these +Singleton Abbey and Woodlands are the principal. As we near the +extremity of the bay the scene is indeed beautiful. Oystermouth Castle, +and the pretty village of the same name, lead the visitor onwards till +he reaches a broken, breezy headland, the only ascent to which is by a +kind of sheep-path, which zig-zags its way to the summit of a narrow +promontory terminating in two islands, and on the farther of which is +situated the Mumbles' Lighthouse. It is a structure admirably adapted +for the purpose to which it is devoted. To every building of this +description, devoted to the preservation of human life, a profound +interest is attached; and we cannot but observe at a single glance how +invaluable these Lights have been, and ever must be, where the danger of +shipwreck is so greatly increased by the rugged nature of a coast--here +walled in by precipitous cliffs, and there scattered with rocks that +appear and disappear according to the tide. The means thus happily +adopted along the Welsh coast have been crowned with success; and how +comfortable is it to reflect, when calmly seated at our winter hearths, +that--while the "winds howl round our steady battlements," and "ships +break from their moorings,"--there are friendly lights sparkling around +our coasts, to cheer and direct the bewildered mariner in his course, to +show him his danger, and to point out "a way to escape." + +To understand the importance of lighthouses, we need only remind the +reader of the published "Statement," that the number of British vessels +alone, which have been annually returned as wrecked, amounts to _five +hundred and fifty_;--namely, "three shipwrecks every two days throughout +the year." The average burden of merchant-vessels is about one hundred +and ten tons; and if we value old and new together at half the price of +building, we have £330,000 for the worth of the whole, which, by +deducting the value of sails, masts, and other materials saved from some +of those stranded, may be reduced to £300,000. If we add an equal sum +for the cost of the cargoes, the whole loss from shipwrecks will amount +to £600,000. This statement proceeds on an old estimate from 1793 to +1829; but M'Culloch, in the supplement to his Dictionary, says that the +number of ships actually lost, or driven ashore, in 1833, amounted to +_eight hundred_. It is probable, then, that the annual lost by shipwreck +is not much short of a _million sterling_. If _one-fifth_ of this loss +could be prevented by additional lighthouses, the saving of money would +amount to a _million_ in five years,--to say nothing of the still more +important saving in human life. We are anxious--not on the score of +economy only, but of humanity--to place these lamentable facts before +the eyes of Government, from whose hands the mitigation at least, if not +the removal, of such disasters is confidently expected. + +In the rock immediately under the lighthouse is a large cavern, called +Bob's Cove,--a very characteristic feature, and a chief attraction to +pleasure-parties, who resort hither at low water for the sake of the +view, which from this isolated point is very striking and variegated:-- + + "Town and hamlet, sea and shore, + Wooded steep and mountain hoar; + Ships that stem the waters blue, + All concentrate in the view." + +Expanding to the eastward, is the beautiful curve of Swansea Bay and the +distant mountains; on the westward, the broken coast of Gower; in front, +the boundless expanse of ocean. The bracing sea breezes inhaled upon +this exposed promontory, its elastic turf, and the magnificent prospect +it everywhere commands, never fail to produce a most agreeable and +salutary exhilaration, and constitute the finest medical and physical +tour in the world. + + + + +[Illustration: NASS SANDS LIGHTHOUSES. + +(near Bristol.)] + + + + +THE NASS SANDS LIGHTHOUSES. + + + "After our ship did split, + When you, and that poor number saved with you, + Hung on our driving boat, I saw your brother, + Most provident in peril, bind himself-- + Courage and hope both teaching him the practice-- + To a strong mast that lived upon the sea, + Where, like Orion on the dolphin's back, + I saw him hold acquaintance with the waves + So long as I could see." + + TWELFTH NIGHT. + +The Nass Lights were erected by the late Mr. Nelson, in 1832, under the +direction of the Trinity House. The eastern, or upper Light, burns at +the height of one hundred and sixty-seven feet, and the western, or +lower one, at one hundred and twenty-three feet above high-water mark. +They are one thousand feet apart, built of the stone of the country, and +stand on Nass Point, near Dunraven Castle, Glamorganshire. + +It unfortunately was not merely the dangers of the ocean to which the +luckless mariner was in past times exposed upon this iron-bound coast, +to them was too frequently added the infamous deceptions of the +wreckers, who were accustomed to resort to the artifice of driving to +and fro an ass bearing two lanterns, so as to represent a distant vessel +in motion, and thus lured many a ship to destruction among the rocks and +sands. Numerous are the legends of fearful interest which the older +inhabitants relate descriptive of the accidents attendant upon these +murderous practices, now happily only matters of history. + +The erection of lighthouses, beacons, and other means for the prevention +of shipwreck, is every year becoming an object of greater importance to +the members of that excellent corporation, the Trinity House. Within the +last thirty years, great and permanent advantages have been secured to +commerce by the vigilance and activity of that body. Much, however, is +still left to call aloud for the exercise of their high privilege, +skill, and humanity. The navigation of our coasts is still attended in +many parts with imminent danger. Rocks, and shoals, and quicksands, +indeed, cannot be obliterated by the hand of man; but the perils they +involve, in respect to the shipping, may be greatly diminished by +increasing the number of those monitory beacons to which the eye of the +mariner is so often turned with intense anxiety. The erection of the +two lighthouses which here illustrate the subject, has been attended +with the happiest consequences. Many a shipwreck, we will venture to +say, has been prevented by a timely regard to these friendly beacons. +The Bristol Channel has often been the scene of sad catastrophes in the +chronicles of seafaring life; but at present the danger to the foreign +and coasting-trade has been greatly obviated by those judicious measures +which have emanated from the above society. + +The voyage up the Bristol Channel is singularly romantic and beautiful; +but the coast is exposed to all the fury of the Atlantic, and the surf +against the cliffs is distinctly visible at Swansea. The steamers now +keep close along shore, in a channel inside the Nass Sands, which form +an extensive and dangerous bank to seaward. The contrast between the +tumultuous masses of breakers over these sands, when the wind is fresh, +and the calmness of the narrow channel we are traversing in security, is +very striking. These sands, and another large shoal, called the +Skerweathers, have been fatal to many vessels. A large West Indiaman, +with a cargo of rum and other valuable produce, was lost a few years ago +on a rock called the Tusca, which disappears at high-water; and in 1831, +this coast was fatal to the steamer _Frolic_, in which all the crew and +passengers, amounting to nearly eighty persons, perished. The coast near +Porthcaul appears at Swansea to be the eastern extremity of the bay; but +the bluff point called the Nass, about eight miles further, is literally +so. The coast onwards, past the Nass-point, as observed in the admirable +Engraving annexed, is almost perpendicular, so as closely to resemble a +lofty wall, in which the limestone rock is disposed in horizontal +strata. When the sea runs high in this quarter, the scene, as may be +readily conceived, is truly terrific-- + + "And not one vessel 'scapes the dreadful touch + Of merchant-marring rocks." + + MERCHANT OF VENICE. + + + + +[Illustration: CARDIFF.] + + + + +CARDIFF, + +GLAMORGANSHIRE. + + + "Here British hearts the arms of Rome withstood, + Repulsed her cohorts with their native blood; + Till Caradoc and independence fell, + And freedom shrieked in CARDIFF'S citadel-- + And Cambria's heroes, rushing on the glave, + Died gloriously for her they could not save!" + +The county of Glamorgan, of which the principal town is represented in +the accompanying plate, abounds in historical sites well adapted for the +pencil, and furnishing the reader with many interesting facts and +traditions. The southern portion of the country is remarkably fertile, +highly cultivated, and presents to the stranger a long succession of +luxuriant corn-fields, verdant pastures, and animated pictures of rural +happiness and independence. It would be difficult to find any tract of +land in Great Britain that can surpass the Vale of Glamorgan in richness +of soil, or in soft and graceful scenery. This favoured region extends +the whole length of the county--from the base of the mountains on the +north to the shore of the Bristol Channel on the south-west. It presents +throughout a most gratifying proof of what may be accomplished by +judicious management, when soil and climate are both in favour of +agricultural operations. + +As a fair proof of the mild and salubrious nature of the atmosphere, we +need only observe that the magnolia, the myrtle, and other delicate +exotics, not only live but flourish in this auspicious climate. Equally +favourable to health and longevity, this district has numerous living +testimonies in the vigorous health and protracted age of its +inhabitants, who are fully sensible of the blessings they enjoy. The +valley, at its greatest breadth, measures about eighteen miles; in +various places, however, it is contracted into less than the half of +this space, and presents in its outline a constant variety of +picturesque and graceful windings. + +The town of Cardiff is built on the eastern bank of the river Taff, over +which there is a handsome bridge of five arches, leading to Swansea. It +is a thriving town, possessing considerable trade; and, by means of a +canal from Pennarth to Merthyr-Tydvil, has become the connecting medium +between these extensive iron-works and the English market, and is, in +fact, the port of the latter. The Taff, which falls into the sea at +Cardiff, forms a principal outlet for the mining districts of +Glamorganshire, the produce of which has hitherto found its way to +market through the Glamorganshire canal; but its sea-lock, constructed +about fifty years ago, has long been found inadequate to the demands for +increased accommodation, in consequence of the great prosperity of trade +since the canal was opened. + +The Marquess of Bute, possessing lands in this neighbourhood, obtained, +in 1830, an act for constructing a new harbour, to be called the Bute +ship-canal, and completed the work at his own expense. The great +advantages of this enterprise are--a straight, open channel from +Cardiff-roads to the new sea-gates, which are forty-five feet wide, with +a depth of seventeen feet at neap, and thirty feet at spring-tide. On +passing the sea-gate, vessels enter a capacious basin, having an area of +about an acre and a half, sufficient to accommodate large +trading-vessels and steamers. Quays are erected along the side of the +canal, finished with strong granite coping, and comprising more than a +mile of wharfs, with ample space for warehouses, exclusive of the wharfs +at the outer basin. This great work was finished in the summer of 1839, +at an expense to the proprietor of three hundred thousand pounds. + +Cardiff Castle, which stands insulated on a high mound of earth, was +partially restored and modernised by the late Marquess of Bute. This +ancient fortress is connected with several interesting events in +history. In one of its towers, or dungeons, Robert Duke of Normandy was +twenty-five years imprisoned by his younger brother, Henry the First, +who had previously usurped the throne and deprived him of his eyesight. +In the reign of Charles the First it was bombarded by the Parliamentary +forces during three successive days, and only surrendered in consequence +of treachery on the part of the garrison. + + + + +[Illustration: GLOUCESTER.] + + + + +GLOUCESTER. + + + "I which am the queene + Of all the British vales, and so have ever been + Since Gomer's giant brood inhabited this isle, + And that of all the rest myself may so enstyle." + + DRAYTON. _Vale of Gloucester._ + +Caer-Glow, or the "fair city" of the ancient Britons, is a name happily +characteristic of Gloucester. The beauty of its situation, on a gentle +eminence overlooking the Severn, where its stream is divided into two +channels by the Isle of Alney; the richness and fertility of the +surrounding districts; its highly picturesque scenery; its splendid +cathedral and numerous public buildings; and latterly the tide of +prosperity occasioned by the vast improvements in regard to its inland +port, present a combination of attractions for which it would be +difficult to find a parallel in the British provinces. Commercial +enterprise has now a fixed residence in the place, and within the last +ten years has made great and important advances in the several +departments of foreign and domestic industry. + +The Port of Gloucester and the Cathedral, of which the accompanying +plate gives a most correct and interesting view, are the two principal +features; and to these, in accordance with the plan of the work, our +descriptive text will be more strictly confined. The Port is of great +antiquity,--so much so as to have existed as an inland harbour long +prior to any written document of the place,--but it is only of late +years that ships of burden could be anchored in the city basin. A +century ago, as recorded in the _Magna Britannia_, the Port of +Gloucester had a large quay and wharf on the banks of the river, very +commodious for trade, to which belonged a custom-house, with officers +proper for it; but the business was not great, as the city of Bristol, +only a few miles distant, had engrossed all the foreign trade in this +part of the country. The vessels which at the period in question +navigated the Severn were generally small trading-craft, of between +fifty and two hundred tons burden, so that Gloucester was deprived of +all those advantages which have been so happily secured to it by modern +enterprise and improvement. Of these, the Berkeley ship-canal is a noble +monument. By the vast facilities thus afforded, the commerce of +Gloucester has enjoyed a course of uninterrupted prosperity, and bids +fair to eclipse even Bristol itself in the extent and ramifications of +its still increasing trade. Ships of heavy burden are now safely moored +in the basin, and discharge those cargoes in the heart of the city which +had formerly to be transhipped at Bristol, and conveyed to their +destination by means of barges and lighters. + +The Gloucester Spa, which is now become a place of fashionable resort, +has contributed in no small degree to the many attractions of the city +and its vicinity. This saline chalybeate was first opened to the public +by a grand fête, in May, 1815. The establishment contains every +requisite for the health and recreation of the visitors, and vies as +much with Cheltenham and Leamington in its appropriate and tasteful +arrangements, as it does in the salubrious qualities of its spring--in +proof of which numerous testimonies are daily added as the result of +experience. There is a very handsome pump-room, with hot, cold, and +vapour baths, and an abundant supply of water. The Spa is in the centre +of grounds tastefully laid out, embellished with all the care and effect +of landscape-gardening, and presenting to the _piéton_ and equestrian a +pleasing variety of shady walks and rides, + + "Mid rural scenes that fascinate the gaze, + And conjure up the deeds of other days." + +The Cathedral of Gloucester is deservedly considered one of the noblest +specimens of ecclesiastical architecture in Christendom. It is a grand +object with every traveller who enters upon a tour of the English +provinces, and makes a strong impression on the mind, even after he has +visited the gorgeous temples of Rome and Milan. + +In the interior of the cathedral are numerous specimens of monumental +sculpture; among which the most remarkable are those of Robert, Duke of +Normandy, and Richard the Second. The present altar, of the Corinthian +order, is placed before the rich tracery of the original high-altar, +which, except from the side-galleries of the choir, is concealed from +view. The great elevation of the vault overhead, the richness and +variety of its designs, the elaborate and minute tracery with which the +walls are adorned, added to the vast dimensions of the great +oriel--eighty-seven feet in height--render the choir an almost +unrivalled specimen of what is styled the florid Gothic, and leave an +impression upon the stranger's mind never to be obliterated. + + + + +[Illustration: BRISTOL. + +(from Rownham Ferry.)] + + + + +BRISTOL, + +FROM ROWNHAM FERRY. + + + "But Avon marched in more stately path, + Proud of his adamants[2] with which he shines, + And glistens wide; as als of wondrous Bath + And BRISTOW faire, which on his waves he buildeth hath." + + SPENSER. + +The city of Bristol has enjoyed a celebrity of many centuries, and is +continually adding to her power and affluence by that spirit of +enterprise which has drawn tribute from the remotest shores and peopled +her harbour with the ships of all nations. The commercial importance +which she acquired at so early a period of our history, and which gave +her for a time so preponderating an influence over the other ports and +harbours of the kingdom, has been sustained by her spirited citizens +with a skill and industry rarely equalled and never surpassed. To the +great facilities formerly enjoyed by the merchants of Bristol another +advantage has been added by the construction of the Great Western +Railway, which has opened a rapid channel of intercourse between the +Thames and the Severn,--the London docks and the harbour of Bristol. +This event has been still further advantageous in having given origin to +various ramifications of the same means of conveyance, so that the +products of our native manufactures can be thrown into this channel, and +an interchange effected, with a cheapness and facility quite +unprecedented in the history of our inland commerce. That Bristol has +recently extended her commercial interests by her connexion with the +West Indies, Russia, France, and Germany, is abundantly indicated by the +numerous traders from those countries which are to be seen lading and +unlading in her port. + +Bristol possesses no less than nineteen parish churches, with a +population--not including the suburbs--considerably under sixty +thousand. The cathedral, an ancient and most venerable pile, was founded +about the middle of the twelfth century by the mayor of Bristol, and, +till the reign of Henry the Second, it served as a priory of Black +Canons. It was then converted into an abbey, and subsequently, on the +dissolution of monastic establishments, under Henry the Eighth, it +underwent the further change into a cathedral, dedicated to the Holy +Trinity. A bishop, dean, six secular canons or prebendaries, one +archdeacon, six minor canons or priests'-vicars, a deacon and subdeacon, +six lay clerks, six choristers, two grammar-schoolmasters, four almsmen, +and others, were endowed with the site, church, and greatest part of the +lands of the old monastery. The various changes it has undergone exhibit +the finest specimens of English architecture peculiar to the several +periods at which they took place. All the ornamental work is of the +purest design, and elaborately executed, but on which our limited space +will not permit us to enlarge. Several of the lateral chapels are in +fine taste and preservation, containing monuments of the founder, of +several abbots, and bishops; also those erected to the memory of Mrs. +Draper--the "Eliza" of Sterne, Mrs. Mason, and Lady Hesketh, which +awaken feelings of deep interest in every mind imbued with the literary +history of the last century. + +On the east bank of the Avon is Redcliff Parade, affording a beautiful +prospect of the city, shipping, and surrounding country. The quay, which +extends from St. Giles's to Bristol Bridge, exceeds a mile in length, +and is known by the quaint names of the _Back_, the _Grove_, and the +_Gib_. On the banks of the river below the city are numerous dockyards, +as well as the merchants' floating dock. The several squares in Bristol +are handsome: Queen's-square has a spacious walk, shaded with trees, and +an equestrian statue of William III., by Rysbrach, in the centre; +King's-square is well built on an agreeable slope; on the north-west +side of the city is Brandon-hill, where the laundresses dry their linen, +as they profess, in virtue of a charter from Queen Elizabeth. + +Clifton, two miles west of Bristol, is charmingly situated on the summit +of the northern cliffs above the river Avon; many of the houses are +occupied by invalids, who seek the aid of Bristol Hot Wells, situated at +the western extremity of Clifton, near the stupendous rock of St. +Vincent. From its summit above the banks of the Avon there is a fine +prospect of the river and its environs, embracing some of the most +fertile land in Somersetshire, as well as the western part of Bristol. + +[2] In allusion to the crystal-brilliants, long known as "Bristol +diamonds." + + + + +[Illustration: REDCLIFFE CHURCH AND BASIN, BRISTOL.] + + + + +REDCLIFFE CHURCH AND BASIN, BRISTOL. + + +The church of St Mary Redcliffe's, Bristol, was founded in 1249, and not +completed till 1375, an interval of a hundred and twenty-six years. The +founder was Simon de Burton, mayor of Bristol. It is pronounced by +Camden as "on all accounts the first parish church in England." It has, +of course, undergone, in the long lapse of generations, many changes, +repairs, and perhaps improvements. In the middle of the fifteenth +century, after having been seriously damaged in a storm, it was repaired +by William Cannynge the mayor; and, owing to the extent of these +repairs, he has established a just claim to the gratitude of posterity +as the second founder, and to commemorate the restoration thus effected, +two beautiful monumental statues were erected to the memory of himself +and his wife in the church. This patriotic and pious individual was five +times mayor of Bristol, and makes a prominent figure in the Chatterton +controversy. It is to be regretted, however, that the spire was never +restored, which, with the tower, was originally two hundred and fifty +feet high. So great was the beauty of this sacred edifice, that it was +celebrated over the whole country as a masterpiece of art, and attracted +numerous visitors; nor has that admiration diminished with the lapse of +time, for there are very few individuals, curious in the mystery of +ecclesiastical architecture, who have not visited or studied the +specimen here preserved. + +The church is built in the form of a cross; and the nave, which rises +above the aisles in the manner of a cathedral, is lighted by a series of +lofty windows on each side, and supported by flying-buttresses. The +tower is large and richly ornamented, like the remaining part of the +spire, with carved work, niches, and statues. The principal entrance is +from the west front; but there are porches both to the northern and +southern sides. Of the first of these the interior is very beautiful; +and it was over this porch that the room was situated in which +Chatterton, whose father was sexton of the church, pretended to have +found the poems which he attributed to Rowley. The length of the church +is two hundred and thirty-nine feet, that of the transept one hundred +and seventeen feet. It is remarkable that the transept consists of three +divisions or aisles, like the body of the church; and the effect thus +produced is fine and striking, when the spectator places himself in the +centre and looks around him. The breadth of the nave and aisles is +fifty-nine feet; the height of the nave is fifty-four feet, and that of +the aisles twenty-five feet. The roof, which is nearly sixty feet in +height, is arched with stone, and ornamented with various devices. +Although externally this church has all the appearance of a massive +structure, it has nevertheless, from its loftiness and the peculiar +beauty of its masonry, a light and airy appearance both within and +without; and justifies the high eulogium, which we have already quoted, +as pronounced upon it by Camden. Among the sepulchral treasures +contained in this church, is the tomb of Sir William Penn, father of the +celebrated founder of Pennsylvania. + +The business of shipbuilding is carried on to a very considerable extent +in Bristol; and stimulated by that spirit which has always characterized +the magistrates and merchants of Bristol, added to the vast improvements +which have been so recently affected, it is confidently believed, that +this ancient city and port are now entering upon a fresh epoch in their +commercial prosperity. + +The principal exports are derived from the neighbouring manufactures; +and the imports consist chiefly of sugar, rum, wine, wool, tobacco, +coffee, turpentine, hemp, and timber. The quay extends upwards of a mile +along the banks of the rivers Frome and Avon. Owing to the serious +inconvenience and frequent damage sustained by large vessels, when lying +at low water in the river, a floating harbour was formed here at great +expense in 1804. To accomplish so important a design the course of the +Avon was changed; the old channel was dammed up to form the new harbour, +which, communicating with the river, is accessible at all times, with +sufficient depth of water for vessels of the largest size. This great +work, comprising the elegant iron bridges over the Avon, was the result +of five years' labour, and an enormous expenditure; and, although much +benefit has accrued to the port from the success of so spirited an +undertaking, still the expectations to which it naturally gave rise, as +to the extension of commerce, have not been realized. This is +attributable to various local causes. + + + + +[Illustration: SUSPENSION BRIDGE AT CLIFTON. + +(near Bristol.)] + + + + +CLIFTON. + +THE SUSPENSION BRIDGE. + + + "Scared at thy presence, start the train of Death, + And hide their whips and scorpions; thee, confused, + Slow Fever creeps from; thee the meagre fiend + Consumption flies, and checks his rattling cough!" + + ADDRESS TO THE BRISTOL FOUNTAIN. + +The village of Clifton has long been distinguished among our native +watering-places as the Montpelier of England. In point of situation, and +the beautiful and varied scenery it commands, it is without a rival +among those numerous springs which, from their medicinal virtues, have +risen into universal repute. It occupies a very elevated position; and +from the windows of his apartment the visitor may enjoy enchanting views +of the western part of Bristol, the Avon, and the numerous vessels that +glide to and fro upon its waters. The plateau, which terminates a +gradual ascent from the river, is covered with elegant buildings, that +furnish excellent accommodation to the numerous visitors who annually +resort to these salubrious fountains. Many private families of opulence +and respectability make this their principal residence, and with +justice, for few situations in the British empire can supply more varied +and rational sources of enjoyment. Those who seek to combine the +blessings of health with rational amusement and mental cultivation, will +very rarely be disappointed in selecting the now "classic" shades of +Clifton as a residence. + +The Bristol hot-well--"Bristoliensis aqua"--is a pure thermal, slightly +acidulated spring. The fresh water is inodorous, perfectly limpid and +sparkling, and sends forth numerous air-bubbles when poured into a +glass. It is very agreeable to the taste, and in specific gravity +approaches very nearly to that of distilled water; a fact which proves +that it contains only an extremely minute admixture of foreign +ingredients. The temperature of this water, taking the average of the +most accurate observations, may be reckoned at 74°; a degree of +temperature which is scarcely, if at all, influenced by the difference +of season. The water contains both solid and gaseous matter, and the +distinction between the two requires to be attended to, as it is owing +to its very minute proportion of solid matter that it deserves the +character of a very fine natural spring. To its excess in gaseous contents +it is principally indebted for its medicinal properties,--whatever these +may be,--independently of those of mere water with an increase of +temperature. The principal ingredients of the hot-well water are a large +proportion of carbonic acid gas--fixed air--a certain portion of +magnesia and lime in various combinations with the muriatic, sulphuric, +and carbonic acids. The general inference is that it is remarkably pure +for a natural fountain, from the fact of its containing no other solid +matter--and that in less quantity--than what is contained in almost any +common spring-water. Much, however, of the merit ascribed to the Bristol +and Clifton wells is due to the mild and temperate climate of the place, +which of itself is sufficient to recommend Bristol as a desirable +residence for invalids. + +Independently of its medicinal waters, Clifton has many attractions, +which from time to time have been the subjects both of painting and +poetry, and made it the favoured residence of many distinguished +individuals. Of the latter, none have deserved better of their country +than Mrs. Hannah More, whose writings breathe the purest sentiments of +religion and morality, and whose personal _Memoirs_ form one of the most +interesting volumes in English biography. + +The Suspension Bridge, which forms so prominent a feature in our +engraving, is unfortunately still far from that state of completion in +which the artist has been pleased to depict it. Many years have passed +since its commencement, and still more thousands of pounds have been +expended in preparation, and yet this great and useful work remains a +monument of misapplied capital and wasted labour. + + + + +[Illustration: BATH.] + + + + +BATH. + + + "O'er ancient Baden's mystic spring + Hygeia broods with watchful wing, + And speeds from its sulphureous source + The steamy torrent's secret course; + And fans the eternal sparks of latent fire + In deep unfathomed beds below, + By BLADUD's magic taught to flow-- + BLADUD, high theme of Fancy's Gothic lyre!" + + WARTON. + +The origin of Bath, like that of other celebrated towns, is involved in +obscurity. To its medicinal springs, however, it is solely indebted for +the great reputation it has enjoyed for centuries, as a sanctuary for +the afflicted, a cheerful asylum for the invalid, and as a favourite +point of reunion, where social pleasure and mental cultivation were sure +of a kindred reception among the many gifted spirits who have sought +health or relaxation in its shades. The comparative quiet which here +prevails is not without its importance to the invalid; after the +dissipation of a season in Town, a retreat to Bath is like the +tranquillity of a monastery after the excitement of a military campaign. +This was more particularly felt and acknowledged as long as the +continent remained shut; but during the last twenty years the temptation +to foreign travel and the fame of certain continental spas have annually +diverted from home a great many of those whose cases, it is probable, +would have benefited in an equal measure by resorting to the thermal +waters of Bath. Travelling, however, is of itself a sanatory process; +and to this, to the changes of scene, of society, of diet, and to the +mental excitement produced by a succession of new scenes and incidents, +the invalid is more indebted than to any of the numerous _spas_, to +which the credit of a cure is so generally ascribed by the recruited +votary. This is a fact well known to the physician, and corroborated by +the results of daily experience. When such means are impracticable, +however, the society and the waters of Bath furnish excellent +substitutes; and the testimonies in their favour are too well supported +by ancient and "modern instances" to require any eulogium in a work like +the present. + +The trade of Bath, like that of most great watering-places, is greatly +dependent on its visitors. Hotels and lodging-houses are numerous, +elegant, commodious, and fitted for the accommodation of all classes of +society. Property, nevertheless, has suffered much depreciation of late +years, owing to various causes, and not a little to the preference given +to those continental spas already alluded to, by which many of the +streams which used to flow in upon Bath as a regular source of +prosperity have been greatly diminished or entirely dried up. + +The public amusements of Bath are numerous and liberally conducted. Of +these the most important are the subscription assemblies and concerts, +at which a master of the ceremonies presides--a functionary of high +authority, who holds his office in regular descent from the hands of the +celebrated Beau Nash. The latter gentleman, by a peculiar union of good +sense, "effrontery, wit, vivacity, and perseverance, acquired an +ascendancy among the votaries of rank and fashion which rendered him a +species of modish despot, to whose decrees it was deemed a part of the +loyalty of high breeding to yield in silent submission." The assemblies +are held in the Upper Rooms, in the vicinity of the Circus, which were +erected in 1791, at an expense of twenty thousand pounds. The Ball-room +is one hundred and five feet long, forty-three feet wide, and forty-two +high. The Lower Assembly-rooms stood near the Parade, and were also very +elegantly fitted up, though on a less extensive scale, but were +destroyed by fire in 1820. The theatre is a handsome edifice, fitted up +in splendid style, with three tiers of boxes, and the roof divided into +compartments, containing the beautiful paintings by Cassali which +formerly occupied a similar place in Fonthill Abbey. + +In the vicinity of Bath, especially on Lansdown and Claverton Downs, +there are delightful spots for equestrian exercise. Races take place on +the former of these the week after Ascot races. + +Bath is eminently distinguished for its numerous public charities, its +literary and scientific institutions, its society for the encouragement +of agriculture, the arts, manufactures, and commerce; its clubs, +subscription-rooms, libraries, schools, and hospitals. + +The diseases in which the waters of Bath are resorted to are very +numerous, and in many instances consist of such as are the most +difficult and important of all that come under medical treatment. In +most cases the bath is used along with the waters as an internal +medicine--first adopted in the case of King Charles. The general +indications of the propriety of using these medicinal waters are chiefly +in cases where a gentle, gradual, and permanent stimulus is required. +Bath water may certainly be considered as a chalybeate, in which the +iron is very small in quantity, but in a highly active form, whilst the +degree of temperature is in itself a stimulus of considerable power. + + + + +[Illustration: TINTAGEL CASTLE.] + + + + +TINTAGEL CASTLE. + + +This Engraving, after Mr. Jendles' spirited sketch, embraces not only +Tintagel Castle, but one of those more useful erections which modern +science has rendered available to commercial purposes, and intended for +the shipment of ores from the neighbouring mine. The different character +of the erections which crown the opposing cliffs mark the widely +separated eras of their erection, while both become objects of deep +interest to those who see in the ruins of the one hand, and the +progressively improving mechanism of the other, a type of the spirit +which animated our warlike ancestors to maintain their dominant power +over their native soil, converted in their more peaceful descendants +into a determination to make the best use of the treasures it contains. + +Tintagel Castle is situated partly on the extremity of a bold rock of +slate, on the coast, and partly on a rocky island, with which it was +formerly connected by a drawbridge, and is of great antiquity. This +castle is said to have been the birthplace of King Arthur, but his +history is so blended with the marvellous, that his very existence has +been doubted, and the circumstances connected with his birth are +certainly not amongst those parts of the relation which are most +entitled to credit. It was, however, said by Lord Bacon, that there was +truth enough in his story to make him famous besides that which was +fabulous. + +In the year 1245, Richard Earl of Cornwall, brother to King Henry III., +was accused of having afforded an asylum in Tintagel Castle to his +nephew David, Prince of Wales, and in the reign of Henry III. the castle +and manor of Tintagel were annexed to the Duchy of Cornwall. So little +remains of the walls of this ancient and formerly impregnable castle, +that the date of its erection cannot even be conjectured from the style +of the architecture: it is certain that the castle was in a dilapidated +state in 1337, in which year a survey was made. There was then no +governor, but the priest who officiated in the chapel of the castle had +the custody of it, without fee. It is described as a castle sufficiently +walled, in which were two chambers beyond the two gates, in a decayed +state. A chamber, with a small kitchen for the constable, in good +repair; a stable for eight horses, decayed; and a cellar and bakehouse, +ruinous. The timber of the great hall had been taken down by command of +John of Eltham, Earl of Cornwall, because the hall was ruinous, and the +walls of no value. + +In the reign of Richard II., Tintagel Castle was made a state prison, +and in 1385, John Northampton, lord mayor of London, was committed to +this castle. Thomas Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, was also a prisoner here +in 1397. "The ruins of Tintagel Castle," says the Rev. R. Warner, "claim +dominion over unqualified desolation; over one wide and wild scene of +troubled ocean, barren country, and horrid rocks: its situation and +aspect quite chilled the tourist," and in continuation of his +description, he introduces the less sublime remark, "that to look at it +was enough to give one the tooth-ache." + +Tintagel was made a free borough by Richard Earl of Cornwall, and, as +well as Trevenna, about a mile distant from each other, forms part of +the borough of Bossiney, which formerly sent two members to parliament. +Although not incorporated, it is governed by a mayor. At Trevenna is an +annual fair for horned cattle on the first Monday after the 19th of +October; and at Tintagel is a school supported by the mayor and free +burgesses. The church, dedicated to St. Simphorian, is a vicarage, in +the patronage of the dean and chapter of Windsor. It was formerly +appropriated to the abbey of Fonteverard, in Normandy, but having passed +in the same manner as Leighton Buzzard, in Bedfordshire, was given, by +King Edward IV., to the collegiate chapel of St. George at Windsor. + + + + +[Illustration: PLYMOUTH. + +_Devon._] + + + + +PLYMOUTH. + + +The view of Plymouth is taken from the grounds of Mount Edgecumbe, +looking across the lower part of the Sound. About the middle distance is +St. Nicholas' Island; beyond which are perceived the ramparts of the +citadel. Between the citadel and the point of land to the right, where +several small vessels are seen, is the entrance of the creek called the +Catwater. + +The towns of Plymouth and Devonport--the latter until 1824 having +usually been called Plymouth Dock, or briefly, Dock--stand nearly in the +same relation to each other as Portsmouth and Portsea, except that they +are not contiguous, the distance between them being about a mile and a +half. Plymouth is the old borough, and Devonport is the modern town; the +latter, indeed, has been entirely built within the last +hundred-and-fifty years, since the establishment of the royal dockyard +by William III., in 1691. Each town returns two members to Parliament, +this privilege having been conferred on Devonport by the Reform Bill; +and the municipal government of each is vested in separate authorities. +Plymouth and Devonport, with Stonehouse, which lies between them, may be +considered as forming one large town, which occupies a parallelogram +about two miles and a half in length by one in breadth, and contains, +with the suburbs of Morice-town and Stoke, about a hundred thousand +inhabitants. + +Plymouth harbour, or, as it is generally called, Sutton Pool, is on the +land side nearly surrounded by houses, and the entrance to it from the +Catwater is protected by two stone piers, about ninety feet apart. +Plymouth has a considerable coasting trade with London, Bristol, Hull, +Newcastle, and other parts of England, and also carries on a direct +trade with the Baltic, the Mediterranean, America, and the West Indies. +The principal exports are copper, tin, and lead-ore, manganese, granite, +and pilchards. There are about fifty decked fishing-boats belonging to +Plymouth, which not only supply its market and that of Devonport with +plenty of excellent fish, but also furnish a considerable quantity for +Bath, London, and other places. The fish most common in Plymouth market +are hake, basse, gurnards, pipers, tub-fish, whiting-pouts, soles, +mullets red and grey, and John-Dories. Quin, that he might enjoy the +latter fish in perfection, took an express journey from Bath to +Plymouth. The export of granite, and other kinds of stone for the +purposes of building, is greatly facilitated by a railway, which extends +from about the middle of Dartmoor to the quays at Sutton Pool and +Catwater. The larger class of merchant-vessels generally anchor in the +Catwater; and in time of war it is the usual rendezvous for transports. +It is sheltered from south-westerly gales by Mount Battan, and is +sufficiently spacious to afford anchorage for six or eight hundred sail +of such ships as are usually employed in the merchant service. There are +about 320 ships belonging to Plymouth, the tonnage of which, according +to the old admeasurement, is about 26,000 tons. + +Though the neighbourhood of Plymouth affords so many beautiful and +interesting views, the town itself presents but little to excite the +admiration of the stranger. It is very irregularly built; and most of +the old houses have a very mean appearance, more especially when +contrasted with some of recent erection. Several large buildings, within +the last twenty or thirty years, have been erected at Plymouth and +Devonport, in the _pure Grecian style_; and the two towns afford ample +evidence of the imitative genius of the architects. At the corner of +almost every principal street, the stranger is presented with +reminiscences of Stuart and Revett's Athens. + +Plymouth citadel is situated to the southward of the town, and at the +eastern extremity of the rocky elevation called the Hoe. It commands the +passage to the Hamoaze, between St. Nicholas' Island and the main-land, +as well as the entrance of the Catwater. It was erected on the site of +the old fort, in the reign of Charles II., and consists of five +bastions, which are further strengthened with ravelins and hornworks. +The ramparts are nearly three-quarters of a mile in circuit; and there +are platforms for a hundred-and-twenty cannon. The entrance to the +citadel is on the north, through an outer and an inner gate. Within the +walls are the residence of the lieutenant-governor, officers' houses and +barracks for the garrison, with a magazine, chapel, and hospital. In the +centre of the green is a bronze statue of George II., the work of an +artist named Robert Pitt, and erected, in 1728, at the expense of Louis +Dufour, Esq., an officer of the garrison. An excellent panoramic view of +Plymouth, Saltram, the Catwater, the Sound, Mount Edgecumbe, and other +places, is to be obtained from the ramparts, round which visitors are +permitted to walk. + + + + +[Illustration: MOUNT EDGECUMBE. + +_DEVON._] + + + + +MOUNT EDGECUMBE. + + +The view of Mount Edgecumbe is taken from Cremhill point, a little to +the south-east of the entrance of Stonehouse Creek. About the centre of +the view is perceived a battery, near to the Old Blockhouse which was +erected in the reign of Queen Elizabeth; between the masts of the brig, +which is sailing in towards the Hamoaze, the house is seen; and to the +left, in the distance, is Cawsand Bay. + +For upwards of two hundred years the situation of Mount Edgecumbe, +whether looking towards it or from it, and the beauty of the grounds in +its vicinity have been the subject of general admiration. In visiting +Mount Edgecumbe from Plymouth or Devonport, the most usual way is to +cross at the ferry from Cremhill point. The gardens generally first +claim the visitor's attention. Near the lodge, on the left, is a garden +laid out in the Italian style, and surrounded by a bank planted with +evergreens. In this garden is the orangery, and opposite to it is a +beautiful terrace, on which, and in the grounds below, are several +statues. The visitor is next shown the French flower-garden, which is +planted with the most beautiful shrubs and flowers, and was the +favourite retreat of Sophia, Countess of Mount Edgecumbe, who died in +1806, and to whose memory a cenotaph, consisting of an urn and a tablet, +is erected within its bounds. The English garden and shrubbery display +less art, but are no less beautiful than the imitative gardens of Italy +and France. In it is a bath of the Doric order, and a secluded walk +leads to a rocky excavation, overspread with ivy and other creeping +plants, amidst lofty evergreens: fragments of antiques are scattered +amidst heaps of stones in this romantic dell. In the pleasure-grounds, a +path continued along the edge of a cliff, which affords interesting +views of the picturesque sinuosities of the coast, leads to a verdant +lawn, from which the sides rise with a gentle ascent in a semicircle. +The acclivity above the lawn is thickly shaded by a succession of trees, +which form a magnificent amphitheatre, and display an endless variety of +foliage. From different parts of the amphitheatre, Barn Poole presents +the appearance of an extensive lake, without any visible communication +with the sea, from which it appears to be separated by the diversified +line of coast, that forms its boundary on every side. At the entrance of +a wood near this spot is an Ionic circular temple dedicated to Milton, +whence the path continues on the margin of the cliff, through +plantations and shrubs, which fringe the rocky coast down to the brink +of the sea. In the more open part of the park is a mock ruin, intended +as a picturesque object from the grounds and from the opposite shore. A +cottage near the cliff is overhung with beautiful evergreen oaks, the +windows of which command pleasing sea views in opposite directions. +After ascending a perpendicular rock, by a winding path of perilous +appearance, the great terrace at the arch presents itself, having the +appearance of a perforation in the cliff, the base of which is washed by +the waves of the Sound. + +The walks round the grounds are extremely pleasing, and from many points +excellent views are obtained of Plymouth Sound, the Hamoaze, Devonport, +and the surrounding country. It seems, however, doubtful if the +circumstance of a nobleman's seat commanding a view of a large town, at +the distance of less than a mile, be an advantage to it. It is perhaps +not altogether pleasant to have a _country_ seat overlooked by, and +overlooking, a large town. Dr. Johnson, alluding to the view of Mount +Edgecumbe, has observed, that "though there is the grandeur of a fleet, +there is also the impression of there being a dock-yard, the +circumstances of which are not agreeable." + +The house at Mount Edgecumbe was erected about the year 1550, by Sir +Richard Edgecumbe, who was sheriff of Devonshire in the thirty-fifth +year of the reign of Henry VIII., in the castellated style, with +circular towers at the corners. About seventy years ago, those towers +were pulled down, and rebuilt in their present octangular form. In the +principal rooms is a collection of family portraits, including a few by +Sir Joshua Reynolds. + + + + +[Illustration: BRIXHAM.] + + + + +BRIXHAM. + + + "Here busy boats are seen: some overhaul + Their loaded nets; some shoot the lightened trawl; + And, while their drags the slimy bottom sweep, + Stealthily o'er the face o' the waters creep; + While some make sail, and singly or together + Furrow the sea with merry wind and weather." + + W. STEWART ROSE. + +In the Engraving of Brixham Quay, from a painting by Edward Duncan, the +view is taken from the eastward. To the right, from the end of the pier, +several of the larger class of fishing vessels belonging to the place +are perceived lying aground; while, further in the harbour, a merchant +brig is seen discharging her cargo. In the foreground, to the left, the +attention of a group appears to be engaged by a small ship which a young +fisherman holds in his hands. + +Brixham lies about a mile and a half to the westward of Berry Head, the +southern extremity of Torbay, in the county of Devon, and is about +twenty-eight miles south of Exeter, and one hundred and ninety-eight +west-south-west of London. As a fishing town, Brixham is one of the most +considerable in the kingdom. The total number of fishing vessels +belonging to the place is nearly two hundred, of which, about one +hundred and ten are from thirty to forty tons burden, and the rest from +six to eighteen tons. Besides these, there are several yawls and smaller +boats which are employed in the fishery near the shore. For years past +about seventy of the larger class of fishing vessels have been +accustomed to proceed to Ramsgate, for the purpose of catching fish in +the North Sea for the supply of the London market. They usually leave +Brixham in November and December, and return again towards the latter +end of June. The Brixham fishermen send a great quantity of fish to the +Exeter, Bath, Plymouth, and Bristol markets. The principal fish which +they take are cod, ling, conger-eels, turbot, whitings, hake, soles, +skate and plaice, with herring and mackerel in the season. A quantity of +whitings are generally salted and dried at Brixham. On the coast of +Devonshire dried whitings are called "buckhorn," a name sufficiently +expressive of their hardness and insipidity. Besides the vessels +employed in the fishery, there are ships belonging to Brixham which are +chiefly engaged in the West India, Mediterranean, and coasting trades. +A weekly market, with a market-house at the water-side, was established +here in 1799, and in 1804 a stone pier of great strength was erected at +the expense of the nation. The population of the place is about 5,000. +One of the most memorable events in its history is the landing there of +William Prince of Orange, afterwards William III., on the 5th of +November, 1688. The view of Torbay, from the cliffs above the town, is +in the highest degree interesting, especially when enlivened, as it +frequently is, by a fleet of fishing-boats dotting its placid waters, +and stretching far into the British Channel. + +At an early period the manor of Brixham was held by the Nevants and the +Valletorts; but after divers ownerships it was divided into twelve +quarters, one of which was purchased by twelve fishermen of Brixham +Quay, and divided into as many shares; some of these have been much +farther subdivided, yet their owners, be their shares ever so small, +have the local denomination of Quay Lords. + +Brixham Church Town is about a mile distant from the quay. The church is +a spacious structure of the date of the fourteenth century, with an +embattled tower, and the peculiarities of the architecture of that +period. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and contains several +monuments of considerable antiquity, the inspection of which will repay +the antiquarian for the visit. + +Torquay, one of the most fashionable watering-places on the Devonshire +coast, is situated on the opposite side of Torbay, at a distance of +about five miles by water; but if the journey be made by land, the curve +of the bay extends it upwards of nine. It is sheltered from the north +winds by the promontory of Hope's Nose, and a range of lofty hills which +form its northern boundary. It is rapidly increasing in extent, and is +spoken of in terms of the highest admiration by most of the visitors. +The houses are chiefly built of a kind of marble found in the vicinity, +and are so scattered among the hills and dales as to command delightful +views of the surrounding country. On the coast the rock scenery is truly +magnificent, and from the heights the eye ranges over a wide extent of +cultivated land, abounding in every variety of nature, and terminated by +the distant outline of the mountain tops. + + + + +[Illustration: EXMOUTH.] + + + + +EXMOUTH. + + +The town of Exmouth, as its name imports, is situated at the mouth of +the Ex, one of the largest rivers in Devonshire, which, rising in +Exmoor, in Somersetshire, flows past Tiverton, Exeter, and Topsham, and +after a course of about seventy miles discharges itself into the sea. It +lies on the left bank of the river, and is about eleven miles to the +south-eastward of Exeter, and one hundred and sixty-eight from London. +It is sheltered from the north-east and south-east winds; and the +temperature of the air is mild and highly favourable to invalids. As the +bathing-machines are placed within the bar, which breaks the violence of +the sea, visiters are thus enabled to bathe in safety at all times. +There are also excellent warm sea-water baths in the town for such as +require them. There is a convenient market-place at Exmouth; and a new +church was erected by Lord Rolle in 1825. Exmouth and Littleham +constitute a united parish, the population of which is about 3,400. In +1814, the late Admiral Sir Edward Pellew was created a peer, with the +title of Baron Exmouth; and in 1816, after his expedition to Algiers, he +was further advanced to the rank of Viscount. + +In the reign of King John, Exmouth appears to have been a port of some +consequence; and in 1347 it furnished ten ships and one hundred and +ninety-three mariners to the grand fleet assembled by Edward III. for +his expedition against France. In the reign of Henry VIII., Leland calls +it "a fisschar tounlet," in which state it appears to have continued +till about the middle of the last century, when it began to increase, in +consequence of the number of persons visiting it for the sake of +sea-bathing. It is said that Exmouth first came into repute as a +watering-place from one of the judges of assize going there to bathe, +and returning with his health very much improved. The following account +of the place, and of the manner in which the visiters passed their time +about sixty years ago, is from a letter published in Polwhele's _History +of Devon_:--"The village is a very pretty one, and composed, for the +most part, of cot-houses, neat and clean, and consisting of four or five +rooms, which are generally let at a guinea a week. We have from some of +the houses, when the tide is in, a beautiful view of the river, which, +united with the sea, forms a fine sheet of water before our doors of +large extent. Lord Courtenay's and Lord Lisburne's grounds, rising in +inequalities on the other shore, complete the perspective. This is the +most gay part of the village; but then its brilliancy is only +temporary--for, the tide returned, instead of a fine sheet of water, we +are presented with a bed of mud, whose perfumes are not equal to those +of a bed of roses.... Exmouth boasts no public rooms or assemblies, save +one card assembly, in an inconvenient apartment at one of the inns, on +Monday evenings. The company meet at half after five, and break up at +ten; they play at shilling whist, or twopenny quadrille. We have very +few young people here, and no diversions; no _belles dames_ amusing to +the unmarried, but some _beldames_ unamusing to the married. Walking on +a hill which commands a view of the ocean, and bathing, with a visit or +two, serve to pass away the morning, and tea-drinking in the evening." + +From the preceding account it would appear that Exmouth, "sixty years +since," was but a dull place, even at the height of the season, and more +likely to induce lowness of spirits than to prove a remedy for care, +"the busy man's disease;" for what temperament, however mercurial, could +bear up against the daily round of tea-parties--where silence was only +broken by the "beldame's" scandal--diversified once a week with shilling +whist or twopenny quadrille? Since the period when the above-quoted +letter was written, Exmouth has been greatly improved, and many large +houses have been built for the accommodation of visiters. But since the +cot-houses have been elevated to handsome three-storied dwellings, it is +only fair to add that the rate of lodgings has also been raised in the +same proportion; "five or six rooms, neat and clean," are no longer to +be obtained at a guinea a week. There is now a commodious assembly-room +in the town, where the young and the fair--who are not so scarce at +Exmouth as they appear to have been sixty years ago--occasionally meet +to enjoy the amusement of dancing; while the more elderly have still the +opportunity of cheating time at "shilling whist or twopenny quadrille." +There are also several billiard and reading-rooms, which are places +pleasant enough to while away an hour or two in when it rains; and the +monotony of the morning walk on the hill, and the dulness of the evening +tea-drinking, are now frequently diversified with excursions by water to +Powderham Castle, Dawlish, Topsham, and places adjacent. + + + + +[Illustration: BUDLEIGH SALTERTON.] + + + + +BUDLEIGH-SALTERTON. + + +The village of Budleigh-Salterton lies about half-way between Sidmouth +and Exmouth, and at a short distance to the westward of the mouth of the +river Otter. It is pleasantly situated by the sea-shore; and the beauty +of the country in its vicinity, and the convenience afforded for +sea-bathing, have caused it of late years to be much frequented as a +watering-place. + +Of the many watering-places with which the requirements of fashion have +sprinkled our southern coasts, there are few which can boast of a more +delightful situation than the subject of our present engraving. +Protected on both sides by the surrounding hills, it is completely +sheltered from the severity of those winds which are frequently the bane +of some of our otherwise most eligible retreats; while its view of the +ocean is uninterrupted by any of those obstacles which add more to the +utility than the beauty of our older sea-bathing towns. The coast of +Devonshire offers peculiar advantages to the invalid; it has a southern +aspect; the winters are milder than in any other part of England, and +the north-east wind, with its concomitant evils, is less felt than in +the more exposed though more popular ports of the Isle of Thanet. In +addition to a genial climate, Devonshire is entitled to some preference +on the score of economy with that large class to whom the cost of even +an occasional residence at the coast is a serious consideration; and +although a temporary sojourn at any watering-place must necessarily be +more expensive than the same time spent in a rural district, the visiter +will find that in none can a greater share of the comforts and even +luxuries of life be obtained upon moderate terms than in +Budleigh-Salterton and its neighbouring towns of Exmouth and Sidmouth. + +Another advantage which these smaller towns possess is the freedom from +restraint in which they allow their patrons to indulge. The almost +slavish deference which the higher classes of society are compelled to +pay to certain conventional rules of fashion and etiquette may be +quietly laid aside during a residence at such towns as the one now +before us, and this, too, without fear of forfeiting that claim to +exclusiveness which every grade is so anxious to maintain against the +one below it. Few persons will deny the gratification that they have +derived from an occasional relaxation of those social laws that restrict +our actions in everyday life; and not the least of the benefits which +they receive from their summer visits to the coast may be traced to the +opportunities which they afford for their becoming again, though but for +a few weeks, or even days, "children of a larger growth." + +The village of East Budleigh, which is also the name of one of the +hundreds into which Devon is divided, lies about two miles above +Budleigh-Salterton, on the banks of the river Otter. Leland, in his +_Itinerary_, thus notices East Budleigh: "On the west side of the haven +is Budelegh, right almost against Oterton, but it is somewhat more from +the shore than Oterton. Lesse then an hunderith yeres sins, ships usid +this harbour, but it is now clene barrid. Some call this Budeley Haven, +of Budeley town." It has been supposed by Polwhele that the name +Budleigh, or Budely, is derived from the British _budelle_, a stream, +and that it had originated from the number of springs or small brooks +which run through every valley in the parish; for scarcely a house can +be found that is more than a furlong distant from a rivulet. + +Hayes, near East Budleigh, is celebrated as the birthplace of Sir Walter +Raleigh. This fact is mentioned in our notice of Ladram Bay; but the +following circumstance, which has since come to our knowledge, will +confirm the remarks we then made, by showing the hero's love for the +place of his birth, and its probable effect upon his after life. His +father having only a lease of the property, it subsequently came into +the possession of a person named Duke, to whom Sir Walter addressed a +letter, dated "From the Court, 26th July, 1584," wherein he expresses a +wish to purchase the farm and house of Hayes, and says that from "the +natural disposition he has to that place, being born in that house, he +would rather seat himself there than any where else." The proprietor, +not wishing to have so great a man for a neighbour, did not comply with +Sir Walter's request. The letter, about fifty years ago, was to be seen +at Otterton House, pasted on a piece of board for its better +preservation.[3] + +At St. Mary Ottery, about six miles above East Budleigh, on the opposite +side of the river, the poet Coleridge was born, in 1772. When young he +went to London, where he was educated at Christ's Hospital; and few +reminiscences of the place of his birth are to be found in his poems, +though he has dedicated one sonnet to his "Dear native brook, wild +streamlet of the west,"--the river Otter. + +[3] Polwhele's _History of Devon_, vol ii. p. 219. + + + + +[Illustration: VIEW FROM THE BEACH AT SIDMOUTH. + +_LOOKING TOWARDS THE SOUTH-WEST._] + + + + +VIEW FROM THE BEACH AT SIDMOUTH, + +LOOKING TOWARDS THE SOUTH-WEST. + + +In this view, from a painting by J. D. Harding, the characteristic +features of the coast of Devon are most happily expressed; and the +manner in which the subject is treated at once displays the feeling of +the artist to appreciate, and his ability to depict, the most beautiful +scenery of the English coast. The simplicity of truth is not here +outraged for the sake of pictorial effect, but the whole composition is +at the same time appropriate, natural, and pleasing. + +Sidmouth is situated on the southern coast of Devonshire, about 15 miles +south-east of Exeter, and 158 south-west of London. It derives its name +from the little stream called the Sid, which there discharges itself +into the sea. The town is situated at the end of a beautiful vale, and +is sheltered on the east, west, and north by ranges of hills, which are +cultivated to their very summits. It occupies the margin of a small bay, +bounded on the east by Salcombe Hill, and on the west by Peak Hill, each +more than 600 feet above the level of the sea at low water. The +undulating and richly-cultivated vale through which the Sid meanders is +screened towards the north by the Gittisham and Honiton Hills. On the +south it commands an extensive view of the sea. It has a bold and open +shore, and many of its newest houses are built near the beach, which is +protected from the encroachments of the sea by a natural rampart of +shingly pebbles, that rises in four or five successive stages from near +low-water mark, and terminates in a broad and commodious promenade about +one-third of a mile in length. Sidmouth has two suburbs, respectively +called the Western Town and the Marsh. It has a weekly market on +Saturday, and two annual fairs--the one on Easter Tuesday, the other on +the Wednesday after September 1. The church is dedicated to St. +Nicholas. Its revenues were granted, in 1205, by Bishop Marshall, to the +monastery of St. Michael, in Normandy, to which the priory of Otterton +was a cell, but afterwards reduced with those of the other alien +priories. The beauty of its situation, the mildness and salubrity of the +air, and the conveniences afforded for sea-bathing, have caused Sidmouth +to be much frequented within the last forty years as a watering-place; +and there are now many private residences of the nobility and gentry +erected in its immediate vicinity, the proprietors of which, attracted +by the beauty of the scenery, and the mild, sheltered character of the +situation, reside there during the greater part of the year; thus giving +a superiority to the society, which the visitor cannot always find in +sea-bathing towns of a much larger population. + +Sidmouth is a place of great antiquity; and in 1348 it supplied three +ships and sixty-two mariners to the great fleet of Edward III. It has +been said that there was formerly a good harbour at Sidmouth, but that +it became so choked up with sand, that no ships could enter. This +account, however, is considered by the Rev. Edmund Butcher to be +inaccurate. He says that no sand has destroyed its harbour; and he is of +opinion that there never was one of any magnitude at the place. He, +however, thinks that there might have been a kind of natural basin, in +which the small vessels of former times might have rode, or even +discharged their cargoes, with less risk than is at present incurred by +vessels which unload on the beach. + + + + +[Illustration: CAVES AT LADRAM BAY. + +_DEVONSHIRE._] + + + + +CAVES AT LADRAM BAY. + + +Ladram Bay is on the southern coast of Devonshire, and lies between +Sidmouth and the mouth of the river Otter. It is of small extent, and is +neither noticed by any of the historians of the country, nor described +in any guide-book. The Lade rock forms its eastern extremity; and to the +westward it is bounded by a similar promontory, near to which are the +caves represented in the engraving. The bay is only accessible to +pedestrians proceeding from Sidmouth at low water through a cave at its +eastern point; and its approach from the westward is also through a +perforated rock. This small and secluded bay is extremely romantic, and +the cliffs between its extreme points are lofty and nearly +perpendicular. It is frequently visited in summer by picnic parties from +Sidmouth, Otterton, and Budleigh Salterton; and it is said that +smugglers, availing themselves of its retired situation, occasionally +manage to land a cargo there, notwithstanding the vigilance of the +preventive men, who have a look-out near the bay, but not a regular +station. The only house in its immediate vicinity is a fisherman's +cottage, near the end of the road leading to it from Otterton. + +There are several curious caverns and perforated rocks on the southern +coast of Devon. Just within the promontory called the Bolt-head, at the +western end of Salcomb-bar, is a cavern called the Bull-hole, which is +believed by many persons of the neighbourhood to extend for about three +miles to a similar cavern in a creek near Sewer-mill. The tradition is +that a bull entered at one cavern, and came out at the other; and hence +the name of the Bull-hole. Nearly at the top of the cliff of Bolberry +Down, about a mile to the eastward of the Bolt-tail, is a cavern called +Ralph's-hole, which is about twenty feet long, seven feet wide, and +eight feet high. It is nearly four hundred feet above the sea; and the +rock by which it is approached is within three feet of the precipice, +and only admits of one person passing at a time. It is said that a man +named Ralph made this cave his abode for many years in order to avoid +being arrested, and that with a hay-fork as a weapon to defend the +entrance he set the bailiffs at defiance; his residence, however, was +more remarkable for its security than its convenience; and if the +blessing of freedom is not included in the balance of advantages and +evils, Ralph would probably have found a more comfortable home in any of +her Majesty's gaols than in his sea-beaten fortress. A few miles +further westward, directly off Thurlston sands, in Bigberry bay, is a +perforated rock, about thirty feet high, called Thurlston rock. At very +low ebb-tides it is left dry, but as the flood increases, the sea washes +over it, making a noise in stormy weather that is heard at a great +distance. + +The village of Otterton, in the immediate vicinity of these caves, is +remarkable for the peculiarity of possessing a church with a tower at +the eastern end. At this place there was formerly an alien priory +subject to St. Michael's, in Normandy. The river Otter is a fine trout +stream, and affords much amusement to the patrons of the rod and line; +but it is navigable for boats only at high-water, when small craft can +ascend as far as Otterton, about two and a half miles from its mouth. A +view from Peak-hill, an eminence in this neighbourhood, frequently +excites the admiration of visitors, commanding as it does the beautiful +vale of Sidmouth, with the village and beach on the east, the vale of +the Otter on the west, bordered by Haldon and other hills, and extending +to the sea on the south. + +Bicton House, on the banks of the Otter, is the seat of Lord Rolle; it +is a spacious edifice, standing in a park plentifully stocked with +beach, elm, and oak, and abounding in deer. At the time of Domesday +survey, this manor was held by the somewhat burdensome tenure of +maintaining the county gaol; but from this service it has been many +years relieved by Act of Parliament. Sir Walter Raleigh was born at +Hayes, in the parish of East Budleigh, a small village about four miles +from Sidmouth; and much of his love for maritime enterprise was probably +derived from his early associations with this romantic coast, so well +calculated to impress the youthful mind with a passion for the sea and +its wonders. + + + + +[Illustration: WEYMOUTH.] + + + + +WEYMOUTH + + +Weymouth and Melcombe-Regis lie on opposite sides of the same river, the +latter on the east, and the former on the west. They are connected by a +bridge, the central part of which can be swung open, to allow of the +passing and repassing of ships. The name of Weymouth is generally given +to the united towns, which are both in the county of Dorset, and about +130 miles to the south-westward of London. + +Weymouth derives its name from the Wey, or Way, a small river which +there discharges itself into the sea. It is a place of great antiquity; +it is mentioned in a charter granted by Ethelred, about the year 880, +giving certain lands there to his faithful minister, Altsere. In the +Domesday Survey there are no less than eight places in the county with +the name of _Wai_ or _Waia_; that, however, which is described as having +twelve _salterns_, or salt ponds, was undoubtedly the Weymouth of the +present time. In the reign of Edward II. Weymouth returned two members +to Parliament; and in 1347, probably in conjunction with Melcombe, it +supplied 15 ships and 263 mariners to the grand fleet of Edward III. + +Melcombe owes its adjunct, "Regis"--King's--to its having been a part of +the demesne lands of the crown in the time of Edward I. It is not +mentioned in the Domesday survey; but it appears to have been summoned +to return two members to Parliament several years earlier than Weymouth, +though the latter, in all charters, has precedence as the more ancient +town. The inhabitants of the two places had frequent quarrels respecting +their rights to the harbour and the profits thence accruing; and, in +consequence of those dissensions, the towns were deprived of the +privileges of a staple port by Henry VI. In the thirteenth year of the +reign of Elizabeth the two towns were united into one borough, having +their privileges in common, and jointly returning four members to +Parliament. By the Reform Bill the number of members returned by the +united towns has been limited to two. + +The following is Leland's account of the two places at the time of his +visiting them, in the reign of Henry VIII.: "Ther is a townlet on the +hither side of the haven of Waymouth caullid Milton or Melcombe], beyng +privilegid and having a mair. This town, as it is evidently seene, hathe +beene far bigger then it is now. The cause of this is layid on to the +Frenchmen, that in tymes of war rasid this towne for lak of defence. For +so many houses as be yn the town, they be welle and strongly buildid of +stone. There is a chapelle of ease in Milton. The paroch church is a +mile of: a manifest token that Milton is no very old town ... Milton +standith as a peninsula, by reason of the water of the haven that a +little above the toun, spreedith abrode and makith a bay, and by the bay +of the mayne sea that gulfith it in on the other side. The tounlet of +Waymouth lyith strait agaynst Milton on the other side of the haven, and +at this place the water of the haven is but of a small brede; and the +_trajectus_ is by a bote and a rope bent over the haven, so that in the +fery bote they use no oars. Waymouth hath certein liberties and +privileges, but ther is no mair yn it. Ther is a key and warf for +shippes."[4] + +In the same manner as at many other towns on the southern coast, the +trade of Weymouth appears to have declined considerably from the time +that the English ceased to have any possessions in France; and the +comparatively small depth of water in the harbour has tended to prevent +the increase of its shipping in modern times. The harbour at Weymouth is +what is called a tide-harbour. The channel is about fourteen feet deep +at high water; and at the quays on each side the ships lie aground at +low water. The large lake at the westward of Melcombe-Regis receives at +spring tides a vast body of water, which, on its return scours the +harbour and prevents the accumulation of sand. The number of ships +belonging to the port of Weymouth is about eighty-five, the aggregate +tonnage of which is 7175 tons. + +The increase of Weymouth within the last forty or fifty years is chiefly +owing to the number of persons who take up a temporary residence there +to enjoy the benefit of sea-bathing, for which the excellent beach +affords the greatest convenience. It is said that the place first began +to obtain celebrity on this account about 1763, in consequence of Ralph +Allen, Esq., of Prior Park, near Bath, having derived great benefit +while residing there, and recommending it to his friends. Weymouth was +visited, in 1789, by George III., who resided there for about ten weeks, +and was so much pleased with the place that in several succeeding years +it was honoured with a royal visit. + +[4] Leland's Itinerary, vol. iii., p. 79. Edition 1769. + + + + +[Illustration: HURST CASTLE. + +_THE PRISON OF KING CHARLES I._] + + + + +HURST CASTLE + + + "Here Walter Scott has woo'd the Northern muse; + Here he with me has joyed to walk or cruise; + Hence have we ranged by Celtic camps and barrows, + Or climb'd the expectant bank, to thread the Narrows + Of HURST, bound westward to the gloomy bower + Where CHARLES was prisoned in yon island-tower." + + W. STEWART ROSE. + +Among the numerous objects which confer particular interest and beauty +on the neighbourhood of Lymington, the most prominent is Hurst Castle, +of which a striking view is presented in the annexed Engraving. It was +erected by Henry the Eighth, as a fortress for the protection of this +part of the Channel from piratical inroads and hostile aggression, and +to give his "loving subjects" a strong and lasting pledge of his +"paternal solicitude" for their welfare. It is situated near the +extremity of a remarkable, natural causeway, or point of land, which +runs boldly into the sea to a distance of nearly two miles, and exhibits +these massive battlements to great advantage. Its works of defence +consist of a circular tower, strengthened by semicircular bastions; and +when armed and garrisoned in a manner becoming the important trust +confided to it, must have presented a very formidable appearance. + +Lymington, to whose neighbourhood this formidable stronghold serves as +an attractive feature, is now well known and much frequented as a +delightful watering-place. It stands about a mile from the narrow +channel which separates the main land from the Isle of Wight. Owing to +the daily increasing facilities of communication, the picturesque +scenery of the New Forest, the various objects of interest and notoriety +with which the vicinity abounds, and the delightful prospects which may +be enjoyed from the windows of the apartments as well as from the +adjoining walks, Lymington is well deserving of the commendation which +it has uniformly received from all strangers.[5] + +Among the many tempting rides and walks which are open to the public, +and present a continual variety of sea and inland views, the most +interesting are those to Mudiford, Milford, Boldre, Beaulieu, and High +Cliff. On the latter the late Earl of Bute erected a magnificent +edifice, in consequence of an early and strong partiality to the spot; +for here, he observed, he had always slept soundly, when he could find +that luxury nowhere else. The view from this point is one of the finest +in the kingdom. The house, though much reduced in size, and modernized +by the present owner, has rather gained than lost by the change; while +the salubrious quality of the air has certainly not deteriorated. Boldre +contains much picturesque scenery, which will be still more highly +appreciated when the stranger is informed that in the vicarage of this +parish, and amidst the scenes which daily met his eye, the late Rev. and +pious William Gilpin composed his popular work on Forest Scenery.[6] +Beaulieu is interesting as having been the seat of a rich abbey, founded +in 1204; the refectory of which has been long used as a parish +church.[7] Mudiford possesses a fine level sandy beach, of wide extent, +admirably adapted for sea-bathing, and commanding a variety of scenes +and objects of great beauty. It was a favourite with George the Third +and Queen Charlotte, when at Weymouth, who honoured Mr. Rose with a +visit at his picturesque cottage on the beach. + +[5] The cliffs which extend towards Hurst Castle abound in marine +fossils, shells, and petrifactions, from which many excellent +collections have been made. + +[6] _Remarks on Forest Scenery and other Woodland Views, illustrated by +the Scenery of New Forest, 1791._ The _Picturesque Tours_, by the same +author, display a deep and correct feeling of the beauties of nature. At +his death, in 1804, he appropriated a collection of his Sketches to the +endowment of a school at Boldre. + +[7] The pulpit belonging to this ancient refectory is the most perfect +and elegant relic of its kind in England. + + + + +[Illustration: COWES. + +_HAMPSHIRE._] + + + + +COWES. + + +East and West Cowes, in the Isle of Wight, lie on opposite sides, and +near the mouth of the river Medina, which rises on the southern side of +the island, and after passing Newport, discharges itself into the +strait--usually called the Solent Sea--that separates the Isle of Wight +from the main land. The view of the harbour in the engraving is taken +from West Cowes. + +In the reign of Henry VIII., two castles were built at the mouth of the +river Medina to defend the passage to Newport. The old castle at West +Cowes is still standing, but that of East Cowes has long been +demolished. The castellated building seen in the engraving is a +gentleman's seat, and is of modern erection, combining the interior +comforts of modern civilization with the exterior grandeur of a baronial +residence of the middle ages; but whether such a combination is lawful, +admits of a doubt. Beheld from the sea, with its towers and battlements +rising above the luxuriant plantations around it, has a fine and +imposing effect. The grounds are extensive and well designed, possessing +at once the scenery of a park and the cultivated beauty of a +pleasure-ground. + +Cowes harbour is spacious and commodious; and the roads off the mouth of +the river, which afford excellent anchorage, used frequently to be +crowded, in time of war, with merchant-vessels waiting for convoy; and +the towns derived great advantage from supplying ships, while thus +detained, with provisions and small stores. The loss of a great part of +this trade, on the termination of the war, has perhaps been more than +compensated by Cowes having become the rendezvous of the Royal Yacht +Squadron, which was first established under the name of the Yacht Club, +in 1815. The number of vessels belonging to the squadron is about a +hundred, and their aggregate tonnage is nearly 9,000 tons. The members +have a club-house at Cowes; and at the annual regatta, which generally +takes place about the last week in August, there are usually upwards of +two hundred vessels assembled in the roads, to witness the sailing for +the different prizes. + +The town of West Cowes is situated on the declivity, and at the base of +a hill, on the summit of which stands the church. The streets are mostly +narrow, and irregularly built; but recently the town and its vicinity +have been much improved by the erection of several large houses and +beautiful villas. There is a regular communication between Cowes and +Southampton, by steam-boats, which, in summer, leave each place twice a +day. East Cowes is a much smaller place than West Cowes; but, like the +latter, it has been greatly enlarged within the last twenty years. + +In the vicinity of East Cowes is situated Osborne House, the marine +residence of her Majesty and the royal family, for whose accommodation +great additions and improvements have been made to the house and +grounds, and what was formerly the seat of a private gentleman, has now +been rendered a palace worthy of the royalty of England. The brief +limits to which our notices are confined preclude us from entering upon +a description of an edifice to which we could do but very imperfect +justice, and which, after all, must derive its chief interest from the +illustrious family who occupy its walls, and avail themselves of its +peculiarly advantageous situation as the starting point for those marine +excursions in which the Queen and her Consort so frequently indulge. The +presence of royalty in its neighbourhood has rendered Cowes one of the +most fashionable, as nature had previously made it one of the most +beautiful, of the watering places on our southern coast, while the +facilities afforded by the competing lines of the London and South +Western, and London and South Coast Railways, render it at all times +easy of access from the metropolis. + + + + +[Illustration: SOUTHAMPTON. + +_HANTS._] + + + + +SOUTHAMPTON. + + +The town of Southampton is situated in the county of the same name, or, +as it is more frequently called, Hampshire. It is built on a point of +land at the confluence of the river Itchin with the estuary called the +Anton, but which is more generally known as Southampton Water. The +origin of the name of the town--which has unquestionably given its name +to the county--does not appear to have been satisfactorily ascertained; +some writers supposing it to be composed of the Saxon words, _ham_ and +_tun_ or _ton_--which are nearly synonymous, and each equivalent to the +modern English town--with the prefix _South_ to distinguish it more +emphatically from Northampton. Others, however, consider that the name +has been derived from the river Anton, on the banks of which the town is +situated. "The town of _An_dover," says Sir Henry Englefield, "the +village of Abbot's-_An_, the farm of North_anton_, and the hamlet of +South_anton_, both near Overton, and not far from the eastern source of +the river _Anton_ or rather _Ant_, are abundant proofs of the +probability of this etymology." + +Southampton, as a chartered borough, may rank with the oldest in the +kingdom. Madox, in his _Firma Burgi_, says that Henry II. "confirmed to +his men, or burgesses of Southampton, their guild, and their liberties +and customs by sea and land; he having regard to the great charges which +the inhabitants thereof have been at in defending the sea-coasts." From +a grant by the same king to the priory of St. Dionysius, it appears that +there were then four churches in Southampton. While the English were in +possession of Guienne, the merchants of Southampton carried on a +considerable trade with Bayonne, Bordeaux, and other towns in the south +of France. + +In 1338 the town was assaulted and burnt by a party of French or +Genoese; and in the next year an act was passed for its better +fortification. Whatever injury the town might have sustained from the +attack of the French or Genoese, it would seem that its trade as a port +was not diminished by it; for, nine years afterwards, Southampton +supplied twenty-one ships and four hundred and seventy-six mariners to +the great fleet of Edward III. In consequence of another attack by the +French, in the reign of Richard II., the fortifications were further +strengthened. In 1415 the army of Henry V., destined for the invasion +of France, assembled at Southampton, where, previous to their +embarkation, the Earl of Cambridge, Lord Scrope, and Sir Thomas Grey, +were executed for high treason. The result of this memorable expedition +was the victory of Agincourt. While the English continued to hold +possession of part of France, the trade of Southampton appears to have +been very flourishing, and the port was one of the principal in the +south of England for the import of wine. Camden, writing about 1586, +describes it as a town famous for the number and neatness of its +buildings, the wealth of its inhabitants, and the resort of merchants; +"but now," adds Camden's translator, writing about a hundred years +afterwards, "it is not in the same flourishing condition as formerly it +was; for having lost a great part of its trade, it has lost most of its +inhabitants too; and the great houses of merchants are now dropping to +the ground, and only show its ancient magnificence."[8] + +For the last fifty years the trade of Southampton, as a port, has been +gradually reviving; and at present there is no port in the south of +England in a more flourishing condition. The arrival and departure of +the numerous large steamers belonging to the Oriental and Peninsular and +the West India Mail Packet Companies, give it an air of activity and +importance very different from the character given of it in the +preceding paragraph. The splendid docks, and the facilities afforded by +the railway, have induced the government of the day to select it as an +eligible point for the embarkation of a large portion of the emigrants +sent out with free or assisted passages to the Australian colonies. + +[8] Camden's _Britannia_, translated by Bishop Gibson, vol. i., p. 213. + + + + +[Illustration: THE WALLS OF SOUTHAMPTON.] + + + + +SOUTHAMPTON. + +THE WALLS. + + + "Of yore, SOUTHAMPTON, by thy briny flood, + Girt with his courtly train, great Canute stood; + And, turning from the disobedient wave, + A check severe to servile flattery gave." + +The accompanying View shows a portion of those ancient fortifications +within which the town of Southampton was originally enclosed. The walls +are in many places quite demolished; but in others they still present a +venerable, though dilapidated appearance, with the remains of several +towers at regular intervals, after the manner of fortified cities. The +circuit of the walls is computed at nearly two miles. With regard to the +precise date at which the walls were erected, there is no certain +record. The north, east, and south walls bear every mark of uniform +regularity in their structure: the gates of the town are apparently of +the same date with the walls, and much resemble each other in the massy, +flat form of their pointed arches, which rise at an angle from their +piers, being struck from centres below the level of their spring--a mode +of construction chiefly used in the reign of Edward the First. Yet the +remains of semicircular towers, still visible on the Bargate, and which +flanked its round arch, very much resembling the towers on the north and +east walls, lead us to suspect that the wall, on the land side at least, +is of higher antiquity than the time of the Edwards, and that the +present gates were built later than the wall. The very singular position +of the Water-gate, which retires thirty feet behind the eastern part of +the south wall, and the awkward position of the South-gate, at the very +angle of the wall, seem to indicate that these gates were not parts of +the original design. From the south-west angle of the wall, quite to the +Bridle-gate, which was close to the vallum of the Castle, the whole wall +is a mass of irregular and almost inexplicable construction. It is +conjectured that the side of the town, protected as it was by the +Castle, and covered by the sea, was not at all, or but very slightly +fortified, until the fatal experience of the sack of the town by the +French proved that some further defence was necessary. The line of the +town wall, south of the West-gate, is irregular in its construction; and +the wall between the West and Bridle-gates bears evident marks of +having been built in the most hasty manner, and with the greatest +economy of materials. This wall, in its present form, Sir Henry +Englefield supposes to have been built about the period when, according +to the old historians, Richard the Second fortified the town, and built, +or probably repaired and strengthened, the Castle, for it had evidently +been built several centuries before his reign. + +At the accession of Henry the Eighth, the port of Southampton was much +frequented by foreign merchant vessels, particularly those of Venice, +which traded largely in wool and tin. But the exportation of wool being +prohibited by the legislature, the Levant merchants gradually resorted +to other ports, and, now deserted by her commercial friends, Southampton +found her resources greatly impoverished. About the commencement of the +last century, however, the tide flowed once more in her favour, and, +continuing to increase, has at length placed her in a position of +unprecedented prosperity. But to this happy result the erecting of new +docks, an improved harbour, and, above all, communication with London by +railway, have mainly contributed. The terminus to the latter, begun and +completed in 1839, is a very pleasing piece of Italian composition, with +a projecting rusticated arcade of five arches below, and the same number +of pedimental windows to the upper floor. The façade, nearly seventy +feet in length, is considerably extended in its lower part by +screen-walls, which take a sweep from the building. + +The principal trade of Southampton is with Portugal and the Baltic, and +with the islands of Guernsey and Jersey. Hemp, iron, and tallow are +imported from Russia; tar and pitch from Sweden; and from Portugal, wine +and fruit. + +The environs of Southampton are particularly interesting and +agreeable--enlivened with elegant seats, romantic ruins, picturesque +villages, and much beautiful scenery, which never fail to attract a +great confluence of visitors during the fine season. Among these Netley +Abbey is the grand attraction. The town itself is rich in vestiges of +antiquity; and, in its modern character, presents all the _agrémens_ to +be met with in our most fashionable watering-places. + + + + +[Illustration: ENTRANCE TO PORTSMOUTH HARBOUR.] + + + + +PORTSMOUTH. + +ENTRANCE TO THE HARBOUR. + + +In the front of this view, and towards the right, a man-of-war cutter is +seen running out of the harbour; and, from her heel to leeward, and the +agitated state of the water, we may perceive that it is blowing a stiff +breeze. Vessels of her class are chiefly employed in the coast-guard +service and as admirals' tenders, or as packets on short voyages, or in +communicating between one naval depôt and another. In the distance, to +leeward of her, the Dock-yard semaphore is perceived; and more to the +right, but nearer to the eye of the spectator, is seen the Round Tower; +from which, in former times, an immense chain used to extend to the +Block-house at Gosport, on the opposite side of the channel, for the +purpose of protecting the entrance to the harbour, in the event of its +being assailed by the ships of an enemy. Towards the centre of the +engraving a broad-side view is presented of the Port-Admiral's +flag-ship, a first-rate, which, from the flags at her mast-head, appears +to be making a signal; ahead of her, in the distance, the hulls are +perceived of two ships of war, laid up in ordinary; and further to the +left is seen part of the Block-house Fort, at Gosport, with a beacon, to +direct vessels in making the harbour. + +Portsmouth harbour is one of the most secure and commodious in the +kingdom; and from the depth of water, both within it and at its mouth, +ships of the line can enter or depart at all times of the tide. From the +narrowness of its entrance,--which, between the old Round Tower at +Portsmouth and the Block-house Fort at Gosport, is not wider than the +Thames at London-bridge,--it is protected from the swell of the sea; +while it is sheltered from the violence of winds blowing off the land, +by the range of hills to the northward. Immediately above its entrance +the harbour begins to expand, and about a mile and a half above the old +Round Tower it is nearly two miles in breadth. It then branches off into +three principal creeks, or _leats_, as they are frequently called; one +of which runs up to Fareham, another to Porchester Castle, and the third +to Portsbridge. In these creeks most of the men-of-war in ordinary are +moored. As those ships, when laid up, are each covered over with a large +wooden roof, to protect them from the effects of the weather, they +appear, when seen from Portsdown Hill, which commands an excellent view +of the harbour, not so much like floating castles as like immense +floating barns--ample garners, which would contain more corn than the +swords and cutlasses of their former gallant crews, beat into +reaping-hooks, will ever cut down! + +At Portsmouth the tide flows about seven hours and ebbs about five; and +the velocity with which the ebb tide runs out effectually scours the +channel at the mouth of the harbour, and prevents the accumulation of +sand. It is high water in the harbour at half-past 11 o'clock at the +full and change of the moon; and the rise of spring tides is about +eighteen feet, and of neaps about twelve. In the months of March and +April the specific gravity of the water in Portsmouth harbour becomes so +much increased, that ships lying there are observed to float about two +inches lighter than at other times of the year. The latitude of the +Observatory in the Dock-yard is 50° 48' 3" north; longitude 1° 5' 59" +west. + +Though Portsmouth does not appear to have been a place of much +consideration as a naval station previous to the reign of Henry VIII., +who may be regarded as the first English King that established a +permanent royal navy, it was yet undoubtedly a town of some consequence +long before that time. In 1194, Richard I. granted a charter to the +inhabitants, wherein, after declaring that he retains the town of +"Portsmue" in his own hands, he establishes an annual fair to be held +therein for fifteen days, to which all persons of England, Normandy, +Poictou, Wales, Scotland, and all others, either foreigners or his own +people, might freely resort, and enjoy the same privileges as at the +fairs of Winchester, Hoiland, or elsewhere in his dominions. The +burgesses of "Portsmue," as the place was then called, were also allowed +to have a weekly market, with the same privileges and immunities as +those of Winchester and Oxford; with freedom from all tolls of portage, +passage, and stallage, and exemption from suit and service at hundred +and county courts.[9] This charter was confirmed in 1201 by King John, +and in 1230 by Henry II.; and in 1256 the latter monarch granted another +charter, establishing a guild of merchants at Portsmouth. The privileges +of the burgesses were at several different times confirmed by succeeding +kings; and, in 1627, Charles I. granted them a charter, whereby a mayor +and twelve aldermen were appointed for the civil government of the town. +This charter, which was renewed by Charles II., has since been modified +by the Municipal Reform Bill of 1835, which directs that the borough +shall be divided into six wards, which shall elect a town council of +forty-two members. In 1298 the borough was summoned to send two members +to Parliament, a privilege which it continues to enjoy. + +[9] Anderson's History of Commerce, vol. i., p. 180., edit. 1787. + + + + +[Illustration: RIGGING HULK AND FRIGATE, PORTSMOUTH.] + + + + +PORTSMOUTH. + +RIGGING-HULK, WITH A NEW FRIGATE ALONGSIDE. + + +In this engraving we have a view of a new frigate, with only her lower +masts in, lying alongside of the _Topaze_ rigging-hulk. The latter +vessel--which now presents so clumsy an appearance, from her bows and +sides being sheathed with a stout doubling of timber, and from a wooden +house being built over her stem--was formerly a French frigate, and, +when she first came into our possession, she was much admired by +nautical men for the beauty of her build. Further in the distance, to +the right, is seen a first-rate lying off the Dockyard Quay, partly +rigged; and, beyond her, are perceived the immense wooden roofs which +cover the building-slips. The line of building to the right is the +rigging-house, and the tower erected above it is the Dockyard Semaphore. +On the extreme right, towards the front, is seen the forepart of a +mooring-lighter, with one of the numerous spar-booms lying afloat near +the Common Hard. The original picture was exhibited in the Gallery of +the British Institution, where it excited general admiration. + +The great naval depôt at Portsmouth is partially described in connection +with other engravings in this work, and we have therefore thought it +might be interesting to occupy our present space with some details +respecting the peculiar mode in which one very important portion of the +rigging is manufactured in this yard, and which forms a principal object +of curiosity to all persons visiting it. We allude to the machinery for +manufacturing blocks, invented by Mr. Brunel, the celebrated engineer. + +After the wood--generally elm--for the shell of the block is cut into +proper sizes by circular-saws, its complete formation, including the pin +and the sheave, is effected by means of several different machines, all +contrived with the greatest mechanical skill, and put in motion by a +steam-engine. The first process is that of the boring-machine, which, by +means of a centre-bit, pierces a hole to receive the pin, and at the +same time, according as the block is intended to be single or double, +forms one or two similar holes, at right angles to the former, to +receive the first stroke of the chisel which cuts out the space for the +sheave. By the second, called the mortising-machine, this space is cut +out by a chisel acting vertically, and making about a hundred and +twenty strokes a minute, and under which the block is caused to move +gradually, so that at each stroke a thin piece of the wood is cut away. +After this the block is taken to a circular-saw, which cuts off the +corners, and reduces it to the form of an octagon. The shaping-machine, +to which it is next taken, consists of two equal and parallel wheels +moving on the same axis, to which one of them is permanently fixed, +while the other is moveable in the line of the axis, so that, by sliding +it nearer to the former, or more apart, as may be required, the shells +of blocks of all sizes may be fixed between their two parallel rims. Ten +shells of the same size being firmly fixed at regular intervals between +those rims, the wheels are put into motion with extreme velocity, and +the shells are rounded by striking against a cutting instrument, which +at the same time moves in such a manner as to give to each block its +proper shape and curvature. When one half of the side has thus been +finished, the motion of the wheels is reversed, and the other half +finished in the same manner. When one side has been rounded, the shells +are reversed, and the other side completed as above. The last process +which the shell undergoes consists in scooping out the groove for the +strap, or "strop," as the rope is called, which goes round the block. +The shell is now completed, and the visitor is next shown the different +processes in forming the sheave and the pin. + +The sheaves are generally made of lignum-vitæ; and the first operation +is performed by a circular-saw, which cuts the wood into pieces of a +proper thickness. By a second machine the holes for the pins are bored, +and they are formed into perfect circles by means of a crown-saw. The +third, called the coaking-machine, is an admirable specimen of +mechanical ingenuity. By its operation, a small cutter drills out round +the pin-hole--to a certain depth from the flat surface of the +sheave--three semicircular grooves, for the reception of the metal coak, +or bush, which sustains the friction of the pin. So truly are those +grooves formed, that the slight tap of a hammer is sufficient to fix the +coak in its place. The fourth operation consists in casting the coaks. +By a fifth, after being fitted in the grooves, holes are drilled in the +coaks, for the reception of the pins which fasten them to the sheaves; +and by a sixth the pins are rivetted. By the seventh operation, the +central hole in the coak for the pin, on which the sheave turns, is +drilled out. By the eighth, the groove for the rope is turned round the +circumference of the sheave, and its sides polished. In the ninth, the +iron pins, on which the sheaves revolve, are cast, turned, and polished; +and on their being inserted, the block is complete and ready for use. + + + + +[Illustration: VIEW FROM THE SALUTING PLATFORM, PORTSMOUTH.] + + + + +PORTSMOUTH. + +VIEW FROM THE SALUTING PLATFORM. + + +The correctness of this view will be immediately recognised by every +person in the least acquainted with Portsmouth. The platform, from which +it is taken, forms the grand promenade of the inhabitants, and is +usually the first place visited by strangers, on account of the prospect +which is thence obtained. Immediately in front of the engraving is seen +the northern extremity of the platform, on which are two soldiers, who +seem indulging themselves with a leisurely inhalation of the fresh +breeze from the water, after having liberally expended a portion of +their own breath in sounding their bugles at parade. Beyond the +platform, the most conspicuous object is the Government Semaphore, with +three flags displayed as a signal; and to the left, the landing-place +called the King's Stairs. Beyond the old round tower is seen the +flag-ship of the Port Admiral; and, between her and the gun-brig which +is running in, a distant view is obtained of the Town Hall of Gosport. + +Portsmouth, one of our greatest naval depôts, is situated near the +south-western extremity of the island of Portsea, in the county of +Hampshire, and is about seventy miles S.S.W. of London. Adjoining to it, +on the northward, is the town of Portsea; and to the south-east, without +the walls, lies the suburb of Southsea. The three places may be +considered as forming one large town, under the general name of +Portsmouth, the aggregate population of which is about 50,000. The +population of Gosport, which lies to the westward of Portsmouth, on the +opposite side of the harbour, is, with that of the adjacent hamlet of +Stoke, about 12,000. The docks and naval storehouses are within the +precinct of Portsea; the hospital and the victualling establishment are +at Gosport; and the offices of the Port Admiral and the residence of the +Lieutenant-Governor are at Portsmouth, within the lines of which are +also the barracks for the accommodation of the garrison. Portsmouth is +strongly fortified by a circuit of bastions and a moat, which enclose +the town on the landside, and which are connected with a similar line, +extending in a semi-circular form round the landside of Portsea. In the +event of a siege, it would require 14,000 men to form an efficient +garrison for the united towns. The situation of Portsmouth is low and +marshy; and the peculiar smell which arises from the mud at low water, +and from the moat, may be perceived at the distance of two or three +miles, in approaching the town from the northward. + +The principal church at Portsmouth stands in St. Thomas'-street, and +nearly in the centre of the town. It is dedicated to St. Thomas à +Becket, and was erected between 1210 and 1220, by Peter de Rupibus, +Bishop of Winchester. The transept and the chancel are the only parts +which remain of the original structure, the nave and side-aisles having +been rebuilt in 1692. At the same time the old tower, which formerly +stood above the intersection of the transepts and the nave, was taken +down, and the present one erected at the western entrance. It is +surmounted with a cupola, and its height is about 120 feet. + +With the exception of the older parts of St. Thomas' Church, which +afford one or two good specimens of the Gothic style, Portsmouth +contains but little in the shape of architectural antiquities that is +likely to attract the notice of the stranger. The building, above which +the Semaphore is erected, near the northern extremity of the saluting +platform, was, in former times, the residence of the governor of the +town. Previous to the suppression of the monasteries and religious +houses, it belonged to a Domus Dei, or hospital, which was founded in +1238. A part of the church of this hospital is yet standing at a short +distance to the south-east of the Semaphore, and near to the grand +parade. It is now the garrison chapel; and against its walls are placed +numerous monuments erected to the memory of officers, both naval and +military, who have died in the service of their country. + + "A tomb is theirs on every page, + An epitaph on every tongue; + The present hour, the future age, + For them bewail, to them belong. + + For them the voice of festal mirth + Grows hushed,--their name the only sound; + While deep remembrance pours to worth + The goblet's tributary round. + + A theme to crowds who knew them not, + Lamented by admiring foes; + Who would not share their glorious lot! + Who would not die the death they chose!"[10] + +[10] Lines by Lord Byron "On the Death of Sir Peter Parker." + + + + +[Illustration: GOSPORT, FLAG SHIP SALUTING.] + + + + +GOSPORT. + + +Gosport, of which our engraving represents a view, is a small, but +important town, adjoining Portsmouth, from which it is separated by a +wide channel, forming part of the extensive basin known as Portsmouth +Harbour, and containing a large number of our "wooden walls;" some in a +condition ready to put to sea at a few hours' notice, others lying in +ordinary, as it is termed, that is, without rigging, sails, or other +fittings requisite to render them complete and efficient for service, +but which are speedily provided when required. Portsmouth, Gosport, and +the neighbouring towns--including Portsea and Landport--form one +extensive fortified position, protected at every point from the attacks +of an enemy; they are enclosed by broad earthworks, along the extent of +which are mounted heavy guns, commanding the various drawbridges which +cross the moat surrounding the works. At a short distance from the town +is a large range of barracks for the marines, capable of accommodating +upwards of a thousand men--a portion of the building, including the +house of the commandant, has but recently been completed. Near this is a +new prison, devoted entirely to military occupation; it is a substantial +building of red brick, and well adapted for the accommodation of its +inmates consistent with its character as a penal establishment. + +Close to the harbour, and within the fortifications, is an immense pile +of imposing appearance, called the Clarence Victualling-yard; the most +interesting feature of which is, the admirable but simple +steam-machinery employed in making biscuits for the navy. In the +precincts of this immense depository are also included a cooperage, +brewhouse, and slaughterhouse, which supply the navy with the stores +requisite for their various destinations, including wines and spirits, +of which a large stock is constantly kept here. The quay at which her +Majesty embarks for her private residence, Osborne House, in the Isle of +Wight, is situated in this yard, which is connected with the main line +of the South-Western Railway, by a small branch running from the +terminus, devoted solely to the use of her Majesty and the Lords of the +Admiralty. There are two churches in the town, St. Mathew's, near the +entrance to the Clarence-yard, and Trinity; the former consists entirely +of free sittings, the latter is a chapel of ease to the parish church, +situated at Alverstoke, a small village, at a distance of little more +than a mile from the town. There are also a Catholic chapel, two +Wesleyan chapels, and two Congregational chapels in the town. + +Of late years the neighbourhood of Gosport has much improved; many +handsome and commodious villas, and other residences, having been +erected at various times. Anglesea, which adjoins Alverstoke, is quite a +new neighbourhood, and has but recently come into existence, consisting +principally of residences for the gentry during the summer months. The +town of Ryde, in the Isle of Wight, is situated opposite to this spot, +and between them lies the Solent, which at times is enlivened by the +appearance of some ships of war lying at anchor, and frequently of large +fleets of merchant ships detained here from stress of weather, or +waiting a favourable wind to convey them to their respective +destinations. At the mouth of the harbour, on the Gosport side, is +situated Blockhouse Fort, opposite to a similar one on the Portsmouth +side, embrasured with heavy guns for protecting the entrance to the +harbour, which is approached only by a circuitous channel, commanded on +the one side by the guns of Southsea Castle, and on the other by those +of Fort Monckton, at a short distance from which has recently been +erected another fort, to protect the entrance to the Southampton Water. +Adjoining Blockhouse Fort are barracks for the Royal Artillery, and at +Fort Monckton, barracks for infantry. Near the latter is Haslar +Hospital, devoted to the reception of sick members of the navy and +marines; it is a handsome quadrangular building of red brick, and +affords accommodation for a large number of patients; within its walls +are included a church, and a Museum of Natural History, which is well +supplied with specimens, and to which additions are being continually +made by the officers and gentlemen connected with the service. At the +foot of the High-street, Gosport, is the landing-place for passengers by +the steam ferry, or floating bridge, as it is called, which plies +between Gosport and Portsmouth every half-hour, and forms the only means +of communication for carriages and vehicles of all kinds. In addition to +the steam ferry is a staff of watermen, busily plying their calling +during the absence of the bridge, and securing the stray passengers that +may prefer their mode of transport, or have arrived too late for the +other conveyance. During certain states of the weather, the danger and +difficulty of managing their boats entitle the watermen to increased +fares, which are indicated by certain coloured flags hoisted +conspicuously over the town hall, near the beach, and regulated by a +person appointed by the licensing magistrates. The climate of this part +is healthy, and well adapted for persons with weak lungs, or affections +to which a cold, keen, air would be unfavourable. + + + + +[Illustration: MEN OF WAR AT SPITHEAD.] + + + + +MEN-OF-WAR AT SPITHEAD. + + +In this Engraving (a vignette) is presented a stern-view of a +seventy-four, with her guess-warp booms[11] out, moored at Spithead. To +the right is a victualling hoy, dropping alongside of the seventy-four; +and in the distance is seen a first-rate. The time is evening, which +invests the whole scene with its calm. We may conclude that the day has +been fine, as both ships seem to have availed themselves of the +opportunity thus afforded of "drying hammocks;" they are seen suspended +from their yards and between their masts. + +The roadstead of Spithead, which is sufficiently large to afford +convenient anchorage for nearly all the ships of the British navy, lies +between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight; and the usual place in which +ships of war ride is about three miles distant from Portsmouth harbour. +It derives its name from the _Spit_, or end of a sand bank, extending +from the western shore of the estuary towards Southsea Castle, about a +mile below Portsmouth. The channel for the harbour, from Spithead, is +comparatively narrow, and is commanded by the batteries at Southsea +Castle. To the westward of Spithead is the sand called the Motherbank, +on the edge of which merchantmen generally anchor; and to the +north-eastward are St. Helen's roads, a frequent rendezvous as well for +ships of war as for vessels in the merchant service. All these +roadsteads are protected from southerly winds by the high land of the +Isle of Wight. + +Within the last few years considerable interest has been excited by the +attempts which have been made to raise the guns, and various other +articles, belonging to the Royal George, which sank at Spithead on 29th +August, 1782. This ship carried 108 guns, and was considered one of the +finest in the navy, had just returned from sea, and, as she had made +more water than usual for some time before, it was at first intended +that she should go into dock. The surveying officers, however, having +discovered that the leak was not very far below the water-line, it was +resolved to repair the defect, with a view to saving time, by giving the +ship a heel as she lay at her moorings at Spithead. On subsequent +examination, it was found that a pipe which supplied the water for +washing the decks required to be replaced, and, as it lay considerably +below the water-line, it became necessary to give her a greater heel +than had been at first contemplated. For the purpose of effecting this, +some of her guns and part of her ballast were removed to the opposite +side. As the ship lay thus considerably inclined on her side, she, from +some cause that has not been clearly ascertained, gave an additional +heel, and the water rushing in through her lower-deck ports, which had +been carelessly left open, she almost instantly filled and sank, +carrying down with her a victualling hoy that was lying alongside. At +the time of the accident there were nearly twelve hundred persons on +board, of which number about nine hundred, including two hundred and +fifty women, were drowned. Among the sufferers were Admiral Kempenfelt +and several of the officers. About three hundred persons, chiefly +belonging to the ship's crew, were saved. Admiral Sir P. Durham, at that +time one of the lieutenants of the Royal George, was on board when the +accident happened, and saved himself by swimming to the shore. + +Mr. Kingstone, of the Portsmouth dockyard, who went down to the wreck in +a diving-bell in 1817, gives the following account of its appearance at +that time:--"The quarter-deck, forecastle, and roundhead, with the +larboard topside as low down as the range of the upper deck, are +entirely gone. The oak-strakes and midships of the flat of the upper +deck are much decayed by worms in several places so as to show the beams +and framing beneath. The whole of the fir appears as sound as when first +laid. The deck is much twisted, from the ship's falling so much fore and +aft. The wreck has a beautiful appearance when viewed about a fathom +above the deck, being covered with small weeds, interspersed with +shells, star-fish, and a species of polypus, lying on a thin, greasy, +grey sediment. All below the deck is a perfect solid of fine black mud; +and, when suspended over the larboard side, she appears a rude mass of +timber lying in all directions." + +During the summer of 1853, Spithead was the scene of a grand marine +review and sham fight. Her Majesty and Prince Albert were present, with +a numerous suite of naval officers. The nautical skill displayed on the +occasion received the highest encomiums from those best qualified to +judge of its value; and the merit of the screw propeller, as attached to +vessels of war, was strikingly manifested. + +[11] The guess-warp booms are the spars suspended at right angles from a +ship's side, to which the boats are made fast when she is moored. + + + + +[Illustration: BRIGHTON. + +_SUSSEX._] + + + + +BRIGHTON. + + +Brighton is in the county of Sussex, and lies about fifty-two miles +south of London. The old name of the town was Brighthelmstone, which +some antiquaries suppose to have been derived from Brighthelm, a Saxon +bishop; while others suppose that it may be derived from the Saxon +_beorht_, _briht_, _berht_, and _byrt_, signifying _bright_; _heal_, a +light-house or watch-tower, a corner or point of a wedge, a hall; and +the word _tun_, or _ton_, signifying a town. + +The name, spelled Bristelmstune, occurs in Doomsday-book. Three manors +are described under this name, and they all appear to have been formerly +in the possession of Earl Godwin, the father of King Harold. Brighton, +or Brighthelmstone, until it began to be frequented as a watering-place, +about the middle of the last century, is seldom noticed by historians; +and until that period it never appears to have risen above the condition +of a small fishing town. In 1313, John de Warren, then lord of the +manor, obtained a charter to have a market at Brighthelmstone every +Thursday; and in 1513 the place was pillaged by the French. In the reign +of Henry VIII. a block-house was erected at Brighton; and this defence +appears to have been either rebuilt or further strengthened in 1558. + +About 1750, Brighton, which was then recovering from the depressed state +in which it had been for upwards of a century, began to be visited +during the summer as a bathing-place. In 1782, the Duke of Cumberland, +brother to George III., when residing at Brighton, received a visit from +the Prince of Wales, afterwards George IV., and his royal highness was +so much pleased with the place, that he determined to build for himself +a marine residence there. The Pavilion was accordingly commenced in +1784; but from the alterations and additions which the royal owner was +almost constantly making, it would be difficult to say when it was +finished. On the decease of George IV., the Pavilion became the property +of his successor, William IV., from whom it has descended to her present +Majesty, who, disapproving of it as a marine residence, it was allowed +to fall into decay, and was ultimately purchased from the crown by the +corporation for upwards of £50,000. It is now open to the public for a +small fee, and the larger rooms are occasionally used for balls, +concerts, and public meetings. The grounds are at all times available as +promenades; and, whatever the architect may say of its merits, there can +be no doubt that the edifice adds one to the many attractions of +Brighton, and forms a favourite lounge for the visitors in weather which +will not permit of recreation in the open air. + +The Chain Pier is within a few minutes' walk of the Pavilion: it is +constructed upon the suspension principle; the chains are supported by +four pairs of towers, placed at a distance of nearly two hundred feet +apart. It terminates in a circular platform furnished with an awning and +seats, for the convenience of those who are desirous of inhaling the +invigorating breeze from so advantageous a position; commanding, as it +does, not only a prospect of the entire bay, but also an excellent view +of the town. The expense of its erection was about £30,000; but it has, +on several occasions, suffered from tempests, to which its great length +and exposed position render it at all times peculiarly liable, yet the +public spirit and liberality of the inhabitants have on each occasion +speedily repaired the damage. + +There is, perhaps, not another watering-place in the kingdom which can +exhibit so imposing a front to the ocean. For an extent of nearly three +miles Brighton displays a continuous line of handsome buildings, +interspersed with squares, crescents, and terraces--all commanding views +of the sea. The district of Kemp Town, at the eastern extremity of this +line, deserves especial notice. Many of its mansions comprise all the +luxuries and conveniences of the metropolis, with the sanitary +advantages of marine villas; leaving nothing to be desired by the most +fastidious taste, and affording accommodation for large establishments +conducted upon a scale befitting the highest ranks of our aristocracy. + +The proximity of Brighton to London, the short time in which the transit +between the towns is accomplished--less than two hours, and the numerous +trains which run during the day, give it at all times a decided +advantage over other sea-bathing towns on the south coast, and make a +popular excursion for those whom business or taste confines to the +capital, and who cannot enjoy a lengthened stay at the coast. + +The high grounds on the land side of Brighton afford unusual facilities +for horse and carriage drives, and thus agreeably diversify the +amusements of the day--an opportunity of which the inhabitants and +visitors freely avail themselves. Of the bathing accommodations we have +left ourselves no room to speak; but we may say they are of the highest +character, replete with every convenience, and on a scale becoming a +town of sixty thousand permanent residents. + + + + +[Illustration: HASTINGS.] + + + + +HASTINGS. + + +The town of Hastings is situated on the coast of Sussex, about +sixty-four miles S.S.E. of London. It has been supposed that the place +was so called from Hastings, a Danish pirate, "who, where he landed for +booty, built sometimes little fortresses; as we read, in Asserius +Menevensis, of Beamflote Castle built by him in Essex, and of others at +Appledore and Middleton in Kent"[12]. This conjecture, however, does not +appear to be well founded; for there can be little doubt of the place +having been called Hastings about the year 780, in the reign of King +Offa, whereas Hastings, the pirate, did not invade England till about +880, in the reign of Alfred the Great. "Some there are," says Camden, +"who ridiculously derive the name from the English word _haste_; +because, as Matthew Paris writes, 'apud Hastings ligneum _agiliter_ +castrum statuit Gulielmus Conquestor'--at Hastings William the Conqueror +_hastily_ set up a fortress of timber." Truly, as old Fuller might have +said, there has been more _haste_ than speed in the endeavour to provide +this place with a godfather. + +It is said that the old Saxon town of Hastings stood considerably to the +southward of the present one, and that it was destroyed by the +incursions of the sea previous to the Conquest. The town, however, would +appear to have been in a short time rebuilt; for William the Conqueror, +soon after landing at Pevensey, marched to Hastings, from whence he +advanced about eight miles into the country, where he encountered the +English army under Harold, at the place since called Battle, in +commemoration of the event. + +Hastings, though not the oldest, is considered to hold the first rank +among the ancient maritime boroughs called the Cinque Ports, which were +originally instituted for the defence of the coast, and endowed with +special privileges on condition of supplying a certain number of ships +and mariners for that purpose. Dover, Sandwich, and Romney are +considered the oldest of the Cinque Ports, as they are the only ones +which are mentioned in Domesday as privileged ports. Hastings and Hythe +are supposed to have been added by William the Conqueror; and the number +being thus increased to _five_, occasioned the community to be called +the _Cinque_ Ports. Although Winchelsea and Rye, which had previously +been members of Hastings, were constituted principal ports at some +period between the Conquest and the reign of King John, the name of +_Cinque_ Ports still continued to be given to the community. The Cinque +Ports are governed by a lord warden, who is also governor of Dover +Castle. A certain number of persons (called Barons) deputed from the +Cinque Ports, have the privilege of supporting the canopies above the +king and queen at coronations. + +There was formerly a pier at Hastings, at which vessels could unload; +but it was destroyed in a violent storm, about the commencement of the +reign of Queen Elizabeth, and never rebuilt. From the remains of this +pier, which are still to be seen at low water, it appears to have run +out in a south-eastern direction from the centre of the Marine Parade, +below where the fort now stands. The fort, in a great measure, answers +the purpose of a breakwater in resisting the waves, which in high tides, +accompanied with a strong wind from the seaward, would otherwise be +likely to do serious damage to the lower part of the town. + +The trade of Hastings is very inconsiderable; its imports being chiefly +coals for the consumption of the town, and its exports principally oak +timber and plank, for the purposes of ship-building. The great supports +of the town are the numerous visitors who take lodgings there during the +bathing season, and the fishery, which gives employment to about 500 +persons. What may now be considered the old town of Hastings is situated +in a hollow between two hills, the East and the Castle-hill, and +consists chiefly of two streets, which run nearly parallel to each +other, and are called High-street and All-Saints-street. The new town of +Hastings, which has been almost wholly erected within the last thirty +years, lies to the south and westward of the Castle-hill, so called from +the ruins of the old castle on its top. There are two old churches at +Hastings, St. Clement's and All-Saints', and a modern chapel, St. +Mary's, in Pelham-crescent, immediately under the Castle-hill. From the +accommodation which it affords to visitors, and the beauty and interest +of the walks and rides in its vicinity, Hastings is one of the most +agreeable watering-places on the southern coast of England. + +[12] Camden's Britannia, Bishop Gibson's Translation. + + + + +[Illustration: HASTINGS.] + + + + +HASTINGS. + +FROM THE BEACH. + + +We have elsewhere remarked upon the origin and early history of this +fashionable watering-place, and at the same time traced its connexion +with those once important towns, the Cinque Ports: on the present +occasion we propose to occupy our space with its modern features, and to +include a brief notice of its more aristocratic neighbour, St. Leonards. +The older streets, that lie close under the hill and stretch up towards +London, are narrow and inconvenient; they are mostly occupied as shops, +but new ranges of smart and commodious dwelling-houses have been built +on every hand. For many years the visiters to Hastings had to submit to +the inconveniences attendant upon a residence in a small fishing-town; +but these have now been removed, and hotels and private lodging-houses, +provided with all the luxuries of modern requirement, are to be found in +abundance. The rapidity with which Hastings can be reached from the +metropolis, while it has greatly increased the number of its visiters, +has, perhaps, robbed it of part of that exclusiveness for which it was +formerly distinguished. It is now the summer resort of a large and +constantly-increasing number of the middle class, who derive a new stock +of health from its genial breezes and bracing waves, while their +expenditure forms the support of the large and constantly-increasing +resident population. + +Of St. Leonards, we may remark that it is quite a creature of our own +day. Mr. Burton, the architect of a large part of the buildings about +the Regent's-park, commenced the formation of a new town here in 1828. +His plan was conceived on a bold scale, and was very fairly carried into +execution. A noble esplanade extends for more than half a mile along the +beach. A handsome range of buildings, called the Marina, some five +hundred feet in extent, stretches along the sea-front of the town, with +a covered colonnade of the same length. Other terraces and scattered +villas, bearing in character a considerable resemblance to those in the +Regent's-park, were also erected, together with a church, +assembly-rooms, bath-houses, and hotels of large size and the most +complete arrangements. There are also pleasure-grounds and other +contrivances for the amusement or comfort of visiters. St. Leonards has +been able to boast of a large array of noble and distinguished visiters +from its earliest infancy. Her present Majesty heads the list, she +having, when Princess Victoria, resided with her mother, in 1834, at the +western end of the Marina. The Queen Dowager is also among the names it +delights to remember. The house in which she lived is now called +Adelaide House. Among its literary visitants Campbell has perhaps the +first place, he having left a permanent record of his residence at it in +the _Lines on the View from St. Leonards_:-- + + "Hail to thy face and odours, glorious Sea! + 'Twere thanklessness in me to bless thee not, + Great, beauteous being! in whose breath and smile + My heart beats calmer, and my very mind + Inhales salubrious thoughts. How welcomer + Thy murmurs than the murmurs of the world! + Though like the world thou fluctuatest, thy din + To me is peace, thy restlessness repose. + Ev'n gladly I exchange yon spring-green lanes, + With all the darling field-flowers in their prime, + And gardens haunted by the nightingale's + Long trills and gushing ecstacies of song, + For these wild headlands and the sea-mew's clang. + + "With thee beneath my windows, pleasant Sea! + I long not to o'erlook earth's fairest glades + And green savannahs--Earth has not a plain + So boundless or so beautiful as thine." + +St. Leonards was originally a mile and a half distant from Hastings; but +the old town has stretched out its arms to its youthful progeny. The +Grand Parade was the first step towards uniting them; and now other +places have sprung up, and they are fairly joined together. The +esplanade now reaches, with hardly an interruption, from the Marine +Parade at Hastings to the Marina at St. Leonards, and forms probably the +finest walk of the kind in the kingdom. + +The vicinity of Hastings is replete with objects of interest, and +amongst them we may mention Bulverhythe, a short distance from St. +Leonards, generally assigned as the landing-place of William of +Normandy. East Hill, or Camp Hill, was probably the site chosen for his +first encampment, whence, after a brief stay, he marched to meet the +English troops under Harold. Of the events of that day our readers are +already well informed; but should any of them feel disposed to spend a +day in visiting the old town of Battle, they will find their labour well +repaid by an inspection of the ruins of Battle Abbey; though we must +caution them against the supposition that the existing remains are those +of the edifice erected by the Conqueror in commemoration of his victory: +they are of a later date, yet still deserving of a better fate than +seems to have fallen to their share. + + + + +[Illustration: RYE + +(Sussex)] + + + + +RYE, + +SUSSEX. + + +To the Cinque Ports, of which Rye and Winchilsea are appendages, we have +already adverted in several articles of this work. As places where +strength and vigilance were particularly necessary, and from which ships +might put to sea in cases of sudden emergency, these ports were +entitled, in former times, to the special attention of government, and +performed great and important services to the country. Their privileges +are numerous, and they are within the jurisdiction of the Constable of +Dover Castle, Warden of the Cinque Ports. + +Until the reign of Henry VIII., the crown seems to have had no permanent +navy, but to have depended almost entirely on the Cinque Ports for the +protection of our maritime frontier; and hence the origin of those +privileges conferred upon them by successive sovereigns, in +acknowledgment of services rendered to the State. Among these are the +exemption from toll and harbour-dues, still recognised at several ports, +and various other rights of minor consideration. In ancient times there +were several courts of jurisdiction, extending over all the ports and +their members, and intended either as courts of appeal, for persons who +considered themselves aggrieved by any of the separate and local +tribunals, or for regulating the grand affairs of the whole association; +but these may now be considered as obsolete--their functions have +dwindled to mere matters of form. + +Rye is a town and harbour of great antiquity, near the borders of the +Kentish marshes. It occupies the declivity of a hill, on a peninsula, +bounded on the south and west by the sea, and on the east by the river +Rother. The town is composed of several well-formed and regularly built +streets, and lighted with gas; and from various points the eye wanders +over the channel and adjacent country, where rural and marine scenery +conspire to form some of the most delightful views on the coast of +England. The ancient history of Rye, during the height of its prosperity +as a sea-port, abounds in incidents of a martial and romantic interest, +as transmitted to us by Froissart and the ancient chroniclers of those +times when the star of chivalry was still dominant in the kingdoms of +Europe. + +In the reign of Richard II., and again in that of Henry VI., Rye was +burnt by the French, when the early records of the town are supposed to +have been consumed; for, with the exception of a few fragments, all the +old writings and charters which have been discovered are subsequent to +that calamity. In the same conflagration, the old church is supposed to +have fallen a sacrifice, and to have been rebuilt in its present form--a +capacious cruciform structure with a central tower--but in a different +situation, the original having stood on the spot, near Ypres tower, +called the Old Church-yard. This tower, now appropriated to the purposes +of a gaol, has recently undergone several alterations and improvements. + +The old harbour of Rye, which in former days presented so stirring a +scene of commercial activity, has dwindled like that of Sandwich, +Winchilsea, and many of its prosperous contemporaries, into comparative +insignificance. But in accounting for this melancholy fact, we must look +to natural causes, rather than to the decay of native enterprise. The +present harbour is situated on the east side of the town; and on the +north--a mile and a half from the sea entrance--vessels of two hundred +tons burden can still lade and unlade close to the quay. Under spirited +management, and with proper funds for such an enterprise, it is believed +that it might still be made to accommodate vessels of every draught and +tonnage. By means of the three rivers, Rother, Tillingham, and Brede, +which traverse the country, great facilities are afforded to commercial +intercourse. Coal, corn, hops, bark, wood, and timber, constitute the +chief articles of trade; and several sloops are constantly employed in +conveying chalk from the cliffs at Eastbourne, for the burning of lime. +During the season, the herring and mackarel fisheries employ a good many +hands, the produce of which is chiefly sent to the London market. + +The Borough of Rye has exercised the elective franchise from the +earliest date of parliamentary representation. Previous to the enactment +of the Reform Bill, it returned two members; but by that great public +measure the town and its electoral district were limited to one +representative. The government of the town is vested in a mayor, four +aldermen, and twelve councillors. The mayor is coroner for the borough +and liberty, and also a justice of the peace. Courts of quarter sessions +are held before a recorder, nominated by the crown; and a commission of +the peace has been conferred on four gentlemen, residents of the +borough, who meet in petty session twice a week in the Court-hall. The +church-living, a discharged vicarage, is in the gift of the Earl of +Burlington. The charitable institutions consist of a Free Grammar +School, a British School, an almshouse, and some minor bequests for +benevolent purposes. Corn and provision-markets are held twice a week--a +cattle-market every fortnight--and annual fairs on Whitmonday and the +tenth of August. + + + + +[Illustration: FOLKSTONE. + +_KENT._] + + + + +FOLKSTONE. + + +Folkstone is in the county of Kent, and lies about seventy-two miles +south-east of London, and seven west-south-west of Dover. In the +beautiful vignette, from a drawing by Boyes, the view is taken from the +eastward, and represents the characteristics of Folkstone of the past +rather than the present. Few ports in her Majesty's dominions have risen +into commercial eminence so rapidly as the subject of our present +Engraving. For the following description we are principally indebted to +the recently published work of Mr. G. Measom. He remarks: "The town is +very irregularly built in its lower and older part, having steep and +narrow streets, which nevertheless are clean and well paved, and the +whole is now lighted with gas. The higher portion, however, going up to +the cliffs, is much more regular, and comprises several pretty terraces +with lodging-houses for summer visitors, who may here enjoy all the +benefits of a fine, bracing air, and sea-bathing, combined with that +rural retirement so desirable in the country, and which cannot be found +either at Dover, Ramsgate, or other bathing towns on this coast. The +cliffs, too, command the most delightful views, south-west, over the +wide level of Romney Marsh, as far as Beachy Head, while seaward stands +the town and harbour at our feet, beyond which are the Straits of Dover, +skirted in the horizon by the coast of France. Folkstone has two +churches--one of modern erection in the upper town--and four or five places +of worship for Dissenters, all of which have attached Sunday-schools; +besides which there are several daily subscription-schools, and a good +grammar-school. It has also a town-hall and market-house, a +custom-house, a mechanics' institute, dispensary, several libraries, +reading-rooms, &c., and four or five good inns. + +"The port of Folkstone, not less than the town, has been vastly improved +by the South-Eastern Railway Company. Even before they acquired +possession of it in 1845, efforts had been made by the construction of +an arm at the end of the pier to arrest the progress of shingle, which +here, as at Dover, constantly choked and filled up the harbour. The +first step adopted by the company was the carrying out from the +south-west end of the arm of the pier of a groyne formed with piles, and +which gradually led to the formation of a breakwater, about fifty feet +broad at top, forming an obtuse angle with the old arm of the pier. This +at once stopped the further accumulation of shingle within the harbour, +which was then at vast expense cleared of the gravel and mud long +collected therein, and it has since remained clear. This breakwater, +moreover, has been greatly improved by constructions of masonry intended +to bind the work together; and at the same time great additions and +improvements have been made both in the foundations and superstructures +of the original piers. In fact, Folkstone Harbour, which was before a +slough of gravel and mud, almost inaccessible except at half-spring or +spring tides, has, owing to these improvements, become 'a harbour having +twenty feet of water considerably within the entrance, and is now +capable of being entered by steamers three hours and a half after high +water; while during neap tides there are occasionally four or five feet +of water in the entrance at low water, and immediately outside, +sufficient for a steamer to take her passengers from the pier-head and +work herself clearly off.' (See _Mr. Swan's Report_.) Another point of +importance in connexion with this harbour, is the great ease with which +it can be taken in bad weather, to which the captains of steamers bear +almost individual testimony; and to this, also, we may add the superior +ease with which vessels may be swung, and the facility of backing out +without turning round, so as to save time in landing passengers and +again leaving port. On the whole, this harbour, as now improved, is one +of the finest monuments of engineering skill in this country, and +confers infinite honour on Peter W. Barlow, Esq., the company's +engineer, and the Directors, who so spiritedly backed the undertaking. +It scarcely need be added, that the first result of these improvements +was to make Folkstone suited for a regular packet station, and now for +some years this port has acquired at least one-half of the traffic +across the Straits, which was formerly wholly monopolised by the +neighbouring port of Dover; nor, as the sea voyage is shorter, and the +steamers are vastly superior, can there be any doubt that ere long it +will become the chosen route of all the intelligent travelling public. +Indeed, the constantly and rapidly increasing customs and harbour dues +of the port, year by year, furnish of themselves a sufficient proof that +Folkstone has acquired a vigour and vitality which it only requires +perseverance in the inhabitants to maintain; nor can this increase in +the prosperity of the town be truly ascribed to any other cause than the +spirited conduct of the company, who have made it one of their most +important maritime termini. The census, moreover, speaks on this subject +with an eloquence that is quite unanswerable, for in 1831 Folkstone had +only 2,300 inhabitants, and in 1841 but 2,900, whereas in 1851 it had +upwards of 7,500; showing an increase of about 140 per cent. Facts like +these speak more than all praise!"[13] + +[13] G. Measom's _Illustrated Guide to the South-Eastern Railway_. + + + + +[Illustration: DOVER. + +(from the Ramsgate Road.)] + + + + +DOVER, + +FROM THE RAMSGATE ROAD. + + +The most favourable point of view for an artist who is desirous of +obtaining a general view of Dover, is certainly that portion of the +Ramsgate Road of which Mr. Bartlett has availed himself on the present +occasion. Placed at a sufficient elevation to enable him to embrace a +wide extent of land and water, he is still sufficiently near the town to +secure that distinctness of detail which adds so much to the effect of a +landscape. One of the chief points of attraction in Dover must always be +the Castle, but as we shall have another opportunity of referring to +that structure, in connection with our view of Dover from the Beach, we +purpose now to devote our attention to the town itself. + +At the period of the Conquest, Dover was unquestionably a place of +considerable note. It is mentioned, with Sandwich and Romney, in the +Domesday-book, as a privileged port; and is said to have enjoyed, from +an earlier period, sundry privileges and immunities in common with those +two towns, on consideration of supplying a certain number of ships and +mariners for the defence of the adjacent coast. In the reign of King +John, Dover received a charter as one of the Cinque Ports; and in +several succeeding reigns, its shipping and mariners were frequently +employed in the fleets assembled to convey English armies to France. As +it was considered the key of England, it was surrounded with walls and +strongly fortified; and as it was the principal port in the kingdom for +persons taking shipping in proceeding to France, acts were passed in the +reign of Edward III. and Richard II., appointing the rate of passage. +Henry VIII. expended large sums in the improvement of the harbour, the +entrance of which had been much choked up by shingle washed in by the +sea. A pier was commenced, and carried on at a great expense, but he +died before it was completed; and in the reign of his successor, the +work appears to have been almost wholly suspended. In the reign of +Elizabeth, further attempts were made to improve the harbour; and in +1606 an act was passed appointing eleven commissioners, who were +empowered to receive certain rates, and employ the money in repairing +the pier and improving the harbour. In succeeding times various plans +have been tried to prevent the increase of the bar, which, after a gale +of wind from the seaward, is sometimes increased so much, as to prevent +all vessels, except those that are of very light draught of water, from +entering or leaving the port. It is high water at Dover pier at sixteen +minutes past eleven on the full and change of the moon; and the rise of +the water at spring-tides is about twenty feet. Dover is much frequented +in summer as a watering-place; and for the convenience which it affords, +and the beautiful and interesting scenery in its neighbourhood, it is +surpassed by no other town on the coast. + +At a short distance from the entrance to Dover Castle is mounted the +long brass gun, usually called Queen Elizabeth's pocket-pistol, which +was presented to her Majesty by the United Provinces. It is twenty-four +feet long; but is so much "honey-combed," that, were it fired, it would +be certain to burst. Popular tradition says that it contains an +inscription to this effect:-- + + "Sponge me well, and keep me clean, + And I'll throw a ball to Calais green." + +There is, indeed, an inscription on it in the Dutch language, but though +it commemorates the destructive power of this long piece of ordnance, it +says nothing which implies that its range was so extraordinary. The +distance from Dover Castle to the church of Notre-Dame, at Calais, is +rather more than twenty-six miles. This gun was cast at Utrecht in 1544, +by James Tolkys, and the verses inscribed on its breech have been +translated as follows:-- + + "O'er hill and dale I throw my ball; + Breaker, my name, of mound and wall." + +About a mile to the southward of the town is the celebrated cliff which +is supposed to have been described by Shakspeare in King Lear. + + "_Gloster._--Dost thou know Dover? + + _Edgar._--Ay, master. + + _Gloster._--There is a cliff, whose high and bending head + Looks fearfully in the confined deep: + Bring me to the very brim of it. + + * * * * * + + _Edgar._--Come on, sir; here's the place:--stand + Still.--How fearful + And dizzy 'tis, to cast one's eye so low! + The crows, and choughs, that wing the midway air, + Show scarce so gross as beetles: halfway down + Hangs one that gathers samphire; dreadful trade! + Methinks he seems no bigger than his head: + The fishermen that walk upon the beach + Appear like mice; and yon tall anchoring bark, + Diminished to her cock; her cock, a buoy + Almost too small for sight: the murmuring surge, + That on the unnumber'd idle pebbles chafes, + Cannot be heard so high. I'll look no more, + Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight + Topple down headlong." + + + + +[Illustration: DOVER. + +_KENT._] + + + + +DOVER. + + +Dover is in the county of Kent, and lies about seventy-two miles +south-south-east of London. The town is situated in a valley, having on +one side the cliffs on which Dover Castle is built, and on the other the +eminence called the _Heights_; these are strongly fortified, and form +the principal defence of the town and harbour. The greater part of the +town lies on the western side of a small stream, called the Dour, which +there discharges itself into the sea. The view in the Engraving is taken +from the beach, on the eastern side of the harbour, looking towards the +north-east. The row of houses seen extending in a line nearly parallel +with the beach is called the Marine Parade; and, crowning the cliff, is +perceived what of old was termed "the Key and Bar of England,"--Dover +Castle. Its importance as a place of defence against the attacks of an +invading enemy has, however, been seldom proved; and for the last three +centuries the best defence of England against the invasion of her foes +has been her wooden-walls. + + "Britannia needs no bulwark, + No towers along the steep; + Her march is o'er the mountain wave, + Her home is on the deep. + With thunders from her native oak, + She quells the floods below, + As they roar on the shore, + When the stormy tempests blow; + When the battle rages loud and long, + And the stormy tempests blow." + +The height of the cliff, on which Dover Castle stands, is about three +hundred and twenty feet above the level of the sea; and the area of the +ground inclosed by the outward walls is about thirty-four acres. It has +been supposed that the Romans, in one of Julius Cæsar's expeditions, +first built a castle and established a military station at Dover; but +this opinion is founded on mere conjecture, and is extremely improbable. +That the Romans, at some subsequent period, had a station not far from +the present keep is certain; for the remains of the walls and ditch are +still perceptible. It however appears to have been but of small size, +and was probably only a _castrum exploratorum_, or look-out station, +garrisoned by a small body of soldiers detached from a neighbouring +camp. Within the boundary of the exploratory camp the Romans had built a +pharos, or watch-tower, the greater part of which is yet standing. + +Previous to the Norman Conquest, there was undoubtedly a castle or +fortress at Dover, probably near the spot where the keep or principal +tower of Dover Castle now stands. Previous to the death of Edward the +Confessor it appears to have belonged to Harold, afterwards King of +England; for William, Duke of Normandy, who was then probably devising +measures to secure to himself the English crown, refused to allow Harold +to depart from Rouen, till he had taken an oath to deliver up to him +"the Castle of Dover and the well of water in it," on the decease of +Edward. After the battle of Hastings, the Conqueror marched without +delay to Dover, took possession of the castle, and put the governor to +death. It appears that he also burnt the town, which perhaps might not +have received him with sufficient humility, in order to terrify others +into immediate submission to his authority. The foundation of the +present keep of Dover Castle was laid by Henry II. in 1153, the year +before he succeeded to the English crown on the death of King Stephen. +The ground plan is nearly a square, and the building, in its general +appearance, bears a great resemblance to Rochester Castle, which was +erected according to the designs of Bishop Gundulph--the architect of +the White Tower in the Tower of London--in the early part of the reign +of William Rufus. The walls of the keep of Dover Castle are from +eighteen to twenty feet thick, and are traversed by galleries +communicating with the principal apartments. The summit is embattled; +and the top of the northern turret is 93 feet high from the ground, and +about 465 feet above the level of the sea, at low water. The view from +the top is extremely grand and interesting, including the North +Foreland, Reculver Church, Ramsgate Pier, Sandwich, and a great part of +the intermediate country, with the straits of Dover, the town of Calais, +and the line of the French coast from Gravelines to Boulogne. In 1800, a +bomb-proof arched roof was constructed, and several large cannon mounted +on it. During the late war the fortifications were greatly strengthened, +the old towers on the walls repaired, and additional quarters for +soldiers constructed, in order that the garrison, in the event of +invasion, might be able to withstand a regular siege. + + + + +[Illustration: SANDWICH. + +(Kent.)] + + + + +SANDWICH, + +KENT. + + + Her walls are crumbling down--the gate, + Through which her merchants wont to pour + Is all dismantled: adverse fate + Has cast a blight upon her shore. + Her streets and shipless haven show + The tenure of all things below. + +The history of Sandwich, as one of the Cinque Ports, presents a striking +example of the fluctuation of trade, and the uncertain tenure by which +all mercantile property is held, when supported by merely human +ingenuity and enterprise. A very slight operation of nature is +sufficient to paralyse the hand of ambition, and to strike the once +productive landscape with sterility. Harbours, where our forefathers +have counted the thickly crowded masts of stately merchantmen, are now +deserted or forgotten. Many of the channels through which riches were +once poured into this county, have been gradually dried up; while new +ports and harbours have been opened on various parts of the coast, where +commercial enterprise has fixed her abode. But, like their predecessors, +these also may be deserted in their turn, and silently co-operate in +that ever-progressive scheme of nature, by which, as the old and +familiar scenes of our youth become changed or obliterated, others are +called forth to take their place. The existence of a shoal, or the +shifting of a sand-bank, may mar or diminish the prosperity of a city; +and to the great local changes which this part of the Kentish coast has +undergone, the decay of Sandwich, as a harbour, is chiefly to be +ascribed. Where fleets of merchantmen once rode in safety; where the +busy scenes of lading and unlading once offered pictures of maritime +prosperity, the fishing-craft of the place can hardly find anchorage, +and all the characteristics of a flourishing port have disappeared; so +that it may be affirmed, with a truth too evident, that-- + + "The balance has shifted--prosperity's ray + No longer enlivens her harbour and bay." + +The town of Sandwich includes the parishes of St. Clement, St. +Mary-the-Virgin, and St. Peter-the-Apostle. St. Clement's Church is a +very ancient and spacious structure, with a massive tower, a noble +specimen of the Norman style of ecclesiastical architecture. St. Mary's +is also a church of considerable antiquity as well as St. Peter's; but +both have been considerably damaged by time and accident. The Guildhall +is an ancient and handsome edifice. The Free Grammar-School, endowed +with exhibitions, was founded in 1563; and among the charitable +institutions are the Hospitals of St. Thomas and St. John, in which a +number of aged persons of good character, but in reduced circumstances, +are comfortably supported. The Hospital of St. Bartholomew is a +munificent foundation, from the funds of which sixteen decayed tradesmen +of respectable character, and others, members of the corporation, are +supported in comparative affluence. + +Sandwich was originally enclosed by walls and partly fortified. It had +eight gates, one of which, called Fisher's Gate, is considered by +architects and antiquaries as well deserving of inspection, for the +excellence of its design and workmanship. It illustrates a period when +the craft had reached its zenith in this country, and when the +Templars--the Vaubans of their day--still exercised the mysteries of +architecture. + +Ship-building and rope-making, as well as a foreign trade with Norway, +Sweden, and Russia, in iron, timber, and hemp, are still carried on in +Sandwich though comparatively to a very small extent. The home trade, +chiefly with Wales and Scotland, consists of flour, seed, hops, malt, +fruit, &c.; but of the once celebrated woollen trade of Sandwich not a +vestige is left. The weekly market-days are Wednesday and Saturday, with +a cattle-market every alternate Monday, and annual fairs on the second +of October and fourth of December. + + + + +[Illustration: RAMSGATE.] + + + + +RAMSGATE, + +ENTRANCE TO THE HARBOUR. + + +The view of the entrance to Ramsgate harbour, engraved from a painting +by E. W. Cooke, is taken from the southward, and its fidelity will +immediately be recognised by every one who has seen the place. It is +blowing a stiff breeze, which causes a swell; and the fishing smack, +seen entering, is lowering her sails, that she may not have too much +_way_ when she gets within the harbour. To the left is the lighthouse, +which stands near the end of the western pier; and the extremity of the +eastern pier is perceived to the right. + +The cost of Ramsgate harbour, dock, lighthouse, and other requisite +buildings, is said to have amounted to £650,000. The form of the harbour +is nearly circular, and its area is about forty-six acres. The length of +the eastern pier, following its angles, or "cants" as they are +technically termed, is about 2000 feet, and that of the western about +1500. Their general width is about 26 feet, including the thickness of +the parapets; and the width of the entrance to the harbour between their +heads is 240 feet. The harbour is maintained by a tonnage duty on all +ships passing, whether sailing on the east or west of the Goodwin Sands, +and by a duty on coals and stones discharged in the harbour. + +The light displayed from the lighthouse is stationary, and is only +exhibited when there is ten feet water between the pier heads. In the +day time a flag is hoisted while there is the same depth of water at the +entrance of the harbour. In spring tides, the depth of water increases +to sixteen feet in about an hour from the time that the ten-feet signal +is displayed; in about two hours to twenty feet; and in three hours, or +about high water, to twenty-one feet. In neap-tides the depth of water +at those periods respectively is fourteen, seventeen, and eighteen feet +between the pier heads. + +During the summer, Ramsgate is much frequented by visitors from London, +who come by the daily steam-packets to enjoy the benefit of sea-bathing, +for which the beach to the southward of the pier affords excellent +opportunity. Powerful steam-packets ply every day between London and +Ramsgate, and the passage up or down is usually made in seven hours. +There are several excellent hotels and many convenient lodging-houses at +Ramsgate, and the charges generally are moderate. At the close of the +year, when the summer visitants have all retired to their several +homes, another description of persons make their appearance at +Ramsgate--the Torbay fishermen, who generally establish their rendezvous +there from December to June, for the sake of fishing in the North Sea. +It seems probable that Ramsgate, as a port, will continue to increase +very considerably in importance; and, in the event of a continental war, +when steam-vessels are likely to be much employed, its eligibility as a +place for the embarkation of troops, and as a packet station, will +doubtless not be overlooked. It not unfrequently happens, in stormy +weather, that the Dover packets enter Ramsgate with safety, when they +cannot approach their own harbour. + +The South-Eastern Railway Company have extended their line to Ramsgate, +and the route, though rather circuitous, secures a large share of +patronage from that portion of the pleasure-seeking visitants of our +coasts to whom the stiff breezes and heavy swell, generally found off +the North Foreland, are the reverse of gratifying. + +George IV., on his departure to visit his Hanoverian dominions in 1821, +embarked at Ramsgate; and to commemorate the event, an obelisk was +erected by subscription of the inhabitants. The popularity of Ramsgate, +as a watering-place, was greatly increased by the partiality evinced for +it by her present Majesty, when Princess Victoria, who, with her august +mother, the Duchess of Kent, honoured it with several successive visits. + +Camden, in his Britannia, gives the people of the Isle of Thanet, and +more particularly the inhabitants of Ramsgate, Margate, and Broadstairs, +the following character: "They are, as it were, amphibious, seeking +their living both by sea and land, and turning to account both elements. +They are fishermen and ploughmen, farmers and sailors; and the same man +that holds the shafts of a plough, turning up a furrow on land, can also +take the helm at sea. According to the season, they make nets, catch +cod, herring, mackerel, and other fish; go to sea, and export their own +commodities--and those very men also dung the ground, plough, sow, +harrow, reap, and house the corn." The inhabitants of Ramsgate, and of +the Isle of Thanet generally, no longer retain this amphibious +character; the "division of labour," the advantages of which are so +strikingly pointed out by political economists in the manufacture of +pins, has abridged their multifarious pursuits; the same man does not +now till the earth and plough the sea; and few indeed are to be found +who can handle an oar as well as a flail: the consequence is, that we +have better boatmen and better agriculturists. + + + + +[Illustration: BROADSTAIRS. + +(Kent.)] + + + + +BROADSTAIRS. + +ISLE OF THANET. + + + "True to the dream of fancy, Ocean has + His darker tints; but where's the element + That chequers not its usefulness to man + With casual terror?" + + CAMPBELL. + +This delightful watering-place, nearly equidistant from Margate on the +north, and Ramsgate on the south, enjoys its full share of popularity; +and, judging from many recent improvements, offers increasing +attractions to the numerous visitors who make Thanet's "sea-girt shore" +their summer residence. To those who prefer tranquillity and retirement +to scenes of bustle and holiday festivity, Broadstairs will present many +advantages over its more gay and animated rivals; and to the studious +and contemplative nothing can be more congenial than the society which +generally meet once a year in this interesting spot. To the invalid it +is favourable from the same causes, offering few temptations to gaiety +or indulgence, but affording every facility for retired and intellectual +enjoyment. The sea-view is magnificent; and the numerous vessels which +are constantly passing and repassing give a most agreeable animation to +the waters in front, which are walled in by lofty cliffs, from which the +visitor inhales the fresh sea-breeze, as it first strikes the land, and +carries its invigorating influence through his frame. + +Broadstairs has long been the periodical residence of many distinguished +literary men, most of whom have acknowledged the benefit derived from +its bracing climate, and verified their opinion by repeated trials. If +pure air could be as readily administered as certain medicinal +compounds, there would be little necessity for so often deserting the +courts and counting-houses of the metropolis in search of health; but so +long as this "draught" cannot be made up according to nature's +prescription, it is cheering to know that on the coast it may be had +ready prepared, and without "mistake" or "adulteration." + +It was while overlooking a scene like that which opens upon the visitor +at Broadstairs, and while sensibly feeling all the salubrious influence +of the breezes, that seemed to welcome and caress him when exchanging +the pleasures of town for poetry and contemplation on the coast, that +the Bard of Hope broke out into these noble and impassioned lines:-- + + "Hail to thy face and odours, glorious Sea! + 'Twere thanklessness in me to bless thee not, + Great beauteous being! in whose breath and smile + My heart beats calmer, and my very mind + Inhales salubrious thoughts. How welcomer + _Thy_ murmurs, than the murmurs of the world! + Tho', like the world, thou fluctuatest, to me + Thy din is peace, thy restlessness repose. + Even gladly I exchange yon spring-green lanes, + With all the darling field-flowers in their prime, + And gardens haunted by the nightingale's + Long trill, and gushing extasies of song, + For these wild headlands and the sea-mew's clang!" + +Broadstairs appears, in addition to its attraction as bathing-quarters, +to have formerly enjoyed a considerable share of trade in the fisheries; +but this source of revenue having dried up, recourse was had to +ship-building, which is still carried on to a small extent. Its chief +dependence, however, is on the number and respectability of its +visitors, many of whom retire here for several months annually with +their families, and, by a liberal expenditure, do much to support the +markets and to encourage local industry. The bathing-place is at the +mouth of the harbour, under the cliff, and is provided with every +accommodation to be found at the larger watering-places. There are two +or more excellent hotels, and two extensive public libraries, commanding +magnificent views of the sea and the shipping--from a fishing-boat to a +seventy-four--passing to and from the Downs, at all hours of the day. +The place is still further enlivened, as well as benefited, by the +London steamers, which here land or embark passengers in their way to +and from town. + + + + +[Illustration: WRECK IN KINGSGATE BAY. + +(Isle of Thanet.)] + + + + +KINGSGATE, + +NEAR BROADSTAIRS. + + + "Olim Porta fui Patroni Bartholomæi, + Nunc Regis jussu REGIA PORTA vocor, + Hic exscenderunt Carolus Secundus Rex + Et Jacobus Dux EBOR. 30 Junii, 1683." + +So named in consequence of its having been the point at which King +Charles II. and his brother, the Duke of York, disembarked on their way +from London to Dover, as recorded in the preceding inscription. It +consists of a narrow sloping passage, cut through the chalk cliff, and +communicating with the beach for the convenience of the fishery formerly +carried on in this neighbourhood. It was originally known as "St. +Bartholomew's Gate," from the circumstance of its having been completed, +according to tradition, on the festival of that Saint, and therefore +placed under hallowed auspices. The eastern side of this portal, +opposite the sea, bears, in Saxon characters, ~God Bless Barth'lem's +Gate~. It is about a mile from Broadstairs, and in the midst of scenery +which Henry Lord Holland did much to embellish by great liberality and a +correct taste in architecture. His marine residence here was built after +the model of Cicero's villa on the shore of Baiæ, near Naples; but being +subsequently purchased by some monied speculator, who had most likely +never heard of Cicero, it was despoiled of its rich Italian marbles, +curtailed and barbarised in its proportions, and metamorphosed into +three insignificant dwellings. Around it were several fantastic +buildings, intended to represent various Gothic ruins; the most +considerable of which was the convent, containing the remains of a +chapel and five cells, which once afforded an asylum to poor families. +Nearer the cliff is a rude Gothic structure, erected on the larger of +the two tumuli, called Hackendown Banks, which, according to tradition, +marks the spot where a sanguinary conflict took place between the Saxons +and the Danes, in which the latter were defeated. On opening these +barrows, graves were found excavated in the solid chalk, of an oblong +oval form, about three feet long, and covered with flat stones. In one +of them were discovered three urns of coarse, black, ill-burnt earth, +which, on being exposed to the air, crumbled to pieces. On a tablet +erected by Lord Holland is a Latin inscription, to the memory of the +Danes and Saxons, who here fought a sanguinary battle for the possession +of Britain; the natives having before been perfidiously and cruelly +expelled. The village of St. Peter, situated on a conspicuously wooded +eminence, is much frequented by pleasure parties from the three +bathing-places adjacent. The church is a fine, venerable structure, the +steeple of which, of great strength and solidity, is remarkable for a +rent from top to bottom, occasioned, it is said, by the shock of an +earthquake, which was severely felt along this coast in 1580. + +The North Foreland, the most eastern point of England, and supposed to +be the "Cantium" of Ptolemy, forms a bold projection on the line of +cliffs between Broadstairs and Kingsgate. On this promontory stands the +North Foreland Lighthouse, which has proved an incalculable safeguard to +the navigation of the Downs, which, independently of the near vicinity +of the Goodwin Sands, is attended with great risk in dark and stormy +weather. The lights consist of patent lamps, with large magnifying +lenses twenty inches in diameter, which are lighted at sunset, and kept +burning till after daybreak. From the top the view of the straits and +French coast is most extensive, and on this account it is much resorted +to by strangers. The date of its erection is that of the landing of King +Charles at Kingsgate, already noticed. + +The Goodwin Sands, which here protect the Downs from the swell of the +Northern Ocean, are about seven miles from the coast, ten miles long, +and two or more in breadth. They consist of a more soft, fluid, porous, +spongy, but withal tenacious substance, than the neighbouring sands, and +are consequently of such a quality, that when a ship strikes upon them +there is but very little chance of her getting off: the nature of the +sand being to swallow its prey in a few hours, while the surf, which +breaks over them, frustrates all attempts to approach the ill-fated +vessel. When the tide, however, has ebbed sufficiently, these sands +become so hard and firm that cricket-matches have been played upon them. +But woe to him who does not quit so treacherous a field at the proper +moment; for on the return of the tide they are instantly converted into +quicksands, that float to and fro with the waves. + + + + +[Illustration: "THE WESTMINSTER" AND "CLAUDINE," ASHORE NEAR MARGATE.] + + + + +SCENE NEAR MARGATE. + +TWO VESSELS ASHORE. + + + At night, beneath a cloudless moon, + Yon gallant vessel plough'd her way; + But storms arose:--next day at noon, + A stranded wreck that vessel lay! + So man, beneath a flattering sun, + Puts forth in pride his slender sail; + But while he dreams of treasure won, + His bark is shatter'd in the gale.--W. B. + +Along the west side of the Isle of Thanet the sea has made very +considerable encroachments; many of the ancient landmarks have been +washed away, and naturally exposed to the fury of the north and east +winds, great portions of the cliffs have gradually disappeared in the +sea. The same causes continuing in active operation, the effects are +annually perceptible upon the boundary line, which defends this coast +from the Northern Ocean. But the damage sustained in the east is amply +compensated for in the west of England, where a territory fit for the +accommodation of 20,000 or 30,000 inhabitants might be gained from the +tide-mark at little comparative outlay. We allude to the projected +improvements on the Lancashire coast, particularly Morecambe Bay, and +the estuary of the river Duddon. + +Margate had originally a natural inlet of the sea; and in the reign of +Edward I. Gore-end church, in consequence of the sea's encroachment, was +removed inland. "Margate," says Leland, "lyeth in St. John's paroche in +Thanet, a v. mile fro Reculver; and there is a village and a peere for +shyppes, but sore decayed." Owing to its natural position, Margate has +never been able to establish a foreign trade. In 1787, the old wooden +pier having become ruinous, it was cased with stone, and extended +further into the sea; but a tremendous gale having soon after come on, +the works were demolished; and a fresh act of parliament being obtained +for that purpose, a fine, strong, and convenient mole was erected on a +new plan, where a public promenade, with an extensive prospect, affords +a beautiful source of recreation to the visitors, while at the same time +it shuts out from observation the hurry and bustle of the harbour. + +In 1748, a tremendous storm from the southward drove a number of vessels +from their anchorage in the Downs, many of which were wrecked under +these cliffs. The vast sacrifice of life and property thus occasioned +induced the shipping and mercantile interests to think of increasing the +capacity of Ramsgate harbour, an account of which appears in this work. +Winds from the south-east and south-west are those by which the safety +of the shipping in the Downs is most endangered. Vessels breaking adrift +in the latter at night, with strong south-west and southerly gales, says +an experienced naval officer, should run into the North Sea, through the +Gulf Stream; if in distress, and the attempt uncertain, the only +alternative is to run for Ramsgate harbour or on the Sandwich flats. +Along this coast nine lug-boats, called _hovellers_, are employed for +the relief of vessels in distress. They vary from twenty to twenty-seven +tons burthen each, draw five feet water, and are usually manned with a +crew of ten men, who are always on the out-look for vessels requiring +their assistance. By their proverbial courage and exertions, many lives +are annually saved from vessels wrecked on the neighbouring coast and +shoals, and much valuable property restored to its owners. When it +becomes a salvage case, they lay their claims before one of the +commission courts, appointed by the Lord Warden, who make an award +agreeable to the service performed. Several of these boats are stationed +at Margate, Ramsgate, Deal, and Dover; but those of the latter only have +the privilege to enter continental ports, by license from the +Custom-house. In the most severe and boisterous weather several of these +boats cruise in the Narrows of the Channel, and are frequently the means +of rendering, under desperate circumstances, important service to the +shipping interest. + + + + +[Illustration: CHATHAM.] + + + + +CHATHAM DOCK-YARD. + + +The view of the Dock-yard at Chatham is taken from the opposite side of +the Medway, a little above Upnor Castle, which was built by Queen +Elizabeth to defend the passage of the river. To the left is seen a +sheer hulk, so called from her "sheers"--two strong pieces of timber of +great height, inclining towards each other and joined together at the +top--which are used for the purpose of raising and placing in their +proper situations the lower masts of ships of war. Further to the right +are perceived the large roofs of the building-slips and dry-docks; +nearly abreast of which are two ships of war laid up in ordinary. A-head +of those vessels are two others of the same class; and further up the +river, directly in front, a view is obtained of part of the town of +Chatham. + +The Dock-yard of Chatham lies at a short distance to the northward of +the town of that name, and on the right bank of the river Medway. The +first dockyard at Chatham for the service of the navy was established by +Queen Elizabeth. It was situated higher up the river than the present +yard, on a narrow slip of land, and had only one dock. In 1622 a new +dock-yard was formed by James I., and the site of the old one, which was +too circumscribed for the service of the increasing navy, was assigned +to the Board of Ordnance. In the reign of Charles I., additional +dry-docks and building-slips were formed and several store-houses +erected. + +Chatham dock-yard is enclosed on the land side by a high wall, and the +principal entrance is through a lofty gateway to the south-west, above +which are the royal arms, and on each side an embattled tower. Strangers +wishing to see the yard are furnished with a ticket by the +superintendent of the dock-police on entering their names in a book kept +at a lodge within the gate. There are four docks and seven +building-slips at Chatham, most of which are covered with immense roofs. +To the south-westward of the docks there is a long range of store-houses +facing the river, and having in front a spacious quay, part of which is +occupied as an anchor wharf. Behind this line of buildings, which is +upwards of a thousand feet in length, is the ropery, where cables and +all other kinds of ropes are manufactured for the use of ships of war. +Beyond the docks to the northward, are the mast-ponds and sheds for +storing timber, on the right; and on the left is the boat-house. At the +smith's shop anchors and other articles of iron work are made for the +use of the navy; and towards the north-eastern extremity of the yard is +a saw-mill, erected by Mr. Brunel, the inventor of the block-machinery +at Portsmouth. The mill is situated on an eminence, and the timber +intended to be cut is floated through a tunnel from the Medway into an +elliptic basin, from which it is raised by machinery to the level of the +mill. The saws are put in motion by a steam-engine; and the timber, +after having been cut, is conveyed away by trucks running on railways to +different parts of the yard. When M. Charles Dupin, the celebrated +French author of several works on the dock-yards, roads, bridges, and +harbours of Great Britain, visited Chatham in 1817, he objected to this +saw-mill being erected on an eminence; but he seems to have overlooked +the consequent advantage of the timber being thence conveyed by a gentle +slope, with very little labour, to the different docks and slips, +without interfering with any of the other works.[14] The commissioner +has a handsome residence within the walls of the yard, and there are +also many excellent houses, which are occupied by the officers and +principal artificers. A neat chapel, of brick, for the convenience of +the officers and workmen, was erected within the yard in 1811. At one +period during the late war, the number of men employed was 3000. + +The Ordnance Wharf is situated to the south-westward of the dock-yard on +the site of the old yard established by Queen Elizabeth, and it is still +frequently called the Old Dock. The guns are placed in rows, and have +painted on them the name of the ship to which they belong, and their +weight of metal; the carriages are also placed separately, but under +sheds. Large piles of shot are seen in various parts of the wharf; and +there is also within its boundary an armoury, where various kinds of +weapons--chiefly muskets, pistols, pikes, and cutlasses--are arranged in +admirable order. + +A fund--commonly called the Chest of Chatham--for the relief of disabled +seamen, was established there by Queen Elizabeth on the recommendation +of Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Hawkins, in 1588--the seamen of the +royal navy, after the defeat of the Spanish Armada, having agreed to +give up a portion of their pay for the relief of their wounded and +disabled brethren. The Royal Marine Hospital of Chatham is one of the +finest establishments of the kind in Great Britain, and from the +elegance of its plan, the extent of its buildings, and its commanding +position, forms a truly noble feature in the landscape. + +[14] _Quarterly Review_--Dupin, _On the Marine Establishments of France +and England_.--No. XLIII. p. 41. + + + + +[Illustration: GRAVESEND.] + + + + +GRAVESEND, + +FROM THE THAMES. + + +The great facilities of communication with the metropolis, the salubrity +of the air, the beauty of the surrounding scenery, and the public +amusements by which it is enlivened, have all contributed to render +Gravesend the most frequented town on the river Thames. The thousands of +visitors who here keep holiday during six or eight months of the year, +have insured resources to the inhabitants more to be depended on than +the fluctuations of trade. New houses, new streets, hotels, +reading-rooms, public baths, and pleasure-gardens, have all appeared in +succession since the introduction of steam on the river, and now present +attractions rarely to be met with in any inland or maritime town of like +size. The harbour, generally enlivened by East and West Indiamen at +anchor; the incessant passing and repassing of steamers to every part of +the coast and kingdom; with private yachts and pleasure-boats skimming +past, or lying off the piers, with their holiday freight of joyous +citizens, give a never failing interest and spirit to the whole picture; +and present, in a short sojourn at Gravesend, more animation and variety +than is to be met with at any other part of the river. The rides and +drives inland are highly varied and picturesque. Cobham Hall--the +ancient seat of Lord Darnley--and its magnificent park-scenery, with the +village and ancient church adjoining, are objects that well repay a +summer-day's excursion. Springhead, famous for the water-cresses which +it supplies to the London markets, is one of the most rural and +picturesque retreats in Kent; while Gad's-hill, to which Shakspeare has +given immortality, as the scene of the robbery of the Sandwich +merchants, said to have been perpetrated by Henry the Fifth--when Prince +Hal--and his dissolute companions, is within an easy walk. +Windmill-hill, the highest object in the background of the picture, is +proverbially famed as commanding one of the finest panoramic views in +the county. + +The bathing-establishments are on a large scale, admirably constructed, +and managed with great punctuality and attention. Adjoining the Clifton +Baths is a delightful pleasure-ground, agreeably varied with walks and +seats, and ornamented with trees, shrubs, and flowers. From this +eminence, which overhangs the Thames, a charming prospect is open at all +times to the groups of visitors by whom it is frequented. + +The gardens, now known as the Rosherville-gardens, have been opened of +late years for dancing, music, and fireworks during the season, and have +become the chosen resort of numerous societies and schools, who here +celebrate their anniversaries. A large dining-hall and other necessary +adjuncts have been erected for their accommodation, including a handsome +pier, at which most of the steam-boats call, on their passages to and +from the other piers. + +The Town-pier--having superseded the old and unpleasant process of +boating--is a structure of vast convenience as a landing place, and is +besides of excellent design and execution. It consists of insulated +columns, or piles of cast-iron, supporting a floor or stage, and extends +into the river about fifty feet beyond low-water-mark. In summer this +stage is covered with an awning, under which visitors can promenade, +sheltered from sun or shower, and enjoy the entertainment furnished by +an excellent band of music, which takes its daily station on the Pier. +Below the Town-pier is another pier, or jetty, extending nearly a +hundred feet into the water, called the Terrace-pier--so called from +having attached to it an extensive terrace or promenade, and a +beautifully arranged lawn or shrubbery, for the use of those who +frequent the pier. + +During the last ten years, Gravesend has several times suffered very +severely from fires, causing great destruction in the more closely-built +portions of the town; these calamitous visitations, though deplorable in +their immediate consequences, have not been without their beneficial +results, by affording an opportunity for widening and improving the +thoroughfares in their vicinity, and of which due advantage has been +wisely taken. + +For many years, the steam-boat companies monopolized the traffic from +London to Gravesend, their superior vessels, rapid speed, and moderate +fare, set every other species of conveyance at defiance; but they have +been compelled to admit a formidable rival to their trade, in the +all-absorbing railway, which now surpasses them in quickness, and places +itself upon an equality in respect to price and accommodation. The +North-Kent line passing through Woolwich and Erith, has penetrated into +the heart of Gravesend, and by filling up the Thames and Medway canal, +made an iron road to the ancient city of Rochester. But, although the +skill of the engineer and wealth of the capitalist has thus succeeded in +bringing this fashionable watering-place and the old cathedral town into +closer connection with our giant metropolis, they have not been able to +overcome those natural obstacles to the rapid progress of the locomotive +engine--hills and valleys, without having recourse to that most +disagreeable of all roads, the subterranean--and the difference between +rushing through their sombre excavations, amid the clatter of the +machinery and the hissing of the liberated steam, and calmly gliding on +the quiet surface of the beautiful Thames, must, we think, be such as to +render the journey by the river at all times the most popular with those +who travel for pleasure. + + + + +[Illustration: LONDON FROM GREENWICH PARK.] + + + + +LONDON, + +FROM GREENWICH PARK. + + + How glorious is the scene that here expands, + Where, 'mid her lofty towers, Augusta stands, + Drawing, in tribute to her daring helm, + And boundless trade, the wealth of every realm; + And stretching forth her hand o'er land and main, + To check the proud, and break the captive's chain! + +It may be safely affirmed that they who have witnessed the view of +London, from Greenwich Park, have beheld a scene which neither time nor +circumstances can ever obliterate, and to which it may be doubted if +Europe itself could furnish a rival. It is a point to which foreigners +and strangers uniformly advert, in expressing their admiration of the +British capital and its environs; and to which, during the fine season, +multitudes resort for the sake of the delicious park-scenery and the +magnificent prospects which it commands. From the base of the National +Observatory to the cupola of St. Paul's, the objects which it embraces +are of the most variegated and imposing character. In the fore ground is +the palace of the former "Kings and Queens of England,"--now the noblest +Hospital in the world--with all its stately appendages. In the centre of +the picture is the Thames--the great "highway" by which the fleets of +commerce are continually pouring the treasures of the world into the +heart of the metropolis. In the back ground--here in bold relief, and +there dimly shadowed in the horizon--are seen the towers and temples of +London, with the majestic dome of St. Paul's presiding over the whole in +glorious pre-eminence. Turning to the east, the scene presents new +objects of interest and admiration. The shipping off Blackwall--the +Docks--the vast traffic by which the river is continually agitated--the +steamers passing and repassing, their decks crowded with company, and +the bands of music occasionally striking up, as they pass the Royal +Hospital, the national air of "Rule Britannia,"--all produce an effect +upon the spectators, which, in point of animation, cannot be surpassed. +What gives peculiar interest to the picture, is the appearance of the +"ancient mariners" who are continually in sight--pensioners who have +given their legs and arms as pledges to British independence, and now +pass the evening of their days in every comfort to which a +weather-beaten seaman can aspire-- + + Heroes, every one, + Ye might as soon have made the steeple run; + And then his messmates, if you're pleased to stay, + He'll one by one the gallant souls display. + +This magnificent Hospital presents an imposing range of buildings in the +Grecian style of architecture, extending several hundred feet along the +right bank of the Thames, and divided into two wings by a noble lawn, +with a descent to the water's edge by a handsome flight of steps. The +wings recede a considerable space from the river and are crowned in the +distance by two lofty domes, behind which rise the acclivities of the +royal park, covered with trees of centuries, and undulating with +variegated masses of verdure. Through the midst of these, and occupying +the site of the original fortress of Greenwich, rises that celebrated +Observatory which has so frequently engaged the attention of scientific +Europe; and with which the names of Flamsteed, Halley, Bradley, Bliss, +Maskelyn, Pond, and Airey, are so emphatically connected. + +To the history of Greenwich Hospital we can only very briefly advert. +After the rebellion in 1715, the forfeited estates of the Earl of +Derwentwater, amounting at that time to six thousand pounds per annum, +were voted by parliament to this hospital; and with the numerous +benefactions since bestowed by private individuals, it is now enabled to +provide for nearly three thousand inmates. Every Pensioner receives a +liberal allowance of provisions and clothes, with a shilling a week for +pocket-money. The nurses--widows of seamen, and of whom there were +lately a hundred and five--in addition to provisions, have each an +annual allowance of from eighteen to twenty pounds. A library is +provided for the exclusive use of the Pensioners. The office of governor +of Greenwich Hospital is generally conferred on veterans of the highest +rank and standing in the service,--such as Hood, Keats and Hardy, the +friend and companion of Nelson. + + + + +[Illustration: THE PORT OF LONDON.] + + + + +THE PORT OF LONDON. + + +The Port of London commences at London Bridge. The forest of masts which +rises in direct view--thickening in perspective till it is lost in the +distance--announces the vast extent of that Commerce which stretches its +arms to the "uttermost parts of the globe." The Pool, as this part of +the river is called, extends from London Bridge to Deptford,--a distance +of nearly four miles, with an average breadth of from four to five +hundred yards. It consists of four divisions, called the Upper, Middle, +and Lower Pools, and that occupying the space between Limehouse and +Deptford. The Upper Pool extends from London Bridge to Union Hole--a +space of about sixteen hundred yards; from this to Wapping New Stairs +forms the Middle Pool--about seven hundred yards. The Lower Pool extends +from the latter point to Horseferry Pier, Limehouse--about eighteen +hundred yards. The fourth Pool occupies the space between Limehouse and +Deptford--about two thousand seven hundred yards. + +The Custom-House, which is a prominent feature in this View, was first +erected in 1559--very shortly after the accession of Queen Elizabeth; +but, having shared the fate of the other public buildings in the great +fire of London, it was rebuilt, two years after by Charles the Second. +By a similar calamity, however, this was also burnt to the ground in +1718, and a third erected, which--strange to say--was also consumed in +1814. The fourth, which is the present magnificent structure, was opened +for business in May, 1817. It was erected from the designs of David +Laing, Esq.; but, in consequence of certain defects, which threatened +destruction to a considerable portion of the building, the Long Room, as +it is called, was _shored_ up, the front next to the river taken down, +and the present front as shown in the Engraving, was substituted by Mr. +Smirke. The whole is erected on an extensive and magnificent scale. + +The London and St. Katherine's Docks are seen a little to the right, and +afford accommodation to a vast number of shipping. The London Dock +covers twenty acres: fourteen tobacco-warehouses cover an acre each; the +cellars occupy three acres, and can accommodate twenty-two thousand +pipes of wine. The St. Katherine's Dock covers the extensive area of +ground which a few years ago was occupied by the parish of St. +Katherine; the whole of which, comprising above twelve hundred houses, +was bought and pulled down, at an outlay of two millions sterling, for +the construction of these magnificent basins and warehouses, with which +nothing that mercantile enterprise has hitherto effected can bear a +comparison. The old parish church of St. Katherine was built on the site +of an ancient monastery founded in the twelfth century by Matilda of +Boulogne. A rich hospital and various benefactions have belonged to this +parish ever since its original endowment; for the perpetuation of which +a handsome church and several dwelling-houses were erected near +Gloucester Gate, Regent's Park, the emoluments connected with which were +bestowed by the late Queen Adelaide, in whose gift they were, upon +persons belonging to the royal household, or otherwise recommended to +her Majesty. + +In front of these docks is a spacious steam-packet wharf; and from this +point to Rotherhithe the river--here called the Middle Pool--is +generally so crowded with shipping at anchor, or rapidly passing up and +down, that it requires both skill and caution on the part of the +helmsman to avoid collision. It is here that strangers can form an exact +idea of the vast traffic by which the Thames is continually animated, +and to which there is no parallel in the cities of commercial Europe. + +Notwithstanding the obvious utility of wet-docks, and the vast trade of +the British Metropolis, there was no establishment of this sort on the +Thames till nearly a century after a wet-dock had been constructed at +Liverpool. The inconvenience arising from the crowded state of the river +at those periods when the fleets of merchantmen were accustomed to +arrive, the very insufficient accommodation afforded by the legal quays +and sufferance-wharfs; the necessity under which many ships were placed +of unloading in the river by means of fighters, and the insecurity and +loss of property thence arising, had been felt and complained of as an +intolerable grievance. But so powerful was the opposition to any change, +made by the private wharfingers and others interested in the support of +the existing order of things, that it was not till 1793 that a plan was +projected for making wet-docks for the Port of London, yet the activity +and enterprise of the merchants and shipowners of the metropolis have, +since that date, amply compensated for their lost time, and the docks of +London are now models of superiority in that peculiar department of +civil engineering. + +Though not included in the engraving, the recent improvements which have +been effected in its vicinity by the public spirit of the Corporation of +London, demand a passing tribute of admiration. The New Coal Exchange is +an edifice worthy of the purpose for which it was designed--the mart for +the sale of one of Great Britain's most valuable products; and +Billingsgate is now a market fitting for a city containing two millions +of inhabitants. + + + + +[Illustration: THE TOWER OF LONDON.] + + + + +THE TOWER OF LONDON. + + +This celebrated fortress is situated on the east side of the City, a +short distance from London-bridge, near the banks of the river Thames. +It at first consisted of no more than what is at present called the +White Tower, traditionally reported, without any authority, to have been +built by Julius Cæsar, though there is the strongest evidence of its +being marked out and a part of it first erected by William the +Conqueror, in the year 1076, doubtless with a view to secure to himself +and followers a safe retreat, in case the English should ever have +recourse to arms to recover their ancient possessions and lost +liberties. + +The death of the Conqueror, however, in 1087, about eight years after he +had commenced this fortress, for some time prevented its progress, and +left it to be completed by his son William Rufus, who, in 1098, +surrounded it with walls and a broad and deep ditch, which is in some +places about one hundred and twenty feet wide, into which water from the +river Thames was introduced. Henry III., in 1240, ordered a stone gate, +bulwark, and other additions to be made to this fortress, and the +ancient tower to be whitened, from whence it was called the White Tower. +In 1465, Edward IV. greatly enlarged the fortifications, and built the +Lion's Tower, for the reception of foreign beasts, birds, &c., presented +to the kings of England; the zoological collection have, however, long +since been transferred to more eligible quarters in the Regent's-park. +By the command of Charles II., in 1663, the ditch was completely +cleansed, the esplanade rebuilt with brick and stone, and sluices were +erected for admitting and retaining water from the Thames, as occasion +might require. + +The Tower is in the best situation that could have been chosen for a +fortress, lying near enough to protect the metropolis and the seat of +commerce from invasion by water. It is parted from the river Thames by a +commodious wharf and narrow ditch, over which is a drawbridge. Upon this +wharf is a noble platform, on which are placed sixty-one pieces of +cannon, nine-pounders, mounted on handsome iron carriages, which were +fired on state holidays, but small pieces are now used for those +purposes. + +Parallel to the middle part of the wharf, upon the walls, is a platform, +seventy yards in length, called the Ladies' Line, from its being much +frequented in the summer evenings, as on the inside it is shaded with a +row of lofty trees, and without affords a fine prospect of the shipping +and of the boats passing and repassing on the river. The ascent to this +line is by stone steps, and, being once upon it, there is a walk almost +round the walls of the fortress without interruption, in doing which the +visiter passes three batteries: the first called the Devil's Battery, +where there is a platform on which are mounted seven pieces of cannon; +the next is named the Stone Battery, and is defended by eight pieces of +cannon; and the last, called the Wooden Battery, is mounted with six +pieces of cannon. + +The wharf, or esplanade, which is divided from Tower-hill at each end by +gates, is opened every morning for the convenience of a free intercourse +between the respective inhabitants of the Tower, the City, and its +suburbs. From this wharf is an entrance for persons on foot, over the +drawbridge already mentioned; and also a water-gate under the +Tower-wall, commonly called the Traitor's-gate, through which it has +been customary, for the greater privacy, to convey traitors and other +state prisoners by water to and from the Tower; the water of the ditch +had here a communication with the Thames, by means of a stone bridge on +the wharf. Over this water-gate is a regular building, terminated at +each end by a round tower, on which are embrasures for pointing cannon. + +The principal buildings are the church, a small edifice, dedicated to +St. Peter ad Vincula, the White Tower, the Governor's House, the Bloody +Tower, the Offices of Ordnance, of the Keepers of the Records, the Jewel +Office, the New Spanish Armoury, the New Horse Armoury, the Grand +Storehouse, in which is the small armoury, the train of artillery, and +the tent room; the New Storehouse, wherein are three armouries; handsome +houses for the chief and inferior officers; the Mess-house for the +officers of the garrison, and the barracks for the soldiers. In addition +to these, there is a street called the Mint, which includes nearly +one-third part of the Tower. The principal part of the houses were +formerly inhabited by the officers employed in the coinage, but now by +the military and various persons employed in the different offices. + +The ravages of the fire which occurred in this fortress a few years +since have now been repaired, and its ancient walls strengthened and +improved in accordance with the rules of fortification adopted by the +best engineers of the day. The stagnant moat which formerly encircled it +has been drained and converted into an exercise ground for the soldiers +in the garrison. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ports, Harbours, Watering-places +and Picturesque Scenery of Great Britain Vol. 2, by William Finden + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PORTS, HARBOURS *** + +***** This file should be named 34867-8.txt or 34867-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/8/6/34867/ + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Susan Skinner and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Vol. II. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +/* Footnotes */ +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + + .fnanchor {vertical-align:baseline; + position: relative; + bottom: 0.33em; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: none;} + + +/* Poetry */ +.poem { + margin-left:10%; + margin-right:10%; + text-align: left; +} + +.poem br {display: none;} + +.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + +.poem span.i0 { + display: block; + margin-left: 0em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i2 { + display: block; + margin-left: 2em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i4 { + display: block; + margin-left: 4em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + + .poem span.i6 {display: block; margin-left: 6em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + + .poem span.i10 {display: block; margin-left: 10em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i6 {display: block; margin-left: 6em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ports, Harbours, Watering-places and +Picturesque Scenery of Great Britain Vol. 2, by William Finden + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Ports, Harbours, Watering-places and Picturesque Scenery of Great Britain Vol. 2 + +Author: William Finden + +Illustrator: W. H. Bartlett + J. D. Harding + T. Creswick + +Release Date: January 6, 2011 [EBook #34867] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PORTS, HARBOURS *** + + + + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Susan Skinner and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + +<h1>FINDEN'S<br /> +<br /> +PORTS, HARBOURS<br /> +<br /> +<span style="font-size: 30%;">AND</span><br /> +<br /> +WATERING PLACES.</h1> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 490px;"><a name="ENTRANCE_TO_THE_PORT_OF_BERWICK" id="ENTRANCE_TO_THE_PORT_OF_BERWICK"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_002.jpg"><img src="images/i_002.jpg" width="490" height="500" alt="ENTRANCE TO THE PORT OF BERWICK." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">ENTRANCE TO THE PORT OF BERWICK.</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p class='center'>THE<br /> +<br /> +<span style="font-size: x-large;">PORTS, HARBOURS, WATERING-PLACES,</span><br /> +<br /> +And Picturesque Scenery<br /> +<br /> +OF<br /> +<br /> +<span style="font-size: x-large;">GREAT BRITAIN.</span><br /> +<br /> +ILLUSTRATED BY VIEWS TAKEN ON THE SPOT,<br /> +<br /> +<span style="font-size: 50%;">BY</span><br /> +<br /> +W. H. BARTLETT, J. D. HARDING, T. CRESWICK,<br /> +<br /> +<span style="font-size: 50%;">AND OTHERS.</span></p> + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + +<p class='center'>WITH DESCRIPTIONS, HISTORICAL AND TOPOGRAPHICAL.</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + +<p class='center'>VOL. II.</p> + +<p class='center'>JAMES S. VIRTUE, CITY ROAD, AND IVY LANE, LONDON.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<h2>LIST OF PLATES.</h2> + +<p class='center'>VOLUME II.</p> + +<div style="margin-left: 25%; margin-right: 25%;"> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_THE_MERSEY_AT_LIVERPOOL">The River Mersey, at Liverpool.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_CANNING_DOCK_AND_CUSTOM_HOUSE_LIVERPOOL">Liverpool—Canning Dock and Custom-House.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_ST_NICHOLAS_CHURCH_LIVERPOOL">———— St. Nicholas' Church, with Shipping.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_NEW_BRIGHTON">New Brighton, near Liverpool.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_MATLOCK_BATH">Matlock, Derbyshire.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_CONWAY_CASTLE">Conway Castle, with the Suspension-Bridge.</a></span></p> + +<p><a href="#Illustration_CONWAY_QUAY">———— <span class="smcap">Quay, with the Castle and Bridge.</span></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_THE_MENAI_BRIDGE_BANGOR">Menai Bridge, with the Strait.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_PORT_PENRYN_AND_BANGOR">Bangor, and Port-Penrhyn.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_BEAUMARIS">Beaumaris, with the Menai Strait.</a></span></p> + +<p><a href="#Illustration_HOLYHEAD"><span class="smcap">Holyhead, the Lighthouse, Triumphal-Arch</span>, &c.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Illustration_BRIDGE_TO_THE_SOUTH_STACK_LIGHTHOUSE">———— <span class="smcap">Southstack Lighthouse.</span></a></p> + +<p><a href="#Illustration_THE_EAGLE_TOWER_CARNARVON_CASTLE"><span class="smcap">Carnarvon Castle, the Eagle Tower.</span></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_CARNARVON">————————— General View.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_HARLECH_CASTLE">Harlech Castle, North Wales.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_BARMOUTH">Barmouth, Watering-place.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_SWANSEA_BAY">Swansea Bay, with Lighthouse in the Distance.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_OYSTERMOUTH">Oystermouth Castle, overlooking Swansea Bay.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_THE_MUMBLES_ROCKS_AND_LIGHTHOUSE">The Mumbles' Lighthouse, Swansea Bay.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_NASS_SANDS_LIGHTHOUSES">The Nass Sands' Lighthouses.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_CARDIFF">Cardiff, Glamorganshire.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_GLOUCESTER">Gloucester, Port and Cathedral.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_BRISTOL">Bristol City, from Rownham Ferry.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_REDCLIFFE_CHURCH_AND_BASIN_BRISTOL">—————— Redcliffe Church and Basin.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_SUSPENSION_BRIDGE_AT_CLIFTON">Clifton, with the New Suspension-Bridge.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_BATH">Bath, with the City, Cathedral, and Downs.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_TINTAGEL_CASTLE">Cornwall, Tintagel Castle.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_PLYMOUTH">Plymouth, Devon.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_MOUNT_EDGECUMBE">———— Mount Edgecombe.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_BRIXHAM">Brixham, Torbay, Devon.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_EXMOUTH">Exmouth, Devon.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_BUDLEIGH_SALTERTON">Budleigh Salterton.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_VIEW_FROM_THE_BEACH_AT_SIDMOUTH">Sidmouth, View from the Beach.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_CAVES_AT_LADRAM_BAY">Caves at Ladram Bay.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_WEYMOUTH">Weymouth, with the Harbour.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_HURST_CASTLE">Hurst Castle, King Charles's Prison.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_COWES">Cowes, Isle of Wight.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_SOUTHAMPTON">Southampton.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_THE_WALLS_OF_SOUTHAMPTON">—————— The Ancient Walls.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_ENTRANCE_TO_PORTSMOUTH_HARBOUR">Portsmouth, Entrance to the Harbour.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_RIGGING_HULK_AND_FRIGATE_PORTSMOUTH">—————— Rigging-Hulk and Frigate.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_VIEW_FROM_THE_SALUTING_PLATFORM_PORTSMOUTH">—————— View from the Saluting Platform.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_GOSPORT_FLAG_SHIP_SALUTING">Gosport, Flag-Ship Saluting.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_MEN_OF_WAR_AT_SPITHEAD">Spithead, with Ships of War.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_BRIGHTON">Brighton, Sussex.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_HASTINGS">Hastings, with the Town and Castle.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_HASTINGS_2">———— View on the Beach.</a></span></p> + +<p><a href="#Illustration_RYE"><span class="smcap">Rye, Sussex, with its ancient Gate, Church</span>, &c.</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_FOLKSTONE">Folkestone, from the Beach.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_DOVER">Dover, with the Castle.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_DOVER_2">——— from the Castle.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_SANDWICH">Sandwich, Kent, Ancient Gate and Drawbridge.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_RAMSGATE">Ramsgate, Kent, Entrance to the Harbour.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_BROADSTAIRS">Broadstairs, Isle of Thanet, Vessel Ashore.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_WRECK_IN_KINGSGATE_BAY">Wreck in Kingsgate-Bay.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_THE_WESTMINSTER_AND_CLAUDINE_ASHORE_NEAR_MARGATE">Margate, Two Vessels Ashore.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_CHATHAM">Chatham, with the Dockyard.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_GRAVESEND">Gravesend, from the River.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_LONDON_FROM_GREENWICH_PARK">London, from Greenwich Park.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_THE_PORT_OF_LONDON">Port of London.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#Illustration_THE_TOWER_OF_LONDON">The Tower.</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><a href="#ENTRANCE_TO_THE_PORT_OF_BERWICK">Vignette-Entrance to the Port of Berwick.</a></span></p> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h1><span style="font-size: 50%;">THE</span><br /> +<br /> +PORTS AND HARBOURS<br /> +<br /> +<span style="font-size: 30%;">OF</span><br /> +<br /> +GREAT BRITAIN.</h1> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="BERWICK_LIGHTHOUSE_ON_THE_PIER" id="BERWICK_LIGHTHOUSE_ON_THE_PIER"></a>BERWICK.—LIGHTHOUSE ON THE PIER.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> view of the Lighthouse, at the head of Berwick Pier (which forms the +<a href="#ENTRANCE_TO_THE_PORT_OF_BERWICK">vignette</a> to our Second Volume), is taken from the entrance to the harbour, about +half a mile below the bridge. This Pier, the building of which was commenced +in 1810, stands on the north side of the river, and is chiefly erected on the foundations +of an old one, which is said to have been built in the reign of Queen +Elizabeth. From the lighthouse, which was finished in 1826, two lights are +exhibited at night, the one above the other. The upper one, which is of a pale, +white colour, is lighted from sunset to sunrise; the lower one, which is of a +bright red, is a tide-light, and is only displayed during the time that there is ten +feet water on the bar.</p> + +<p>Berwick Harbour is not well adapted for vessels of large burthen, for the +greater part of the shore, in front of the quay, is dry at low water. On the +Tweedmouth side, near the Car Rock, is the best water within the bar; and a +vessel drawing from sixteen to eighteen feet water may lie there at all hours +of the tide without touching the ground. The entrance to the harbour is narrow, +as a bank of sand stretches out to the eastward, from the Spittal shore, to the +extent of nearly half a mile, and approaches to within a cable's length of the rocks +on the north. When the wind is from the eastward, there is always a swell on +the bar; and the ebb-tide—more especially when there is a <i>fresh</i> in the river, in +consequence of rain—runs out with such velocity that it is impossible for a vessel +to make head against it. Vessels bound for Berwick, which cannot take the +harbour in bad weather, usually seek shelter in Leith Roads.</p> + +<p>The salmon fishery forms a most important branch of the trade of Berwick. +About the middle of the last century, the fish used chiefly to be conveyed to +London by small vessels of about forty tons burthen, belonging to Harwich and +Gravesend, engaged by the London dealers; the fresh-caught salmon and gilse were +conveyed in wells in the hold, but a large portion was sent pickled in kits. About +1787, the practice of packing salmon in pounded ice was suggested by George +Dempster, Esq., of Dunnichen, then M.P. for Cupar, to Mr. John Richardson, +a salmon-dealer, of Perth, who immediately adopted it; and the next year the +salmon-dealers of Berwick followed his example.</p> + +<p>Most of the salmon sent from Berwick to London are caught between the +mouth of the Tweed and Norham, which is about eight miles up the river, and +the highest point to which the tide flows. In 1799, the yearly rental of the fisheries +within this distance, on both sides of the river, was estimated at £10,000; and in +1817 it was nearly double that sum. In consequence of the decline of the salmon +fishery since 1820, it does not at the present time exceed £9,000. Various causes +have been assigned for the decline of the salmon fishery in the Tweed; such +as the building of the New Pier at the north side of the harbour; with the draining +of lands and the destruction of fish in close time towards the upper parts of the +river. How the building of the New Pier, and the draining of lands in +Selkirk and Roxburghshire affect the breed of salmon, has not been clearly shown; +and poaching in close time has not prevailed to a greater extent during the last +twenty years than in the twenty years previous to 1816. The unremitting manner +in which the river was <i>legally</i> fished between the mouth of the Tweed and +Norham, from 1800 to 1817, is more likely to have been one great cause of the +decline; but the proprietors of the fisheries seem unwilling to admit that a river +may be over-fished, as well as land exhausted by over-cropping.</p> + +<p>It can scarcely be said that there is a public market for salmon in Berwick, +almost all that are caught being engrossed by factors or fish-curers, and sent to +London; and salmon is generally as dear there as in the metropolis. The fish, as +soon as caught, are packed in large boxes, between layers of pounded ice, and in +this manner conveyed to the metropolis.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_THE_MERSEY_AT_LIVERPOOL" id="Illustration_THE_MERSEY_AT_LIVERPOOL"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_011.jpg"><img src="images/i_011.jpg" width="600" height="402" alt="THE MERSEY AT LIVERPOOL." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">THE MERSEY AT LIVERPOOL.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_MERSEY" id="THE_MERSEY"></a>THE MERSEY.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">FROM LIVERPOOL.</span></h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"A thousand keels the subject wave divide,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Float with the flow, or stem the ebbing tide,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Winged messengers that haste, with sails unfurl'd,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To barter produce with some distant world!—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With oar and paddle, sail and thundering steam,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">They row—they cleave—they plough the Mersey's stream;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That stream, which, fretted by a thousand prows,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No silent rest, no liquid slumber knows;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whate'er the hour, whatever wind prevail,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Behold the outward and the homeward sail!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Mersey is to Liverpool what the Thames is to London—the grand channel +of mercantile prosperity—the main artery that carries health and vigour into the +heart of the city, and thence distributes them by a thousand ramifications through +all classes of the community. The navigation of this river has long been an object +of primary import to the prosperity of our national trade; and therefore every +suggestion which promised to obviate and remove those impediments which nature +had thrown in the way, has been met with the greatest promptness and liberality. +Whatever it was possible for art to accomplish has been attempted, and that so +successfully that, if the ultimate object has not yet been obtained, the navigation +of the Mersey has at least been rendered comparatively safe and expeditious. The +grand enterprise for facilitating the intercourse between Liverpool and Manchester +was commenced in 1720, when a canal was formed, and the navigation of the +Mersey and Irwell was so greatly improved, that the "flats"—which were previously +ten or eleven days in going from one town to the other—could now, by +taking advantage of the tide, accomplish the same distance in as many hours. How +amazingly this distance has been again shortened in our own times, by the introduction +of steam power, is familiar to every one.</p> + +<p>The rise and expansion of Liverpool—in all that regards it as a mercantile +emporium—have taken place within the last two centuries. In 1650, the town—a +mere fishing hamlet—consisted of only five or six streets. A pool, branching from +the river, extended over the space now occupied by the new Custom-house and +the three streets adjoining; and, for the convenience of intercourse, a ferry-boat +was kept at the corner of Church-street and Whitechapel. This ferry was at last +superseded by a bridge, erected by the proprietor of the land, Lord Molyneux; +and since that period the advancement of the Mersey in the list of great navigable +rivers has been unprecedentedly rapid and successful. The grand municipal improvements, +however, have all been effected within the last century. During that +interval, splendid squares, streets, and public monuments have sprung up into +existence. Previously to that epoch there was no spirit, no scope for commercial +enterprise, and consequently no harbour, nor dock, nor warehouse. But now +spacious harbours extend for several miles along the bank of the Mersey: on the +bosom of the river stately merchantmen, outward or homeward bound, laden with +the produce of every clime, are continually passing and repassing; while the usual +embellishments which follow a train of successful industry are apparent at every +step of our progress, adding ever varying features of beauty and animation to +the landscape. He who would form a just estimate of the vast and unlimited +resources of this great commercial city, should spend at least a day, partly in a +promenade along the banks, and partly on the spring-tide of the Mersey.</p> + +<p>This river is navigable for vessels of considerable burden so far as the mouth of +the Irwell,—a distance of thirty-five miles from Liverpool. It derives its source +from the confluence of several small streams on the Cheshire and Derbyshire +frontier, and pursues a serpentine course, gradually inclining to the south-west. +Its largest tributary is the Irwell, which falls into it near the village of Flixton, +seven miles from Manchester. A little below Warrington, the Mersey expands +into a broad arm of the sea, and turning abruptly to the south-west, contracts its +channel as it passes Liverpool to about three quarters of a mile in breadth; but in +proceeding farther inland, it again increases its width to more than three miles. +This peculiarity is very advantageous to the port, as the great body of water, passing +and repassing at every tide, keeps the navigation of the Mersey always open. A +range of sand banks run parallel with the coast for many miles, but several channels +intervene, giving sufficient depth for vessels of the heaviest draught at high water, +at which time the Mersey presents the most interesting and striking scene,—particularly +when a westerly wind favours the arrival of the numerous fleets destined +to this port, bearing the flags and freighted with the produce of all nations that +have found a place in the chart of commercial enterprise.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_CANNING_DOCK_AND_CUSTOM_HOUSE_LIVERPOOL" id="Illustration_CANNING_DOCK_AND_CUSTOM_HOUSE_LIVERPOOL"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_015.jpg"><img src="images/i_015.jpg" width="600" height="412" alt="CANNING DOCK AND CUSTOM HOUSE, LIVERPOOL." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">CANNING DOCK AND CUSTOM HOUSE, LIVERPOOL.<br /> +<i>Dedicated to the Right Hon. Viscount Sandon, M. P.</i></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CANNING_DOCK_AND_CUSTOM-HOUSE" id="CANNING_DOCK_AND_CUSTOM-HOUSE"></a>CANNING DOCK AND CUSTOM-HOUSE,<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">LIVERPOOL.</span></h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Liverpool</span> presents one of the most remarkable instances on record of the +vast influence of commercial speculation, when pursued with steady vigour, +prudence, and resolution. Commerce is the first step to empire, and, successfully +prosecuted, never fails to consolidate the strength and independence of the state. +To this important end no city in the kingdom has so amply contributed as +Liverpool; none of our rivers, the Thames excepted, has wafted to our shores so +many precious cargoes as the Mersey, nor exported so much of the produce of our +native manufactures to all parts of the world. This great commercial city, rapid +as its progress has been, is still advancing in the career of prosperity; hardly a +month passes without some local improvement,—some substantial proof that her +trade is on the increase, stimulating domestic industry, and affording the means of +unlimited intercourse with every shore of the commercial world.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Canning Dock</span>, with the Custom-house, forms one of the finest points of +view in Liverpool, presenting at one view a building of elegant design and +execution, and a forest of masts which sufficiently indicate the bustle of trade, and +the air of business that pervade every feature of the place—animate or inanimate. +Canning Dock—so distinguished in honour of Mr. Canning, a name happily +identified with Liverpool and the prosperity of its trade,—covers a space of five +hundred yards in length. On the west side it communicates with three graving +docks, where vessels are laid up for repairs, and is chiefly occupied by vessels +trading to the northern coast. It is the first of the seven docks extending southward, +and is generally filled by vessels in the act of discharging or taking in their +cargoes. It presents a scene of great bustle and activity, and, though only one out +of many, affords the stranger a very clear idea of the vast amount of traffic that is +daily shipped or entered at this emporium.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Custom-House</span> is of recent date, and replaced the old official buildings, +which were found quite inadequate to the purposes of a daily extending commerce. +Through the united interest of Canning and Huskisson, negociations were entered +into with Government as to the necessity of a new Custom-house; and after a +short time arrangements were concluded for its immediate erection. Mr. Foster, +architect to the Liverpool corporation, was engaged to prepare the designs, and +made choice of the present site as the most appropriate for a commercial building +of this size and character.</p> + +<p>The lower apartments of the Custom-house consist of spacious vaults for the +safe custody of bonded and other goods; and in the centre is the apartment known +as the Long Room. The offices of customs occupy the whole extent of the west +wing; and it is intended that part of the east wing shall be appropriated to the +use of the general post-office. Above these are the excise offices and those of the +dock-treasurer and secretaries. The remaining portions of the edifice are subdivided +into the board-room, the dock-committee's offices, and the stamp-office.</p> + +<p>The chasteness and beauty of the Ionic style of architecture adopted in this magnificent +edifice have been much and justly admired. The centre, and the east and +west fronts are adorned by lofty porticos, each supported by eight Ionic columns. +The centre of the building is surmounted by a magnificent dome, lighted by +sixteen windows, and ornamented round by pilasters. Inclosed within the outer +dome is a smaller one encircled by twelve windows, so as to afford sufficient light +to the Long Room. The interior of this building will amply repay the stranger +for a visit. The grand front is opposite Castle-street; and, entering in this +direction, the first object which claims attention is the massive grouping of the +pilasters which support the floor of the Long Room over head. The stairs, flanked +by handsome iron balustrades,—the landing-places supported by eight Ionic stone +columns, each of a single piece,—the four pilasters, and the elaborate ceilings,—are +all deserving of particular attention. The Long Room is altogether splendidly +designed and executed; lighted by fourteen windows on the sides, and by +twelve as already observed, in the inner dome. The ceiling is divided by lateral +and transverse beams into regular compartments, all beautifully ornamented. At +each of the opposite ends of this noble apartment are a corresponding flight of +stairs and landing-places. But to convey a just description of this monument to +the genius of commerce is at once difficult and tedious; we therefore recommend +all who may visit Liverpool, as admirers of its docks, harbours, and splendid +edifices, to devote an hour to the Custom-house—a building which reflects great +honour upon the architect, and serves as a lasting ornament to the second city of +the empire.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><a name="Illustration_ST_NICHOLAS_CHURCH_LIVERPOOL" id="Illustration_ST_NICHOLAS_CHURCH_LIVERPOOL"></a></p><div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<a href="images/full_i_019.jpg"><img src="images/i_019.jpg" width="600" height="431" alt="ST. NICHOLAS' CHURCH, LIVERPOOL." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">ST. NICHOLAS' CHURCH, LIVERPOOL.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">(from St. George's Basin)</span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="ST_NICHOLAS_CHURCH_AND_ST_GEORGES_BASIN" id="ST_NICHOLAS_CHURCH_AND_ST_GEORGES_BASIN"></a>ST. NICHOLAS' CHURCH AND ST. GEORGE'S BASIN,<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">LIVERPOOL.</span></h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Here have the wild deer bounded,—here the trees<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Waved, a wide-spreading forest, in the breeze!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Then came the woodman's axe,—the forest fell,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The shrine arose, and peal'd the chapel bell;—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The crowd of pilgrims and the sound of prayer<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Disturbed the woodland savage in his lair....<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What hear we now!—what see we in the gale!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The city's shout,—the far-expanding sail,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The crowded Mart,—the tramp of busy feet—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And wheels that shake the densely-peopled street."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">St. Nicholas</span>, or the Old Church, is supposed to stand upon the site of an +ancient chapel built about the time of the Conquest. But whether this be correct +or not, there is at least evidence to prove that, in 1361, license for burial here was +granted by the Bishop of Lichfield. It was endowed by Queen Elizabeth with a +small sum, under five pounds, to be paid annually out of the chantry rents to the +minister; and another sum, between five and six pounds, as a yearly grant to the +schoolmaster. In the olden time a statue of the patron, St. Nicholas, erected in +the churchyard, was much frequented by mariners, who believed that an offering +made to the saint would conciliate the winds in their favour, and secure a prosperous +voyage. Time, however, put an end to this confederacy between the saint +and seamen. St. Nicholas was dethroned; and for a time the winds "blew as if +they would have cracked their cheeks" at the downfall of one who had so long +laid them under arrest. But at length a better knowledge of the compass and the +coast made the seaman ample compensation for the loss of his ghostly patron, and +showed him that a skilful mariner and a stout bark are better securities against +storm and tempest than any saint in the calendar.</p> + +<p>In 1774 this church was rebuilt,—"The old roof, walls, and Gothic pillars, +the old blue ceiling, black and white clouds, golden sun, moon, and stars, painted +and gilt thereon," were removed, and the re-edification completed, under the +direction of Joseph Brooks, Esq. In 1810 this church was the scene of a dreadful +catastrophe; the steeple suddenly gave way as the children of the charity-school +were entering the church. It fell upon the body of the building, and twenty-four +lives were sacrificed, seventeen of which were girls belonging to the school. +Many others were severely wounded. The accident was attributed to the weakness +of an old arch upon which a modern spire had been erected. The spire was +subsequently restored by Mr. Harrison, of Chester, with a degree of taste and +execution which does him credit. It consists of an ornamented Gothic tower, +surmounted by an open lantern, with an air of great lightness and elegance, and +forming a very striking feature among the many architectural objects—civil and +ecclesiastical—by which it is surrounded. The height of the tower is one hundred +and twenty feet, and that of the lantern sixty; so that together the steeple has an +elevation of not less than one hundred and eighty feet. During the night the +clock opposite the river is illuminated, so that it may serve as a landmark to +assure the mariner that St. Nicholas is still on the watch for his safety, as in the +good olden time.</p> + +<p>St. George's Dock, from which the view of the Church is taken, was constructed +according to an act of parliament obtained in 1762, and completed at an +expenditure of twenty-one thousand pounds. It is two hundred and sixty-four +yards in length, one hundred in breadth, and lined on the east side by a row of +very large warehouses, with footpaths under the piazzas. Extending along both +sides are sheds for merchandise; and on the pier-head, at the west side of the +dock, are the public baths. The latter, comprised in a large building of plain but +classical design and execution, were erected by the corporation at an expense of +thirty-six thousand pounds, and opened to the public in the month of June, 1829. +Nothing could be better adapted to its purpose than this great public edifice, in +which the twofold recommendation of ornament and utility are happily combined. +The water is constantly flowing through the baths in a fresh current; being +supplied from the river at high-tide, filtered, and contained in a reservoir of eight +hundred tons under the centre of the building. Private, cold, shower, warm, +tepid, medicated, and vapour baths are to be had at all hours; and from the +excellent manner in which every department is arranged and conducted, the +inhabitants possess in this establishment one of the great means of promoting +health and averting disease.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_NEW_BRIGHTON" id="Illustration_NEW_BRIGHTON"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_023.jpg"><img src="images/i_023.jpg" width="600" height="417" alt="NEW BRIGHTON." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">NEW BRIGHTON.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="NEW_BRIGHTON" id="NEW_BRIGHTON"></a>NEW BRIGHTON.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">New Brighton</span> has already taken a prominent station in the list of fashionable +watering-places, and in several respects bids fair to eclipse even the attractions of +its celebrated namesake in Sussex. Highly favoured by nature in a romantic point +of view, the striking features of this locality have been duly taken advantage of in +constructing a series of marine villas, all in harmony with the native landscape. +These, with the most picturesque effects as viewed from a distance, combine every +accommodation that can be desired,—either for families of distinction, or private +individuals; while the air, which the invalid inhales from the atmosphere around +him, produces a degree of vigour and exhilaration, which is rarely experienced in +situations more inland or less elevated.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">"The rural wilds<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Invite; the mountains call you; and the vales,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The woods, the streams, and each ambrosial breeze<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That fans the ever-undulating sky—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A kindly sky!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The honour of founding New Brighton belongs to James Atherton, Esq. A +bold design, as it at first appeared, but which judgment, taste, and a liberal hand +have converted into a lasting monument,—creditable alike to the originator and to +the discriminating public, who have manifested a decided preference for the situation, +and thus amply justified the enterprise. The first step taken by Mr. Atherton was +to purchase nearly two hundred acres of land, including the site of the future town. +These were put under the care of persons well instructed in the plan of operations. +The design was prosecuted with unremitting zeal; houses sprang up, streets were +laid out, and in a comparatively short time the skeleton of New Brighton was completed. +Strangers resorted to the spot; the citizens of Liverpool became eager for +its completion, and for those enjoyments which it presented as a summer retreat, as +well as for the many advantages which it offered to the invalid. Thus encouraged +by the vote of public approbation, the works made rapid progress, and shortly +after assumed the name and consideration of a favourite watering-place.</p> + +<p>In the design and execution of the various embellishments of the place, the +architect has never stepped aside from the rules of good taste. The pleasure and +accommodation of the visitors have been carefully studied. Spacious streets, +fifteen yards in breadth and nearly a mile in length, insure a free circulation of air, +and throw open an agreeable promenade to the public, who resort thither in great +numbers during the summer and autumn. The partiality evinced for this watering +place, (of which the inhabitants can so readily take advantage,) is every day adding +to the number of its visitors, and thereby contributing to the further extension of the +original plan. A commodious and elegant hotel has been erected, where casual +visitors and others, in conjunction with the allurements of a well-served table, can +enjoy the exhilarating prospect of the sea, and the numberless vessels of all denominations +that stud and traverse its waters. For the accommodation of the resident +population, a reservoir, containing nearly two thousand gallons of water, has been +constructed, and supplied from a fine spring on the beach.</p> + +<p>The Fort and Lighthouse are objects well deserving of attention. The former +is very strongly built, and covers a space of nearly four thousand yards. It is +approached from the main land by means of a drawbridge, and mounts sixteen +pieces of cannon with others in the embrasures of the towers. On account of the +great sandbank at the entrance of the river, it is ordered that every ship of heavy +burden shall pass within nine hundred yards of the Fort.</p> + +<p>The Lighthouse is constructed of Anglesey marble, and is considered a masterpiece +of its kind. It rises about ninety feet above the rock; each stone is worked +to a given geometrical form, and made to lock and dovetail with those adjoining +with great accuracy. The whole is cemented together by a liquid volcanic substance +brought from the vicinity of Mount Ætna, which, in the course of time, +becomes as hard as marble. The lantern is illuminated by revolving lights—two +of which are brilliantly white, and the other of a deep red. The work is from the +design of Mr. Foster, and executed by Mr. Tomkinson, at an expense to the Liverpool +Corporation of twenty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_MATLOCK_BATH" id="Illustration_MATLOCK_BATH"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_027.jpg"><img src="images/i_027.jpg" width="600" height="421" alt="MATLOCK BATH." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">MATLOCK BATH.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="MATLOCK" id="MATLOCK"></a>MATLOCK,<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">DERBYSHIRE.</span></h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"To <span class="smcap">Matlock's</span> calm, sequester'd vale<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bear that maiden, faint and pale!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">There—'mid streams like music flowing,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">There—'mid flowers profusely blowing,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Health and beauty shall return,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And snatch a victim from the urn."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> reputation of the Matlock water is supported by the recorded testimony +of more than a century; while the picturesque scenery in which the village +is embosomed forms no small addition to its medicinal attractions. The number of +invalids who resort annually to this salubrious spring appears to be on the increase,—the +best criterion of the value attached to it. In the superior accommodation +which it now offers to every class of visitors, nothing has been neglected that even +the most fastidious can desire. Those domestic comforts, in particular, which are +often of more real importance to valetudinarians than the skill of the physician, have +been provided with a scrupulous exactness, which makes the stranger at Matlock +feel completely at home.</p> + +<p>Matlock, however, though so friendly to the invalid, is neither gloomy nor isolated; +but to those who delight to mix in the gayer scenes of artificial life, it possesses +every attraction which refined society and social intercourse can bestow. He who +seeks health, and he who seeks relaxation and pleasure, may enjoy every facility +which science or fashion can offer; and nowhere are the amusements better conducted, +or the rules of society more strictly observed, than at Matlock.</p> + +<p>The environs embrace some of the most striking and romantic scenery, as well +as historical sites, in England; and so close at hand that many of the finest +features enter into the same picture. Washed by the crystal Derwent and finely +wooded,—with rocks, and fountains, and precipices, scattered at random through +the charming landscape,—the visitor is tempted to pass much of his time in the +open air, which accelerates the cure the water has begun. Romantic foot-paths, +meandering along the rocky acclivities, and opening at short intervals upon +enchanting points of view, allure the indolent to that salutary exercise which seldom +fails to reward the <i>piéton</i> with increased strength and exhilaration of spirits. The +roads in the vicinity are kept in the best possible order, and, owing to the nature +of the soil, rain is so speedily carried off, or absorbed, that the invalid may indulge +in out-door exercise without apprehension.</p> + +<p>That portion of Matlock in which the invalid is most interested consists of the +Old Bath, the New Bath, the Hotel, and several commodious lodging-houses, +situated on the south-east side of the Derwent. These, with the various additions +and improvements recently effected, offer to his choice all that can be desired in +point of comfort and convenience. The buildings are of stone, elegantly constructed +externally, and presenting internally an arrangement admirably adapted to the +purposes of their erection. The servants of the establishments are well conducted, +and attentive to their several duties; and the vigilance with which every department +is regulated is a subject of commendation with every visitor.</p> + +<p>The water of Matlock is remarkable for its sparkling purity; it springs from +limestone rock in a copious stream; and, having a temperature of sixty-eight +degrees of Fahrenheit, is to be considered as a thermal water. It has been found +to contain a small portion of neutral salt—probably muriate of soda—and an +earthy salt, chiefly calcareous. Of the latter, when the water is exposed to the air, +a deposition is quickly effected, and incrustations formed upon every substance +immersed in it—some curious specimens of which are seen at what are called the +Petrifying Wells.</p> + +<p>In a medical point of view, the water of Matlock may be employed in all those +cases in which a pure diluent drink is advisable; but it is chiefly used as a tepid +bath—or at least as one which exceeds the extreme limits of a cold bath. On +this account, it produces only a slight shock on immersion, and is, therefore, +peculiarly fitted for those delicate and languid habits that cannot exert sufficient +reaction to overcome the effects of the common cold-bath, and on which the benefit +it produces chiefly depends. It forms a good intermediate bath between that of +Bath or Buxton and the sea, and may be recommended as a preparative for the +latter. The abundant supply of water always at the same temperature is a +circumstance in favour of natural baths; while the purity of the air and exquisite +beauty of the situation must always render Matlock a favourite resort for the +invalid and man of taste. To the geologist it presents a wide and interesting field +of observation. Few districts in England comprise within the same limits so great +a proportion of poetical and historical scenes.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_CONWAY_CASTLE" id="Illustration_CONWAY_CASTLE"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_031.jpg"><img src="images/i_031.jpg" width="600" height="406" alt="CONWAY CASTLE." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">CONWAY CASTLE.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CONWAY_CASTLE" id="CONWAY_CASTLE"></a>CONWAY CASTLE,<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">NORTH WALES.</span></h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Tantôt c'est un vieux fort, qui, du haut des collines,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Tyran de la contrie, effrei de ses vassaux,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Portait jusqu'au ciel l'orgueil de ses crénaux;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Qui, dans ces temps affreux de discorde et d'alarmes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Vit les grands coups de lance et les noble faits d'armes<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De nos preux chevaliers......<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Aujourd'hui la moisson flotte sur ses débris."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Conway</span>, or more properly Aberconway—so called from its position on the +river of that name—makes no inconsiderable figure in the page of ancient history. +It appears, on the testimony of Suetonius, the Roman governor in Britain, that +the chief motive entertained by his countrymen in their occupation of this coast +was a pearl fishery at the mouth of the river Conway; a specimen of which, +presented by Sir R. Wynne to the Queen of Charles the Second, is said to have +found a place among the jewels that now adorn the British diadem.</p> + +<p>The town of Conway is large, though not populous, and in situation and +appearance highly picturesque. It is surrounded by lofty embattled walls, a mile +and a half in circumference, well preserved, defended by twenty-four round-towers +and four gates, and presenting at all points a striking picture of the ancient style +of fortification. From the side towards the river ran two curtain-walls, terminating +in watch-towers, but of which only one remains.</p> + +<p>The castle, a truly grand and imposing structure, was built in 1284; an epoch +which gave origin to so many of those native fortresses, which will long continue +to be the subject of interest and admiration to every traveller in this romantic +country.</p> + +<p>Conway had, unlike Carnarvon and other fortresses situated on a level, no +imposing portal to usher into the interior. Its two entrances were small, both +practised for security, between an advanced work flanked by two small towers, +one ascending by winding stairs from the river, the other, from the interior of the +town, crossed the defensive moat by means of a drawbridge, and passed through a +portal and outwork of small turrets into the great court of the castle. This stands +on a rock, its courts flanked by eight enormous battlemented round-towers of +unequalled beauty of proportion, those next the river having in addition small +turrets. Of these towers, all are perfect as to their exterior save one, called Twr +Dwu, or the broken tower, of which the lower portion, with the rock that supported +it, has fallen away, exposing to view the immense solidity of its fractured +walls. The interior of each tower was occupied by several stages of spacious +apartments, the flooring and roof of which are entirely gone, with the fire-places, +and lancet windows, the interior yawning in vacant desolation, blackened, weather-stained, +and overgrown with rampant weeds and briers. There were stairs to +ascend to the upper apartments from the courts below, and a way round the +battlements which may still be followed out. The interior of the castle consists +of two courts, comprising the different apartments. As we enter the grassy area, +surrounded by ivied walls, and picturesquely surmounted by the battlemented +turrets, the great hall appears on the right; three spacious windows of pointed +architecture, and formerly highly enriched with mullions and tracery, lighted it on +the side next the court, and the side wall, furnished with six lancet windows, with +recessed and raised seats, looking out upon the creek, which, running up from the +Conway, defended the walls on the south. Two carved fire-places of ample +dimensions warmed the immense and royal apartment, supported by several gothic +arches, some of which, clothed with ivy, still span the vacant space above, while +beneath, among nettles and brambles, yawn the offices below. At the extremity +of the hall is a noble arched window. The walls are now mantled thick with ivy, +and the nettle and bramble overgrow what remains of the floor of this royal +apartment, where Edward, whose statue in Westminster Abbey is of unequalled +beauty, and Queen Eleanor, with masque and antique pageantry, entertained the +throng of knights and barons bold, who had assisted in the subjugation of the +Welsh, who besieged, however, the potent monarch in his own castle, and would +have starved him into a surrender, but for the timely arrival of a fleet bearing +soldiers and provisions. Since that period, its history is little remarkable. It +was held in the civil war, for Charles I., by Archbishop Williams, who, being +superseded by Prince Rupert, assisted the Parliamentarians in effecting the +reduction of the place.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_CONWAY_QUAY" id="Illustration_CONWAY_QUAY"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_035.jpg"><img src="images/i_035.jpg" width="600" height="390" alt="CONWAY QUAY." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">CONWAY QUAY.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CONWAY_QUAY" id="CONWAY_QUAY"></a>CONWAY QUAY.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> district of Conway is mostly agricultural, and possesses no distinct manufactures +by which the prosperity of the town and its population can be greatly +promoted. A few small trading-vessels belong to the port; and here also ships of +burden are occasionally repaired. The great improvement to the harbour is the +erection of the quay; and the channel of the river having been deepened, and every +impediment to the navigation removed, it may be anticipated that a speedy +increase of trading intercourse will succeed its former languor and inactivity. The +exports consist chiefly of timber, slate, and lead; and the imports, of coal from +Flint and Liverpool, and of tea, sugar, cotton, with various other articles of +domestic consumption.</p> + +<p>The chain-bridge, which constitutes so beautiful a feature in the picture of +Conway, was erected by Mr. Telford, of whose genius Wales possesses several of +the noblest monuments. That immediately under notice—constructed on the same +principles as the bridge over the Menai, but much smaller in its proportions—is +three hundred and twenty feet between the supporting towers, and eighteen feet +above high-water mark. Nothing can be more elegant and beautiful, as it appears +lightly spanning the river, and suffering the eye to penetrate its net-like fabric, so +as scarcely to offer an obstruction to the landscape which shines through it. The +scenery at this point is exceedingly interesting, and presents the works of nature, +and art, and human genius, in striking combination.</p> + +<p>The town of Conway, before the formation of the railroad, was one of the most +old-world places imaginable, unique for its faded and forlorn appearance, small as is +the area enclosed, a considerable portion being occupied by open spaces and gardens. +Everywhere entered by gothic portals, and as its interior was traced, with the +defensive wall everywhere in sight, it transported the beholder back to the middle +ages, more than any other walled city in England. There is a singular and picturesque +variety of ancient houses; some at the head of the street leading to the castle, +curiously carved, appear almost as old as the castle itself; others with their gable +roofs, and black rafters, are of later date, and the Plas Mawr, or great mansion, in +the principal street, prominently challenges the traveller's attention with its air of +faded magnificence and singular construction. It is of Elizabethan architecture, +and the arms of England, with initial letters E. R. and R. D., supposed to be +Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, as well as those of R. W., Robert Wynne of +Gwydir, sheriff of Carnarvon in 1591, and founder of the house, occur frequently, +and the place is lavishly adorned with various decorative devices of the age—swans, +owls, ostriches, mermaids, ragged staves, &c. The church contains little to interest +beyond its front, and an inscription to a certain Nicholas Hooker, of Conway, gentleman, +of a very anti-Malthusian import, the said Nicholas, though the father of +twenty-seven children, being but a degenerate copy of his father, who could boast—<i>O +si sic omnia!</i>—of no less than forty-one.</p> + +<p>Numerous and delightful are the rambles about this most picturesque place, +which is backed by bold heathy hills and green sequestered valleys. One of the +prettiest is to Gyffin, about a mile distant, which may be reached by following up +the shores of the creek, south of the castle, and the small stream coming down into +it. The little church is very ancient, and contains some curious paintings worthy +of inspection; it is half buried, and so unpretending is the building in aspect, that +it may be passed almost without noticing its sacred character. There is an excellent +view of the town and castle from the upper road on the return; the long line of walls +may be traced from the highest point, as they sweep round and join the castle, the +whole space thus enclosed resembling in its outline the Welsh harp, as often suggested. +The river and hills appear finely beyond. The artist especially should not +omit to view Conway from this, perhaps its finest point of view.</p> + +<p>So unique is, or rather was, Conway Castle in picturesque effect, that it is difficult +to mention any particular point from which it appears to greater advantage than +another. From the quay, or the river, from every eminence around, seen in front or +flank, near or distant, either by itself, or where the walls of the town prominently +enter into the composition, it is, or rather was, alike unequalled. The tourist who +is not pressed for time, and delights to hover around so magnificent a memorial of +past ages, will study it at every point. On taking a solitary walk round the walls, +he may fancy himself tracing the abandoned battlements of some old gothic town +of the Orient, Rhodes, or Antioch, or the Saracenic defences of Jerusalem; a dream +which may hardly be long indulged at present; for now, as Hood says,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"That iron age, which some have thought<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of mettle rather overwrought,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is now all over<i>cast</i>,"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>and its crumbling memorials are sharing the same fate. Furness Abbey is turned +into a railway station, and the passing train thunders through the very centre of old, +castellated Conway, reminding us, while it indeed scares away all romantic daydreams, +of the happy change from feudal oppression and border warfare, to the fusion +of jarring interests, and the progress of enlightened civilization.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_THE_MENAI_BRIDGE_BANGOR" id="Illustration_THE_MENAI_BRIDGE_BANGOR"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_039.jpg"><img src="images/i_039.jpg" width="600" height="404" alt="THE MENAI BRIDGE, BANGOR.)" title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">THE MENAI BRIDGE, BANGOR.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">(North Wales.)</span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_MENAI_BRIDGE" id="THE_MENAI_BRIDGE"></a>THE MENAI BRIDGE.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Menai Bridge, one of the many triumphs of modern engineering, arose +from the following circumstances. During the summer of 1818, Mr. Telford, the +engineer, was engaged on a survey of the extensive line of road from the metropolis +to Holyhead—that point of the Welsh coast nearest to Ireland, and situated +in the Island of Anglesea. Between this island and the Caernarvon coast flows +that arm of the sea familiar to every reader as the Menai Straits, through which +the tide rushes with great velocity, owing to local peculiarities well known to all +who have navigated that portion of the Channel. There were at this time five or +six ferries across the strait; but these, owing to the circumstances mentioned, +were generally difficult, and seldom without danger; so that the intercourse +between the opposite shores being much impeded, was a source of daily inconvenience +to the inhabitants. This was more particularly felt from the fact that +one of the staple productions of Anglesea was its cattle, which, when sold for the +inland counties or the London market, had to be driven into the water, and compelled +to cross the strait by swimming, which was attended with risk of property +as well as inconvenience. These circumstances were brought before the eyes of +Telford, and his ever-active and ingenious mind set instantly to work, in order to +remedy the evil by providing new facilities of intercourse. The result of his +reflections and mature calculations on this engrossing topic was the possibility of +throwing a bridge across the Menai.</p> + +<p>The grand obstacle was a deep rapid tide-stream with high banks. To have +erected a bridge of the usual materials would have obstructed the navigation; and +any attempt to erect piers in the shifting bed of the sea must have inevitably +proved a failure. Telford therefore recommended the erection of a suspension-bridge; +and the plan, after due consideration, being approved by government, the +work was commenced in 1820, carried on with great spirit, and in 1826 brought +to a most successful termination. It is partly of stone, partly of iron, and consists +of seven stone arches. These arches connect the land with the two main piers, +which rise on an elevation of fifty-three feet above the level of the road, over the +top of which the chains are suspended, each of which measures from its fastenings +in the rock, one thousand seven hundred and fourteen feet. The topmasts of the +first three-masted vessel which passed under the bridge were nearly as high as +those of a frigate, but they cleared twelve feet and a half below the level of the +roadway. The suspending power of the chains is calculated at two thousand and +sixteen tons; and the total weight of each chain is one hundred and twenty-one +tons.</p> + +<p>Since the day it was first opened, the Menai Bridge has been the wonder of +every traveller, an object of pilgrimage for scientific men of all countries, and a +source of daily advantage to the United Kingdom, which no other work would +have supplied. "The visiting of the Menai Bridge," says Mr. Smith, in his <i>Guide +to Snowdonia</i>, "forms a new era in the lives of those who have not had that +pleasure, and is a renewed luxury to those who have. There is something to be +admired at every step: the effect of a passing carriage; the vibration caused by the +mere application of the hand to the suspending-rods; the depth of a hundred feet +to the level of the water; the fine view of the Straits in both directions; the lofty +pillar erected in honour of Lord Anglesey; the diminutive appearance of persons +on the shore; the excellence and strength of the workmanship, the beauty of the +arches over the road through the suspension-piers, and the echo in them, all conspire +to fascinate and detain the spectator. There is so much elegance, beauty, +and magnificence, in this grand work of art, that it harmonizes and accords perfectly +with the natural scenery around; and although in itself an object of admiration, +still, in connexion with the features of the landscape, it heightens the effect +of the general view."</p> + +<p>"Seen, as I approached it," says Mr. Roscoe, "in the clear light of an +autumnal sunset, which threw a splendour over the wide range of hills beyond, +and the sweep of richly variegated groves and plantations which covered their +base; the bright river, the rocky picturesque foreground; villas, spires, and +towers here and there enlivening the prospect—the Menai Bridge appeared more +like the work of some great magician than the mere result of man's skill and +industry." Such were the encomiums lavished upon the first bridge which +crossed the Menai; but men have since learned to view this structure with +diminished admiration. Telford's great work no longer stands alone. The +tubular bridge of his great successor, Stephenson, has taken its place beside the +older and lighter work, and the very fact of its existence tends to diminish the +wonder with which the first was looked upon.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_PORT_PENRYN_AND_BANGOR" id="Illustration_PORT_PENRYN_AND_BANGOR"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_043.jpg"><img src="images/i_043.jpg" width="600" height="406" alt="PORT PENRYN AND BANGOR." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">PORT PENRYN AND BANGOR.</span> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="PORT_PENRHYN_AND_BANGOR" id="PORT_PENRHYN_AND_BANGOR"></a>PORT PENRHYN AND BANGOR.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Bangor</span>, although a city and the oldest see in the principality, is inconsiderable +in size and population; but the natural beauty of its situation, the +advantages which it commands from its inland as well as maritime connexion, +and its excellent society, render the town and environs a most desirable place of +residence, as well as a favourite resort for those families and individuals who +employ the summer months in the pursuit of health, recreation, or improvement. +The numerous walks, rides, and drives in the vicinity, all enhanced by their +immediate and varied prospects of the sea, offer those facilities to health and +enjoyment which cannot be too highly appreciated either by the tourist or resident. +The city consists principally of one irregular street, fully a mile in length, with a +fine vista towards the Menai—a name which the genius of Telford has rendered +familiar to all the admirers of science and art. The houses are well-built, of a +moderate size, neat in their appearance, and present to the stranger's eye a pleasing +air of domestic comfort and progressive improvement. In the latter respect, no +year passes away without contributing something to the public ornament or utility—objects +which are zealously patronised by the influential inhabitants, and +encouraged by those numerous and spirited visitors, estimated at fifty thousand +annually, whom business or relaxation attract to the place. But to convey the +best proof of the advances which Bangor has realised in the scale of provincial +importance, and in all that has immediate reference to social and local improvements, +we need only state that at the commencement of the present century the +number of houses was only ninety-three, but that now it amounts to nine hundred +or upwards. During three-quarters of the year a regular communication between +Bangor and Liverpool is kept up by the steamboats that ply along this romantic and +much-frequented coast, and which contribute greatly to the interests of the place. +The environs are enlivened by many picturesque villas, and every accommodation +is provided in the hotels and private lodging-houses for the reception of visitors.</p> + +<p>The great object of general interest at Bangor is its cathedral,—a very ancient +and venerable structure,—the foundation of which was among the earliest of +those primitive temples which marked the triumphant progress of Christianity on +the British soil. It is understood to have been founded by St. Daniel, at the +commencement of the sixth century, and bears the sainted name of the founder. +The choir was built by Bishop Deane, in or about 1496, and is used only for the +cathedral service. The nave, built by Bishop Skivington in 1532, is fitted up as +a parish church; and in one of the transepts the service is read in the Welsh +tongue.</p> + +<p>The free school,—founded in 1557 by Dr. Glynn, brother of the bishop of +that name,—five daily schools within the parish, the central National school, +four Sunday-schools, and almshouses, give a most favourable impression of the +religious and civil advantages enjoyed by the inhabitants of Bangor, who evince a +spirit and zeal worthy of those blessings which, in comparison with other and far +more populous towns, place them in so enviable a position.</p> + +<p>The principal export is the product of the slate-quarries, which is conveyed +on a railway from Llandegai, six miles distant, to port Penrhyn, at the egress of +the river Cegid into the Menai. This port is now capable of receiving vessels of +large burden. It is nine hundred feet in length, and in all respects well adapted +for the trading-craft which here take in their cargoes. The slates are of all +dimensions, from large tombstone slabs down to the smallest size for roofing. For +cyphering-slates, inkstands, and other fancy articles, there is a manufactory near the +port. At a short distance is a handsome building containing hot and cold sea-water +baths, with rooms for dressing and refreshment. The construction of this +establishment, with its terrace and other appurtenances, is said to have cost the +late Lord Penrhyn thirty thousand pounds. In the straits of Menai there is a +good fishery, near Garth Ferry. There is a weekly market every Friday; and +fairs are held in April, June, September, and October. No stranger should +neglect to visit Penrhyn Castle, one of the finest baronial mansions in Europe.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_BEAUMARIS" id="Illustration_BEAUMARIS"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_047.jpg"><img src="images/i_047.jpg" width="600" height="410" alt="BEAUMARIS." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">BEAUMARIS.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="BEAUMARIS" id="BEAUMARIS"></a>BEAUMARIS,<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">ANGLESEA.</span></h2> + + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I have stood gazing on Snowdon and Plinlimmon, the vale of Clwyd, the straits of Menai—lake, +river, sea, and land—till they seemed of themselves to say, Stranger, well mayst thou gaze! we merit +thine admiration—we are of <span class="smcap">God</span>!"</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Beaumaris</span> is finely situated on the picturesque banks of the Menai, where +it opens into the bay, and presents many attractions derived from its historical +monuments, its natural advantages, and modern improvements. As the principal +town in the island and county of Anglesea, it has long been a place of fashionable +resort, and being at the same time the borough and market-town, it is a scene of +considerable activity, cheerfulness, and animation. It is in general well built; +particularly one street, the houses of which are large and commodious, and of +superior design and execution. Of the original wall by which it was once enclosed, +considerable portions still remain—sufficient to demonstrate, by their +massive strength and durability, the iron features, and the no less iron policy of +feudal times. The castle—erected by Edward the First, and now an imposing ruin +close to the town—covers a large space of ground, but stands too low to produce +that effect upon the spectator which it would have done had it, like so many of its +cotemporaries, occupied an isolated and commanding position. It is surrounded +by a deep fosse, with an entrance between two embattled walls on the east, with +round and square towers. The gate opens into a spacious court, measuring fifty-seven +yards by sixty, with four square towers, and an advanced-work on the east, +called the Gunner's Walk. Within these was the keep—the body of the castle—nearly +square, having a round tower at each angle, and another in the centre of +each façade. The area forms an irregular octagon, of the dimensions above named. +In the middle of the north side is the hall, twenty yards long by twelve broad, +with two round towers, and several others about the inner and outer walls, built +of a bluish stone intermixed with square stones, which produce a rather novel and +pleasing effect.</p> + +<p>There appears to have been originally a communication round the whole +buildings of the inner court by means of a gallery two yards broad, and which still +remains nearly entire. In various recesses in different parts of the sides of this +gallery are square apertures, which appear to have had trap-doors or openings into +a dungeon beneath. The two eastern towers served also as dungeons, with a dark +and narrow descent to each—sufficiently characteristic of the dark and despotic +purposes to which they were applied. On the east side of this building are the +remains of a very small chapel, arched and ribbed with painting and intersecting +arches; also some Gothic pilasters and narrow lancet-headed windows, and various +compartments, with closets constructed—after the manner of those times—in the +centre of the massive walls.</p> + +<p>When Edward the First built the town, and erected it into a corporation, he +endowed it at the same time with various lands and privileges of considerable +value, in order to secure more firmly his possessions in the island, and changed +its name from Bonover to Beaumaris, in allusion, it is supposed, to its low but +pleasant situation. He caused also a canal to be cut, in order that vessels might +be brought up close under the battlements to discharge their cargoes, as the iron +mooring-rings affixed to the walls clearly indicate.</p> + +<p>The church, which forms a prominent feature in the picture of Beaumaris, is a +spacious and very elegant structure, having a lofty square tower, visible at a great +distance, and presenting in all its proportions and compartments a fine specimen of +ecclesiastical architecture. The other public buildings consist of the county-hall, +the town-hall, the free-school, and the custom-house; each possessing, in an +eminent degree, every ornament and accommodation befitting buildings of their +class and destination. The view from the green commands a striking prospect of +the most interesting portion of the Menai Strait, bounded in the distance by the +Caernarvon mountains, which gradually overtop each other till they unite in the +majestic Snowdon, whose summit—now belted with clouds, and now glittering in +the sunshine—asserts his claim to undivided empire as "Sovran" of the British +Alps.</p> + +<p>With respect to trade, Beaumaris can hardly be said to enjoy any exclusive +advantages: the vessels belonging to the port are generally hired by neighbouring +merchants and others, who have trading connexions with Liverpool and other +ports on the English and Irish sides of the Channel. The bay, though not +spacious, is safe and commodious, and affords shelter and good anchorage for +vessels that take refuge here in tempestuous weather. The town has a weekly +market on Wednesdays, and three annual cattle fairs in February, September, and +December. During the season it is much resorted to as bathing-quarters, and has +everything to recommend it as a summer residence. A steam-boat plies regularly +between this and Liverpool, thereby affording every facility to visitors, and presenting +in the passage a rich succession of beautiful, picturesque, and sublime +scenery, which successively invites and fascinates the eye of the spectator.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_HOLYHEAD" id="Illustration_HOLYHEAD"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_051.jpg"><img src="images/i_051.jpg" width="600" height="412" alt="HOLYHEAD." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">HOLYHEAD.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="HOLYHEAD" id="HOLYHEAD"></a>HOLYHEAD.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Holyhead</span> is familiar to every reader as the favourite point of rendezvous +for all who are on their way to the Irish capital. By the admirable arrangements +of the Post-office, and the sure and swift-sailing packets that are here in +regular attendance, a passage across the Channel is now a matter of as much +certainty, as to time, as that of the mail from London. The perfect order and +the surprising expedition with which passengers and despatches may thus be +forwarded to and from Dublin are the general theme of admiration amongst +foreigners, and a means of vast accommodation to our own commercial houses. +During a long series of years the improvement of Holyhead has engaged the +special attention of Government; every suggestion, entitled to the approbation of +skilful and experienced engineers, has been liberally carried into effect: so that +in the present day it seems hardly possible that any packet-station can offer greater +facilities for all the purposes of Government, or for the interests of social and +commercial intercourse, than Holyhead. The steam-vessels which carry the daily +mails are of the best possible construction, commanded by experienced naval +officers, and affording excellent accommodation for the passengers who are constantly +passing to and fro between the British and Irish shores.</p> + +<p>The harbour of Holyhead is shaped by the natural cliffs which overhang the +sea, on the verge of which stand the ancient sanctuary of the place and its +cemetery. The foundation of this church—originally a small monastery—dates +from the close of the fourth century: it was long afterwards remodelled +into a college of presbyters by one of the Lords of Anglesey; and, after undergoing +many alterations suitable to the varying taste of the ages through which it +has passed, it assumed its present appearance—that of an embattled edifice built +in the shape of a cross.</p> + +<p>Under the Head—the mountain from which the harbour takes its name, and +which overshadows the town—are two rocky eminences nearly opposite the +church, both of which are crowned with ruins which carry the mind far back +among the bright days of Cambrian independence. In the rock is a wide and +lofty cavern, supported by natural columns, on which tradition has conferred the +title of the Parliament-house; and it is not to be denied that patriotic legislators +have been often worse accommodated. This curiosity requires to be visited in a +boat. On the highest point stands an uncemented circular stone wall, about ten +feet in circumference, which is conjectured to have served as a <i>pharos</i> in ancient +times; for this coast has a perilous celebrity attached to it, and no vessel could +safely approach the haven by night without a warning signal of this kind.</p> + +<p>The pier of Holyhead is admirably constructed. It is built on a small island +north of the harbour, called Inys-halen, and combines in an eminent degree the +requisites of security and accommodation in a work of such importance to the +interests of trade. The foundation was laid in 1809, under fortunate auspices; +and the grand object, which had been so long and anxiously cherished, was happily +accomplished, under the able direction of Mr. Rennie, within a comparatively +short period. It has a depth of four fathoms water, so that vessels of heavy +burden can ride at anchor in perfect safety. At the extremity is a lighthouse, +finely proportioned, substantially built, and highly ornamental as well as useful +to the pier and harbour.</p> + +<p>The pier extends a thousand feet in length; and close adjoining to it are the +Custom-house, with several respectable family houses, among which are those for +the harbour-master and resident engineers. The lighthouse contains twenty lamps +and reflectors, at an elevation of more than fifty feet above the sea, and exhibiting +in every direction a steady blaze of light. At the present time, works for improving +and enlarging the harbour are proceeding on a very extensive scale, and +bid fair, upon completion, to render Holyhead one of the first harbours of the +United Kingdom.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_BRIDGE_TO_THE_SOUTH_STACK_LIGHTHOUSE" id="Illustration_BRIDGE_TO_THE_SOUTH_STACK_LIGHTHOUSE"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_055.jpg"><img src="images/i_055.jpg" width="600" height="412" alt="BRIDGE TO THE SOUTH STACK LIGHTHOUSE." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">BRIDGE TO THE SOUTH STACK LIGHTHOUSE.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">(near Holyhead.)</span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_SOUTHSTACK_LIGHTHOUSE" id="THE_SOUTHSTACK_LIGHTHOUSE"></a>THE SOUTHSTACK LIGHTHOUSE,<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">HOLYHEAD.</span></h2> + + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Approaching it from the water, its singular aspect, its wild site and deserted air—the lighthouse +towering seventy feet in height—the neat, comfortable dwellings close under its guardian wing—the sounds +of life and industry mingled with the lashing of the sea—and the cry of innumerable birds, ever circling +above and around—were altogether of so unwonted a character, that, had I been transported to the +antipodes, I could not have felt more unfeigned surprise."—<span class="smcap">Roscoe.</span></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Few</span> objects on the British coast excite more individual interest than the +subject of this illustration. The singularity of its position, the difficulties which +attended its erection, the grand objects of humanity to which it has been made subservient, +are all calculated to interest the heart, and afford scope for the imagination.</p> + +<p>The Southstack islet is about thirty yards from the rock known as the Head; +and on this the lighthouse was erected in 1809, under the direction of Captain +Evans, of the Royal Navy. Its form is that of a round tower, the foundation of +which is a hundred and forty feet, and the light two hundred feet above the sea—so +that it embraces within its sphere the whole bay of Caernarvon. The approach +by water to this remarkable sanctuary of human life is well calculated to make a +lasting impression upon every visitor, and should never be omitted where a +favourable opportunity is presented by the state of the weather. It is here that the +extremes of natural desolation and human industry are brought into juxtaposition; +where human enterprise has established an asylum amidst the ruins of nature, the +war of waves, the wreck of tempests, to shed the "light of hope" over the heart +of many a despairing mariner.</p> + +<p>Happily for the cause of humanity, vast efforts have been made, and are +continually making, to diminish where they cannot entirely remove the dangers +which have so long invested our native coast; and it is impossible to calculate the +number of lives and the amount of merchandise which have thus been saved from +imminent destruction. Much, however, still remains to be effected—much that is +really practicable—and it is earnestly to be desired that the attention of Government +should be constantly directed to those points on which the science of the engineer +can be most beneficially employed. Holyhead in particular is still susceptible of +vast improvements; and with the addition of a capacious outer harbour, sufficient +to admit merchant-vessels and others of larger size than those now frequenting the +port, it would speedily realize all that could be wished for by those most interested +in the welfare of the place, and in the prosperity of trade. This is also a subject +well deserving of attention on the part of the Admiralty; for, with proper accommodation, +her Majesty's ships, in the event of a war, might be advantageously +stationed at this port, so as to secure free intercourse, and serve as a protection to +the coast, which is now in a defenceless condition and open to any attempt at +hostile aggression. We are happy that this question has received the consideration +of her Majesty's Government; and feel assured that the steps which are now +making towards the accomplishment of so great a desideratum will ensure the +grateful approbation of the public, and the increased prosperity of Holyhead.</p> + +<p>The Southstack, as already mentioned, is cut off from the promontory by a +deep chasm thirty yards in width, through which the sea roars and boils with great +force and impetuosity. To cross this formidable ravine an oriental rope-bridge +was formerly employed, that is—a sliding basket was attached to the cable, which +was secured at either side of the abyss; the passenger entered the basket, and by +the ingenious working of lateral pulleys it was sent off or hauled in, according to +the arrival or departure of visitors. This hempen apparatus was replaced in 1827 +by a handsome suspension-bridge, on the same principles as that over the Menai. +It was suggested by the intelligent veteran already mentioned, Captain Evans, and +has answered every purpose contemplated in its erection. The roadway is five +feet in width, and its height above high-water mark is about seventy feet. The +airy span of this bridge is highly graceful and picturesque, and adds greatly to the +interest of the picture. On the rock, close under the walls of the lighthouse, are +several cottages for the use of the Superintendent and those under his command. +The different points of view which it comprises are all deeply interesting to a +stranger, particularly from the lighthouse, where the sphere of vision is greatly +enlarged.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_THE_EAGLE_TOWER_CARNARVON_CASTLE" id="Illustration_THE_EAGLE_TOWER_CARNARVON_CASTLE"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_059.jpg"><img src="images/i_059.jpg" width="600" height="416" alt="THE EAGLE TOWER, CARNARVON CASTLE." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">THE EAGLE TOWER, CARNARVON CASTLE.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="EAGLE_TOWER" id="EAGLE_TOWER"></a>EAGLE TOWER,<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">CAERNARVON CASTLE.</span></h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Caernarvon Castle</span>, of which the Engraving annexed presents so faithful +and striking a resemblance, is a subject of no ordinary interest: it generally +engrosses the attention of all strangers in these parts, and is, in every sense, one +of the noblest specimens of castellated architecture in existence. Like so many +others of similar design and execution, this fortress owes its origin to the policy of +Edward the First, who built it, according to contemporary history, by appropriating +the revenues of the See of York, then vacant, to the purposes of warlike +enterprise and ambition. The town is understood to have arisen under the same +auspices. The Castle defends it on the south by means of a narrow, deep moat in +front. In its west wall are three circular towers, with two others on either side, +and a narrow gate or entrance, over which is placed a bare-headed figure with +flowing locks,—the statue of the founder,—holding in his left hand a sword, which +he draws with his right hand,—or rather, perhaps, is returning to its scabbard, in +allusion to the subjugation of the Welsh,—and a defaced shield under his feet. +This gate leads to a narrow, oblong court. At the west end is a polygon, or many-sided +tower, with three others of hexagonal form above, and eagles sculptured on +the battlements, from which it received the name, preserved in the Engraving, of +the "Eagle Tower." It is a noble structure, having ten sides, and a staircase of +three hundred steps to the battlements. In this tower is the birth-chamber of +Edward the Second,—the first Prince of Wales,<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a>—whose nativity, on the 25th of +April, 1284, was an humiliating epoch to the spirit of Cambrian freedom. The +room measures only eleven feet by seven,—dimensions little in accordance with +the importance attached to that event,—but still in some measure characteristic of +the fortunes of the royal heir, who, after an eventful reign, was destined at last to +perish by a horrible death in the dungeon-room of Berkeley Castle. Adjoining +this chamber is a semicircular apartment, traditionally described as the King's +Nursery.</p> + +<p>The Castle and the court which it encloses are very nearly a mile in circumference. +From the outside, twelve towers are seen; out of which, as observed in +those of Conway Castle, issue several smaller angular turrets, which, relieved +against the horizon, produce a very picturesque effect. A gateway on the south +side of the Castle is called the Queen's Gate, from the circumstance of Queen +Eleanor having entered the fortress through this gate, by a temporary bridge +erected for the occasion.</p> + +<p>Our limits do not permit us to indulge in more minute description of this vast +and imposing fortress, which, from the state of repair in which it is still kept, may +brave the changes of season and the fury of the elements for many generations to +come. Externally it is still entire, and challenges the admiration of all who have +the least taste for what is sublime and striking in architecture. The castle-walls +are still washed by the sea on the north and west, as they formerly were on the +south. Founded upon a rock, and occupying so strong a position, it might well +have been considered impregnable in the absence of gunpowder. Immense as the +structure appears, it is said to have been built within the short space of twelve +months; a fact which would appear incredible, did we not reflect that in those +days of bitter vassalage the <i>will</i> of the sovereign was a law that could not be +transgressed without certain destruction to the offenders. If a work was considered +impracticable, or of doubtful accomplishment, all hesitation was removed—all +difficulties cancelled—by these expressive words, <i>Le Roi l'a voulu!</i> And under +the more than magical influence of this laconic phrase, the "towery fortress" of +Caernarvon may have sprung into sudden existence.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<a name="Illustration_CARNARVON" id="Illustration_CARNARVON"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_063.jpg"><img src="images/i_063.jpg" width="600" height="431" alt="CARNARVON." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">CARNARVON.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CAERNARVON_CASTLE" id="CAERNARVON_CASTLE"></a>CAERNARVON CASTLE.</h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">——"Rifled towers<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That, beetling o'er the rock, rear the grey crest<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Embattled."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> first royal charter granted in the Principality of Wales was that conferred +on the town of Caernarvon by Edward the First. It is a place of great +historical interest and importance, and, in connexion with its magnificent castle, +presents one of the most imposing features on the British coast. The town is not +large; but the recent improvements—public and private—which have been carried +into effect have materially contributed to its internal convenience and outward +embellishment. Of these the Baths demand especial notice, as one of the principal +recommendations to strangers and invalids who resort to this part of the Cambrian +shore either for health or relaxation. The building in itself is a good specimen +of classical taste—combining elegance of design with excellent workmanship, and +presenting, in the distribution of its apartments, every convenience for the reception +of visiters and invalids, a choice of hot and cold sea-water baths, with the +appendage of comfortable dressing-rooms. For those who have the pleasure in +the "cold plunge," as the means of bracing the relaxed system by the exercise of +swimming, there is excellent accommodation in a capacious bath, appropriated to +that salutary purpose, which is refreshed by a constant supply of water drawn by +a steam-engine from the sea through iron pipes, and received into large reservoirs +of the same metal. This edifice, which combines in an eminent degree the useful +and ornamental, was built at the expense of the Marquess of Anglesey, and is said +to have cost upwards of ten thousand pounds.</p> + +<p>Within the walls this ancient town is intersected by ten streets, crossing each +other at right-angles, which, at various points, fix the stranger's attention by those +features and recollections of "other times" with which they are so closely associated. +Of these, the main or high street runs from the land to the Water-gate, +and is a very fair specimen of that architecture which characterises almost all +town buildings of the feudal period. Beyond the walls the town assumes a very +different character; elegance, taste, and comfort, and those features which mark +the progress of art and refinement, are brought into immediate view; while +numerous cottages, and several villas of handsome design and finely situated, +throw an air of luxury and domestic comfort over the rural suburbs, the natural +character of which is highly favourable to buildings of this description. The +town is well paved, lighted with gas, and abundantly supplied with water.</p> + +<p>The Port of Caernarvon has accommodation for shipping not exceeding four +hundred tons burden, and is frequented by a great number of vessels in the +coasting-trade, as well as by others in connexion with London, Liverpool, Glasgow, +Dublin, Cork, Bristol, and various port-towns in the United Kingdom. The +principal exports consist of slate and copper-ore, the inland transport of which +has been greatly facilitated since the construction of the railway. The imports +are chiefly colonial produce, Birmingham and Manchester goods, and various +articles of home-consumption from the London markets. The quay and harbour +of Caernarvon, which formerly presented serious obstacles to the shipping interest +on account of the <i>bar</i> at the entrance, have been so improved that the danger, if +not entirely removed, is at least so far diminished as to excite little apprehension +for the safety of the ordinary craft in connexion with this port. To defray the +expense of these public works, Government has levied additional port-dues; and +it is much to be wished that, in all other harbours of difficult or dangerous access, +the same advantages could be obtained on similar conditions.</p> + +<p>The town is now, agreeably to the Municipal Act, divided into two wards, +and governed by a mayor, six aldermen, and eighteen councillors. In addition +to the picturesque civic retreats already alluded to, as giving so much animation +to the native scenery, the neighbourhood is embellished with the baronial seats of +the Marquess of Anglesey, Lord Boston, and Lord Newborough. The ruins of +Segontium, several Roman stations, part of a military road, and a considerable +number of primitive domestic edifices, are among the chief objects of antiquity +which deserve the attention of visiters to this neighbourhood.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_HARLECH_CASTLE" id="Illustration_HARLECH_CASTLE"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_067.jpg"><img src="images/i_067.jpg" width="600" height="401" alt="HARLECH CASTLE." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">HARLECH CASTLE.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="HARLECH_CASTLE" id="HARLECH_CASTLE"></a>HARLECH CASTLE,<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">NORTH WALES.</span></h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">"The tower that long had stood<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The crash of thunder and the warring winds.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shook by the slow but sure destroyer—Time,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now hangs in doubtful ruins o'er its base."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harlech Castle</span>, according to the Welsh historians, derives its origin from +Maelgwyn Gwynedd, prince of North Wales, who flourished at the commencement +of the sixth century. The present castle appears to have been rebuilt by +Edward I., on the foundations of the original fortress, portions of which are still +observable in the masonry of the latter epoch, so well known as the "castle-building +reign" in England. In the reign of Henry IV. the castle was seized by Owen +Glendower, but was retaken four years later; and, after the battle of Northampton, +in 1460, afforded temporary shelter to Margaret of Anjou.</p> + +<p>In 1468, the castle of Harlech was captured, after a short siege, by the Earl of +Pembroke; of whom Sir John Wynne, in his history of the Gwydir family, +quotes some Cambrian lines expressive of the ravages committed by him in the +counties of Merioneth and Denbigh at that unhappy period. The last of the +many tempestuous scenes with which this fortress has been visited occurred in +1647, when William Owen, with a garrison of only twenty men, surrendered it +to Cromwell's forces under General Mytton; but this was not accomplished till +every other castle in Wales had deserted the royal cause.</p> + +<p>This castle is a strong square building, with a round-tower at each angle, and +one of the same form at each side of the gateway. Besides these there are four +other turrets, smaller and higher, which rise above the towers at the angles, and +are in a more dilapidated state. The entrance is under a pointed arch, which +formerly contained six gates of massive strength and construction. Although +the roofs, doors, and casements of this interesting stronghold have long disappeared, +it still presents in the distance an air of even habitable preservation. +There are the remains of stone staircases in every tower, and in the area one of +these, leading to the top of the battlements, is still entire. In all the rooms fire-places, +with pointed arches, are visible, as well as window recesses, which in the +state apartments are three in a row, and of spacious dimensions; while those in +the smaller rooms gradually contract outwards till they terminate in a "slit" or +loophole, as in most other castles of this style and period.</p> + +<p>The view of Harlech Castle is among the finest in this picturesque and interesting +country; the situation is commanding, and the effect of these venerable +towers and battlements, as they first burst upon the traveller's eye, is strikingly +bold and impressive. His fancy is hurried back to the days of other times: the +shades of native harpers and native heroes flit before his eye; history and romance +divide the empire of his mind; and for a time he rests with mute but intense +interest on these castellated landmarks of Cambrian history.</p> + +<p>The rock upon which the fortress is built rises from the Gamlas,—a level +marsh, resembling water in the distance, nearly a mile in breadth, and which it is +probable was once covered by the sea. On the side overlooking this marsh, the +rock is precipitous, and steep at either end. In front it is on a level with the town +of Harlech, from which it is separated only by a deep trench or moat, and overlooked +by a group of magnificent mountains in the rear, from which the view is +sublime. The whole platform of the rock is occupied by the castle, except a +narrow belt of about four or five feet in width, forming a beautiful green path, +which winds round the outer walls, skirting the very brink of the precipice.</p> + +<p>The town of Harlech is an ancient free burgh, and originally one of the chief +places in the county of Merioneth. It is now reduced to the condition of a +secondary village, has a corporation governed by a mayor, is one of the polling-places +for the county members, and is enlivened during the year by several +periodical fairs and weekly markets.</p> + +<p>Various objects of antiquity have been discovered from time to time in the +neighbourhood of Harlech. In 1692 an ancient gold <i>torque</i> was dug up in a +garden near the castle. It is in the form of a wreathed bar, or several rods +twisted together, about four feet long, flexible, bent in the form of a hat-band, +neither sharp nor twisted, but plain, evenly cut, an inch in circumference, and in +weight about eight ounces. This interesting relic is an heir-loom in the Mostyn +family. Several coins of the Roman empire have also been found in and near +this town, which afford indisputable evidence of its great antiquity. The distance +of Harlech from London is two hundred and twenty-nine miles.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_BARMOUTH" id="Illustration_BARMOUTH"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_071.jpg"><img src="images/i_071.jpg" width="600" height="412" alt="BARMOUTH." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">BARMOUTH.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="BARMOUTH" id="BARMOUTH"></a>BARMOUTH:<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">OR, ABERMAW.</span></h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Here, beneath the mountain's brow,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hygëia hears the pilgrim's vow;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Here the breath of summer seas,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The balm of morn, the evening breeze,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The charms of a romantic land,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Refresh and gem the Cambrian strand,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Where still the muse of Cymry lingers,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And strikes the harp with raptured fingers."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Barmouth</span>, the only port in Merionethshire, occupies a romantic situation at +the mouth of the river Mawddach, where the tide at high-water forms a bay of +about a mile across, but rather hazardous, owing to the shifting sandbanks by +which the channel is interrupted. Overhung by lofty mountains, which leave no +adequate space for the horizontal expansion of the village, the houses appear to +hang almost perpendicularly from the steep side of the cliffs, so that the chimneys +of the one appear to be the foundation of the other. They form eight successive +tiers or terraces, to which there is no better approach than by steps hewn in the +rock.</p> + +<p>This romantic village, which consists of only one irregular street, is much +frequented as sea-bathing quarters, for which it has every accommodation, and, in +respect to bold and picturesque scenery, has few rivals in the whole Principality. +The sea-beach affords every facility for pedestrian exercise; the walks along the +banks of the river are numerous, and command the most striking points of view; +while regular assemblies, and some of the best Cambrian harps, promote social +intercourse and hilarity among the visitors, and give a stir and animation to the +whole neighbourhood.</p> + +<p>Barmouth, says Mr. Roscoe, is considered to the north-west part of the +kingdom, much like Weymouth and other fashionable watering-places to the +south, and is resorted to during the summer months, not only by numbers of +families in the Principality, but by many others residing in the surrounding +counties. The sands are very fine and hard, extending along the beach for +several miles, and the bathing is at all times as excellent as can be desired. The +restless tides of the Channel dashing against the surrounding coast produce that +constant and salubrious motion, which is extended to the waters of the bay. There +are two convenient inns, the "Commercial," and the "Cors y Gedol Arms," +besides a number of respectable lodging-houses.</p> + +<p>The town has the benefit of weekly markets, with an excellent supply of fish +and poultry, at a cheap rate, and is further enlivened by two annual fairs, in +October and November. The native manufactures consist chiefly of flannel and +hosiery, a great quantity of which is exported. The other <i>exports</i> consist of corn, +butter, cheese, oak-bark, timber, &c.; the <i>imports</i>, of coal, culm, and other articles +for the use of the interior.</p> + +<p>The number of small coasting-vessels, and others belonging to this haven that +trade with Ireland, is stated at a hundred or upwards; and commercial business, +upon the whole, is considered to be in a flourishing state.</p> + +<p>The distance of Barmouth from London is two hundred and twenty-two miles, +and it communicates with Caernarvon by a cross-mail. The resident population +is considerably under two thousand, but is greatly augmented during the bathing +season. The shipping at the pier communicates to the place a particular air of +prosperity and cheerfulness, and gives employment to a very considerable portion +of the inhabitants.</p> + +<p>"The beauties of the road from Llanilltyd to Barmouth," says Mr. Pratt, +"are so manifold and extraordinary that they literally beggar description. New +pastures of the most exuberant fertility, new woods rising in all the majesty of +foliage, the road itself curving in numberless unexpected directions,—at one +moment shut into a verdant recess, so contracted that there seems neither +carriage nor bridle-way out of it, and at another the azure expanse of the main +ocean filling the eye. On one side, rocks glittering in all the colours of that +beauty which constitutes the sublime, and of a height which diminishes the wild +herds that browse, or look down upon you from the summit, where the largest +animal appears insignificantly minute. On the other hand, plains, villas, cottages, +or copses, with whatever belongs to that milder grace which appertains to the +beautiful."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_SWANSEA_BAY" id="Illustration_SWANSEA_BAY"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_075.jpg"><img src="images/i_075.jpg" width="600" height="410" alt="SWANSEA BAY." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">SWANSEA BAY.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="SWANSEA_BAY" id="SWANSEA_BAY"></a>SWANSEA BAY.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">GLAMORGANSHIRE.</span></h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"In front, the Bay its crystal wave expands,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whose rippling waters kiss the glittering sands<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Far o'er its bosom, ships with spreading sails<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Export the <i>ores</i> from Cambria's sunny vales.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Above—yon feudal bulwarks crown the steep,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whose rocky base repels the stormy deep;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Here health is found,—there Industry resides,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And Freedom on her native shore abides."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> reputation which Swansea has long enjoyed as a delightful watering-place +has suffered no diminution in consequence of the numerous rivals with +which this coast is so agreeably diversified. As bathing quarters, it enjoys peculiar +advantages in its shore, which is admirably adapted for that purpose; while the +adjacent scenery, and the various objects of interest or curiosity with which it +abounds, serve as pleasing incentives to exercise and recreation,—the happy effects +of which are soon observable in the health and appearance of invalids who make +choice of Swansea as their summer residence. Every resource which visitors can +desire, for promoting either health of body or agreeable occupation for the mind, is +here amply provided. Warm, sea-water, and vapour, baths,—public rooms, billiard-tables, +reading-rooms, circulating libraries,—with comfortable private lodgings +and excellent hotels, are among the list of daily luxuries at their command.</p> + +<p>The Harbour of Swansea is capacious,—well constructed, defended by two +strong stone piers, about eighteen hundred feet in length,—and affords accommodation +to a great many trading-vessels. On the west pier, a light-house and +watch-tower offer additional security to the shipping; and every facility is +provided for lading and unlading. The tide flows a considerable way up the river, +which is navigable to the extent of two miles for vessels of burden. The canal, +running parallel with the river, extends to Brecknockshire, a distance of sixteen +miles; and in its course passes through thirty-six locks, and over several aqueducts. +Its head is nearly four hundred feet higher than its mouth, which readily +accounts for the great number of locks. There is also a canal from the Swansea +to the Neath canal, on which a packet-boat is established, and a <i>tram</i>-road from +the former to Oystermouth. With Bristol and Ilfracombe there is a regular communication +kept up by means of steam-vessels, which leave and arrive according +to the state of the tide.</p> + +<p>The public buildings of Swansea—ancient and modern—are numerous in proportion +to the population. The Town-hall, erected in 1829, is an elegant structure, +approached by two flights of steps, and adorned with columns of the Doric order. +The castle, situated nearly in the centre of the town, was originally a building of +great extent, and of a strength well suited to the purposes of its erection. A +massive tower, surmounted by a range of light arches which support a parapet, is +the principal part now remaining of this once redoubtable fortress. It appears to +have been founded at the remote epoch of 1113, by Henry Beaumont, Earl of +Warwick,—a Norman leader who conquered Gowerland; but being soon after +laid siege to by a Welsh chief,—Griffith ap Rhys ap Theodore,—a considerable +portion of the outworks was destroyed. It is now in the possession of the Duke of +Beaufort, "Earl" of Glamorgan, who is hereditarily entitled to the "prisage and +butlerage" of all wines brought into the harbours of Swansea and Chepstow.</p> + +<p>The public rooms of Swansea stand on the north side of the promenade, called +the Burrows, which consist of several acres tastefully laid out in parterres. Here +also are an excellent House of Industry and an Infirmary, established in 1817 and +situated on the beach. Besides the free Grammar-school, founded in the seventeenth +century, by Hugh, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, there are the Lancasterian +and National-schools, which are incalculable blessings to the increasing +population of Swansea.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_OYSTERMOUTH" id="Illustration_OYSTERMOUTH"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_079.jpg"><img src="images/i_079.jpg" width="600" height="409" alt="OYSTERMOUTH" title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">OYSTERMOUTH,<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">(Swansea Bay.)</span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="OYSTERMOUTH_CASTLE" id="OYSTERMOUTH_CASTLE"></a>OYSTERMOUTH CASTLE.</h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Here—the 'grim-visor'd knight,' at the head of his band,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Has cased him in armour, and girt on his brand;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While Beauty looked down from her lattice on high,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With the 'smile on her lip and the tear in her eye.'<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But victor nor vassal shall hither return:—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The castle is roofless,—the chief's in his urn;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And those ramparts, that frown o'er the surf-beaten rocks,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Are the haunt of the sea-fowl,—the lair of the fox."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">This</span> stately relic of the feudal ages overlooks the picturesque Bay of +Swansea, and attracts many strangers to its gate,—not only for its venerable +antiquity, but for its bold position on the verge of lofty and abrupt limestone cliffs, +which command a magnificent view of the subjacent scenery. It is supposed by +some to have been erected by the Earl of Warwick, in the reign of Henry the +First; by others, to have been the family fortress of the Lords of Gower, in the +reign of King John. But to which of the two the credit of founder belongs is +matter of conjecture. Like the Castle of Swansea, already mentioned, it is now +the property of the Beaufort family, whose mineral possessions in this district are +said to be of incalculable value.</p> + +<p>The principal walls of this domestic fortress have suffered comparatively little +from the lapse of time, or the hand of violence. Most of the original apartments +may be easily traced out, so as to give a tolerably correct idea of their shape and +dimensions, and the internal economy with which they were arranged. The +general figure of the main body is polygonal; the ramparts are lofty and massive, +but not flanked with towers, except at the entrance, which appears to have been +strongly secured by double gates and a portcullis.</p> + +<p>In many parts along this picturesque coast, the limestone rocks swell over a +fine sandy beach into perpendicular cliffs of great boldness, exhibiting vast +quantities of organic remains, and worn in many places into deep and lofty caverns. +Built on a cliff of this description, and with all the necessary accessories of vigilance +and security, it could have been hardly possible to have selected anything more +eligible for a feudal keep, whose chiefs generally chose their fortalices as the eagle +chooses his eyry,—to secure a wide field for himself, and exclude lesser birds of +prey.</p> + +<p>The village of Oystermouth—about half a mile to the south of the castle—occupies +a beautiful position on the verge of the Bay. A lofty rock throws its +shadow over it; the headland of which, called the Mumble Point, stretches far +into the sea, and affords a safe anchorage for shipping. The village is chiefly +inhabited by fishermen, who, as the name implies, are mostly employed in dredging +for oysters, which are found of superior quality in the adjoining bay. During +summer, it is much resorted to by strangers, for the benefit of sea-bathing,—a +source of annual revenue to the inhabitants, who, by letting their apartments, +secure very good returns.</p> + +<p>This is understood to be the natal soil of Gower,—the father of English +poetry,—and therefore classic ground:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Here, in the olden time the 'moral' <span class="smcap">Gower</span><br /></span> +<span class="i2">Attuned his harp upon that rocky strand;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Gather'd the shell, and pluck'd the vernal flower,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And struck the wild chord with a master's hand.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To him the summer sea, the stormy wave,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Were heaven-born music in their various keys;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As, thundering through yon subterranean cave,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">The billows sang in chorus with the breeze."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The railway from Oystermouth to Swansea is a source of great convenience to +the inhabitants, as a means of ready intercourse between the most frequented +points of the coast adjacent. Newton, proverbially known as a healthy station for +invalids and sea-bathers, and Caswell Bay, within half-an-hour's walk of Oystermouth, +are well deserving of a stranger's attention. The latter is remarkable for +the number and extent of the marine caverns already alluded to, as well as for the +beauty and variety of the sea-shells with which the sands at low water are profusely +enamelled.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_THE_MUMBLES_ROCKS_AND_LIGHTHOUSE" id="Illustration_THE_MUMBLES_ROCKS_AND_LIGHTHOUSE"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_083.jpg"><img src="images/i_083.jpg" width="600" height="404" alt="THE MUMBLES ROCKS AND LIGHTHOUSE." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">THE MUMBLES ROCKS AND LIGHTHOUSE.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">(Swansea Bay.)</span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_MUMBLES_LIGHTHOUSE" id="THE_MUMBLES_LIGHTHOUSE"></a>THE MUMBLES' LIGHTHOUSE.</h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Amidst the storms,—when winds and waves are high,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Unmoved I stand,—undimm'd I shed my light;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And through the blackness of December's sky<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I pour effulgence on the seaman's sight."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 16em;">Inscription for a Lighthouse.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Mumbles' Lighthouse is much frequented by visitors from Swansea +during the season. Few jaunts of this character can be productive of more +enjoyment than a trip from Swansea to Oystermouth Castle and the Mumbles' +rocks. The road, issuing from the western extremity of Swansea, follows the +shore of the bay, with the open sea on the left, and on the right a range of wooded +hills; of which advantage has been taken for the site of numerous pretty villas. +Some gentlemen's seats occupy the intervening level, and their plantations skirt the +high-road. Of these Singleton Abbey and Woodlands are the principal. As we +near the extremity of the bay the scene is indeed beautiful. Oystermouth Castle, +and the pretty village of the same name, lead the visitor onwards till he reaches +a broken, breezy headland, the only ascent to which is by a kind of sheep-path, +which zig-zags its way to the summit of a narrow promontory terminating in two +islands, and on the farther of which is situated the Mumbles' Lighthouse. It is +a structure admirably adapted for the purpose to which it is devoted. To every +building of this description, devoted to the preservation of human life, a profound +interest is attached; and we cannot but observe at a single glance how invaluable +these Lights have been, and ever must be, where the danger of shipwreck is so +greatly increased by the rugged nature of a coast—here walled in by precipitous +cliffs, and there scattered with rocks that appear and disappear according to the +tide. The means thus happily adopted along the Welsh coast have been crowned +with success; and how comfortable is it to reflect, when calmly seated at our +winter hearths, that—while the "winds howl round our steady battlements," and +"ships break from their moorings,"—there are friendly lights sparkling around +our coasts, to cheer and direct the bewildered mariner in his course, to show him +his danger, and to point out "a way to escape."</p> + +<p>To understand the importance of lighthouses, we need only remind the reader +of the published "Statement," that the number of British vessels alone, which +have been annually returned as wrecked, amounts to <i>five hundred and fifty</i>;—namely, +"three shipwrecks every two days throughout the year." The average +burden of merchant-vessels is about one hundred and ten tons; and if we value +old and new together at half the price of building, we have £330,000 for the worth +of the whole, which, by deducting the value of sails, masts, and other materials +saved from some of those stranded, may be reduced to £300,000. If we add an +equal sum for the cost of the cargoes, the whole loss from shipwrecks will amount +to £600,000. This statement proceeds on an old estimate from 1793 to 1829; +but M'Culloch, in the supplement to his Dictionary, says that the number of ships +actually lost, or driven ashore, in 1833, amounted to <i>eight hundred</i>. It is probable, +then, that the annual lost by shipwreck is not much short of a <i>million sterling</i>. If +<i>one-fifth</i> of this loss could be prevented by additional lighthouses, the saving of +money would amount to a <i>million</i> in five years,—to say nothing of the still more +important saving in human life. We are anxious—not on the score of economy +only, but of humanity—to place these lamentable facts before the eyes of Government, +from whose hands the mitigation at least, if not the removal, of such disasters +is confidently expected.</p> + +<p>In the rock immediately under the lighthouse is a large cavern, called Bob's +Cove,—a very characteristic feature, and a chief attraction to pleasure-parties, +who resort hither at low water for the sake of the view, which from this isolated +point is very striking and variegated:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Town and hamlet, sea and shore,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wooded steep and mountain hoar;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ships that stem the waters blue,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All concentrate in the view."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Expanding to the eastward, is the beautiful curve of Swansea Bay and the +distant mountains; on the westward, the broken coast of Gower; in front, the +boundless expanse of ocean. The bracing sea breezes inhaled upon this exposed +promontory, its elastic turf, and the magnificent prospect it everywhere commands, +never fail to produce a most agreeable and salutary exhilaration, and constitute the +finest medical and physical tour in the world.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_NASS_SANDS_LIGHTHOUSES" id="Illustration_NASS_SANDS_LIGHTHOUSES"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_087.jpg"><img src="images/i_087.jpg" width="600" height="411" alt="NASS SANDS LIGHTHOUSES." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">NASS SANDS LIGHTHOUSES.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">(near Bristol.)</span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_NASS_SANDS_LIGHTHOUSES" id="THE_NASS_SANDS_LIGHTHOUSES"></a>THE NASS SANDS LIGHTHOUSES.</h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">"After our ship did split,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When you, and that poor number saved with you,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hung on our driving boat, I saw your brother,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Most provident in peril, bind himself—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Courage and hope both teaching him the practice—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To a strong mast that lived upon the sea,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Where, like Orion on the dolphin's back,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I saw him hold acquaintance with the waves<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So long as I could see."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 16em;">Twelfth Night.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Nass Lights were erected by the late Mr. Nelson, in 1832, under the +direction of the Trinity House. The eastern, or upper Light, burns at the height +of one hundred and sixty-seven feet, and the western, or lower one, at one hundred +and twenty-three feet above high-water mark. They are one thousand feet apart, +built of the stone of the country, and stand on Nass Point, near Dunraven Castle, +Glamorganshire.</p> + +<p>It unfortunately was not merely the dangers of the ocean to which the luckless +mariner was in past times exposed upon this iron-bound coast, to them was too +frequently added the infamous deceptions of the wreckers, who were accustomed +to resort to the artifice of driving to and fro an ass bearing two lanterns, so as to +represent a distant vessel in motion, and thus lured many a ship to destruction +among the rocks and sands. Numerous are the legends of fearful interest which +the older inhabitants relate descriptive of the accidents attendant upon these +murderous practices, now happily only matters of history.</p> + +<p>The erection of lighthouses, beacons, and other means for the prevention of +shipwreck, is every year becoming an object of greater importance to the members +of that excellent corporation, the Trinity House. Within the last thirty years, +great and permanent advantages have been secured to commerce by the vigilance +and activity of that body. Much, however, is still left to call aloud for the +exercise of their high privilege, skill, and humanity. The navigation of our coasts +is still attended in many parts with imminent danger. Rocks, and shoals, and +quicksands, indeed, cannot be obliterated by the hand of man; but the perils they +involve, in respect to the shipping, may be greatly diminished by increasing the +number of those monitory beacons to which the eye of the mariner is so often +turned with intense anxiety. The erection of the two lighthouses which here +illustrate the subject, has been attended with the happiest consequences. Many a +shipwreck, we will venture to say, has been prevented by a timely regard to these +friendly beacons. The Bristol Channel has often been the scene of sad catastrophes +in the chronicles of seafaring life; but at present the danger to the foreign +and coasting-trade has been greatly obviated by those judicious measures which +have emanated from the above society.</p> + +<p>The voyage up the Bristol Channel is singularly romantic and beautiful; but +the coast is exposed to all the fury of the Atlantic, and the surf against the cliffs +is distinctly visible at Swansea. The steamers now keep close along shore, in a +channel inside the Nass Sands, which form an extensive and dangerous bank to +seaward. The contrast between the tumultuous masses of breakers over these +sands, when the wind is fresh, and the calmness of the narrow channel we are +traversing in security, is very striking. These sands, and another large shoal, +called the Skerweathers, have been fatal to many vessels. A large West Indiaman, +with a cargo of rum and other valuable produce, was lost a few years ago on a +rock called the Tusca, which disappears at high-water; and in 1831, this coast was +fatal to the steamer <i>Frolic</i>, in which all the crew and passengers, amounting to +nearly eighty persons, perished. The coast near Porthcaul appears at Swansea to +be the eastern extremity of the bay; but the bluff point called the Nass, about +eight miles further, is literally so. The coast onwards, past the Nass-point, as +observed in the admirable Engraving annexed, is almost perpendicular, so as closely +to resemble a lofty wall, in which the limestone rock is disposed in horizontal +strata. When the sea runs high in this quarter, the scene, as may be readily +conceived, is truly terrific—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"And not one vessel 'scapes the dreadful touch<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of merchant-marring rocks."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 16em;">Merchant of Venice.</span><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_CARDIFF" id="Illustration_CARDIFF"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_091.jpg"><img src="images/i_091.jpg" width="600" height="418" alt="CARDIFF." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">CARDIFF.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CARDIFF" id="CARDIFF"></a>CARDIFF,<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">GLAMORGANSHIRE.</span></h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Here British hearts the arms of Rome withstood,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Repulsed her cohorts with their native blood;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Till Caradoc and independence fell,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And freedom shrieked in <span class="smcap">Cardiff's</span> citadel—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And Cambria's heroes, rushing on the glave,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Died gloriously for her they could not save!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> county of Glamorgan, of which the principal town is represented in the +accompanying plate, abounds in historical sites well adapted for the pencil, and +furnishing the reader with many interesting facts and traditions. The southern +portion of the country is remarkably fertile, highly cultivated, and presents to the +stranger a long succession of luxuriant corn-fields, verdant pastures, and animated +pictures of rural happiness and independence. It would be difficult to find any +tract of land in Great Britain that can surpass the Vale of Glamorgan in richness +of soil, or in soft and graceful scenery. This favoured region extends the whole +length of the county—from the base of the mountains on the north to the shore +of the Bristol Channel on the south-west. It presents throughout a most gratifying +proof of what may be accomplished by judicious management, when soil and +climate are both in favour of agricultural operations.</p> + +<p>As a fair proof of the mild and salubrious nature of the atmosphere, we need +only observe that the magnolia, the myrtle, and other delicate exotics, not only +live but flourish in this auspicious climate. Equally favourable to health and +longevity, this district has numerous living testimonies in the vigorous health and +protracted age of its inhabitants, who are fully sensible of the blessings they enjoy. +The valley, at its greatest breadth, measures about eighteen miles; in various +places, however, it is contracted into less than the half of this space, and presents +in its outline a constant variety of picturesque and graceful windings.</p> + +<p>The town of Cardiff is built on the eastern bank of the river Taff, over which +there is a handsome bridge of five arches, leading to Swansea. It is a thriving +town, possessing considerable trade; and, by means of a canal from Pennarth to +Merthyr-Tydvil, has become the connecting medium between these extensive +iron-works and the English market, and is, in fact, the port of the latter. The +Taff, which falls into the sea at Cardiff, forms a principal outlet for the mining +districts of Glamorganshire, the produce of which has hitherto found its way to +market through the Glamorganshire canal; but its sea-lock, constructed about +fifty years ago, has long been found inadequate to the demands for increased +accommodation, in consequence of the great prosperity of trade since the canal +was opened.</p> + +<p>The Marquess of Bute, possessing lands in this neighbourhood, obtained, in +1830, an act for constructing a new harbour, to be called the Bute ship-canal, +and completed the work at his own expense. The great advantages of this enterprise +are—a straight, open channel from Cardiff-roads to the new sea-gates, which +are forty-five feet wide, with a depth of seventeen feet at neap, and thirty feet at +spring-tide. On passing the sea-gate, vessels enter a capacious basin, having an +area of about an acre and a half, sufficient to accommodate large trading-vessels +and steamers. Quays are erected along the side of the canal, finished with strong +granite coping, and comprising more than a mile of wharfs, with ample space for +warehouses, exclusive of the wharfs at the outer basin. This great work was +finished in the summer of 1839, at an expense to the proprietor of three hundred +thousand pounds.</p> + +<p>Cardiff Castle, which stands insulated on a high mound of earth, was partially +restored and modernised by the late Marquess of Bute. This ancient fortress is +connected with several interesting events in history. In one of its towers, or +dungeons, Robert Duke of Normandy was twenty-five years imprisoned by his +younger brother, Henry the First, who had previously usurped the throne and +deprived him of his eyesight. In the reign of Charles the First it was bombarded +by the Parliamentary forces during three successive days, and only surrendered in +consequence of treachery on the part of the garrison.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_GLOUCESTER" id="Illustration_GLOUCESTER"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_095.jpg"><img src="images/i_095.jpg" width="600" height="405" alt="GLOUCESTER." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">GLOUCESTER.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="GLOUCESTER" id="GLOUCESTER"></a>GLOUCESTER.</h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">"I which am the queene<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of all the British vales, and so have ever been<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Since Gomer's giant brood inhabited this isle,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And that of all the rest myself may so enstyle."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 16em;">Drayton.</span> <i>Vale of Gloucester.</i><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Caer-Glow</span>, or the "fair city" of the ancient Britons, is a name happily +characteristic of Gloucester. The beauty of its situation, on a gentle eminence +overlooking the Severn, where its stream is divided into two channels by the +Isle of Alney; the richness and fertility of the surrounding districts; its highly +picturesque scenery; its splendid cathedral and numerous public buildings; and +latterly the tide of prosperity occasioned by the vast improvements in regard to +its inland port, present a combination of attractions for which it would be difficult +to find a parallel in the British provinces. Commercial enterprise has now a fixed +residence in the place, and within the last ten years has made great and important +advances in the several departments of foreign and domestic industry.</p> + +<p>The Port of Gloucester and the Cathedral, of which the accompanying plate +gives a most correct and interesting view, are the two principal features; and to +these, in accordance with the plan of the work, our descriptive text will be more +strictly confined. The Port is of great antiquity,—so much so as to have existed +as an inland harbour long prior to any written document of the place,—but it is +only of late years that ships of burden could be anchored in the city basin. A +century ago, as recorded in the <i>Magna Britannia</i>, the Port of Gloucester had a +large quay and wharf on the banks of the river, very commodious for trade, to +which belonged a custom-house, with officers proper for it; but the business was +not great, as the city of Bristol, only a few miles distant, had engrossed all the +foreign trade in this part of the country. The vessels which at the period in +question navigated the Severn were generally small trading-craft, of between fifty +and two hundred tons burden, so that Gloucester was deprived of all those +advantages which have been so happily secured to it by modern enterprise and +improvement. Of these, the Berkeley ship-canal is a noble monument. By the +vast facilities thus afforded, the commerce of Gloucester has enjoyed a course of +uninterrupted prosperity, and bids fair to eclipse even Bristol itself in the extent +and ramifications of its still increasing trade. Ships of heavy burden are now +safely moored in the basin, and discharge those cargoes in the heart of the city +which had formerly to be transhipped at Bristol, and conveyed to their destination +by means of barges and lighters.</p> + +<p>The Gloucester Spa, which is now become a place of fashionable resort, has +contributed in no small degree to the many attractions of the city and its vicinity. +This saline chalybeate was first opened to the public by a grand fête, in May, +1815. The establishment contains every requisite for the health and recreation of +the visitors, and vies as much with Cheltenham and Leamington in its appropriate +and tasteful arrangements, as it does in the salubrious qualities of its spring—in +proof of which numerous testimonies are daily added as the result of experience. +There is a very handsome pump-room, with hot, cold, and vapour baths, and an +abundant supply of water. The Spa is in the centre of grounds tastefully laid out, +embellished with all the care and effect of landscape-gardening, and presenting to +the <i>piéton</i> and equestrian a pleasing variety of shady walks and rides,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Mid rural scenes that fascinate the gaze,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And conjure up the deeds of other days."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The Cathedral of Gloucester is deservedly considered one of the noblest +specimens of ecclesiastical architecture in Christendom. It is a grand object with +every traveller who enters upon a tour of the English provinces, and makes a +strong impression on the mind, even after he has visited the gorgeous temples of +Rome and Milan.</p> + +<p>In the interior of the cathedral are numerous specimens of monumental sculpture; +among which the most remarkable are those of Robert, Duke of Normandy, +and Richard the Second. The present altar, of the Corinthian order, is placed +before the rich tracery of the original high-altar, which, except from the side-galleries +of the choir, is concealed from view. The great elevation of the vault +overhead, the richness and variety of its designs, the elaborate and minute tracery +with which the walls are adorned, added to the vast dimensions of the great oriel—eighty-seven +feet in height—render the choir an almost unrivalled specimen of +what is styled the florid Gothic, and leave an impression upon the stranger's mind +never to be obliterated.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_BRISTOL" id="Illustration_BRISTOL"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_099.jpg"><img src="images/i_099.jpg" width="600" height="413" alt="BRISTOL." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">BRISTOL.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">(from Rownham Ferry.)</span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="BRISTOL" id="BRISTOL"></a>BRISTOL,<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">FROM ROWNHAM FERRY.</span></h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"But Avon marched in more stately path,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Proud of his adamants<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> with which he shines,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And glistens wide; as als of wondrous Bath<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And <span class="smcap">Bristow</span> faire, which on his waves he buildeth hath."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 24em;">Spenser.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> city of Bristol has enjoyed a celebrity of many centuries, and is continually +adding to her power and affluence by that spirit of enterprise which has +drawn tribute from the remotest shores and peopled her harbour with the ships +of all nations. The commercial importance which she acquired at so early a +period of our history, and which gave her for a time so preponderating an influence +over the other ports and harbours of the kingdom, has been sustained by +her spirited citizens with a skill and industry rarely equalled and never surpassed. +To the great facilities formerly enjoyed by the merchants of Bristol another +advantage has been added by the construction of the Great Western Railway, +which has opened a rapid channel of intercourse between the Thames and the +Severn,—the London docks and the harbour of Bristol. This event has been +still further advantageous in having given origin to various ramifications of the +same means of conveyance, so that the products of our native manufactures can be +thrown into this channel, and an interchange effected, with a cheapness and +facility quite unprecedented in the history of our inland commerce. That Bristol +has recently extended her commercial interests by her connexion with the West +Indies, Russia, France, and Germany, is abundantly indicated by the numerous +traders from those countries which are to be seen lading and unlading in her +port.</p> + +<p>Bristol possesses no less than nineteen parish churches, with a population—not +including the suburbs—considerably under sixty thousand. The cathedral, +an ancient and most venerable pile, was founded about the middle of the twelfth +century by the mayor of Bristol, and, till the reign of Henry the Second, it +served as a priory of Black Canons. It was then converted into an abbey, and +subsequently, on the dissolution of monastic establishments, under Henry the +Eighth, it underwent the further change into a cathedral, dedicated to the Holy +Trinity. A bishop, dean, six secular canons or prebendaries, one archdeacon, six +minor canons or priests'-vicars, a deacon and subdeacon, six lay clerks, six +choristers, two grammar-schoolmasters, four almsmen, and others, were endowed +with the site, church, and greatest part of the lands of the old monastery. The +various changes it has undergone exhibit the finest specimens of English architecture +peculiar to the several periods at which they took place. All the ornamental +work is of the purest design, and elaborately executed, but on which our +limited space will not permit us to enlarge. Several of the lateral chapels are in +fine taste and preservation, containing monuments of the founder, of several abbots, +and bishops; also those erected to the memory of Mrs. Draper—the "Eliza" of +Sterne, Mrs. Mason, and Lady Hesketh, which awaken feelings of deep interest +in every mind imbued with the literary history of the last century.</p> + +<p>On the east bank of the Avon is Redcliff Parade, affording a beautiful prospect +of the city, shipping, and surrounding country. The quay, which extends +from St. Giles's to Bristol Bridge, exceeds a mile in length, and is known by +the quaint names of the <i>Back</i>, the <i>Grove</i>, and the <i>Gib</i>. On the banks of the +river below the city are numerous dockyards, as well as the merchants' floating +dock. The several squares in Bristol are handsome: Queen's-square has a +spacious walk, shaded with trees, and an equestrian statue of William III., by +Rysbrach, in the centre; King's-square is well built on an agreeable slope; on +the north-west side of the city is Brandon-hill, where the laundresses dry their +linen, as they profess, in virtue of a charter from Queen Elizabeth.</p> + +<p>Clifton, two miles west of Bristol, is charmingly situated on the summit of the +northern cliffs above the river Avon; many of the houses are occupied by invalids, +who seek the aid of Bristol Hot Wells, situated at the western extremity +of Clifton, near the stupendous rock of St. Vincent. From its summit above the +banks of the Avon there is a fine prospect of the river and its environs, embracing +some of the most fertile land in Somersetshire, as well as the western part of +Bristol.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_REDCLIFFE_CHURCH_AND_BASIN_BRISTOL" id="Illustration_REDCLIFFE_CHURCH_AND_BASIN_BRISTOL"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_103.jpg"><img src="images/i_103.jpg" width="600" height="411" alt="REDCLIFFE CHURCH AND BASIN, BRISTOL." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">REDCLIFFE CHURCH AND BASIN, BRISTOL.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="REDCLIFFE_CHURCH_AND_BASIN_BRISTOL" id="REDCLIFFE_CHURCH_AND_BASIN_BRISTOL"></a>REDCLIFFE CHURCH AND BASIN, BRISTOL.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> church of St Mary Redcliffe's, Bristol, was founded in 1249, and not +completed till 1375, an interval of a hundred and twenty-six years. The founder +was Simon de Burton, mayor of Bristol. It is pronounced by Camden as "on all +accounts the first parish church in England." It has, of course, undergone, in the +long lapse of generations, many changes, repairs, and perhaps improvements. In +the middle of the fifteenth century, after having been seriously damaged in a storm, +it was repaired by William Cannynge the mayor; and, owing to the extent of +these repairs, he has established a just claim to the gratitude of posterity as the +second founder, and to commemorate the restoration thus effected, two beautiful +monumental statues were erected to the memory of himself and his wife in the +church. This patriotic and pious individual was five times mayor of Bristol, and +makes a prominent figure in the Chatterton controversy. It is to be regretted, however, +that the spire was never restored, which, with the tower, was originally two +hundred and fifty feet high. So great was the beauty of this sacred edifice, that it +was celebrated over the whole country as a masterpiece of art, and attracted numerous +visitors; nor has that admiration diminished with the lapse of time, for there are +very few individuals, curious in the mystery of ecclesiastical architecture, who have +not visited or studied the specimen here preserved.</p> + +<p>The church is built in the form of a cross; and the nave, which rises above the +aisles in the manner of a cathedral, is lighted by a series of lofty windows on each +side, and supported by flying-buttresses. The tower is large and richly ornamented, +like the remaining part of the spire, with carved work, niches, and statues. +The principal entrance is from the west front; but there are porches both to the +northern and southern sides. Of the first of these the interior is very beautiful; and +it was over this porch that the room was situated in which Chatterton, whose father +was sexton of the church, pretended to have found the poems which he attributed +to Rowley. The length of the church is two hundred and thirty-nine feet, that of +the transept one hundred and seventeen feet. It is remarkable that the transept +consists of three divisions or aisles, like the body of the church; and the effect thus +produced is fine and striking, when the spectator places himself in the centre and +looks around him. The breadth of the nave and aisles is fifty-nine feet; the height +of the nave is fifty-four feet, and that of the aisles twenty-five feet. The roof, which +is nearly sixty feet in height, is arched with stone, and ornamented with various +devices. Although externally this church has all the appearance of a massive +structure, it has nevertheless, from its loftiness and the peculiar beauty of its masonry, +a light and airy appearance both within and without; and justifies the high +eulogium, which we have already quoted, as pronounced upon it by Camden. +Among the sepulchral treasures contained in this church, is the tomb of Sir William +Penn, father of the celebrated founder of Pennsylvania.</p> + +<p>The business of shipbuilding is carried on to a very considerable extent in +Bristol; and stimulated by that spirit which has always characterized the magistrates +and merchants of Bristol, added to the vast improvements which have been +so recently affected, it is confidently believed, that this ancient city and port are +now entering upon a fresh epoch in their commercial prosperity.</p> + +<p>The principal exports are derived from the neighbouring manufactures; and the +imports consist chiefly of sugar, rum, wine, wool, tobacco, coffee, turpentine, hemp, +and timber. The quay extends upwards of a mile along the banks of the rivers +Frome and Avon. Owing to the serious inconvenience and frequent damage +sustained by large vessels, when lying at low water in the river, a floating harbour +was formed here at great expense in 1804. To accomplish so important a design +the course of the Avon was changed; the old channel was dammed up to form the +new harbour, which, communicating with the river, is accessible at all times, with +sufficient depth of water for vessels of the largest size. This great work, comprising +the elegant iron bridges over the Avon, was the result of five years' labour, and an +enormous expenditure; and, although much benefit has accrued to the port from the +success of so spirited an undertaking, still the expectations to which it naturally gave +rise, as to the extension of commerce, have not been realized. This is attributable +to various local causes.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_SUSPENSION_BRIDGE_AT_CLIFTON" id="Illustration_SUSPENSION_BRIDGE_AT_CLIFTON"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_107.jpg"><img src="images/i_107.jpg" width="600" height="425" alt="SUSPENSION BRIDGE AT CLIFTON." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">SUSPENSION BRIDGE AT CLIFTON.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">(near Bristol.)</span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CLIFTON" id="CLIFTON"></a>CLIFTON.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">THE SUSPENSION BRIDGE.</span></h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Scared at thy presence, start the train of Death,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And hide their whips and scorpions; thee, confused,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Slow Fever creeps from; thee the meagre fiend<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Consumption flies, and checks his rattling cough!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 16em;">Address to the Bristol Fountain.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> village of Clifton has long been distinguished among our native watering-places +as the Montpelier of England. In point of situation, and the beautiful +and varied scenery it commands, it is without a rival among those numerous +springs which, from their medicinal virtues, have risen into universal repute. It +occupies a very elevated position; and from the windows of his apartment the +visitor may enjoy enchanting views of the western part of Bristol, the Avon, and +the numerous vessels that glide to and fro upon its waters. The plateau, which +terminates a gradual ascent from the river, is covered with elegant buildings, +that furnish excellent accommodation to the numerous visitors who annually +resort to these salubrious fountains. Many private families of opulence and +respectability make this their principal residence, and with justice, for few situations +in the British empire can supply more varied and rational sources of +enjoyment. Those who seek to combine the blessings of health with rational +amusement and mental cultivation, will very rarely be disappointed in selecting +the now "classic" shades of Clifton as a residence.</p> + +<p>The Bristol hot-well—"Bristoliensis aqua"—is a pure thermal, slightly acidulated +spring. The fresh water is inodorous, perfectly limpid and sparkling, and +sends forth numerous air-bubbles when poured into a glass. It is very agreeable +to the taste, and in specific gravity approaches very nearly to that of distilled +water; a fact which proves that it contains only an extremely minute admixture +of foreign ingredients. The temperature of this water, taking the average of the +most accurate observations, may be reckoned at 74°; a degree of temperature +which is scarcely, if at all, influenced by the difference of season. The water +contains both solid and gaseous matter, and the distinction between the two +requires to be attended to, as it is owing to its very minute proportion of solid +matter that it deserves the character of a very fine natural spring. To its excess +in gaseous contents it is principally indebted for its medicinal properties,—whatever +these may be,—independently of those of mere water with an increase of +temperature. The principal ingredients of the hot-well water are a large proportion +of carbonic acid gas—fixed air—a certain portion of magnesia and lime +in various combinations with the muriatic, sulphuric, and carbonic acids. The +general inference is that it is remarkably pure for a natural fountain, from the +fact of its containing no other solid matter—and that in less quantity—than what +is contained in almost any common spring-water. Much, however, of the merit +ascribed to the Bristol and Clifton wells is due to the mild and temperate climate +of the place, which of itself is sufficient to recommend Bristol as a desirable +residence for invalids.</p> + +<p>Independently of its medicinal waters, Clifton has many attractions, which from +time to time have been the subjects both of painting and poetry, and made it the +favoured residence of many distinguished individuals. Of the latter, none have +deserved better of their country than Mrs. Hannah More, whose writings breathe +the purest sentiments of religion and morality, and whose personal <i>Memoirs</i> form +one of the most interesting volumes in English biography.</p> + +<p>The Suspension Bridge, which forms so prominent a feature in our engraving, +is unfortunately still far from that state of completion in which the artist has been +pleased to depict it. Many years have passed since its commencement, and still +more thousands of pounds have been expended in preparation, and yet this great +and useful work remains a monument of misapplied capital and wasted labour.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_BATH" id="Illustration_BATH"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_111.jpg"><img src="images/i_111.jpg" width="600" height="412" alt="BATH." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">BATH.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="BATH" id="BATH"></a>BATH.</h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"O'er ancient Baden's mystic spring<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hygeia broods with watchful wing,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And speeds from its sulphureous source<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The steamy torrent's secret course;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And fans the eternal sparks of latent fire<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In deep unfathomed beds below,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By <span class="smcap">Bladud</span>'s magic taught to flow—<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Bladud</span>, high theme of Fancy's Gothic lyre!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 16em;">Warton.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> origin of Bath, like that of other celebrated towns, is involved in obscurity. +To its medicinal springs, however, it is solely indebted for the great reputation it +has enjoyed for centuries, as a sanctuary for the afflicted, a cheerful asylum for the +invalid, and as a favourite point of reunion, where social pleasure and mental +cultivation were sure of a kindred reception among the many gifted spirits who +have sought health or relaxation in its shades. The comparative quiet which here +prevails is not without its importance to the invalid; after the dissipation of a +season in Town, a retreat to Bath is like the tranquillity of a monastery after the +excitement of a military campaign. This was more particularly felt and acknowledged +as long as the continent remained shut; but during the last twenty years +the temptation to foreign travel and the fame of certain continental spas have +annually diverted from home a great many of those whose cases, it is probable, +would have benefited in an equal measure by resorting to the thermal waters of +Bath. Travelling, however, is of itself a sanatory process; and to this, to the +changes of scene, of society, of diet, and to the mental excitement produced by a +succession of new scenes and incidents, the invalid is more indebted than to any of +the numerous <i>spas</i>, to which the credit of a cure is so generally ascribed by the +recruited votary. This is a fact well known to the physician, and corroborated by +the results of daily experience. When such means are impracticable, however, the +society and the waters of Bath furnish excellent substitutes; and the testimonies +in their favour are too well supported by ancient and "modern instances" to +require any eulogium in a work like the present.</p> + +<p>The trade of Bath, like that of most great watering-places, is greatly dependent +on its visitors. Hotels and lodging-houses are numerous, elegant, commodious, and +fitted for the accommodation of all classes of society. Property, nevertheless, has +suffered much depreciation of late years, owing to various causes, and not a little +to the preference given to those continental spas already alluded to, by which many +of the streams which used to flow in upon Bath as a regular source of prosperity +have been greatly diminished or entirely dried up.</p> + +<p>The public amusements of Bath are numerous and liberally conducted. Of +these the most important are the subscription assemblies and concerts, at which a +master of the ceremonies presides—a functionary of high authority, who holds his +office in regular descent from the hands of the celebrated Beau Nash. The latter +gentleman, by a peculiar union of good sense, "effrontery, wit, vivacity, and +perseverance, acquired an ascendancy among the votaries of rank and fashion which +rendered him a species of modish despot, to whose decrees it was deemed a part +of the loyalty of high breeding to yield in silent submission." The assemblies are +held in the Upper Rooms, in the vicinity of the Circus, which were erected in +1791, at an expense of twenty thousand pounds. The Ball-room is one hundred +and five feet long, forty-three feet wide, and forty-two high. The Lower Assembly-rooms +stood near the Parade, and were also very elegantly fitted up, though on a +less extensive scale, but were destroyed by fire in 1820. The theatre is a handsome +edifice, fitted up in splendid style, with three tiers of boxes, and the roof +divided into compartments, containing the beautiful paintings by Cassali which +formerly occupied a similar place in Fonthill Abbey.</p> + +<p>In the vicinity of Bath, especially on Lansdown and Claverton Downs, there +are delightful spots for equestrian exercise. Races take place on the former of +these the week after Ascot races.</p> + +<p>Bath is eminently distinguished for its numerous public charities, its literary +and scientific institutions, its society for the encouragement of agriculture, the arts, +manufactures, and commerce; its clubs, subscription-rooms, libraries, schools, and +hospitals.</p> + +<p>The diseases in which the waters of Bath are resorted to are very numerous, +and in many instances consist of such as are the most difficult and important of all +that come under medical treatment. In most cases the bath is used along with +the waters as an internal medicine—first adopted in the case of King Charles. +The general indications of the propriety of using these medicinal waters are chiefly +in cases where a gentle, gradual, and permanent stimulus is required. Bath water +may certainly be considered as a chalybeate, in which the iron is very small in +quantity, but in a highly active form, whilst the degree of temperature is in itself +a stimulus of considerable power.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_TINTAGEL_CASTLE" id="Illustration_TINTAGEL_CASTLE"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_115.jpg"><img src="images/i_115.jpg" width="600" height="431" alt="TINTAGEL CASTLE." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">TINTAGEL CASTLE.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="TINTAGEL_CASTLE" id="TINTAGEL_CASTLE"></a>TINTAGEL CASTLE.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">This</span> Engraving, after Mr. Jendles' spirited sketch, embraces not only Tintagel +Castle, but one of those more useful erections which modern science has rendered +available to commercial purposes, and intended for the shipment of ores from the +neighbouring mine. The different character of the erections which crown the +opposing cliffs mark the widely separated eras of their erection, while both become +objects of deep interest to those who see in the ruins of the one hand, and the +progressively improving mechanism of the other, a type of the spirit which +animated our warlike ancestors to maintain their dominant power over their native +soil, converted in their more peaceful descendants into a determination to make +the best use of the treasures it contains.</p> + +<p>Tintagel Castle is situated partly on the extremity of a bold rock of slate, on +the coast, and partly on a rocky island, with which it was formerly connected by +a drawbridge, and is of great antiquity. This castle is said to have been the +birthplace of King Arthur, but his history is so blended with the marvellous, +that his very existence has been doubted, and the circumstances connected with +his birth are certainly not amongst those parts of the relation which are most +entitled to credit. It was, however, said by Lord Bacon, that there was truth +enough in his story to make him famous besides that which was fabulous.</p> + +<p>In the year 1245, Richard Earl of Cornwall, brother to King Henry III., was +accused of having afforded an asylum in Tintagel Castle to his nephew David, +Prince of Wales, and in the reign of Henry III. the castle and manor of Tintagel +were annexed to the Duchy of Cornwall. So little remains of the walls of this +ancient and formerly impregnable castle, that the date of its erection cannot even +be conjectured from the style of the architecture: it is certain that the castle was +in a dilapidated state in 1337, in which year a survey was made. There was then +no governor, but the priest who officiated in the chapel of the castle had the +custody of it, without fee. It is described as a castle sufficiently walled, in which +were two chambers beyond the two gates, in a decayed state. A chamber, with a +small kitchen for the constable, in good repair; a stable for eight horses, decayed; +and a cellar and bakehouse, ruinous. The timber of the great hall had been taken +down by command of John of Eltham, Earl of Cornwall, because the hall was +ruinous, and the walls of no value.</p> + +<p>In the reign of Richard II., Tintagel Castle was made a state prison, and in +1385, John Northampton, lord mayor of London, was committed to this castle. +Thomas Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, was also a prisoner here in 1397. "The +ruins of Tintagel Castle," says the Rev. R. Warner, "claim dominion over +unqualified desolation; over one wide and wild scene of troubled ocean, barren +country, and horrid rocks: its situation and aspect quite chilled the tourist," and +in continuation of his description, he introduces the less sublime remark, "that to +look at it was enough to give one the tooth-ache."</p> + +<p>Tintagel was made a free borough by Richard Earl of Cornwall, and, as well +as Trevenna, about a mile distant from each other, forms part of the borough of +Bossiney, which formerly sent two members to parliament. Although not incorporated, +it is governed by a mayor. At Trevenna is an annual fair for horned +cattle on the first Monday after the 19th of October; and at Tintagel is a school +supported by the mayor and free burgesses. The church, dedicated to St. Simphorian, +is a vicarage, in the patronage of the dean and chapter of Windsor. It +was formerly appropriated to the abbey of Fonteverard, in Normandy, but having +passed in the same manner as Leighton Buzzard, in Bedfordshire, was given, by +King Edward IV., to the collegiate chapel of St. George at Windsor.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_PLYMOUTH" id="Illustration_PLYMOUTH"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_119.jpg"><img src="images/i_119.jpg" width="600" height="411" alt="PLYMOUTH." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">PLYMOUTH.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;"><i>DEVON.</i></span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="PLYMOUTH" id="PLYMOUTH"></a>PLYMOUTH.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> view of Plymouth is taken from the grounds of Mount Edgecumbe, +looking across the lower part of the Sound. About the middle distance is St. +Nicholas' Island; beyond which are perceived the ramparts of the citadel. +Between the citadel and the point of land to the right, where several small vessels +are seen, is the entrance of the creek called the Catwater.</p> + +<p>The towns of Plymouth and Devonport—the latter until 1824 having usually +been called Plymouth Dock, or briefly, Dock—stand nearly in the same relation +to each other as Portsmouth and Portsea, except that they are not contiguous, the +distance between them being about a mile and a half. Plymouth is the old +borough, and Devonport is the modern town; the latter, indeed, has been entirely +built within the last hundred-and-fifty years, since the establishment of the royal +dockyard by William III., in 1691. Each town returns two members to Parliament, +this privilege having been conferred on Devonport by the Reform Bill; +and the municipal government of each is vested in separate authorities. Plymouth +and Devonport, with Stonehouse, which lies between them, may be considered as +forming one large town, which occupies a parallelogram about two miles and a half +in length by one in breadth, and contains, with the suburbs of Morice-town and +Stoke, about a hundred thousand inhabitants.</p> + +<p>Plymouth harbour, or, as it is generally called, Sutton Pool, is on the land +side nearly surrounded by houses, and the entrance to it from the Catwater is +protected by two stone piers, about ninety feet apart. Plymouth has a considerable +coasting trade with London, Bristol, Hull, Newcastle, and other parts of +England, and also carries on a direct trade with the Baltic, the Mediterranean, +America, and the West Indies. The principal exports are copper, tin, and lead-ore, +manganese, granite, and pilchards. There are about fifty decked fishing-boats +belonging to Plymouth, which not only supply its market and that of Devonport +with plenty of excellent fish, but also furnish a considerable quantity for Bath, +London, and other places. The fish most common in Plymouth market are hake, +basse, gurnards, pipers, tub-fish, whiting-pouts, soles, mullets red and grey, and +John-Dories. Quin, that he might enjoy the latter fish in perfection, took an +express journey from Bath to Plymouth. The export of granite, and other kinds +of stone for the purposes of building, is greatly facilitated by a railway, which +extends from about the middle of Dartmoor to the quays at Sutton Pool and Catwater. +The larger class of merchant-vessels generally anchor in the Catwater; and +in time of war it is the usual rendezvous for transports. It is sheltered from +south-westerly gales by Mount Battan, and is sufficiently spacious to afford +anchorage for six or eight hundred sail of such ships as are usually employed in +the merchant service. There are about 320 ships belonging to Plymouth, the +tonnage of which, according to the old admeasurement, is about 26,000 tons.</p> + +<p>Though the neighbourhood of Plymouth affords so many beautiful and +interesting views, the town itself presents but little to excite the admiration of the +stranger. It is very irregularly built; and most of the old houses have a very +mean appearance, more especially when contrasted with some of recent erection. +Several large buildings, within the last twenty or thirty years, have been erected +at Plymouth and Devonport, in the <i>pure Grecian style</i>; and the two towns afford +ample evidence of the imitative genius of the architects. At the corner of almost +every principal street, the stranger is presented with reminiscences of Stuart and +Revett's Athens.</p> + +<p>Plymouth citadel is situated to the southward of the town, and at the eastern +extremity of the rocky elevation called the Hoe. It commands the passage to the +Hamoaze, between St. Nicholas' Island and the main-land, as well as the entrance +of the Catwater. It was erected on the site of the old fort, in the reign of +Charles II., and consists of five bastions, which are further strengthened with +ravelins and hornworks. The ramparts are nearly three-quarters of a mile in +circuit; and there are platforms for a hundred-and-twenty cannon. The entrance +to the citadel is on the north, through an outer and an inner gate. Within the +walls are the residence of the lieutenant-governor, officers' houses and barracks for +the garrison, with a magazine, chapel, and hospital. In the centre of the green +is a bronze statue of George II., the work of an artist named Robert Pitt, and +erected, in 1728, at the expense of Louis Dufour, Esq., an officer of the garrison. +An excellent panoramic view of Plymouth, Saltram, the Catwater, the Sound, +Mount Edgecumbe, and other places, is to be obtained from the ramparts, round +which visitors are permitted to walk.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_MOUNT_EDGECUMBE" id="Illustration_MOUNT_EDGECUMBE"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_123.jpg"><img src="images/i_123.jpg" width="600" height="436" alt="MOUNT EDGECUMBE." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">MOUNT EDGECUMBE.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;"><i>DEVON.</i></span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="MOUNT_EDGECUMBE" id="MOUNT_EDGECUMBE"></a>MOUNT EDGECUMBE.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> view of Mount Edgecumbe is taken from Cremhill point, a little to the +south-east of the entrance of Stonehouse Creek. About the centre of the view is +perceived a battery, near to the Old Blockhouse which was erected in the reign of +Queen Elizabeth; between the masts of the brig, which is sailing in towards the +Hamoaze, the house is seen; and to the left, in the distance, is Cawsand Bay.</p> + +<p>For upwards of two hundred years the situation of Mount Edgecumbe, whether +looking towards it or from it, and the beauty of the grounds in its vicinity have +been the subject of general admiration. In visiting Mount Edgecumbe from +Plymouth or Devonport, the most usual way is to cross at the ferry from Cremhill +point. The gardens generally first claim the visitor's attention. Near the lodge, +on the left, is a garden laid out in the Italian style, and surrounded by a bank +planted with evergreens. In this garden is the orangery, and opposite to it is +a beautiful terrace, on which, and in the grounds below, are several statues. +The visitor is next shown the French flower-garden, which is planted with the +most beautiful shrubs and flowers, and was the favourite retreat of Sophia, Countess +of Mount Edgecumbe, who died in 1806, and to whose memory a cenotaph, +consisting of an urn and a tablet, is erected within its bounds. The English +garden and shrubbery display less art, but are no less beautiful than the imitative +gardens of Italy and France. In it is a bath of the Doric order, and a secluded +walk leads to a rocky excavation, overspread with ivy and other creeping plants, +amidst lofty evergreens: fragments of antiques are scattered amidst heaps of stones +in this romantic dell. In the pleasure-grounds, a path continued along the edge of +a cliff, which affords interesting views of the picturesque sinuosities of the coast, leads +to a verdant lawn, from which the sides rise with a gentle ascent in a semicircle. +The acclivity above the lawn is thickly shaded by a succession of trees, which +form a magnificent amphitheatre, and display an endless variety of foliage. From +different parts of the amphitheatre, Barn Poole presents the appearance of an +extensive lake, without any visible communication with the sea, from which it +appears to be separated by the diversified line of coast, that forms its boundary on +every side. At the entrance of a wood near this spot is an Ionic circular temple +dedicated to Milton, whence the path continues on the margin of the cliff, through +plantations and shrubs, which fringe the rocky coast down to the brink of the sea. +In the more open part of the park is a mock ruin, intended as a picturesque object +from the grounds and from the opposite shore. A cottage near the cliff is overhung +with beautiful evergreen oaks, the windows of which command pleasing sea views +in opposite directions. After ascending a perpendicular rock, by a winding path of +perilous appearance, the great terrace at the arch presents itself, having the +appearance of a perforation in the cliff, the base of which is washed by the waves +of the Sound.</p> + +<p>The walks round the grounds are extremely pleasing, and from many points +excellent views are obtained of Plymouth Sound, the Hamoaze, Devonport, and +the surrounding country. It seems, however, doubtful if the circumstance of +a nobleman's seat commanding a view of a large town, at the distance of less than +a mile, be an advantage to it. It is perhaps not altogether pleasant to have +a <i>country</i> seat overlooked by, and overlooking, a large town. Dr. Johnson, +alluding to the view of Mount Edgecumbe, has observed, that "though there is +the grandeur of a fleet, there is also the impression of there being a dock-yard, +the circumstances of which are not agreeable."</p> + +<p>The house at Mount Edgecumbe was erected about the year 1550, by Sir +Richard Edgecumbe, who was sheriff of Devonshire in the thirty-fifth year of the +reign of Henry VIII., in the castellated style, with circular towers at the corners. +About seventy years ago, those towers were pulled down, and rebuilt in their +present octangular form. In the principal rooms is a collection of family portraits, +including a few by Sir Joshua Reynolds.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_BRIXHAM" id="Illustration_BRIXHAM"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_127.jpg"><img src="images/i_127.jpg" width="600" height="453" alt="BRIXHAM." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">BRIXHAM.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="BRIXHAM" id="BRIXHAM"></a>BRIXHAM.</h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Here busy boats are seen: some overhaul<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Their loaded nets; some shoot the lightened trawl;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And, while their drags the slimy bottom sweep,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Stealthily o'er the face o' the waters creep;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While some make sail, and singly or together<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Furrow the sea with merry wind and weather."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 16em;">W. Stewart Rose.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">In</span> the Engraving of Brixham Quay, from a painting by Edward Duncan, the +view is taken from the eastward. To the right, from the end of the pier, several of +the larger class of fishing vessels belonging to the place are perceived lying aground; +while, further in the harbour, a merchant brig is seen discharging her cargo. In +the foreground, to the left, the attention of a group appears to be engaged by a +small ship which a young fisherman holds in his hands.</p> + +<p>Brixham lies about a mile and a half to the westward of Berry Head, the +southern extremity of Torbay, in the county of Devon, and is about twenty-eight +miles south of Exeter, and one hundred and ninety-eight west-south-west of +London. As a fishing town, Brixham is one of the most considerable in the +kingdom. The total number of fishing vessels belonging to the place is nearly +two hundred, of which, about one hundred and ten are from thirty to forty tons +burden, and the rest from six to eighteen tons. Besides these, there are several +yawls and smaller boats which are employed in the fishery near the shore. For +years past about seventy of the larger class of fishing vessels have been accustomed +to proceed to Ramsgate, for the purpose of catching fish in the North Sea for the +supply of the London market. They usually leave Brixham in November and +December, and return again towards the latter end of June. The Brixham +fishermen send a great quantity of fish to the Exeter, Bath, Plymouth, and +Bristol markets. The principal fish which they take are cod, ling, conger-eels, +turbot, whitings, hake, soles, skate and plaice, with herring and mackerel in the +season. A quantity of whitings are generally salted and dried at Brixham. On +the coast of Devonshire dried whitings are called "buckhorn," a name sufficiently +expressive of their hardness and insipidity. Besides the vessels employed in the +fishery, there are ships belonging to Brixham which are chiefly engaged in the +West India, Mediterranean, and coasting trades. A weekly market, with a +market-house at the water-side, was established here in 1799, and in 1804 a stone +pier of great strength was erected at the expense of the nation. The population +of the place is about 5,000. One of the most memorable events in its history is +the landing there of William Prince of Orange, afterwards William III., on the +5th of November, 1688. The view of Torbay, from the cliffs above the town, is +in the highest degree interesting, especially when enlivened, as it frequently is, +by a fleet of fishing-boats dotting its placid waters, and stretching far into the +British Channel.</p> + +<p>At an early period the manor of Brixham was held by the Nevants and the +Valletorts; but after divers ownerships it was divided into twelve quarters, one +of which was purchased by twelve fishermen of Brixham Quay, and divided into +as many shares; some of these have been much farther subdivided, yet their +owners, be their shares ever so small, have the local denomination of Quay +Lords.</p> + +<p>Brixham Church Town is about a mile distant from the quay. The church +is a spacious structure of the date of the fourteenth century, with an embattled +tower, and the peculiarities of the architecture of that period. It is dedicated to +the Virgin Mary, and contains several monuments of considerable antiquity, the +inspection of which will repay the antiquarian for the visit.</p> + +<p>Torquay, one of the most fashionable watering-places on the Devonshire +coast, is situated on the opposite side of Torbay, at a distance of about five miles +by water; but if the journey be made by land, the curve of the bay extends it +upwards of nine. It is sheltered from the north winds by the promontory of +Hope's Nose, and a range of lofty hills which form its northern boundary. It is +rapidly increasing in extent, and is spoken of in terms of the highest admiration +by most of the visitors. The houses are chiefly built of a kind of marble found +in the vicinity, and are so scattered among the hills and dales as to command +delightful views of the surrounding country. On the coast the rock scenery is +truly magnificent, and from the heights the eye ranges over a wide extent of cultivated +land, abounding in every variety of nature, and terminated by the distant +outline of the mountain tops.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_EXMOUTH" id="Illustration_EXMOUTH"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_131.jpg"><img src="images/i_131.jpg" width="600" height="441" alt="EXMOUTH." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">EXMOUTH.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="EXMOUTH" id="EXMOUTH"></a>EXMOUTH.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> town of Exmouth, as its name imports, is situated at the mouth of the +Ex, one of the largest rivers in Devonshire, which, rising in Exmoor, in Somersetshire, +flows past Tiverton, Exeter, and Topsham, and after a course of about +seventy miles discharges itself into the sea. It lies on the left bank of the river, +and is about eleven miles to the south-eastward of Exeter, and one hundred and +sixty-eight from London. It is sheltered from the north-east and south-east +winds; and the temperature of the air is mild and highly favourable to invalids. +As the bathing-machines are placed within the bar, which breaks the violence of +the sea, visiters are thus enabled to bathe in safety at all times. There are also +excellent warm sea-water baths in the town for such as require them. There is +a convenient market-place at Exmouth; and a new church was erected by Lord +Rolle in 1825. Exmouth and Littleham constitute a united parish, the population +of which is about 3,400. In 1814, the late Admiral Sir Edward Pellew was +created a peer, with the title of Baron Exmouth; and in 1816, after his expedition +to Algiers, he was further advanced to the rank of Viscount.</p> + +<p>In the reign of King John, Exmouth appears to have been a port of some +consequence; and in 1347 it furnished ten ships and one hundred and ninety-three +mariners to the grand fleet assembled by Edward III. for his expedition +against France. In the reign of Henry VIII., Leland calls it "a fisschar tounlet," +in which state it appears to have continued till about the middle of the last +century, when it began to increase, in consequence of the number of persons +visiting it for the sake of sea-bathing. It is said that Exmouth first came into +repute as a watering-place from one of the judges of assize going there to bathe, +and returning with his health very much improved. The following account of +the place, and of the manner in which the visiters passed their time about sixty +years ago, is from a letter published in Polwhele's <i>History of Devon</i>:—"The +village is a very pretty one, and composed, for the most part, of cot-houses, neat +and clean, and consisting of four or five rooms, which are generally let at a guinea +a week. We have from some of the houses, when the tide is in, a beautiful view +of the river, which, united with the sea, forms a fine sheet of water before our +doors of large extent. Lord Courtenay's and Lord Lisburne's grounds, rising in +inequalities on the other shore, complete the perspective. This is the most gay +part of the village; but then its brilliancy is only temporary—for, the tide +returned, instead of a fine sheet of water, we are presented with a bed of mud, +whose perfumes are not equal to those of a bed of roses.... Exmouth boasts +no public rooms or assemblies, save one card assembly, in an inconvenient apartment +at one of the inns, on Monday evenings. The company meet at half after +five, and break up at ten; they play at shilling whist, or twopenny quadrille. +We have very few young people here, and no diversions; no <i>belles dames</i> amusing +to the unmarried, but some <i>beldames</i> unamusing to the married. Walking on a +hill which commands a view of the ocean, and bathing, with a visit or two, serve +to pass away the morning, and tea-drinking in the evening."</p> + +<p>From the preceding account it would appear that Exmouth, "sixty years +since," was but a dull place, even at the height of the season, and more likely to +induce lowness of spirits than to prove a remedy for care, "the busy man's +disease;" for what temperament, however mercurial, could bear up against the +daily round of tea-parties—where silence was only broken by the "beldame's" +scandal—diversified once a week with shilling whist or twopenny quadrille? +Since the period when the above-quoted letter was written, Exmouth has been +greatly improved, and many large houses have been built for the accommodation +of visiters. But since the cot-houses have been elevated to handsome three-storied +dwellings, it is only fair to add that the rate of lodgings has also been raised in +the same proportion; "five or six rooms, neat and clean," are no longer to be +obtained at a guinea a week. There is now a commodious assembly-room in the +town, where the young and the fair—who are not so scarce at Exmouth as they +appear to have been sixty years ago—occasionally meet to enjoy the amusement +of dancing; while the more elderly have still the opportunity of cheating time at +"shilling whist or twopenny quadrille." There are also several billiard and +reading-rooms, which are places pleasant enough to while away an hour or two +in when it rains; and the monotony of the morning walk on the hill, and the +dulness of the evening tea-drinking, are now frequently diversified with excursions +by water to Powderham Castle, Dawlish, Topsham, and places adjacent.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_BUDLEIGH_SALTERTON" id="Illustration_BUDLEIGH_SALTERTON"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_135.jpg"><img src="images/i_135.jpg" width="600" height="412" alt="BUDLEIGH SALTERTON." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">BUDLEIGH SALTERTON.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="BUDLEIGH-SALTERTON" id="BUDLEIGH-SALTERTON"></a>BUDLEIGH-SALTERTON.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> village of Budleigh-Salterton lies about half-way between Sidmouth and +Exmouth, and at a short distance to the westward of the mouth of the river Otter. +It is pleasantly situated by the sea-shore; and the beauty of the country in its +vicinity, and the convenience afforded for sea-bathing, have caused it of late years +to be much frequented as a watering-place.</p> + +<p>Of the many watering-places with which the requirements of fashion have +sprinkled our southern coasts, there are few which can boast of a more delightful +situation than the subject of our present engraving. Protected on both sides by +the surrounding hills, it is completely sheltered from the severity of those winds +which are frequently the bane of some of our otherwise most eligible retreats; +while its view of the ocean is uninterrupted by any of those obstacles which add +more to the utility than the beauty of our older sea-bathing towns. The coast +of Devonshire offers peculiar advantages to the invalid; it has a southern aspect; +the winters are milder than in any other part of England, and the north-east wind, +with its concomitant evils, is less felt than in the more exposed though more +popular ports of the Isle of Thanet. In addition to a genial climate, Devonshire +is entitled to some preference on the score of economy with that large class to +whom the cost of even an occasional residence at the coast is a serious consideration; +and although a temporary sojourn at any watering-place must necessarily +be more expensive than the same time spent in a rural district, the visiter will +find that in none can a greater share of the comforts and even luxuries of life be +obtained upon moderate terms than in Budleigh-Salterton and its neighbouring +towns of Exmouth and Sidmouth.</p> + +<p>Another advantage which these smaller towns possess is the freedom from +restraint in which they allow their patrons to indulge. The almost slavish +deference which the higher classes of society are compelled to pay to certain conventional +rules of fashion and etiquette may be quietly laid aside during a residence +at such towns as the one now before us, and this, too, without fear of +forfeiting that claim to exclusiveness which every grade is so anxious to maintain +against the one below it. Few persons will deny the gratification that they have +derived from an occasional relaxation of those social laws that restrict our +actions in everyday life; and not the least of the benefits which they receive from +their summer visits to the coast may be traced to the opportunities which they afford +for their becoming again, though but for a few weeks, or even days, "children of +a larger growth."</p> + +<p>The village of East Budleigh, which is also the name of one of the hundreds +into which Devon is divided, lies about two miles above Budleigh-Salterton, on +the banks of the river Otter. Leland, in his <i>Itinerary</i>, thus notices East Budleigh: +"On the west side of the haven is Budelegh, right almost against Oterton, but it +is somewhat more from the shore than Oterton. Lesse then an hunderith yeres +sins, ships usid this harbour, but it is now clene barrid. Some call this Budeley +Haven, of Budeley town." It has been supposed by Polwhele that the name +Budleigh, or Budely, is derived from the British <i>budelle</i>, a stream, and that it +had originated from the number of springs or small brooks which run through +every valley in the parish; for scarcely a house can be found that is more than a +furlong distant from a rivulet.</p> + +<p>Hayes, near East Budleigh, is celebrated as the birthplace of Sir Walter +Raleigh. This fact is mentioned in our notice of Ladram Bay; but the following +circumstance, which has since come to our knowledge, will confirm the remarks +we then made, by showing the hero's love for the place of his birth, and its probable +effect upon his after life. His father having only a lease of the property, it +subsequently came into the possession of a person named Duke, to whom Sir +Walter addressed a letter, dated "From the Court, 26th July, 1584," wherein +he expresses a wish to purchase the farm and house of Hayes, and says that from +"the natural disposition he has to that place, being born in that house, he would +rather seat himself there than any where else." The proprietor, not wishing to +have so great a man for a neighbour, did not comply with Sir Walter's request. +The letter, about fifty years ago, was to be seen at Otterton House, pasted on a +piece of board for its better preservation.<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a></p> + +<p>At St. Mary Ottery, about six miles above East Budleigh, on the opposite +side of the river, the poet Coleridge was born, in 1772. When young he went +to London, where he was educated at Christ's Hospital; and few reminiscences of +the place of his birth are to be found in his poems, though he has dedicated one +sonnet to his "Dear native brook, wild streamlet of the west,"—the river Otter.</p> + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="Illustration_VIEW_FROM_THE_BEACH_AT_SIDMOUTH" id="Illustration_VIEW_FROM_THE_BEACH_AT_SIDMOUTH"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_139.jpg"><img src="images/i_139.jpg" width="500" height="456" alt="VIEW FROM THE BEACH AT SIDMOUTH." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">VIEW FROM THE BEACH AT SIDMOUTH.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;"><i>LOOKING TOWARDS THE SOUTH-WEST.</i></span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="VIEW_FROM_THE_BEACH_AT_SIDMOUTH" id="VIEW_FROM_THE_BEACH_AT_SIDMOUTH"></a>VIEW FROM THE BEACH AT SIDMOUTH,<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">LOOKING TOWARDS THE SOUTH-WEST.</span></h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">In</span> this view, from a painting by J. D. Harding, the characteristic features of +the coast of Devon are most happily expressed; and the manner in which the +subject is treated at once displays the feeling of the artist to appreciate, and his +ability to depict, the most beautiful scenery of the English coast. The simplicity +of truth is not here outraged for the sake of pictorial effect, but the whole composition +is at the same time appropriate, natural, and pleasing.</p> + +<p>Sidmouth is situated on the southern coast of Devonshire, about 15 miles +south-east of Exeter, and 158 south-west of London. It derives its name from +the little stream called the Sid, which there discharges itself into the sea. The +town is situated at the end of a beautiful vale, and is sheltered on the east, west, and +north by ranges of hills, which are cultivated to their very summits. It occupies +the margin of a small bay, bounded on the east by Salcombe Hill, and on the west +by Peak Hill, each more than 600 feet above the level of the sea at low water. +The undulating and richly-cultivated vale through which the Sid meanders is +screened towards the north by the Gittisham and Honiton Hills. On the south +it commands an extensive view of the sea. It has a bold and open shore, and +many of its newest houses are built near the beach, which is protected from the +encroachments of the sea by a natural rampart of shingly pebbles, that rises +in four or five successive stages from near low-water mark, and terminates in a +broad and commodious promenade about one-third of a mile in length. Sidmouth +has two suburbs, respectively called the Western Town and the Marsh. It has a +weekly market on Saturday, and two annual fairs—the one on Easter Tuesday, +the other on the Wednesday after September 1. The church is dedicated to +St. Nicholas. Its revenues were granted, in 1205, by Bishop Marshall, to the +monastery of St. Michael, in Normandy, to which the priory of Otterton was a +cell, but afterwards reduced with those of the other alien priories. The beauty of +its situation, the mildness and salubrity of the air, and the conveniences afforded +for sea-bathing, have caused Sidmouth to be much frequented within the last forty +years as a watering-place; and there are now many private residences of the +nobility and gentry erected in its immediate vicinity, the proprietors of which, +attracted by the beauty of the scenery, and the mild, sheltered character of the +situation, reside there during the greater part of the year; thus giving a superiority +to the society, which the visitor cannot always find in sea-bathing towns of a much +larger population.</p> + +<p>Sidmouth is a place of great antiquity; and in 1348 it supplied three ships and +sixty-two mariners to the great fleet of Edward III. It has been said that there +was formerly a good harbour at Sidmouth, but that it became so choked up with +sand, that no ships could enter. This account, however, is considered by the +Rev. Edmund Butcher to be inaccurate. He says that no sand has destroyed its +harbour; and he is of opinion that there never was one of any magnitude at the +place. He, however, thinks that there might have been a kind of natural basin, +in which the small vessels of former times might have rode, or even discharged +their cargoes, with less risk than is at present incurred by vessels which unload +on the beach.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_CAVES_AT_LADRAM_BAY" id="Illustration_CAVES_AT_LADRAM_BAY"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_143.jpg"><img src="images/i_143.jpg" width="600" height="415" alt="CAVES AT LADRAM BAY." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">CAVES AT LADRAM BAY.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;"><i>DEVONSHIRE.</i></span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CAVES_AT_LADRAM_BAY" id="CAVES_AT_LADRAM_BAY"></a>CAVES AT LADRAM BAY.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Ladram Bay</span> is on the southern coast of Devonshire, and lies between +Sidmouth and the mouth of the river Otter. It is of small extent, and is neither +noticed by any of the historians of the country, nor described in any guide-book. +The Lade rock forms its eastern extremity; and to the westward it is bounded by +a similar promontory, near to which are the caves represented in the engraving. +The bay is only accessible to pedestrians proceeding from Sidmouth at low water +through a cave at its eastern point; and its approach from the westward is also +through a perforated rock. This small and secluded bay is extremely romantic, and +the cliffs between its extreme points are lofty and nearly perpendicular. It is +frequently visited in summer by picnic parties from Sidmouth, Otterton, and +Budleigh Salterton; and it is said that smugglers, availing themselves of its retired +situation, occasionally manage to land a cargo there, notwithstanding the vigilance +of the preventive men, who have a look-out near the bay, but not a regular station. +The only house in its immediate vicinity is a fisherman's cottage, near the end of +the road leading to it from Otterton.</p> + +<p>There are several curious caverns and perforated rocks on the southern coast of +Devon. Just within the promontory called the Bolt-head, at the western end of +Salcomb-bar, is a cavern called the Bull-hole, which is believed by many persons +of the neighbourhood to extend for about three miles to a similar cavern in a creek +near Sewer-mill. The tradition is that a bull entered at one cavern, and came out +at the other; and hence the name of the Bull-hole. Nearly at the top of the cliff +of Bolberry Down, about a mile to the eastward of the Bolt-tail, is a cavern called +Ralph's-hole, which is about twenty feet long, seven feet wide, and eight feet high. +It is nearly four hundred feet above the sea; and the rock by which it is +approached is within three feet of the precipice, and only admits of one person +passing at a time. It is said that a man named Ralph made this cave his abode +for many years in order to avoid being arrested, and that with a hay-fork as a +weapon to defend the entrance he set the bailiffs at defiance; his residence, however, +was more remarkable for its security than its convenience; and if the blessing +of freedom is not included in the balance of advantages and evils, Ralph would +probably have found a more comfortable home in any of her Majesty's gaols than in +his sea-beaten fortress. A few miles further westward, directly off Thurlston sands, +in Bigberry bay, is a perforated rock, about thirty feet high, called Thurlston rock. +At very low ebb-tides it is left dry, but as the flood increases, the sea washes over +it, making a noise in stormy weather that is heard at a great distance.</p> + +<p>The village of Otterton, in the immediate vicinity of these caves, is remarkable +for the peculiarity of possessing a church with a tower at the eastern end. At +this place there was formerly an alien priory subject to St. Michael's, in Normandy. +The river Otter is a fine trout stream, and affords much amusement to the patrons +of the rod and line; but it is navigable for boats only at high-water, when small +craft can ascend as far as Otterton, about two and a half miles from its mouth. +A view from Peak-hill, an eminence in this neighbourhood, frequently excites the +admiration of visitors, commanding as it does the beautiful vale of Sidmouth, with +the village and beach on the east, the vale of the Otter on the west, bordered by +Haldon and other hills, and extending to the sea on the south.</p> + +<p>Bicton House, on the banks of the Otter, is the seat of Lord Rolle; it is a +spacious edifice, standing in a park plentifully stocked with beach, elm, and oak, +and abounding in deer. At the time of Domesday survey, this manor was held +by the somewhat burdensome tenure of maintaining the county gaol; but from this +service it has been many years relieved by Act of Parliament. Sir Walter +Raleigh was born at Hayes, in the parish of East Budleigh, a small village about +four miles from Sidmouth; and much of his love for maritime enterprise was +probably derived from his early associations with this romantic coast, so well +calculated to impress the youthful mind with a passion for the sea and its wonders.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_WEYMOUTH" id="Illustration_WEYMOUTH"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_147.jpg"><img src="images/i_147.jpg" width="600" height="418" alt="WEYMOUTH." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">WEYMOUTH.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="WEYMOUTH" id="WEYMOUTH"></a>WEYMOUTH</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Weymouth</span> and Melcombe-Regis lie on opposite sides of the same river, the +latter on the east, and the former on the west. They are connected by a bridge, +the central part of which can be swung open, to allow of the passing and repassing +of ships. The name of Weymouth is generally given to the united towns, which +are both in the county of Dorset, and about 130 miles to the south-westward of +London.</p> + +<p>Weymouth derives its name from the Wey, or Way, a small river which there +discharges itself into the sea. It is a place of great antiquity; it is mentioned in +a charter granted by Ethelred, about the year 880, giving certain lands there to +his faithful minister, Altsere. In the Domesday Survey there are no less than +eight places in the county with the name of <i>Wai</i> or <i>Waia</i>; that, however, which +is described as having twelve <i>salterns</i>, or salt ponds, was undoubtedly the +Weymouth of the present time. In the reign of Edward II. Weymouth returned +two members to Parliament; and in 1347, probably in conjunction with Melcombe, +it supplied 15 ships and 263 mariners to the grand fleet of Edward III.</p> + +<p>Melcombe owes its adjunct, "Regis"—King's—to its having been a part of +the demesne lands of the crown in the time of Edward I. It is not mentioned in +the Domesday survey; but it appears to have been summoned to return two +members to Parliament several years earlier than Weymouth, though the latter, +in all charters, has precedence as the more ancient town. The inhabitants of the +two places had frequent quarrels respecting their rights to the harbour and the +profits thence accruing; and, in consequence of those dissensions, the towns were +deprived of the privileges of a staple port by Henry VI. In the thirteenth year +of the reign of Elizabeth the two towns were united into one borough, having their +privileges in common, and jointly returning four members to Parliament. By the +Reform Bill the number of members returned by the united towns has been limited +to two.</p> + +<p>The following is Leland's account of the two places at the time of his visiting +them, in the reign of Henry VIII.: "Ther is a townlet on the hither side of the +haven of Waymouth caullid Milton or Melcombe], beyng privilegid and having +a mair. This town, as it is evidently seene, hathe beene far bigger then it is now. +The cause of this is layid on to the Frenchmen, that in tymes of war rasid this +towne for lak of defence. For so many houses as be yn the town, they be welle +and strongly buildid of stone. There is a chapelle of ease in Milton. The +paroch church is a mile of: a manifest token that Milton is no very old town ... +Milton standith as a peninsula, by reason of the water of the haven that a little +above the toun, spreedith abrode and makith a bay, and by the bay of the mayne +sea that gulfith it in on the other side. The tounlet of Waymouth lyith strait +agaynst Milton on the other side of the haven, and at this place the water of the +haven is but of a small brede; and the <i>trajectus</i> is by a bote and a rope bent over +the haven, so that in the fery bote they use no oars. Waymouth hath certein +liberties and privileges, but ther is no mair yn it. Ther is a key and warf for +shippes."<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></p> + +<p>In the same manner as at many other towns on the southern coast, the trade of +Weymouth appears to have declined considerably from the time that the English +ceased to have any possessions in France; and the comparatively small depth of +water in the harbour has tended to prevent the increase of its shipping in modern +times. The harbour at Weymouth is what is called a tide-harbour. The channel +is about fourteen feet deep at high water; and at the quays on each side the ships +lie aground at low water. The large lake at the westward of Melcombe-Regis +receives at spring tides a vast body of water, which, on its return scours the harbour +and prevents the accumulation of sand. The number of ships belonging to the +port of Weymouth is about eighty-five, the aggregate tonnage of which is 7175 +tons.</p> + +<p>The increase of Weymouth within the last forty or fifty years is chiefly owing +to the number of persons who take up a temporary residence there to enjoy the +benefit of sea-bathing, for which the excellent beach affords the greatest convenience. +It is said that the place first began to obtain celebrity on this account +about 1763, in consequence of Ralph Allen, Esq., of Prior Park, near Bath, +having derived great benefit while residing there, and recommending it to his +friends. Weymouth was visited, in 1789, by George III., who resided there for +about ten weeks, and was so much pleased with the place that in several succeeding +years it was honoured with a royal visit.</p> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_HURST_CASTLE" id="Illustration_HURST_CASTLE"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_151.jpg"><img src="images/i_151.jpg" width="600" height="403" alt="HURST CASTLE." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">HURST CASTLE.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;"><i>THE PRISON OF KING CHARLES I.</i></span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="HURST_CASTLE" id="HURST_CASTLE"></a>HURST CASTLE</h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Here Walter Scott has woo'd the Northern muse;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Here he with me has joyed to walk or cruise;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hence have we ranged by Celtic camps and barrows,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or climb'd the expectant bank, to thread the Narrows<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of <span class="smcap">Hurst</span>, bound westward to the gloomy bower<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Where <span class="smcap">Charles</span> was prisoned in yon island-tower."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 16em;">W. Stewart Rose.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Among</span> the numerous objects which confer particular interest and beauty on +the neighbourhood of Lymington, the most prominent is Hurst Castle, of which +a striking view is presented in the annexed Engraving. It was erected by Henry +the Eighth, as a fortress for the protection of this part of the Channel from +piratical inroads and hostile aggression, and to give his "loving subjects" a strong +and lasting pledge of his "paternal solicitude" for their welfare. It is situated +near the extremity of a remarkable, natural causeway, or point of land, which runs +boldly into the sea to a distance of nearly two miles, and exhibits these massive +battlements to great advantage. Its works of defence consist of a circular tower, +strengthened by semicircular bastions; and when armed and garrisoned in a +manner becoming the important trust confided to it, must have presented a very +formidable appearance.</p> + +<p>Lymington, to whose neighbourhood this formidable stronghold serves as an +attractive feature, is now well known and much frequented as a delightful +watering-place. It stands about a mile from the narrow channel which separates +the main land from the Isle of Wight. Owing to the daily increasing facilities of +communication, the picturesque scenery of the New Forest, the various objects of +interest and notoriety with which the vicinity abounds, and the delightful prospects +which may be enjoyed from the windows of the apartments as well as from +the adjoining walks, Lymington is well deserving of the commendation which it +has uniformly received from all strangers.<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a></p> + +<p>Among the many tempting rides and walks which are open to the public, and +present a continual variety of sea and inland views, the most interesting are those +to Mudiford, Milford, Boldre, Beaulieu, and High Cliff. On the latter the late +Earl of Bute erected a magnificent edifice, in consequence of an early and strong +partiality to the spot; for here, he observed, he had always slept soundly, when +he could find that luxury nowhere else. The view from this point is one of the +finest in the kingdom. The house, though much reduced in size, and modernized +by the present owner, has rather gained than lost by the change; while the +salubrious quality of the air has certainly not deteriorated. Boldre contains much +picturesque scenery, which will be still more highly appreciated when the stranger +is informed that in the vicarage of this parish, and amidst the scenes which daily +met his eye, the late Rev. and pious William Gilpin composed his popular work +on Forest Scenery.<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> Beaulieu is interesting as having been the seat of a rich abbey, +founded in 1204; the refectory of which has been long used as a parish church.<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> +Mudiford possesses a fine level sandy beach, of wide extent, admirably adapted for +sea-bathing, and commanding a variety of scenes and objects of great beauty. It +was a favourite with George the Third and Queen Charlotte, when at Weymouth, +who honoured Mr. Rose with a visit at his picturesque cottage on the beach.</p> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 444px;"><a name="Illustration_COWES" id="Illustration_COWES"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_155.jpg"><img src="images/i_155.jpg" width="444" height="500" alt="COWES." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">COWES.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;"><i>HAMPSHIRE.</i></span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="COWES" id="COWES"></a>COWES.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">East</span> and <span class="smcap">West Cowes</span>, in the Isle of Wight, lie on opposite sides, and near +the mouth of the river Medina, which rises on the southern side of the island, and +after passing Newport, discharges itself into the strait—usually called the Solent Sea—that +separates the Isle of Wight from the main land. The view of the harbour +in the engraving is taken from West Cowes.</p> + +<p>In the reign of Henry VIII., two castles were built at the mouth of the river +Medina to defend the passage to Newport. The old castle at West Cowes is still +standing, but that of East Cowes has long been demolished. The castellated building +seen in the engraving is a gentleman's seat, and is of modern erection, combining +the interior comforts of modern civilization with the exterior grandeur of a baronial +residence of the middle ages; but whether such a combination is lawful, admits of +a doubt. Beheld from the sea, with its towers and battlements rising above +the luxuriant plantations around it, has a fine and imposing effect. The grounds +are extensive and well designed, possessing at once the scenery of a park and the +cultivated beauty of a pleasure-ground.</p> + +<p>Cowes harbour is spacious and commodious; and the roads off the mouth +of the river, which afford excellent anchorage, used frequently to be crowded, +in time of war, with merchant-vessels waiting for convoy; and the towns derived +great advantage from supplying ships, while thus detained, with provisions and +small stores. The loss of a great part of this trade, on the termination of the war, +has perhaps been more than compensated by Cowes having become the rendezvous +of the Royal Yacht Squadron, which was first established under the name of the +Yacht Club, in 1815. The number of vessels belonging to the squadron is about +a hundred, and their aggregate tonnage is nearly 9,000 tons. The members have +a club-house at Cowes; and at the annual regatta, which generally takes place +about the last week in August, there are usually upwards of two hundred vessels +assembled in the roads, to witness the sailing for the different prizes.</p> + +<p>The town of West Cowes is situated on the declivity, and at the base of +a hill, on the summit of which stands the church. The streets are mostly +narrow, and irregularly built; but recently the town and its vicinity have +been much improved by the erection of several large houses and beautiful +villas. There is a regular communication between Cowes and Southampton, by +steam-boats, which, in summer, leave each place twice a day. East Cowes is +a much smaller place than West Cowes; but, like the latter, it has been greatly +enlarged within the last twenty years.</p> + +<p>In the vicinity of East Cowes is situated Osborne House, the marine residence +of her Majesty and the royal family, for whose accommodation great additions +and improvements have been made to the house and grounds, and what was +formerly the seat of a private gentleman, has now been rendered a palace worthy +of the royalty of England. The brief limits to which our notices are confined +preclude us from entering upon a description of an edifice to which we could do +but very imperfect justice, and which, after all, must derive its chief interest from +the illustrious family who occupy its walls, and avail themselves of its peculiarly +advantageous situation as the starting point for those marine excursions in which +the Queen and her Consort so frequently indulge. The presence of royalty in its +neighbourhood has rendered Cowes one of the most fashionable, as nature had +previously made it one of the most beautiful, of the watering places on our southern +coast, while the facilities afforded by the competing lines of the London and +South Western, and London and South Coast Railways, render it at all times +easy of access from the metropolis.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_SOUTHAMPTON" id="Illustration_SOUTHAMPTON"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_159.jpg"><img src="images/i_159.jpg" width="600" height="422" alt="SOUTHAMPTON." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">SOUTHAMPTON.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;"><i>HANTS.</i></span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="SOUTHAMPTON" id="SOUTHAMPTON"></a>SOUTHAMPTON.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> town of Southampton is situated in the county of the same name, or, as +it is more frequently called, Hampshire. It is built on a point of land at the +confluence of the river Itchin with the estuary called the Anton, but which is +more generally known as Southampton Water. The origin of the name of the +town—which has unquestionably given its name to the county—does not appear +to have been satisfactorily ascertained; some writers supposing it to be composed +of the Saxon words, <i>ham</i> and <i>tun</i> or <i>ton</i>—which are nearly synonymous, and each +equivalent to the modern English town—with the prefix <i>South</i> to distinguish it +more emphatically from Northampton. Others, however, consider that the name +has been derived from the river Anton, on the banks of which the town is situated. +"The town of <i>An</i>dover," says Sir Henry Englefield, "the village of Abbot's-<i>An</i>, +the farm of North<i>anton</i>, and the hamlet of South<i>anton</i>, both near Overton, and +not far from the eastern source of the river <i>Anton</i> or rather <i>Ant</i>, are abundant +proofs of the probability of this etymology."</p> + +<p>Southampton, as a chartered borough, may rank with the oldest in the +kingdom. Madox, in his <i>Firma Burgi</i>, says that Henry II. "confirmed to his +men, or burgesses of Southampton, their guild, and their liberties and customs by +sea and land; he having regard to the great charges which the inhabitants thereof +have been at in defending the sea-coasts." From a grant by the same king to +the priory of St. Dionysius, it appears that there were then four churches in +Southampton. While the English were in possession of Guienne, the merchants +of Southampton carried on a considerable trade with Bayonne, Bordeaux, and +other towns in the south of France.</p> + +<p>In 1338 the town was assaulted and burnt by a party of French or Genoese; +and in the next year an act was passed for its better fortification. Whatever +injury the town might have sustained from the attack of the French or Genoese, +it would seem that its trade as a port was not diminished by it; for, nine years +afterwards, Southampton supplied twenty-one ships and four hundred and seventy-six +mariners to the great fleet of Edward III. In consequence of another attack +by the French, in the reign of Richard II., the fortifications were further +strengthened. In 1415 the army of Henry V., destined for the invasion of +France, assembled at Southampton, where, previous to their embarkation, the +Earl of Cambridge, Lord Scrope, and Sir Thomas Grey, were executed for +high treason. The result of this memorable expedition was the victory of Agincourt. +While the English continued to hold possession of part of France, the +trade of Southampton appears to have been very flourishing, and the port was one +of the principal in the south of England for the import of wine. Camden, writing +about 1586, describes it as a town famous for the number and neatness of its +buildings, the wealth of its inhabitants, and the resort of merchants; "but now," +adds Camden's translator, writing about a hundred years afterwards, "it is not in +the same flourishing condition as formerly it was; for having lost a great part of +its trade, it has lost most of its inhabitants too; and the great houses of merchants +are now dropping to the ground, and only show its ancient magnificence."<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a></p> + +<p>For the last fifty years the trade of Southampton, as a port, has been gradually +reviving; and at present there is no port in the south of England in a more +flourishing condition. The arrival and departure of the numerous large steamers +belonging to the Oriental and Peninsular and the West India Mail Packet Companies, +give it an air of activity and importance very different from the character +given of it in the preceding paragraph. The splendid docks, and the facilities +afforded by the railway, have induced the government of the day to select it as +an eligible point for the embarkation of a large portion of the emigrants sent out +with free or assisted passages to the Australian colonies.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_THE_WALLS_OF_SOUTHAMPTON" id="Illustration_THE_WALLS_OF_SOUTHAMPTON"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_163.jpg"><img src="images/i_163.jpg" width="600" height="426" alt="THE WALLS OF SOUTHAMPTON." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">THE WALLS OF SOUTHAMPTON.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="SOUTHAMPTON_WALLS" id="SOUTHAMPTON_WALLS"></a>SOUTHAMPTON.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">THE WALLS.</span></h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Of yore, <span class="smcap">Southampton</span>, by thy briny flood,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Girt with his courtly train, great Canute stood;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And, turning from the disobedient wave,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A check severe to servile flattery gave."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> accompanying View shows a portion of those ancient fortifications within +which the town of Southampton was originally enclosed. The walls are in many +places quite demolished; but in others they still present a venerable, though +dilapidated appearance, with the remains of several towers at regular intervals, +after the manner of fortified cities. The circuit of the walls is computed at nearly +two miles. With regard to the precise date at which the walls were erected, there +is no certain record. The north, east, and south walls bear every mark of uniform +regularity in their structure: the gates of the town are apparently of the same +date with the walls, and much resemble each other in the massy, flat form of their +pointed arches, which rise at an angle from their piers, being struck from centres +below the level of their spring—a mode of construction chiefly used in the reign +of Edward the First. Yet the remains of semicircular towers, still visible on the +Bargate, and which flanked its round arch, very much resembling the towers on the +north and east walls, lead us to suspect that the wall, on the land side at least, is of +higher antiquity than the time of the Edwards, and that the present gates were +built later than the wall. The very singular position of the Water-gate, which +retires thirty feet behind the eastern part of the south wall, and the awkward position +of the South-gate, at the very angle of the wall, seem to indicate that these gates +were not parts of the original design. From the south-west angle of the wall, quite +to the Bridle-gate, which was close to the vallum of the Castle, the whole wall is +a mass of irregular and almost inexplicable construction. It is conjectured that +the side of the town, protected as it was by the Castle, and covered by the sea, was +not at all, or but very slightly fortified, until the fatal experience of the sack of +the town by the French proved that some further defence was necessary. The line +of the town wall, south of the West-gate, is irregular in its construction; and the +wall between the West and Bridle-gates bears evident marks of having been built +in the most hasty manner, and with the greatest economy of materials. This wall, +in its present form, Sir Henry Englefield supposes to have been built about the +period when, according to the old historians, Richard the Second fortified the town, +and built, or probably repaired and strengthened, the Castle, for it had evidently +been built several centuries before his reign.</p> + +<p>At the accession of Henry the Eighth, the port of Southampton was much +frequented by foreign merchant vessels, particularly those of Venice, which traded +largely in wool and tin. But the exportation of wool being prohibited by the +legislature, the Levant merchants gradually resorted to other ports, and, now +deserted by her commercial friends, Southampton found her resources greatly impoverished. +About the commencement of the last century, however, the tide +flowed once more in her favour, and, continuing to increase, has at length placed +her in a position of unprecedented prosperity. But to this happy result the +erecting of new docks, an improved harbour, and, above all, communication with +London by railway, have mainly contributed. The terminus to the latter, begun +and completed in 1839, is a very pleasing piece of Italian composition, with a projecting +rusticated arcade of five arches below, and the same number of pedimental +windows to the upper floor. The façade, nearly seventy feet in length, is considerably +extended in its lower part by screen-walls, which take a sweep from the +building.</p> + +<p>The principal trade of Southampton is with Portugal and the Baltic, and with +the islands of Guernsey and Jersey. Hemp, iron, and tallow are imported from +Russia; tar and pitch from Sweden; and from Portugal, wine and fruit.</p> + +<p>The environs of Southampton are particularly interesting and agreeable—enlivened +with elegant seats, romantic ruins, picturesque villages, and much beautiful +scenery, which never fail to attract a great confluence of visitors during the fine +season. Among these Netley Abbey is the grand attraction. The town itself is +rich in vestiges of antiquity; and, in its modern character, presents all the <i>agrémens</i> +to be met with in our most fashionable watering-places.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_ENTRANCE_TO_PORTSMOUTH_HARBOUR" id="Illustration_ENTRANCE_TO_PORTSMOUTH_HARBOUR"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_167.jpg"><img src="images/i_167.jpg" width="600" height="447" alt="ENTRANCE TO PORTSMOUTH HARBOUR." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">ENTRANCE TO PORTSMOUTH HARBOUR.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="PORTSMOUTH" id="PORTSMOUTH"></a>PORTSMOUTH.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">ENTRANCE TO THE HARBOUR.</span></h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">In</span> the front of this view, and towards the right, a man-of-war cutter is seen +running out of the harbour; and, from her heel to leeward, and the agitated state +of the water, we may perceive that it is blowing a stiff breeze. Vessels of her class +are chiefly employed in the coast-guard service and as admirals' tenders, or as +packets on short voyages, or in communicating between one naval depôt and another. +In the distance, to leeward of her, the Dock-yard semaphore is perceived; and +more to the right, but nearer to the eye of the spectator, is seen the Round Tower; +from which, in former times, an immense chain used to extend to the Block-house +at Gosport, on the opposite side of the channel, for the purpose of protecting the +entrance to the harbour, in the event of its being assailed by the ships of an enemy. +Towards the centre of the engraving a broad-side view is presented of the Port-Admiral's +flag-ship, a first-rate, which, from the flags at her mast-head, appears to +be making a signal; ahead of her, in the distance, the hulls are perceived of two +ships of war, laid up in ordinary; and further to the left is seen part of the Block-house +Fort, at Gosport, with a beacon, to direct vessels in making the harbour.</p> + +<p>Portsmouth harbour is one of the most secure and commodious in the kingdom; +and from the depth of water, both within it and at its mouth, ships of the line can +enter or depart at all times of the tide. From the narrowness of its entrance,—which, +between the old Round Tower at Portsmouth and the Block-house Fort at +Gosport, is not wider than the Thames at London-bridge,—it is protected from +the swell of the sea; while it is sheltered from the violence of winds blowing off +the land, by the range of hills to the northward. Immediately above its entrance +the harbour begins to expand, and about a mile and a half above the old Round +Tower it is nearly two miles in breadth. It then branches off into three principal +creeks, or <i>leats</i>, as they are frequently called; one of which runs up to Fareham, +another to Porchester Castle, and the third to Portsbridge. In these creeks most +of the men-of-war in ordinary are moored. As those ships, when laid up, are each +covered over with a large wooden roof, to protect them from the effects of the +weather, they appear, when seen from Portsdown Hill, which commands an excellent +view of the harbour, not so much like floating castles as like immense floating +barns—ample garners, which would contain more corn than the swords and cutlasses +of their former gallant crews, beat into reaping-hooks, will ever cut down!</p> + +<p>At Portsmouth the tide flows about seven hours and ebbs about five; and the +velocity with which the ebb tide runs out effectually scours the channel at the +mouth of the harbour, and prevents the accumulation of sand. It is high water in +the harbour at half-past 11 o'clock at the full and change of the moon; and the rise +of spring tides is about eighteen feet, and of neaps about twelve. In the months +of March and April the specific gravity of the water in Portsmouth harbour +becomes so much increased, that ships lying there are observed to float about two +inches lighter than at other times of the year. The latitude of the Observatory in +the Dock-yard is 50° 48' 3" north; longitude 1° 5' 59" west.</p> + +<p>Though Portsmouth does not appear to have been a place of much consideration +as a naval station previous to the reign of Henry VIII., who may be regarded as +the first English King that established a permanent royal navy, it was yet undoubtedly +a town of some consequence long before that time. In 1194, Richard I. +granted a charter to the inhabitants, wherein, after declaring that he retains the +town of "Portsmue" in his own hands, he establishes an annual fair to be held +therein for fifteen days, to which all persons of England, Normandy, Poictou, +Wales, Scotland, and all others, either foreigners or his own people, might freely +resort, and enjoy the same privileges as at the fairs of Winchester, Hoiland, or +elsewhere in his dominions. The burgesses of "Portsmue," as the place was then +called, were also allowed to have a weekly market, with the same privileges and +immunities as those of Winchester and Oxford; with freedom from all tolls of +portage, passage, and stallage, and exemption from suit and service at hundred and +county courts.<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> This charter was confirmed in 1201 by King John, and in 1230 +by Henry II.; and in 1256 the latter monarch granted another charter, establishing +a guild of merchants at Portsmouth. The privileges of the burgesses were at +several different times confirmed by succeeding kings; and, in 1627, Charles I. +granted them a charter, whereby a mayor and twelve aldermen were appointed for +the civil government of the town. This charter, which was renewed by Charles II., +has since been modified by the Municipal Reform Bill of 1835, which directs that +the borough shall be divided into six wards, which shall elect a town council of +forty-two members. In 1298 the borough was summoned to send two members to +Parliament, a privilege which it continues to enjoy.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_RIGGING_HULK_AND_FRIGATE_PORTSMOUTH" id="Illustration_RIGGING_HULK_AND_FRIGATE_PORTSMOUTH"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_171.jpg"><img src="images/i_171.jpg" width="600" height="472" alt="RIGGING HULK AND FRIGATE, PORTSMOUTH." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">RIGGING HULK AND FRIGATE, PORTSMOUTH.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="PORTSMOUTH_2" id="PORTSMOUTH_2"></a>PORTSMOUTH.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">RIGGING-HULK, WITH A NEW FRIGATE ALONGSIDE.</span></h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">In</span> this engraving we have a view of a new frigate, with only her lower masts +in, lying alongside of the <i>Topaze</i> rigging-hulk. The latter vessel—which now +presents so clumsy an appearance, from her bows and sides being sheathed with a +stout doubling of timber, and from a wooden house being built over her stem—was +formerly a French frigate, and, when she first came into our possession, she +was much admired by nautical men for the beauty of her build. Further in the +distance, to the right, is seen a first-rate lying off the Dockyard Quay, partly +rigged; and, beyond her, are perceived the immense wooden roofs which cover +the building-slips. The line of building to the right is the rigging-house, and +the tower erected above it is the Dockyard Semaphore. On the extreme right, +towards the front, is seen the forepart of a mooring-lighter, with one of the +numerous spar-booms lying afloat near the Common Hard. The original picture +was exhibited in the Gallery of the British Institution, where it excited general +admiration.</p> + +<p>The great naval depôt at Portsmouth is partially described in connection +with other engravings in this work, and we have therefore thought it might be +interesting to occupy our present space with some details respecting the peculiar +mode in which one very important portion of the rigging is manufactured in this +yard, and which forms a principal object of curiosity to all persons visiting it. +We allude to the machinery for manufacturing blocks, invented by Mr. Brunel, +the celebrated engineer.</p> + +<p>After the wood—generally elm—for the shell of the block is cut into proper +sizes by circular-saws, its complete formation, including the pin and the sheave, +is effected by means of several different machines, all contrived with the greatest +mechanical skill, and put in motion by a steam-engine. The first process is that +of the boring-machine, which, by means of a centre-bit, pierces a hole to receive +the pin, and at the same time, according as the block is intended to be single or +double, forms one or two similar holes, at right angles to the former, to receive +the first stroke of the chisel which cuts out the space for the sheave. By the +second, called the mortising-machine, this space is cut out by a chisel acting +vertically, and making about a hundred and twenty strokes a minute, and under +which the block is caused to move gradually, so that at each stroke a thin piece of +the wood is cut away. After this the block is taken to a circular-saw, which cuts +off the corners, and reduces it to the form of an octagon. The shaping-machine, +to which it is next taken, consists of two equal and parallel wheels moving on the +same axis, to which one of them is permanently fixed, while the other is moveable +in the line of the axis, so that, by sliding it nearer to the former, or more apart, as +may be required, the shells of blocks of all sizes may be fixed between their two +parallel rims. Ten shells of the same size being firmly fixed at regular intervals +between those rims, the wheels are put into motion with extreme velocity, and the +shells are rounded by striking against a cutting instrument, which at the same +time moves in such a manner as to give to each block its proper shape and +curvature. When one half of the side has thus been finished, the motion of the +wheels is reversed, and the other half finished in the same manner. When one +side has been rounded, the shells are reversed, and the other side completed as +above. The last process which the shell undergoes consists in scooping out the +groove for the strap, or "strop," as the rope is called, which goes round the block. +The shell is now completed, and the visitor is next shown the different processes +in forming the sheave and the pin.</p> + +<p>The sheaves are generally made of lignum-vitæ; and the first operation is +performed by a circular-saw, which cuts the wood into pieces of a proper thickness. +By a second machine the holes for the pins are bored, and they are formed into +perfect circles by means of a crown-saw. The third, called the coaking-machine, +is an admirable specimen of mechanical ingenuity. By its operation, a small cutter +drills out round the pin-hole—to a certain depth from the flat surface of the sheave—three +semicircular grooves, for the reception of the metal coak, or bush, which +sustains the friction of the pin. So truly are those grooves formed, that the +slight tap of a hammer is sufficient to fix the coak in its place. The fourth +operation consists in casting the coaks. By a fifth, after being fitted in the +grooves, holes are drilled in the coaks, for the reception of the pins which fasten +them to the sheaves; and by a sixth the pins are rivetted. By the seventh +operation, the central hole in the coak for the pin, on which the sheave turns, is +drilled out. By the eighth, the groove for the rope is turned round the circumference +of the sheave, and its sides polished. In the ninth, the iron pins, on which +the sheaves revolve, are cast, turned, and polished; and on their being inserted, +the block is complete and ready for use.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_VIEW_FROM_THE_SALUTING_PLATFORM_PORTSMOUTH" id="Illustration_VIEW_FROM_THE_SALUTING_PLATFORM_PORTSMOUTH"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_175.jpg"><img src="images/i_175.jpg" width="600" height="445" alt="VIEW FROM THE SALUTING PLATFORM, PORTSMOUTH." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">VIEW FROM THE SALUTING PLATFORM, PORTSMOUTH.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="PORTSMOUTH_3" id="PORTSMOUTH_3"></a>PORTSMOUTH.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">VIEW FROM THE SALUTING PLATFORM.</span></h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> correctness of this view will be immediately recognised by every person +in the least acquainted with Portsmouth. The platform, from which it is taken, +forms the grand promenade of the inhabitants, and is usually the first place visited +by strangers, on account of the prospect which is thence obtained. Immediately +in front of the engraving is seen the northern extremity of the platform, on which +are two soldiers, who seem indulging themselves with a leisurely inhalation of +the fresh breeze from the water, after having liberally expended a portion of their +own breath in sounding their bugles at parade. Beyond the platform, the most +conspicuous object is the Government Semaphore, with three flags displayed as a +signal; and to the left, the landing-place called the King's Stairs. Beyond the +old round tower is seen the flag-ship of the Port Admiral; and, between her and +the gun-brig which is running in, a distant view is obtained of the Town Hall of +Gosport.</p> + +<p>Portsmouth, one of our greatest naval depôts, is situated near the south-western +extremity of the island of Portsea, in the county of Hampshire, and is about +seventy miles S.S.W. of London. Adjoining to it, on the northward, is the +town of Portsea; and to the south-east, without the walls, lies the suburb of +Southsea. The three places may be considered as forming one large town, under +the general name of Portsmouth, the aggregate population of which is about 50,000. +The population of Gosport, which lies to the westward of Portsmouth, on the +opposite side of the harbour, is, with that of the adjacent hamlet of Stoke, about +12,000. The docks and naval storehouses are within the precinct of Portsea; the +hospital and the victualling establishment are at Gosport; and the offices of the +Port Admiral and the residence of the Lieutenant-Governor are at Portsmouth, +within the lines of which are also the barracks for the accommodation of the +garrison. Portsmouth is strongly fortified by a circuit of bastions and a moat, +which enclose the town on the landside, and which are connected with a similar +line, extending in a semi-circular form round the landside of Portsea. In the +event of a siege, it would require 14,000 men to form an efficient garrison for the +united towns. The situation of Portsmouth is low and marshy; and the peculiar +smell which arises from the mud at low water, and from the moat, may be perceived +at the distance of two or three miles, in approaching the town from the +northward.</p> + +<p>The principal church at Portsmouth stands in St. Thomas'-street, and nearly +in the centre of the town. It is dedicated to St. Thomas à Becket, and was +erected between 1210 and 1220, by Peter de Rupibus, Bishop of Winchester. +The transept and the chancel are the only parts which remain of the original +structure, the nave and side-aisles having been rebuilt in 1692. At the same +time the old tower, which formerly stood above the intersection of the transepts +and the nave, was taken down, and the present one erected at the western +entrance. It is surmounted with a cupola, and its height is about 120 feet.</p> + +<p>With the exception of the older parts of St. Thomas' Church, which afford one +or two good specimens of the Gothic style, Portsmouth contains but little in the +shape of architectural antiquities that is likely to attract the notice of the stranger. +The building, above which the Semaphore is erected, near the northern extremity +of the saluting platform, was, in former times, the residence of the governor of +the town. Previous to the suppression of the monasteries and religious houses, it +belonged to a Domus Dei, or hospital, which was founded in 1238. A part of the +church of this hospital is yet standing at a short distance to the south-east of the +Semaphore, and near to the grand parade. It is now the garrison chapel; and +against its walls are placed numerous monuments erected to the memory of +officers, both naval and military, who have died in the service of their country.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"A tomb is theirs on every page,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An epitaph on every tongue;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The present hour, the future age,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">For them bewail, to them belong.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">For them the voice of festal mirth<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Grows hushed,—their name the only sound;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While deep remembrance pours to worth<br /></span> +<span class="i2">The goblet's tributary round.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A theme to crowds who knew them not,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Lamented by admiring foes;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Who would not share their glorious lot!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Who would not die the death they chose!"<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a><br /></span> +</div></div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_GOSPORT_FLAG_SHIP_SALUTING" id="Illustration_GOSPORT_FLAG_SHIP_SALUTING"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_179.jpg"><img src="images/i_179.jpg" width="600" height="434" alt="GOSPORT, FLAG SHIP SALUTING." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">GOSPORT, FLAG SHIP SALUTING.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="GOSPORT" id="GOSPORT"></a>GOSPORT.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Gosport</span>, of which our engraving represents a view, is a small, but important +town, adjoining Portsmouth, from which it is separated by a wide channel, forming +part of the extensive basin known as Portsmouth Harbour, and containing a large +number of our "wooden walls;" some in a condition ready to put to sea at a few +hours' notice, others lying in ordinary, as it is termed, that is, without rigging, sails, +or other fittings requisite to render them complete and efficient for service, but +which are speedily provided when required. Portsmouth, Gosport, and the neighbouring +towns—including Portsea and Landport—form one extensive fortified +position, protected at every point from the attacks of an enemy; they are enclosed +by broad earthworks, along the extent of which are mounted heavy guns, +commanding the various drawbridges which cross the moat surrounding the works. +At a short distance from the town is a large range of barracks for the marines, capable +of accommodating upwards of a thousand men—a portion of the building, including +the house of the commandant, has but recently been completed. Near this is a new +prison, devoted entirely to military occupation; it is a substantial building of red +brick, and well adapted for the accommodation of its inmates consistent with its +character as a penal establishment.</p> + +<p>Close to the harbour, and within the fortifications, is an immense pile of imposing +appearance, called the Clarence Victualling-yard; the most interesting feature of +which is, the admirable but simple steam-machinery employed in making biscuits +for the navy. In the precincts of this immense depository are also included a +cooperage, brewhouse, and slaughterhouse, which supply the navy with the stores +requisite for their various destinations, including wines and spirits, of which a large +stock is constantly kept here. The quay at which her Majesty embarks for her +private residence, Osborne House, in the Isle of Wight, is situated in this yard, +which is connected with the main line of the South-Western Railway, by a small +branch running from the terminus, devoted solely to the use of her Majesty and the +Lords of the Admiralty. There are two churches in the town, St. Mathew's, near +the entrance to the Clarence-yard, and Trinity; the former consists entirely of free +sittings, the latter is a chapel of ease to the parish church, situated at Alverstoke, a +small village, at a distance of little more than a mile from the town. There are +also a Catholic chapel, two Wesleyan chapels, and two Congregational chapels in +the town.</p> + +<p>Of late years the neighbourhood of Gosport has much improved; many handsome +and commodious villas, and other residences, having been erected at various +times. Anglesea, which adjoins Alverstoke, is quite a new neighbourhood, and has +but recently come into existence, consisting principally of residences for the gentry +during the summer months. The town of Ryde, in the Isle of Wight, is situated +opposite to this spot, and between them lies the Solent, which at times is enlivened +by the appearance of some ships of war lying at anchor, and frequently of large fleets +of merchant ships detained here from stress of weather, or waiting a favourable wind +to convey them to their respective destinations. At the mouth of the harbour, on +the Gosport side, is situated Blockhouse Fort, opposite to a similar one on the +Portsmouth side, embrasured with heavy guns for protecting the entrance to the +harbour, which is approached only by a circuitous channel, commanded on the one +side by the guns of Southsea Castle, and on the other by those of Fort Monckton, +at a short distance from which has recently been erected another fort, to protect the +entrance to the Southampton Water. Adjoining Blockhouse Fort are barracks for +the Royal Artillery, and at Fort Monckton, barracks for infantry. Near the latter +is Haslar Hospital, devoted to the reception of sick members of the navy and marines; +it is a handsome quadrangular building of red brick, and affords accommodation for +a large number of patients; within its walls are included a church, and a Museum +of Natural History, which is well supplied with specimens, and to which additions +are being continually made by the officers and gentlemen connected with the +service. At the foot of the High-street, Gosport, is the landing-place for passengers +by the steam ferry, or floating bridge, as it is called, which plies between Gosport +and Portsmouth every half-hour, and forms the only means of communication for +carriages and vehicles of all kinds. In addition to the steam ferry is a staff of +watermen, busily plying their calling during the absence of the bridge, and securing +the stray passengers that may prefer their mode of transport, or have arrived too late +for the other conveyance. During certain states of the weather, the danger and +difficulty of managing their boats entitle the watermen to increased fares, which +are indicated by certain coloured flags hoisted conspicuously over the town hall, +near the beach, and regulated by a person appointed by the licensing magistrates. +The climate of this part is healthy, and well adapted for persons with weak lungs, +or affections to which a cold, keen, air would be unfavourable.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 393px;"><a name="Illustration_MEN_OF_WAR_AT_SPITHEAD" id="Illustration_MEN_OF_WAR_AT_SPITHEAD"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_183.jpg"><img src="images/i_183.jpg" width="393" height="500" alt="MEN OF WAR AT SPITHEAD." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">MEN OF WAR AT SPITHEAD.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="MEN-OF-WAR_AT_SPITHEAD" id="MEN-OF-WAR_AT_SPITHEAD"></a>MEN-OF-WAR AT SPITHEAD.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">In</span> this Engraving (a vignette) is presented a stern-view of a seventy-four, +with her guess-warp booms<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> out, moored at Spithead. To the right is a victualling +hoy, dropping alongside of the seventy-four; and in the distance is seen a +first-rate. The time is evening, which invests the whole scene with its calm. +We may conclude that the day has been fine, as both ships seem to have availed +themselves of the opportunity thus afforded of "drying hammocks;" they are +seen suspended from their yards and between their masts.</p> + +<p>The roadstead of Spithead, which is sufficiently large to afford convenient +anchorage for nearly all the ships of the British navy, lies between Portsmouth +and the Isle of Wight; and the usual place in which ships of war ride is about +three miles distant from Portsmouth harbour. It derives its name from the <i>Spit</i>, +or end of a sand bank, extending from the western shore of the estuary +towards Southsea Castle, about a mile below Portsmouth. The channel for the +harbour, from Spithead, is comparatively narrow, and is commanded by the +batteries at Southsea Castle. To the westward of Spithead is the sand called +the Motherbank, on the edge of which merchantmen generally anchor; and to +the north-eastward are St. Helen's roads, a frequent rendezvous as well for ships of +war as for vessels in the merchant service. All these roadsteads are protected +from southerly winds by the high land of the Isle of Wight.</p> + +<p>Within the last few years considerable interest has been excited by the +attempts which have been made to raise the guns, and various other articles, +belonging to the Royal George, which sank at Spithead on 29th August, 1782. +This ship carried 108 guns, and was considered one of the finest in the navy, +had just returned from sea, and, as she had made more water than usual for +some time before, it was at first intended that she should go into dock. The surveying +officers, however, having discovered that the leak was not very far below +the water-line, it was resolved to repair the defect, with a view to saving time, by +giving the ship a heel as she lay at her moorings at Spithead. On subsequent +examination, it was found that a pipe which supplied the water for washing the +decks required to be replaced, and, as it lay considerably below the water-line, it +became necessary to give her a greater heel than had been at first contemplated. +For the purpose of effecting this, some of her guns and part of her ballast were +removed to the opposite side. As the ship lay thus considerably inclined on her +side, she, from some cause that has not been clearly ascertained, gave an +additional heel, and the water rushing in through her lower-deck ports, which +had been carelessly left open, she almost instantly filled and sank, carrying down +with her a victualling hoy that was lying alongside. At the time of the accident +there were nearly twelve hundred persons on board, of which number about +nine hundred, including two hundred and fifty women, were drowned. Among +the sufferers were Admiral Kempenfelt and several of the officers. About three +hundred persons, chiefly belonging to the ship's crew, were saved. Admiral Sir +P. Durham, at that time one of the lieutenants of the Royal George, was on board +when the accident happened, and saved himself by swimming to the shore.</p> + +<p>Mr. Kingstone, of the Portsmouth dockyard, who went down to the wreck in +a diving-bell in 1817, gives the following account of its appearance at that time:—"The +quarter-deck, forecastle, and roundhead, with the larboard topside as low +down as the range of the upper deck, are entirely gone. The oak-strakes and +midships of the flat of the upper deck are much decayed by worms in several +places so as to show the beams and framing beneath. The whole of the fir +appears as sound as when first laid. The deck is much twisted, from the ship's +falling so much fore and aft. The wreck has a beautiful appearance when viewed +about a fathom above the deck, being covered with small weeds, interspersed with +shells, star-fish, and a species of polypus, lying on a thin, greasy, grey sediment. +All below the deck is a perfect solid of fine black mud; and, when suspended over +the larboard side, she appears a rude mass of timber lying in all directions."</p> + +<p>During the summer of 1853, Spithead was the scene of a grand marine review +and sham fight. Her Majesty and Prince Albert were present, with a numerous +suite of naval officers. The nautical skill displayed on the occasion received the +highest encomiums from those best qualified to judge of its value; and the merit +of the screw propeller, as attached to vessels of war, was strikingly manifested.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 406px;"><a name="Illustration_BRIGHTON" id="Illustration_BRIGHTON"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_187.jpg"><img src="images/i_187.jpg" width="406" height="500" alt="BRIGHTON." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">BRIGHTON.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;"><i>SUSSEX.</i></span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="BRIGHTON" id="BRIGHTON"></a>BRIGHTON.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Brighton</span> is in the county of Sussex, and lies about fifty-two miles south of +London. The old name of the town was Brighthelmstone, which some antiquaries +suppose to have been derived from Brighthelm, a Saxon bishop; while others +suppose that it may be derived from the Saxon <i>beorht</i>, <i>briht</i>, <i>berht</i>, and <i>byrt</i>, +signifying <i>bright</i>; <i>heal</i>, a light-house or watch-tower, a corner or point of a wedge, +a hall; and the word <i>tun</i>, or <i>ton</i>, signifying a town.</p> + +<p>The name, spelled Bristelmstune, occurs in Doomsday-book. Three manors +are described under this name, and they all appear to have been formerly in +the possession of Earl Godwin, the father of King Harold. Brighton, or +Brighthelmstone, until it began to be frequented as a watering-place, about the +middle of the last century, is seldom noticed by historians; and until that period +it never appears to have risen above the condition of a small fishing town. In 1313, +John de Warren, then lord of the manor, obtained a charter to have a market at +Brighthelmstone every Thursday; and in 1513 the place was pillaged by the French. +In the reign of Henry VIII. a block-house was erected at Brighton; and this +defence appears to have been either rebuilt or further strengthened in 1558.</p> + +<p>About 1750, Brighton, which was then recovering from the depressed state in +which it had been for upwards of a century, began to be visited during the summer +as a bathing-place. In 1782, the Duke of Cumberland, brother to George III., +when residing at Brighton, received a visit from the Prince of Wales, afterwards +George IV., and his royal highness was so much pleased with the place, that he +determined to build for himself a marine residence there. The Pavilion was +accordingly commenced in 1784; but from the alterations and additions which the +royal owner was almost constantly making, it would be difficult to say when it was +finished. On the decease of George IV., the Pavilion became the property of his +successor, William IV., from whom it has descended to her present Majesty, who, +disapproving of it as a marine residence, it was allowed to fall into decay, and was +ultimately purchased from the crown by the corporation for upwards of £50,000. +It is now open to the public for a small fee, and the larger rooms are occasionally +used for balls, concerts, and public meetings. The grounds are at all times available +as promenades; and, whatever the architect may say of its merits, there can be no +doubt that the edifice adds one to the many attractions of Brighton, and forms a +favourite lounge for the visitors in weather which will not permit of recreation in +the open air.</p> + +<p>The Chain Pier is within a few minutes' walk of the Pavilion: it is constructed +upon the suspension principle; the chains are supported by four pairs of towers, +placed at a distance of nearly two hundred feet apart. It terminates in a circular +platform furnished with an awning and seats, for the convenience of those who are +desirous of inhaling the invigorating breeze from so advantageous a position; +commanding, as it does, not only a prospect of the entire bay, but also an excellent +view of the town. The expense of its erection was about £30,000; but it has, on +several occasions, suffered from tempests, to which its great length and exposed +position render it at all times peculiarly liable, yet the public spirit and liberality +of the inhabitants have on each occasion speedily repaired the damage.</p> + +<p>There is, perhaps, not another watering-place in the kingdom which can exhibit +so imposing a front to the ocean. For an extent of nearly three miles Brighton +displays a continuous line of handsome buildings, interspersed with squares, +crescents, and terraces—all commanding views of the sea. The district of Kemp +Town, at the eastern extremity of this line, deserves especial notice. Many of its +mansions comprise all the luxuries and conveniences of the metropolis, with the +sanitary advantages of marine villas; leaving nothing to be desired by the most +fastidious taste, and affording accommodation for large establishments conducted +upon a scale befitting the highest ranks of our aristocracy.</p> + +<p>The proximity of Brighton to London, the short time in which the transit +between the towns is accomplished—less than two hours, and the numerous trains +which run during the day, give it at all times a decided advantage over other sea-bathing +towns on the south coast, and make a popular excursion for those whom +business or taste confines to the capital, and who cannot enjoy a lengthened stay at +the coast.</p> + +<p>The high grounds on the land side of Brighton afford unusual facilities for +horse and carriage drives, and thus agreeably diversify the amusements of the day—an +opportunity of which the inhabitants and visitors freely avail themselves. Of +the bathing accommodations we have left ourselves no room to speak; but we may +say they are of the highest character, replete with every convenience, and on +a scale becoming a town of sixty thousand permanent residents.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_HASTINGS" id="Illustration_HASTINGS"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_191.jpg"><img src="images/i_191.jpg" width="600" height="425" alt="HASTINGS." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">HASTINGS.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="HASTINGS" id="HASTINGS"></a>HASTINGS.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> town of Hastings is situated on the coast of Sussex, about sixty-four miles +S.S.E. of London. It has been supposed that the place was so called from +Hastings, a Danish pirate, "who, where he landed for booty, built sometimes little +fortresses; as we read, in Asserius Menevensis, of Beamflote Castle built by him in +Essex, and of others at Appledore and Middleton in Kent"<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a>. This conjecture, +however, does not appear to be well founded; for there can be little doubt of the +place having been called Hastings about the year 780, in the reign of King Offa, +whereas Hastings, the pirate, did not invade England till about 880, in the reign +of Alfred the Great. "Some there are," says Camden, "who ridiculously derive the +name from the English word <i>haste</i>; because, as Matthew Paris writes, 'apud +Hastings ligneum <i>agiliter</i> castrum statuit Gulielmus Conquestor'—at Hastings +William the Conqueror <i>hastily</i> set up a fortress of timber." Truly, as old Fuller +might have said, there has been more <i>haste</i> than speed in the endeavour to provide +this place with a godfather.</p> + +<p>It is said that the old Saxon town of Hastings stood considerably to the southward +of the present one, and that it was destroyed by the incursions of the sea +previous to the Conquest. The town, however, would appear to have been in a short +time rebuilt; for William the Conqueror, soon after landing at Pevensey, marched +to Hastings, from whence he advanced about eight miles into the country, where he +encountered the English army under Harold, at the place since called Battle, +in commemoration of the event.</p> + +<p>Hastings, though not the oldest, is considered to hold the first rank among the +ancient maritime boroughs called the Cinque Ports, which were originally instituted +for the defence of the coast, and endowed with special privileges on condition of supplying +a certain number of ships and mariners for that purpose. Dover, Sandwich, +and Romney are considered the oldest of the Cinque Ports, as they are the only ones +which are mentioned in Domesday as privileged ports. Hastings and Hythe are +supposed to have been added by William the Conqueror; and the number being +thus increased to <i>five</i>, occasioned the community to be called the <i>Cinque</i> Ports. +Although Winchelsea and Rye, which had previously been members of Hastings, +were constituted principal ports at some period between the Conquest and the reign +of King John, the name of <i>Cinque</i> Ports still continued to be given to the community. +The Cinque Ports are governed by a lord warden, who is also governor of Dover +Castle. A certain number of persons (called Barons) deputed from the Cinque Ports, +have the privilege of supporting the canopies above the king and queen at coronations.</p> + +<p>There was formerly a pier at Hastings, at which vessels could unload; but it +was destroyed in a violent storm, about the commencement of the reign of Queen +Elizabeth, and never rebuilt. From the remains of this pier, which are still to be +seen at low water, it appears to have run out in a south-eastern direction from the +centre of the Marine Parade, below where the fort now stands. The fort, in a great +measure, answers the purpose of a breakwater in resisting the waves, which in high +tides, accompanied with a strong wind from the seaward, would otherwise be likely +to do serious damage to the lower part of the town.</p> + +<p>The trade of Hastings is very inconsiderable; its imports being chiefly coals for +the consumption of the town, and its exports principally oak timber and plank, +for the purposes of ship-building. The great supports of the town are the numerous +visitors who take lodgings there during the bathing season, and the fishery, which +gives employment to about 500 persons. What may now be considered the old town +of Hastings is situated in a hollow between two hills, the East and the Castle-hill, +and consists chiefly of two streets, which run nearly parallel to each other, and are +called High-street and All-Saints-street. The new town of Hastings, which has +been almost wholly erected within the last thirty years, lies to the south and westward +of the Castle-hill, so called from the ruins of the old castle on its top. There +are two old churches at Hastings, St. Clement's and All-Saints', and a modern +chapel, St. Mary's, in Pelham-crescent, immediately under the Castle-hill. From +the accommodation which it affords to visitors, and the beauty and interest of the +walks and rides in its vicinity, Hastings is one of the most agreeable watering-places +on the southern coast of England.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_HASTINGS_2" id="Illustration_HASTINGS_2"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_195.jpg"><img src="images/i_195.jpg" width="600" height="400" alt="HASTINGS." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">HASTINGS.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="HASTINGS_2" id="HASTINGS_2"></a>HASTINGS.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">FROM THE BEACH.</span></h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">We</span> have elsewhere remarked upon the origin and early history of this +fashionable watering-place, and at the same time traced its connexion with those +once important towns, the Cinque Ports: on the present occasion we propose to +occupy our space with its modern features, and to include a brief notice of its +more aristocratic neighbour, St. Leonards. The older streets, that lie close under +the hill and stretch up towards London, are narrow and inconvenient; they are +mostly occupied as shops, but new ranges of smart and commodious dwelling-houses +have been built on every hand. For many years the visiters to Hastings +had to submit to the inconveniences attendant upon a residence in a small fishing-town; +but these have now been removed, and hotels and private lodging-houses, +provided with all the luxuries of modern requirement, are to be found in +abundance. The rapidity with which Hastings can be reached from the metropolis, +while it has greatly increased the number of its visiters, has, perhaps, +robbed it of part of that exclusiveness for which it was formerly distinguished. +It is now the summer resort of a large and constantly-increasing number of the +middle class, who derive a new stock of health from its genial breezes and bracing +waves, while their expenditure forms the support of the large and constantly-increasing +resident population.</p> + +<p>Of St. Leonards, we may remark that it is quite a creature of our own day. +Mr. Burton, the architect of a large part of the buildings about the Regent's-park, +commenced the formation of a new town here in 1828. His plan was conceived +on a bold scale, and was very fairly carried into execution. A noble esplanade +extends for more than half a mile along the beach. A handsome range of buildings, +called the Marina, some five hundred feet in extent, stretches along the sea-front +of the town, with a covered colonnade of the same length. Other terraces +and scattered villas, bearing in character a considerable resemblance to those in +the Regent's-park, were also erected, together with a church, assembly-rooms, +bath-houses, and hotels of large size and the most complete arrangements. There +are also pleasure-grounds and other contrivances for the amusement or comfort of +visiters. St. Leonards has been able to boast of a large array of noble and distinguished +visiters from its earliest infancy. Her present Majesty heads the list, +she having, when Princess Victoria, resided with her mother, in 1834, at the +western end of the Marina. The Queen Dowager is also among the names it +delights to remember. The house in which she lived is now called Adelaide +House. Among its literary visitants Campbell has perhaps the first place, he +having left a permanent record of his residence at it in the <i>Lines on the View from +St. Leonards</i>:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Hail to thy face and odours, glorious Sea!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Twere thanklessness in me to bless thee not,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Great, beauteous being! in whose breath and smile<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My heart beats calmer, and my very mind<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Inhales salubrious thoughts. How welcomer<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thy murmurs than the murmurs of the world!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Though like the world thou fluctuatest, thy din<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To me is peace, thy restlessness repose.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ev'n gladly I exchange yon spring-green lanes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With all the darling field-flowers in their prime,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And gardens haunted by the nightingale's<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Long trills and gushing ecstacies of song,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For these wild headlands and the sea-mew's clang.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"With thee beneath my windows, pleasant Sea!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I long not to o'erlook earth's fairest glades<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And green savannahs—Earth has not a plain<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So boundless or so beautiful as thine."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>St. Leonards was originally a mile and a half distant from Hastings; but the +old town has stretched out its arms to its youthful progeny. The Grand Parade +was the first step towards uniting them; and now other places have sprung up, +and they are fairly joined together. The esplanade now reaches, with hardly an +interruption, from the Marine Parade at Hastings to the Marina at St. Leonards, +and forms probably the finest walk of the kind in the kingdom.</p> + +<p>The vicinity of Hastings is replete with objects of interest, and amongst them +we may mention Bulverhythe, a short distance from St. Leonards, generally +assigned as the landing-place of William of Normandy. East Hill, or Camp +Hill, was probably the site chosen for his first encampment, whence, after a brief +stay, he marched to meet the English troops under Harold. Of the events of that +day our readers are already well informed; but should any of them feel disposed +to spend a day in visiting the old town of Battle, they will find their labour well +repaid by an inspection of the ruins of Battle Abbey; though we must caution +them against the supposition that the existing remains are those of the edifice +erected by the Conqueror in commemoration of his victory: they are of a later +date, yet still deserving of a better fate than seems to have fallen to their share.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_RYE" id="Illustration_RYE"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_199.jpg"><img src="images/i_199.jpg" width="600" height="419" alt="RYE" title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">RYE<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">(Sussex)</span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="RYE" id="RYE"></a>RYE,<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">SUSSEX.</span></h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">To</span> the Cinque Ports, of which Rye and Winchilsea are appendages, we have +already adverted in several articles of this work. As places where strength and +vigilance were particularly necessary, and from which ships might put to sea in +cases of sudden emergency, these ports were entitled, in former times, to the +special attention of government, and performed great and important services to the +country. Their privileges are numerous, and they are within the jurisdiction of +the Constable of Dover Castle, Warden of the Cinque Ports.</p> + +<p>Until the reign of Henry VIII., the crown seems to have had no permanent +navy, but to have depended almost entirely on the Cinque Ports for the protection +of our maritime frontier; and hence the origin of those privileges conferred upon +them by successive sovereigns, in acknowledgment of services rendered to the +State. Among these are the exemption from toll and harbour-dues, still recognised +at several ports, and various other rights of minor consideration. In ancient times +there were several courts of jurisdiction, extending over all the ports and their +members, and intended either as courts of appeal, for persons who considered +themselves aggrieved by any of the separate and local tribunals, or for regulating +the grand affairs of the whole association; but these may now be considered as +obsolete—their functions have dwindled to mere matters of form.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Rye</span> is a town and harbour of great antiquity, near the borders of the Kentish +marshes. It occupies the declivity of a hill, on a peninsula, bounded on the south +and west by the sea, and on the east by the river Rother. The town is composed +of several well-formed and regularly built streets, and lighted with gas; and from +various points the eye wanders over the channel and adjacent country, where rural +and marine scenery conspire to form some of the most delightful views on the +coast of England. The ancient history of Rye, during the height of its prosperity +as a sea-port, abounds in incidents of a martial and romantic interest, as transmitted +to us by Froissart and the ancient chroniclers of those times when the star +of chivalry was still dominant in the kingdoms of Europe.</p> + +<p>In the reign of Richard II., and again in that of Henry VI., Rye was burnt +by the French, when the early records of the town are supposed to have been +consumed; for, with the exception of a few fragments, all the old writings and +charters which have been discovered are subsequent to that calamity. In the +same conflagration, the old church is supposed to have fallen a sacrifice, and to +have been rebuilt in its present form—a capacious cruciform structure with a +central tower—but in a different situation, the original having stood on the spot, +near Ypres tower, called the Old Church-yard. This tower, now appropriated to +the purposes of a gaol, has recently undergone several alterations and improvements.</p> + +<p>The old harbour of Rye, which in former days presented so stirring a scene of +commercial activity, has dwindled like that of Sandwich, Winchilsea, and many +of its prosperous contemporaries, into comparative insignificance. But in +accounting for this melancholy fact, we must look to natural causes, rather than +to the decay of native enterprise. The present harbour is situated on the east +side of the town; and on the north—a mile and a half from the sea entrance—vessels +of two hundred tons burden can still lade and unlade close to the quay. +Under spirited management, and with proper funds for such an enterprise, it is +believed that it might still be made to accommodate vessels of every draught and +tonnage. By means of the three rivers, Rother, Tillingham, and Brede, which +traverse the country, great facilities are afforded to commercial intercourse. Coal, +corn, hops, bark, wood, and timber, constitute the chief articles of trade; and +several sloops are constantly employed in conveying chalk from the cliffs at Eastbourne, +for the burning of lime. During the season, the herring and mackarel +fisheries employ a good many hands, the produce of which is chiefly sent to the +London market.</p> + +<p>The Borough of Rye has exercised the elective franchise from the earliest +date of parliamentary representation. Previous to the enactment of the Reform +Bill, it returned two members; but by that great public measure the town and its +electoral district were limited to one representative. The government of the town +is vested in a mayor, four aldermen, and twelve councillors. The mayor is +coroner for the borough and liberty, and also a justice of the peace. Courts of +quarter sessions are held before a recorder, nominated by the crown; and a +commission of the peace has been conferred on four gentlemen, residents of the +borough, who meet in petty session twice a week in the Court-hall. The church-living, +a discharged vicarage, is in the gift of the Earl of Burlington. The +charitable institutions consist of a Free Grammar School, a British School, an almshouse, +and some minor bequests for benevolent purposes. Corn and provision-markets +are held twice a week—a cattle-market every fortnight—and annual fairs +on Whitmonday and the tenth of August.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 425px;"><a name="Illustration_FOLKSTONE" id="Illustration_FOLKSTONE"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_203.jpg"><img src="images/i_203.jpg" width="425" height="500" alt="FOLKSTONE." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">FOLKSTONE.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;"><i>KENT.</i></span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="FOLKSTONE" id="FOLKSTONE"></a>FOLKSTONE.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Folkstone</span> is in the county of Kent, and lies about seventy-two miles south-east +of London, and seven west-south-west of Dover. In the beautiful vignette, +from a drawing by Boyes, the view is taken from the eastward, and represents +the characteristics of Folkstone of the past rather than the present. Few ports in +her Majesty's dominions have risen into commercial eminence so rapidly as the +subject of our present Engraving. For the following description we are principally +indebted to the recently published work of Mr. G. Measom. He remarks: "The +town is very irregularly built in its lower and older part, having steep and narrow +streets, which nevertheless are clean and well paved, and the whole is now lighted +with gas. The higher portion, however, going up to the cliffs, is much more +regular, and comprises several pretty terraces with lodging-houses for summer +visitors, who may here enjoy all the benefits of a fine, bracing air, and sea-bathing, +combined with that rural retirement so desirable in the country, and which cannot +be found either at Dover, Ramsgate, or other bathing towns on this coast. The +cliffs, too, command the most delightful views, south-west, over the wide level of +Romney Marsh, as far as Beachy Head, while seaward stands the town and +harbour at our feet, beyond which are the Straits of Dover, skirted in the horizon +by the coast of France. Folkstone has two churches—one of modern erection in +the upper town—and four or five places of worship for Dissenters, all of which +have attached Sunday-schools; besides which there are several daily subscription-schools, +and a good grammar-school. It has also a town-hall and market-house, +a custom-house, a mechanics' institute, dispensary, several libraries, reading-rooms, +&c., and four or five good inns.</p> + +<p>"The port of Folkstone, not less than the town, has been vastly improved by +the South-Eastern Railway Company. Even before they acquired possession of it +in 1845, efforts had been made by the construction of an arm at the end of the pier +to arrest the progress of shingle, which here, as at Dover, constantly choked and +filled up the harbour. The first step adopted by the company was the carrying +out from the south-west end of the arm of the pier of a groyne formed with piles, +and which gradually led to the formation of a breakwater, about fifty feet broad +at top, forming an obtuse angle with the old arm of the pier. This at once stopped +the further accumulation of shingle within the harbour, which was then at vast +expense cleared of the gravel and mud long collected therein, and it has since +remained clear. This breakwater, moreover, has been greatly improved by +constructions of masonry intended to bind the work together; and at the same +time great additions and improvements have been made both in the foundations +and superstructures of the original piers. In fact, Folkstone Harbour, which was +before a slough of gravel and mud, almost inaccessible except at half-spring or +spring tides, has, owing to these improvements, become 'a harbour having twenty +feet of water considerably within the entrance, and is now capable of being entered +by steamers three hours and a half after high water; while during neap tides there +are occasionally four or five feet of water in the entrance at low water, and +immediately outside, sufficient for a steamer to take her passengers from the pier-head +and work herself clearly off.' (See <i>Mr. Swan's Report</i>.) Another point of +importance in connexion with this harbour, is the great ease with which it can be +taken in bad weather, to which the captains of steamers bear almost individual +testimony; and to this, also, we may add the superior ease with which vessels may +be swung, and the facility of backing out without turning round, so as to save +time in landing passengers and again leaving port. On the whole, this harbour, +as now improved, is one of the finest monuments of engineering skill in this +country, and confers infinite honour on Peter W. Barlow, Esq., the company's +engineer, and the Directors, who so spiritedly backed the undertaking. It scarcely +need be added, that the first result of these improvements was to make Folkstone +suited for a regular packet station, and now for some years this port has acquired +at least one-half of the traffic across the Straits, which was formerly wholly +monopolised by the neighbouring port of Dover; nor, as the sea voyage is shorter, +and the steamers are vastly superior, can there be any doubt that ere long it will +become the chosen route of all the intelligent travelling public. Indeed, the +constantly and rapidly increasing customs and harbour dues of the port, year by +year, furnish of themselves a sufficient proof that Folkstone has acquired a vigour +and vitality which it only requires perseverance in the inhabitants to maintain; +nor can this increase in the prosperity of the town be truly ascribed to any other +cause than the spirited conduct of the company, who have made it one of their +most important maritime termini. The census, moreover, speaks on this subject +with an eloquence that is quite unanswerable, for in 1831 Folkstone had only +2,300 inhabitants, and in 1841 but 2,900, whereas in 1851 it had upwards of 7,500; +showing an increase of about 140 per cent. Facts like these speak more than all +praise!"<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_DOVER" id="Illustration_DOVER"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_207.jpg"><img src="images/i_207.jpg" width="600" height="424" alt="DOVER." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">DOVER.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">(from the Ramsgate Road.)</span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="DOVER" id="DOVER"></a>DOVER,<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">FROM THE RAMSGATE ROAD.</span></h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> most favourable point of view for an artist who is desirous of obtaining a +general view of Dover, is certainly that portion of the Ramsgate Road of which Mr. +Bartlett has availed himself on the present occasion. Placed at a sufficient elevation +to enable him to embrace a wide extent of land and water, he is still sufficiently +near the town to secure that distinctness of detail which adds so much to the effect +of a landscape. One of the chief points of attraction in Dover must always be the +Castle, but as we shall have another opportunity of referring to that structure, in +connection with our view of Dover from the Beach, we purpose now to devote our +attention to the town itself.</p> + +<p>At the period of the Conquest, Dover was unquestionably a place of considerable +note. It is mentioned, with Sandwich and Romney, in the Domesday-book, as a +privileged port; and is said to have enjoyed, from an earlier period, sundry privileges +and immunities in common with those two towns, on consideration of supplying +a certain number of ships and mariners for the defence of the adjacent coast. +In the reign of King John, Dover received a charter as one of the Cinque Ports; +and in several succeeding reigns, its shipping and mariners were frequently employed +in the fleets assembled to convey English armies to France. As it was considered +the key of England, it was surrounded with walls and strongly fortified; +and as it was the principal port in the kingdom for persons taking shipping in proceeding +to France, acts were passed in the reign of Edward III. and Richard II., +appointing the rate of passage. Henry VIII. expended large sums in the improvement +of the harbour, the entrance of which had been much choked up by shingle +washed in by the sea. A pier was commenced, and carried on at a great expense, +but he died before it was completed; and in the reign of his successor, the work +appears to have been almost wholly suspended. In the reign of Elizabeth, further +attempts were made to improve the harbour; and in 1606 an act was passed +appointing eleven commissioners, who were empowered to receive certain rates, +and employ the money in repairing the pier and improving the harbour. In +succeeding times various plans have been tried to prevent the increase of the +bar, which, after a gale of wind from the seaward, is sometimes increased so much, +as to prevent all vessels, except those that are of very light draught of water, from +entering or leaving the port. It is high water at Dover pier at sixteen minutes past +eleven on the full and change of the moon; and the rise of the water at spring-tides +is about twenty feet. Dover is much frequented in summer as a watering-place; +and for the convenience which it affords, and the beautiful and interesting scenery +in its neighbourhood, it is surpassed by no other town on the coast.</p> + +<p>At a short distance from the entrance to Dover Castle is mounted the long brass +gun, usually called Queen Elizabeth's pocket-pistol, which was presented to her +Majesty by the United Provinces. It is twenty-four feet long; but is so much +"honey-combed," that, were it fired, it would be certain to burst. Popular tradition +says that it contains an inscription to this effect:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Sponge me well, and keep me clean,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And I'll throw a ball to Calais green."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>There is, indeed, an inscription on it in the Dutch language, but though it +commemorates the destructive power of this long piece of ordnance, it says nothing +which implies that its range was so extraordinary. The distance from Dover +Castle to the church of Notre-Dame, at Calais, is rather more than twenty-six miles. +This gun was cast at Utrecht in 1544, by James Tolkys, and the verses inscribed +on its breech have been translated as follows:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"O'er hill and dale I throw my ball;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Breaker, my name, of mound and wall."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>About a mile to the southward of the town is the celebrated cliff which is supposed +to have been described by Shakspeare in King Lear.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p> +"<i>Gloster.</i>—Dost thou know Dover?<br /> +<br /> +<i>Edgar.</i>—Ay, master.<br /> +<br /> +<i>Gloster.</i>—There is a cliff, whose high and bending head<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Looks fearfully in the confined deep:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Bring me to the very brim of it.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">* * * * *</span><br /> +<br /> +<i>Edgar.</i>—Come on, sir; here's the place:—stand<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Still.—How fearful</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">And dizzy 'tis, to cast one's eye so low!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">The crows, and choughs, that wing the midway air,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Show scarce so gross as beetles: halfway down</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Hangs one that gathers samphire; dreadful trade!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Methinks he seems no bigger than his head:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">The fishermen that walk upon the beach</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Appear like mice; and yon tall anchoring bark,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Diminished to her cock; her cock, a buoy</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Almost too small for sight: the murmuring surge,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">That on the unnumber'd idle pebbles chafes,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Cannot be heard so high. I'll look no more,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Topple down headlong."</span><br /> +</p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_DOVER_2" id="Illustration_DOVER_2"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_211.jpg"><img src="images/i_211.jpg" width="600" height="416" alt="DOVER." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">DOVER.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;"><i>KENT.</i></span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="DOVER_2" id="DOVER_2"></a>DOVER.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Dover</span> is in the county of Kent, and lies about seventy-two miles south-south-east +of London. The town is situated in a valley, having on one side the +cliffs on which Dover Castle is built, and on the other the eminence called the +<i>Heights</i>; these are strongly fortified, and form the principal defence of the town +and harbour. The greater part of the town lies on the western side of a small +stream, called the Dour, which there discharges itself into the sea. The view in +the Engraving is taken from the beach, on the eastern side of the harbour, looking +towards the north-east. The row of houses seen extending in a line nearly +parallel with the beach is called the Marine Parade; and, crowning the cliff, is +perceived what of old was termed "the Key and Bar of England,"—Dover +Castle. Its importance as a place of defence against the attacks of an invading +enemy has, however, been seldom proved; and for the last three centuries the +best defence of England against the invasion of her foes has been her wooden-walls.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Britannia needs no bulwark,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No towers along the steep;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her march is o'er the mountain wave,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her home is on the deep.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With thunders from her native oak,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She quells the floods below,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As they roar on the shore,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When the stormy tempests blow;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When the battle rages loud and long,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And the stormy tempests blow."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The height of the cliff, on which Dover Castle stands, is about three hundred +and twenty feet above the level of the sea; and the area of the ground inclosed +by the outward walls is about thirty-four acres. It has been supposed that the +Romans, in one of Julius Cæsar's expeditions, first built a castle and established +a military station at Dover; but this opinion is founded on mere conjecture, and +is extremely improbable. That the Romans, at some subsequent period, had a +station not far from the present keep is certain; for the remains of the walls and +ditch are still perceptible. It however appears to have been but of small size, +and was probably only a <i>castrum exploratorum</i>, or look-out station, garrisoned by +a small body of soldiers detached from a neighbouring camp. Within the +boundary of the exploratory camp the Romans had built a pharos, or watch-tower, +the greater part of which is yet standing.</p> + +<p>Previous to the Norman Conquest, there was undoubtedly a castle or fortress +at Dover, probably near the spot where the keep or principal tower of Dover +Castle now stands. Previous to the death of Edward the Confessor it appears to +have belonged to Harold, afterwards King of England; for William, Duke of +Normandy, who was then probably devising measures to secure to himself the +English crown, refused to allow Harold to depart from Rouen, till he had taken +an oath to deliver up to him "the Castle of Dover and the well of water in it," +on the decease of Edward. After the battle of Hastings, the Conqueror marched +without delay to Dover, took possession of the castle, and put the governor to +death. It appears that he also burnt the town, which perhaps might not have +received him with sufficient humility, in order to terrify others into immediate +submission to his authority. The foundation of the present keep of Dover Castle +was laid by Henry II. in 1153, the year before he succeeded to the English +crown on the death of King Stephen. The ground plan is nearly a square, and +the building, in its general appearance, bears a great resemblance to Rochester +Castle, which was erected according to the designs of Bishop Gundulph—the +architect of the White Tower in the Tower of London—in the early part of the +reign of William Rufus. The walls of the keep of Dover Castle are from +eighteen to twenty feet thick, and are traversed by galleries communicating with +the principal apartments. The summit is embattled; and the top of the northern +turret is 93 feet high from the ground, and about 465 feet above the level of the +sea, at low water. The view from the top is extremely grand and interesting, +including the North Foreland, Reculver Church, Ramsgate Pier, Sandwich, and +a great part of the intermediate country, with the straits of Dover, the town of +Calais, and the line of the French coast from Gravelines to Boulogne. In 1800, +a bomb-proof arched roof was constructed, and several large cannon mounted on +it. During the late war the fortifications were greatly strengthened, the old +towers on the walls repaired, and additional quarters for soldiers constructed, in +order that the garrison, in the event of invasion, might be able to withstand a +regular siege.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_SANDWICH" id="Illustration_SANDWICH"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_215.jpg"><img src="images/i_215.jpg" width="600" height="421" alt="SANDWICH." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">SANDWICH.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">(Kent.)</span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="SANDWICH" id="SANDWICH"></a>SANDWICH,<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">KENT.</span></h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Her walls are crumbling down—the gate,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Through which her merchants wont to pour<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is all dismantled: adverse fate<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Has cast a blight upon her shore.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her streets and shipless haven show<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The tenure of all things below.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> history of Sandwich, as one of the Cinque Ports, presents a striking +example of the fluctuation of trade, and the uncertain tenure by which all +mercantile property is held, when supported by merely human ingenuity and +enterprise. A very slight operation of nature is sufficient to paralyse the hand of +ambition, and to strike the once productive landscape with sterility. Harbours, +where our forefathers have counted the thickly crowded masts of stately merchantmen, +are now deserted or forgotten. Many of the channels through which riches +were once poured into this county, have been gradually dried up; while new ports +and harbours have been opened on various parts of the coast, where commercial +enterprise has fixed her abode. But, like their predecessors, these also may be +deserted in their turn, and silently co-operate in that ever-progressive scheme of +nature, by which, as the old and familiar scenes of our youth become changed or +obliterated, others are called forth to take their place. The existence of a shoal, or +the shifting of a sand-bank, may mar or diminish the prosperity of a city; and to +the great local changes which this part of the Kentish coast has undergone, the +decay of Sandwich, as a harbour, is chiefly to be ascribed. Where fleets of merchantmen +once rode in safety; where the busy scenes of lading and unlading once +offered pictures of maritime prosperity, the fishing-craft of the place can hardly +find anchorage, and all the characteristics of a flourishing port have disappeared; +so that it may be affirmed, with a truth too evident, that—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"The balance has shifted—prosperity's ray<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No longer enlivens her harbour and bay."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The town of Sandwich includes the parishes of St. Clement, St. Mary-the-Virgin, +and St. Peter-the-Apostle. St. Clement's Church is a very ancient and +spacious structure, with a massive tower, a noble specimen of the Norman style of +ecclesiastical architecture. St. Mary's is also a church of considerable antiquity as +well as St. Peter's; but both have been considerably damaged by time and +accident. The Guildhall is an ancient and handsome edifice. The Free Grammar-School, +endowed with exhibitions, was founded in 1563; and among the +charitable institutions are the Hospitals of St. Thomas and St. John, in which a +number of aged persons of good character, but in reduced circumstances, are +comfortably supported. The Hospital of St. Bartholomew is a munificent +foundation, from the funds of which sixteen decayed tradesmen of respectable +character, and others, members of the corporation, are supported in comparative +affluence.</p> + +<p>Sandwich was originally enclosed by walls and partly fortified. It had eight +gates, one of which, called Fisher's Gate, is considered by architects and antiquaries +as well deserving of inspection, for the excellence of its design and workmanship. +It illustrates a period when the craft had reached its zenith in this +country, and when the Templars—the Vaubans of their day—still exercised the +mysteries of architecture.</p> + +<p>Ship-building and rope-making, as well as a foreign trade with Norway, +Sweden, and Russia, in iron, timber, and hemp, are still carried on in Sandwich +though comparatively to a very small extent. The home trade, chiefly with Wales +and Scotland, consists of flour, seed, hops, malt, fruit, &c.; but of the once +celebrated woollen trade of Sandwich not a vestige is left. The weekly market-days +are Wednesday and Saturday, with a cattle-market every alternate Monday, +and annual fairs on the second of October and fourth of December.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_RAMSGATE" id="Illustration_RAMSGATE"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_219.jpg"><img src="images/i_219.jpg" width="600" height="425" alt="RAMSGATE." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">RAMSGATE.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="RAMSGATE" id="RAMSGATE"></a>RAMSGATE,<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">ENTRANCE TO THE HARBOUR.</span></h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> view of the entrance to Ramsgate harbour, engraved from a painting by +E. W. Cooke, is taken from the southward, and its fidelity will immediately be +recognised by every one who has seen the place. It is blowing a stiff breeze, +which causes a swell; and the fishing smack, seen entering, is lowering her sails, +that she may not have too much <i>way</i> when she gets within the harbour. To the +left is the lighthouse, which stands near the end of the western pier; and the +extremity of the eastern pier is perceived to the right.</p> + +<p>The cost of Ramsgate harbour, dock, lighthouse, and other requisite buildings, +is said to have amounted to £650,000. The form of the harbour is nearly circular, +and its area is about forty-six acres. The length of the eastern pier, following its +angles, or "cants" as they are technically termed, is about 2000 feet, and that of +the western about 1500. Their general width is about 26 feet, including the +thickness of the parapets; and the width of the entrance to the harbour between +their heads is 240 feet. The harbour is maintained by a tonnage duty on all ships +passing, whether sailing on the east or west of the Goodwin Sands, and by a duty +on coals and stones discharged in the harbour.</p> + +<p>The light displayed from the lighthouse is stationary, and is only exhibited +when there is ten feet water between the pier heads. In the day time a flag is +hoisted while there is the same depth of water at the entrance of the harbour. In +spring tides, the depth of water increases to sixteen feet in about an hour from the +time that the ten-feet signal is displayed; in about two hours to twenty feet; and +in three hours, or about high water, to twenty-one feet. In neap-tides the depth +of water at those periods respectively is fourteen, seventeen, and eighteen feet between +the pier heads.</p> + +<p>During the summer, Ramsgate is much frequented by visitors from London, +who come by the daily steam-packets to enjoy the benefit of sea-bathing, for which +the beach to the southward of the pier affords excellent opportunity. Powerful +steam-packets ply every day between London and Ramsgate, and the passage up +or down is usually made in seven hours. There are several excellent hotels and +many convenient lodging-houses at Ramsgate, and the charges generally are moderate. +At the close of the year, when the summer visitants have all retired to their +several homes, another description of persons make their appearance at Ramsgate—the +Torbay fishermen, who generally establish their rendezvous there from +December to June, for the sake of fishing in the North Sea. It seems probable +that Ramsgate, as a port, will continue to increase very considerably in importance; +and, in the event of a continental war, when steam-vessels are likely to be much +employed, its eligibility as a place for the embarkation of troops, and as a packet +station, will doubtless not be overlooked. It not unfrequently happens, in stormy +weather, that the Dover packets enter Ramsgate with safety, when they cannot +approach their own harbour.</p> + +<p>The South-Eastern Railway Company have extended their line to Ramsgate, +and the route, though rather circuitous, secures a large share of patronage from that +portion of the pleasure-seeking visitants of our coasts to whom the stiff breezes and +heavy swell, generally found off the North Foreland, are the reverse of gratifying.</p> + +<p>George IV., on his departure to visit his Hanoverian dominions in 1821, embarked +at Ramsgate; and to commemorate the event, an obelisk was erected by +subscription of the inhabitants. The popularity of Ramsgate, as a watering-place, +was greatly increased by the partiality evinced for it by her present Majesty, +when Princess Victoria, who, with her august mother, the Duchess of Kent, +honoured it with several successive visits.</p> + +<p>Camden, in his Britannia, gives the people of the Isle of Thanet, and more +particularly the inhabitants of Ramsgate, Margate, and Broadstairs, the following +character: "They are, as it were, amphibious, seeking their living both by sea +and land, and turning to account both elements. They are fishermen and ploughmen, +farmers and sailors; and the same man that holds the shafts of a plough, +turning up a furrow on land, can also take the helm at sea. According to the +season, they make nets, catch cod, herring, mackerel, and other fish; go to sea, +and export their own commodities—and those very men also dung the ground, +plough, sow, harrow, reap, and house the corn." The inhabitants of Ramsgate, +and of the Isle of Thanet generally, no longer retain this amphibious character; +the "division of labour," the advantages of which are so strikingly pointed out by +political economists in the manufacture of pins, has abridged their multifarious +pursuits; the same man does not now till the earth and plough the sea; and few +indeed are to be found who can handle an oar as well as a flail: the consequence +is, that we have better boatmen and better agriculturists.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_BROADSTAIRS" id="Illustration_BROADSTAIRS"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_223.jpg"><img src="images/i_223.jpg" width="600" height="407" alt="BROADSTAIRS." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">BROADSTAIRS.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">(Kent.)</span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="BROADSTAIRS" id="BROADSTAIRS"></a>BROADSTAIRS.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">ISLE OF THANET.</span></h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"True to the dream of fancy, Ocean has<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His darker tints; but where's the element<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That chequers not its usefulness to man<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With casual terror?"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 16em;">Campbell.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">This</span> delightful watering-place, nearly equidistant from Margate on the north, +and Ramsgate on the south, enjoys its full share of popularity; and, judging from +many recent improvements, offers increasing attractions to the numerous visitors +who make Thanet's "sea-girt shore" their summer residence. To those who +prefer tranquillity and retirement to scenes of bustle and holiday festivity, Broadstairs +will present many advantages over its more gay and animated rivals; and to +the studious and contemplative nothing can be more congenial than the society +which generally meet once a year in this interesting spot. To the invalid it is +favourable from the same causes, offering few temptations to gaiety or indulgence, +but affording every facility for retired and intellectual enjoyment. The sea-view +is magnificent; and the numerous vessels which are constantly passing and +repassing give a most agreeable animation to the waters in front, which are walled +in by lofty cliffs, from which the visitor inhales the fresh sea-breeze, as it first +strikes the land, and carries its invigorating influence through his frame.</p> + +<p>Broadstairs has long been the periodical residence of many distinguished literary +men, most of whom have acknowledged the benefit derived from its bracing +climate, and verified their opinion by repeated trials. If pure air could be as +readily administered as certain medicinal compounds, there would be little necessity +for so often deserting the courts and counting-houses of the metropolis in search +of health; but so long as this "draught" cannot be made up according to nature's +prescription, it is cheering to know that on the coast it may be had ready prepared, +and without "mistake" or "adulteration."</p> + +<p>It was while overlooking a scene like that which opens upon the visitor at +Broadstairs, and while sensibly feeling all the salubrious influence of the breezes, +that seemed to welcome and caress him when exchanging the pleasures of town +for poetry and contemplation on the coast, that the Bard of Hope broke out into +these noble and impassioned lines:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Hail to thy face and odours, glorious Sea!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Twere thanklessness in me to bless thee not,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Great beauteous being! in whose breath and smile<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My heart beats calmer, and my very mind<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Inhales salubrious thoughts. How welcomer<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><i>Thy</i> murmurs, than the murmurs of the world!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Tho', like the world, thou fluctuatest, to me<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thy din is peace, thy restlessness repose.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Even gladly I exchange yon spring-green lanes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With all the darling field-flowers in their prime,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And gardens haunted by the nightingale's<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Long trill, and gushing extasies of song,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For these wild headlands and the sea-mew's clang!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Broadstairs appears, in addition to its attraction as bathing-quarters, to have +formerly enjoyed a considerable share of trade in the fisheries; but this source of +revenue having dried up, recourse was had to ship-building, which is still carried +on to a small extent. Its chief dependence, however, is on the number and +respectability of its visitors, many of whom retire here for several months annually +with their families, and, by a liberal expenditure, do much to support the markets +and to encourage local industry. The bathing-place is at the mouth of the harbour, +under the cliff, and is provided with every accommodation to be found at +the larger watering-places. There are two or more excellent hotels, and two +extensive public libraries, commanding magnificent views of the sea and the shipping—from +a fishing-boat to a seventy-four—passing to and from the Downs, at +all hours of the day. The place is still further enlivened, as well as benefited, by +the London steamers, which here land or embark passengers in their way to and +from town.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_WRECK_IN_KINGSGATE_BAY" id="Illustration_WRECK_IN_KINGSGATE_BAY"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_227.jpg"><img src="images/i_227.jpg" width="600" height="407" alt="WRECK IN KINGSGATE BAY." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">WRECK IN KINGSGATE BAY.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">(Isle of Thanet.)</span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="KINGSGATE" id="KINGSGATE"></a>KINGSGATE,<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">NEAR BROADSTAIRS.</span></h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Olim Porta fui Patroni Bartholomæi,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nunc Regis jussu <span class="smcap">Regia Porta</span> vocor,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hic exscenderunt Carolus Secundus Rex<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Et Jacobus Dux <span class="smcap">Ebor</span>. 30 Junii, 1683."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">So</span> named in consequence of its having been the point at which King +Charles II. and his brother, the Duke of York, disembarked on their way from +London to Dover, as recorded in the preceding inscription. It consists of a narrow +sloping passage, cut through the chalk cliff, and communicating with the beach for +the convenience of the fishery formerly carried on in this neighbourhood. It +was originally known as "St. Bartholomew's Gate," from the circumstance of its +having been completed, according to tradition, on the festival of that Saint, and +therefore placed under hallowed auspices. The eastern side of this portal, opposite +the sea, bears, in Saxon characters, <b>God Bless Barth'lem's Gate</b>. It is about a +mile from Broadstairs, and in the midst of scenery which Henry Lord Holland +did much to embellish by great liberality and a correct taste in architecture. His +marine residence here was built after the model of Cicero's villa on the shore of +Baiæ, near Naples; but being subsequently purchased by some monied speculator, +who had most likely never heard of Cicero, it was despoiled of its rich Italian +marbles, curtailed and barbarised in its proportions, and metamorphosed into three +insignificant dwellings. Around it were several fantastic buildings, intended to +represent various Gothic ruins; the most considerable of which was the convent, +containing the remains of a chapel and five cells, which once afforded an asylum to +poor families. Nearer the cliff is a rude Gothic structure, erected on the larger of +the two tumuli, called Hackendown Banks, which, according to tradition, marks +the spot where a sanguinary conflict took place between the Saxons and the +Danes, in which the latter were defeated. On opening these barrows, graves were +found excavated in the solid chalk, of an oblong oval form, about three feet long, +and covered with flat stones. In one of them were discovered three urns of coarse, +black, ill-burnt earth, which, on being exposed to the air, crumbled to pieces. +On a tablet erected by Lord Holland is a Latin inscription, to the memory of the +Danes and Saxons, who here fought a sanguinary battle for the possession of +Britain; the natives having before been perfidiously and cruelly expelled. The +village of St. Peter, situated on a conspicuously wooded eminence, is much +frequented by pleasure parties from the three bathing-places adjacent. The +church is a fine, venerable structure, the steeple of which, of great strength and +solidity, is remarkable for a rent from top to bottom, occasioned, it is said, by the +shock of an earthquake, which was severely felt along this coast in 1580.</p> + +<p>The North Foreland, the most eastern point of England, and supposed to be +the "Cantium" of Ptolemy, forms a bold projection on the line of cliffs between +Broadstairs and Kingsgate. On this promontory stands the North Foreland +Lighthouse, which has proved an incalculable safeguard to the navigation of the +Downs, which, independently of the near vicinity of the Goodwin Sands, is +attended with great risk in dark and stormy weather. The lights consist of patent +lamps, with large magnifying lenses twenty inches in diameter, which are lighted +at sunset, and kept burning till after daybreak. From the top the view of the +straits and French coast is most extensive, and on this account it is much resorted +to by strangers. The date of its erection is that of the landing of King Charles +at Kingsgate, already noticed.</p> + +<p>The Goodwin Sands, which here protect the Downs from the swell of the +Northern Ocean, are about seven miles from the coast, ten miles long, and two or +more in breadth. They consist of a more soft, fluid, porous, spongy, but withal +tenacious substance, than the neighbouring sands, and are consequently of such a +quality, that when a ship strikes upon them there is but very little chance of her +getting off: the nature of the sand being to swallow its prey in a few hours, +while the surf, which breaks over them, frustrates all attempts to approach the +ill-fated vessel. When the tide, however, has ebbed sufficiently, these sands +become so hard and firm that cricket-matches have been played upon them. But +woe to him who does not quit so treacherous a field at the proper moment; for +on the return of the tide they are instantly converted into quicksands, that float +to and fro with the waves.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_THE_WESTMINSTER_AND_CLAUDINE_ASHORE_NEAR_MARGATE" id="Illustration_THE_WESTMINSTER_AND_CLAUDINE_ASHORE_NEAR_MARGATE"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_231.jpg"><img src="images/i_231.jpg" width="600" height="415" alt=""THE WESTMINSTER" AND "CLAUDINE," ASHORE NEAR MARGATE." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">"THE WESTMINSTER" AND "CLAUDINE," ASHORE NEAR MARGATE.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="SCENE_NEAR_MARGATE" id="SCENE_NEAR_MARGATE"></a>SCENE NEAR MARGATE.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">TWO VESSELS ASHORE.</span></h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">At night, beneath a cloudless moon,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Yon gallant vessel plough'd her way;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But storms arose:—next day at noon,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">A stranded wreck that vessel lay!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So man, beneath a flattering sun,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Puts forth in pride his slender sail;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But while he dreams of treasure won,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">His bark is shatter'd in the gale.—<span class="smcap">W. B.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Along</span> the west side of the Isle of Thanet the sea has made very considerable +encroachments; many of the ancient landmarks have been washed away, and +naturally exposed to the fury of the north and east winds, great portions of the +cliffs have gradually disappeared in the sea. The same causes continuing in active +operation, the effects are annually perceptible upon the boundary line, which +defends this coast from the Northern Ocean. But the damage sustained in the +east is amply compensated for in the west of England, where a territory fit for the +accommodation of 20,000 or 30,000 inhabitants might be gained from the tide-mark +at little comparative outlay. We allude to the projected improvements on +the Lancashire coast, particularly Morecambe Bay, and the estuary of the river +Duddon.</p> + +<p>Margate had originally a natural inlet of the sea; and in the reign of Edward I. +Gore-end church, in consequence of the sea's encroachment, was removed inland. +"Margate," says Leland, "lyeth in St. John's paroche in Thanet, a v. mile fro +Reculver; and there is a village and a peere for shyppes, but sore decayed." +Owing to its natural position, Margate has never been able to establish a foreign +trade. In 1787, the old wooden pier having become ruinous, it was cased with +stone, and extended further into the sea; but a tremendous gale having soon after +come on, the works were demolished; and a fresh act of parliament being obtained +for that purpose, a fine, strong, and convenient mole was erected on a new plan, +where a public promenade, with an extensive prospect, affords a beautiful source +of recreation to the visitors, while at the same time it shuts out from observation +the hurry and bustle of the harbour.</p> + +<p>In 1748, a tremendous storm from the southward drove a number of vessels +from their anchorage in the Downs, many of which were wrecked under these +cliffs. The vast sacrifice of life and property thus occasioned induced the shipping +and mercantile interests to think of increasing the capacity of Ramsgate harbour, +an account of which appears in this work. Winds from the south-east and +south-west are those by which the safety of the shipping in the Downs is most +endangered. Vessels breaking adrift in the latter at night, with strong south-west +and southerly gales, says an experienced naval officer, should run into the North +Sea, through the Gulf Stream; if in distress, and the attempt uncertain, the only +alternative is to run for Ramsgate harbour or on the Sandwich flats. Along this +coast nine lug-boats, called <i>hovellers</i>, are employed for the relief of vessels in +distress. They vary from twenty to twenty-seven tons burthen each, draw five +feet water, and are usually manned with a crew of ten men, who are always on +the out-look for vessels requiring their assistance. By their proverbial courage +and exertions, many lives are annually saved from vessels wrecked on the neighbouring +coast and shoals, and much valuable property restored to its owners. +When it becomes a salvage case, they lay their claims before one of the commission +courts, appointed by the Lord Warden, who make an award agreeable to the service +performed. Several of these boats are stationed at Margate, Ramsgate, Deal, +and Dover; but those of the latter only have the privilege to enter continental +ports, by license from the Custom-house. In the most severe and boisterous +weather several of these boats cruise in the Narrows of the Channel, and are frequently +the means of rendering, under desperate circumstances, important service +to the shipping interest.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_CHATHAM" id="Illustration_CHATHAM"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_235.jpg"><img src="images/i_235.jpg" width="600" height="415" alt="CHATHAM." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">CHATHAM.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHATHAM_DOCK-YARD" id="CHATHAM_DOCK-YARD"></a>CHATHAM DOCK-YARD.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> view of the Dock-yard at Chatham is taken from the opposite side of the +Medway, a little above Upnor Castle, which was built by Queen Elizabeth to +defend the passage of the river. To the left is seen a sheer hulk, so called from +her "sheers"—two strong pieces of timber of great height, inclining towards each +other and joined together at the top—which are used for the purpose of raising and +placing in their proper situations the lower masts of ships of war. Further to the +right are perceived the large roofs of the building-slips and dry-docks; nearly +abreast of which are two ships of war laid up in ordinary. A-head of those vessels +are two others of the same class; and further up the river, directly in front, a view +is obtained of part of the town of Chatham.</p> + +<p>The Dock-yard of Chatham lies at a short distance to the northward of the +town of that name, and on the right bank of the river Medway. The first dockyard +at Chatham for the service of the navy was established by Queen Elizabeth. +It was situated higher up the river than the present yard, on a narrow slip of land, +and had only one dock. In 1622 a new dock-yard was formed by James I., and +the site of the old one, which was too circumscribed for the service of the increasing +navy, was assigned to the Board of Ordnance. In the reign of Charles I., +additional dry-docks and building-slips were formed and several store-houses erected.</p> + +<p>Chatham dock-yard is enclosed on the land side by a high wall, and the +principal entrance is through a lofty gateway to the south-west, above which are +the royal arms, and on each side an embattled tower. Strangers wishing to see +the yard are furnished with a ticket by the superintendent of the dock-police on +entering their names in a book kept at a lodge within the gate. There are four +docks and seven building-slips at Chatham, most of which are covered with +immense roofs. To the south-westward of the docks there is a long range of store-houses +facing the river, and having in front a spacious quay, part of which is +occupied as an anchor wharf. Behind this line of buildings, which is upwards of +a thousand feet in length, is the ropery, where cables and all other kinds of ropes +are manufactured for the use of ships of war. Beyond the docks to the northward, +are the mast-ponds and sheds for storing timber, on the right; and on the +left is the boat-house. At the smith's shop anchors and other articles of iron work +are made for the use of the navy; and towards the north-eastern extremity of the +yard is a saw-mill, erected by Mr. Brunel, the inventor of the block-machinery +at Portsmouth. The mill is situated on an eminence, and the timber intended to +be cut is floated through a tunnel from the Medway into an elliptic basin, from +which it is raised by machinery to the level of the mill. The saws are put in +motion by a steam-engine; and the timber, after having been cut, is conveyed +away by trucks running on railways to different parts of the yard. When +M. Charles Dupin, the celebrated French author of several works on the dock-yards, +roads, bridges, and harbours of Great Britain, visited Chatham in 1817, he +objected to this saw-mill being erected on an eminence; but he seems to have +overlooked the consequent advantage of the timber being thence conveyed by a +gentle slope, with very little labour, to the different docks and slips, without +interfering with any of the other works.<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> The commissioner has a handsome +residence within the walls of the yard, and there are also many excellent houses, +which are occupied by the officers and principal artificers. A neat chapel, of +brick, for the convenience of the officers and workmen, was erected within the +yard in 1811. At one period during the late war, the number of men employed +was 3000.</p> + +<p>The Ordnance Wharf is situated to the south-westward of the dock-yard on the +site of the old yard established by Queen Elizabeth, and it is still frequently called +the Old Dock. The guns are placed in rows, and have painted on them the name +of the ship to which they belong, and their weight of metal; the carriages are +also placed separately, but under sheds. Large piles of shot are seen in various +parts of the wharf; and there is also within its boundary an armoury, where +various kinds of weapons—chiefly muskets, pistols, pikes, and cutlasses—are +arranged in admirable order.</p> + +<p>A fund—commonly called the Chest of Chatham—for the relief of disabled +seamen, was established there by Queen Elizabeth on the recommendation of Sir +Francis Drake and Sir John Hawkins, in 1588—the seamen of the royal navy, +after the defeat of the Spanish Armada, having agreed to give up a portion of +their pay for the relief of their wounded and disabled brethren. The Royal +Marine Hospital of Chatham is one of the finest establishments of the kind in +Great Britain, and from the elegance of its plan, the extent of its buildings, and +its commanding position, forms a truly noble feature in the landscape.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_GRAVESEND" id="Illustration_GRAVESEND"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_239.jpg"><img src="images/i_239.jpg" width="600" height="411" alt="GRAVESEND." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">GRAVESEND.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="GRAVESEND" id="GRAVESEND"></a>GRAVESEND,<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">FROM THE THAMES.</span></h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> great facilities of communication with the metropolis, the salubrity of the +air, the beauty of the surrounding scenery, and the public amusements by which it +is enlivened, have all contributed to render Gravesend the most frequented town on +the river Thames. The thousands of visitors who here keep holiday during six or +eight months of the year, have insured resources to the inhabitants more to be depended +on than the fluctuations of trade. New houses, new streets, hotels, reading-rooms, +public baths, and pleasure-gardens, have all appeared in succession since the +introduction of steam on the river, and now present attractions rarely to be met with +in any inland or maritime town of like size. The harbour, generally enlivened by +East and West Indiamen at anchor; the incessant passing and repassing of steamers +to every part of the coast and kingdom; with private yachts and pleasure-boats +skimming past, or lying off the piers, with their holiday freight of joyous citizens, +give a never failing interest and spirit to the whole picture; and present, in a short +sojourn at Gravesend, more animation and variety than is to be met with at any +other part of the river. The rides and drives inland are highly varied and +picturesque. Cobham Hall—the ancient seat of Lord Darnley—and its magnificent +park-scenery, with the village and ancient church adjoining, are objects that +well repay a summer-day's excursion. Springhead, famous for the water-cresses +which it supplies to the London markets, is one of the most rural and picturesque +retreats in Kent; while Gad's-hill, to which Shakspeare has given immortality, as +the scene of the robbery of the Sandwich merchants, said to have been perpetrated +by Henry the Fifth—when Prince Hal—and his dissolute companions, is within +an easy walk. Windmill-hill, the highest object in the background of the picture, +is proverbially famed as commanding one of the finest panoramic views in the county.</p> + +<p>The bathing-establishments are on a large scale, admirably constructed, and +managed with great punctuality and attention. Adjoining the Clifton Baths is a +delightful pleasure-ground, agreeably varied with walks and seats, and ornamented +with trees, shrubs, and flowers. From this eminence, which overhangs the Thames, +a charming prospect is open at all times to the groups of visitors by whom +it is frequented.</p> + +<p>The gardens, now known as the Rosherville-gardens, have been opened of late +years for dancing, music, and fireworks during the season, and have become the +chosen resort of numerous societies and schools, who here celebrate their anniversaries. +A large dining-hall and other necessary adjuncts have been erected for +their accommodation, including a handsome pier, at which most of the steam-boats +call, on their passages to and from the other piers.</p> + +<p>The Town-pier—having superseded the old and unpleasant process of boating—is +a structure of vast convenience as a landing place, and is besides of excellent +design and execution. It consists of insulated columns, or piles of cast-iron, supporting +a floor or stage, and extends into the river about fifty feet beyond low-water-mark. +In summer this stage is covered with an awning, under which visitors can +promenade, sheltered from sun or shower, and enjoy the entertainment furnished by +an excellent band of music, which takes its daily station on the Pier. Below the +Town-pier is another pier, or jetty, extending nearly a hundred feet into the +water, called the Terrace-pier—so called from having attached to it an extensive +terrace or promenade, and a beautifully arranged lawn or shrubbery, for the use of +those who frequent the pier.</p> + +<p>During the last ten years, Gravesend has several times suffered very severely +from fires, causing great destruction in the more closely-built portions of the town; +these calamitous visitations, though deplorable in their immediate consequences, have +not been without their beneficial results, by affording an opportunity for widening +and improving the thoroughfares in their vicinity, and of which due advantage has +been wisely taken.</p> + +<p>For many years, the steam-boat companies monopolized the traffic from London +to Gravesend, their superior vessels, rapid speed, and moderate fare, set every other +species of conveyance at defiance; but they have been compelled to admit a formidable +rival to their trade, in the all-absorbing railway, which now surpasses them in +quickness, and places itself upon an equality in respect to price and accommodation. +The North-Kent line passing through Woolwich and Erith, has penetrated into the +heart of Gravesend, and by filling up the Thames and Medway canal, made an iron +road to the ancient city of Rochester. But, although the skill of the engineer and +wealth of the capitalist has thus succeeded in bringing this fashionable watering-place +and the old cathedral town into closer connection with our giant metropolis, they +have not been able to overcome those natural obstacles to the rapid progress of +the locomotive engine—hills and valleys, without having recourse to that most +disagreeable of all roads, the subterranean—and the difference between rushing +through their sombre excavations, amid the clatter of the machinery and the +hissing of the liberated steam, and calmly gliding on the quiet surface of the +beautiful Thames, must, we think, be such as to render the journey by the river at +all times the most popular with those who travel for pleasure.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_LONDON_FROM_GREENWICH_PARK" id="Illustration_LONDON_FROM_GREENWICH_PARK"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_243.jpg"><img src="images/i_243.jpg" width="600" height="415" alt="LONDON FROM GREENWICH PARK." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">LONDON FROM GREENWICH PARK.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="LONDON" id="LONDON"></a>LONDON,<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">FROM GREENWICH PARK.</span></h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">How glorious is the scene that here expands,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Where, 'mid her lofty towers, Augusta stands,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Drawing, in tribute to her daring helm,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And boundless trade, the wealth of every realm;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And stretching forth her hand o'er land and main,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To check the proud, and break the captive's chain!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> may be safely affirmed that they who have witnessed the view of London, +from Greenwich Park, have beheld a scene which neither time nor circumstances +can ever obliterate, and to which it may be doubted if Europe itself could furnish +a rival. It is a point to which foreigners and strangers uniformly advert, in expressing +their admiration of the British capital and its environs; and to which, +during the fine season, multitudes resort for the sake of the delicious park-scenery +and the magnificent prospects which it commands. From the base of the National +Observatory to the cupola of St. Paul's, the objects which it embraces are of the most +variegated and imposing character. In the fore ground is the palace of the former +"Kings and Queens of England,"—now the noblest Hospital in the world—with +all its stately appendages. In the centre of the picture is the Thames—the great +"highway" by which the fleets of commerce are continually pouring the treasures +of the world into the heart of the metropolis. In the back ground—here in bold +relief, and there dimly shadowed in the horizon—are seen the towers and temples +of London, with the majestic dome of St. Paul's presiding over the whole in +glorious pre-eminence. Turning to the east, the scene presents new objects of +interest and admiration. The shipping off Blackwall—the Docks—the vast traffic +by which the river is continually agitated—the steamers passing and repassing, their +decks crowded with company, and the bands of music occasionally striking up, as +they pass the Royal Hospital, the national air of "Rule Britannia,"—all produce an +effect upon the spectators, which, in point of animation, cannot be surpassed. What +gives peculiar interest to the picture, is the appearance of the "ancient mariners" who +are continually in sight—pensioners who have given their legs and arms as pledges +to British independence, and now pass the evening of their days in every comfort +to which a weather-beaten seaman can aspire—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">Heroes, every one,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ye might as soon have made the steeple run;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And then his messmates, if you're pleased to stay,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He'll one by one the gallant souls display.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>This magnificent Hospital presents an imposing range of buildings in the +Grecian style of architecture, extending several hundred feet along the right bank +of the Thames, and divided into two wings by a noble lawn, with a descent to the +water's edge by a handsome flight of steps. The wings recede a considerable space +from the river and are crowned in the distance by two lofty domes, behind which +rise the acclivities of the royal park, covered with trees of centuries, and undulating +with variegated masses of verdure. Through the midst of these, and occupying the +site of the original fortress of Greenwich, rises that celebrated Observatory which +has so frequently engaged the attention of scientific Europe; and with which the +names of Flamsteed, Halley, Bradley, Bliss, Maskelyn, Pond, and Airey, are so +emphatically connected.</p> + +<p>To the history of Greenwich Hospital we can only very briefly advert. After +the rebellion in 1715, the forfeited estates of the Earl of Derwentwater, amounting +at that time to six thousand pounds per annum, were voted by parliament to this +hospital; and with the numerous benefactions since bestowed by private individuals, +it is now enabled to provide for nearly three thousand inmates. Every Pensioner +receives a liberal allowance of provisions and clothes, with a shilling a week for +pocket-money. The nurses—widows of seamen, and of whom there were lately +a hundred and five—in addition to provisions, have each an annual allowance of from +eighteen to twenty pounds. A library is provided for the exclusive use of the Pensioners. +The office of governor of Greenwich Hospital is generally conferred on +veterans of the highest rank and standing in the service,—such as Hood, Keats and +Hardy, the friend and companion of Nelson.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_THE_PORT_OF_LONDON" id="Illustration_THE_PORT_OF_LONDON"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_247.jpg"><img src="images/i_247.jpg" width="600" height="426" alt="THE PORT OF LONDON." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">THE PORT OF LONDON.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_PORT_OF_LONDON" id="THE_PORT_OF_LONDON"></a>THE PORT OF LONDON.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Port of London</span> commences at London Bridge. The forest of masts +which rises in direct view—thickening in perspective till it is lost in the distance—announces +the vast extent of that Commerce which stretches its arms to the +"uttermost parts of the globe." The Pool, as this part of the river is called, +extends from London Bridge to Deptford,—a distance of nearly four miles, with an +average breadth of from four to five hundred yards. It consists of four divisions, +called the Upper, Middle, and Lower Pools, and that occupying the space between +Limehouse and Deptford. The Upper Pool extends from London Bridge to +Union Hole—a space of about sixteen hundred yards; from this to Wapping +New Stairs forms the Middle Pool—about seven hundred yards. The Lower +Pool extends from the latter point to Horseferry Pier, Limehouse—about +eighteen hundred yards. The fourth Pool occupies the space between Limehouse +and Deptford—about two thousand seven hundred yards.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Custom-House</span>, which is a prominent feature in this View, was first +erected in 1559—very shortly after the accession of Queen Elizabeth; but, having +shared the fate of the other public buildings in the great fire of London, it was rebuilt, +two years after by Charles the Second. By a similar calamity, however, this +was also burnt to the ground in 1718, and a third erected, which—strange to say—was +also consumed in 1814. The fourth, which is the present magnificent structure, +was opened for business in May, 1817. It was erected from the designs of David +Laing, Esq.; but, in consequence of certain defects, which threatened destruction +to a considerable portion of the building, the Long Room, as it is called, was +<i>shored</i> up, the front next to the river taken down, and the present front as shown +in the Engraving, was substituted by Mr. Smirke. The whole is erected on an +extensive and magnificent scale.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">London</span> and <span class="smcap">St. Katherine's Docks</span> are seen a little to the right, and +afford accommodation to a vast number of shipping. The London Dock covers +twenty acres: fourteen tobacco-warehouses cover an acre each; the cellars occupy +three acres, and can accommodate twenty-two thousand pipes of wine. The St. +Katherine's Dock covers the extensive area of ground which a few years ago was +occupied by the parish of St. Katherine; the whole of which, comprising above +twelve hundred houses, was bought and pulled down, at an outlay of two millions +sterling, for the construction of these magnificent basins and warehouses, with which +nothing that mercantile enterprise has hitherto effected can bear a comparison. The +old parish church of St. Katherine was built on the site of an ancient monastery +founded in the twelfth century by Matilda of Boulogne. A rich hospital and various +benefactions have belonged to this parish ever since its original endowment; for the +perpetuation of which a handsome church and several dwelling-houses were erected +near Gloucester Gate, Regent's Park, the emoluments connected with which were +bestowed by the late Queen Adelaide, in whose gift they were, upon persons +belonging to the royal household, or otherwise recommended to her Majesty.</p> + +<p>In front of these docks is a spacious steam-packet wharf; and from this point to +Rotherhithe the river—here called the Middle Pool—is generally so crowded with +shipping at anchor, or rapidly passing up and down, that it requires both skill and +caution on the part of the helmsman to avoid collision. It is here that strangers +can form an exact idea of the vast traffic by which the Thames is continually +animated, and to which there is no parallel in the cities of commercial Europe.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding the obvious utility of wet-docks, and the vast trade of the +British Metropolis, there was no establishment of this sort on the Thames till +nearly a century after a wet-dock had been constructed at Liverpool. The inconvenience +arising from the crowded state of the river at those periods when +the fleets of merchantmen were accustomed to arrive, the very insufficient +accommodation afforded by the legal quays and sufferance-wharfs; the necessity +under which many ships were placed of unloading in the river by means of +fighters, and the insecurity and loss of property thence arising, had been felt and +complained of as an intolerable grievance. But so powerful was the opposition to +any change, made by the private wharfingers and others interested in the support +of the existing order of things, that it was not till 1793 that a plan was projected +for making wet-docks for the Port of London, yet the activity and enterprise of +the merchants and shipowners of the metropolis have, since that date, amply compensated +for their lost time, and the docks of London are now models of superiority +in that peculiar department of civil engineering.</p> + +<p>Though not included in the engraving, the recent improvements which have +been effected in its vicinity by the public spirit of the Corporation of London, +demand a passing tribute of admiration. <span class="smcap">The New Coal Exchange</span> is an +edifice worthy of the purpose for which it was designed—the mart for the sale of +one of Great Britain's most valuable products; and <span class="smcap">Billingsgate</span> is now a market +fitting for a city containing two millions of inhabitants.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="Illustration_THE_TOWER_OF_LONDON" id="Illustration_THE_TOWER_OF_LONDON"></a> +<a href="images/full_i_251.jpg"><img src="images/i_251.jpg" width="600" height="413" alt="THE TOWER OF LONDON." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">THE TOWER OF LONDON.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_TOWER_OF_LONDON" id="THE_TOWER_OF_LONDON"></a>THE TOWER OF LONDON.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">This</span> celebrated fortress is situated on the east side of the City, a short distance +from London-bridge, near the banks of the river Thames. It at first consisted +of no more than what is at present called the White Tower, traditionally reported, +without any authority, to have been built by Julius Cæsar, though there is the +strongest evidence of its being marked out and a part of it first erected by William +the Conqueror, in the year 1076, doubtless with a view to secure to himself and +followers a safe retreat, in case the English should ever have recourse to arms to +recover their ancient possessions and lost liberties.</p> + +<p>The death of the Conqueror, however, in 1087, about eight years after he had +commenced this fortress, for some time prevented its progress, and left it to be +completed by his son William Rufus, who, in 1098, surrounded it with walls and +a broad and deep ditch, which is in some places about one hundred and twenty +feet wide, into which water from the river Thames was introduced. Henry III., +in 1240, ordered a stone gate, bulwark, and other additions to be made to this +fortress, and the ancient tower to be whitened, from whence it was called the +White Tower. In 1465, Edward IV. greatly enlarged the fortifications, and +built the Lion's Tower, for the reception of foreign beasts, birds, &c., presented +to the kings of England; the zoological collection have, however, long since +been transferred to more eligible quarters in the Regent's-park. By the command +of Charles II., in 1663, the ditch was completely cleansed, the esplanade rebuilt +with brick and stone, and sluices were erected for admitting and retaining water +from the Thames, as occasion might require.</p> + +<p>The Tower is in the best situation that could have been chosen for a fortress, +lying near enough to protect the metropolis and the seat of commerce from +invasion by water. It is parted from the river Thames by a commodious wharf +and narrow ditch, over which is a drawbridge. Upon this wharf is a noble platform, +on which are placed sixty-one pieces of cannon, nine-pounders, mounted on +handsome iron carriages, which were fired on state holidays, but small pieces are +now used for those purposes.</p> + +<p>Parallel to the middle part of the wharf, upon the walls, is a platform, seventy +yards in length, called the Ladies' Line, from its being much frequented in the +summer evenings, as on the inside it is shaded with a row of lofty trees, and +without affords a fine prospect of the shipping and of the boats passing and repassing +on the river. The ascent to this line is by stone steps, and, being once upon +it, there is a walk almost round the walls of the fortress without interruption, in +doing which the visiter passes three batteries: the first called the Devil's Battery, +where there is a platform on which are mounted seven pieces of cannon; the next +is named the Stone Battery, and is defended by eight pieces of cannon; and the +last, called the Wooden Battery, is mounted with six pieces of cannon.</p> + +<p>The wharf, or esplanade, which is divided from Tower-hill at each end by +gates, is opened every morning for the convenience of a free intercourse between +the respective inhabitants of the Tower, the City, and its suburbs. From this +wharf is an entrance for persons on foot, over the drawbridge already mentioned; +and also a water-gate under the Tower-wall, commonly called the Traitor's-gate, +through which it has been customary, for the greater privacy, to convey traitors +and other state prisoners by water to and from the Tower; the water of the ditch +had here a communication with the Thames, by means of a stone bridge on the +wharf. Over this water-gate is a regular building, terminated at each end by a +round tower, on which are embrasures for pointing cannon.</p> + +<p>The principal buildings are the church, a small edifice, dedicated to St. Peter +ad Vincula, the White Tower, the Governor's House, the Bloody Tower, the +Offices of Ordnance, of the Keepers of the Records, the Jewel Office, the New +Spanish Armoury, the New Horse Armoury, the Grand Storehouse, in which is +the small armoury, the train of artillery, and the tent room; the New Storehouse, +wherein are three armouries; handsome houses for the chief and inferior officers; +the Mess-house for the officers of the garrison, and the barracks for the soldiers. +In addition to these, there is a street called the Mint, which includes nearly one-third +part of the Tower. The principal part of the houses were formerly inhabited +by the officers employed in the coinage, but now by the military and various +persons employed in the different offices.</p> + +<p>The ravages of the fire which occurred in this fortress a few years since have +now been repaired, and its ancient walls strengthened and improved in accordance +with the rules of fortification adopted by the best engineers of the day. The +stagnant moat which formerly encircled it has been drained and converted into +an exercise ground for the soldiers in the garrison.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<h3>FOOTNOTES</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> The origin of the motto <span class="smcap">Ich Dien</span>—I serve—is generally attributed to Edward the Black Prince +who, in leading the vanguard of his army to the battle of Cressy, slew John of Luxemburg, King of +Bohemia, and then deplumed his helmet of those ostrich feathers which, in memory of this victory, became +his <i>cognisance</i>,—sometimes using one feather, at others three, as appears on his seals and tomb, with +scrolls containing this motto, <span class="smcap">Ich Dien</span>. But the ancient arms of the princes of Wales, while they were +independent sovereigns, were quarterly <i>gules</i> and <i>or</i>, four lions <i>passant</i>, counterchanged. The Charter of +Edward the First to his son is dated March 24th, 1305,—<i>i.e.</i> when the Prince had attained his majority.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> In allusion to the crystal-brilliants, long known as "Bristol diamonds."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Polwhele's <i>History of Devon</i>, vol ii. p. 219.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> Leland's Itinerary, vol. iii., p. 79. Edition 1769.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> The cliffs which extend towards Hurst Castle abound in marine fossils, shells, and petrifactions, +from which many excellent collections have been made.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> <i>Remarks on Forest Scenery and other Woodland Views, illustrated by the Scenery of New Forest, +1791.</i> The <i>Picturesque Tours</i>, by the same author, display a deep and correct feeling of the beauties of +nature. At his death, in 1804, he appropriated a collection of his Sketches to the endowment of a school +at Boldre.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> The pulpit belonging to this ancient refectory is the most perfect and elegant relic of its kind in +England.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> Camden's <i>Britannia</i>, translated by Bishop Gibson, vol. i., p. 213.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> Anderson's History of Commerce, vol. i., p. 180., edit. 1787.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> Lines by Lord Byron "On the Death of Sir Peter Parker."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> The guess-warp booms are the spars suspended at right angles from a ship's side, to which the +boats are made fast when she is moored.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> Camden's Britannia, Bishop Gibson's Translation.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> G. Measom's <i>Illustrated Guide to the South-Eastern Railway</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> <i>Quarterly Review</i>—Dupin, <i>On the Marine Establishments of France and England</i>.—<span class="smcap">No. xliii</span>. p. 41.</p></div> + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ports, Harbours, Watering-places +and Picturesque Scenery of Great Britain Vol. 2, by William Finden + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PORTS, HARBOURS *** + +***** This file should be named 34867-h.htm or 34867-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/8/6/34867/ + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Susan Skinner and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cb89b0d --- /dev/null +++ b/34867-h/images/i_251.jpg diff --git a/34867.txt b/34867.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5270141 --- /dev/null +++ b/34867.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6010 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ports, Harbours, Watering-places and +Picturesque Scenery of Great Britain Vol. 2, by William Finden + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Ports, Harbours, Watering-places and Picturesque Scenery of Great Britain Vol. 2 + +Author: William Finden + +Illustrator: W. H. Bartlett + J. D. Harding + T. Creswick + +Release Date: January 6, 2011 [EBook #34867] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PORTS, HARBOURS *** + + + + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Susan Skinner and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive) + + + + + + + + + + + + +FINDEN'S + +PORTS, HARBOURS + +AND + +WATERING PLACES. + +[Illustration: ENTRANCE TO THE PORT OF BERWICK.] + + + + +THE + +PORTS, HARBOURS, WATERING-PLACES, + +And Picturesque Scenery + +OF + +GREAT BRITAIN. + +ILLUSTRATED BY VIEWS TAKEN ON THE SPOT, + +BY + +W. H. BARTLETT, J. D. HARDING, T. CRESWICK, + +AND OTHERS. + +WITH DESCRIPTIONS, HISTORICAL AND TOPOGRAPHICAL. + +VOL. II. + +JAMES S. VIRTUE, CITY ROAD, AND IVY LANE, LONDON. + + + + +LIST OF PLATES. + +VOLUME II. + + +THE RIVER MERSEY, AT LIVERPOOL. + +LIVERPOOL--CANNING DOCK AND CUSTOM-HOUSE. + +--------- ST. NICHOLAS' CHURCH, WITH SHIPPING. + +NEW BRIGHTON, NEAR LIVERPOOL. + +MATLOCK, DERBYSHIRE. + +CONWAY CASTLE, WITH THE SUSPENSION-BRIDGE. + +------ QUAY, WITH THE CASTLE AND BRIDGE. + +MENAI BRIDGE, WITH THE STRAIT. + +BANGOR, AND PORT-PENRHYN. + +BEAUMARIS, WITH THE MENAI STRAIT. + +HOLYHEAD, THE LIGHTHOUSE, TRIUMPHAL-ARCH, &c. + +--------- SOUTHSTACK LIGHTHOUSE. + +CARNARVON CASTLE, THE EAGLE TOWER. + +--------- GENERAL VIEW. + +HARLECH CASTLE, NORTH WALES. + +BARMOUTH, WATERING-PLACE. + +SWANSEA BAY, WITH LIGHTHOUSE IN THE DISTANCE. + +OYSTERMOUTH CASTLE, OVERLOOKING SWANSEA BAY. + +THE MUMBLES' LIGHTHOUSE, SWANSEA BAY. + +THE NASS SANDS' LIGHTHOUSES. + +CARDIFF, GLAMORGANSHIRE. + +GLOUCESTER, PORT AND CATHEDRAL. + +BRISTOL CITY, FROM ROWNHAM FERRY. + +------- REDCLIFFE CHURCH AND BASIN. + +CLIFTON, WITH THE NEW SUSPENSION-BRIDGE. + +BATH, WITH THE CITY, CATHEDRAL, AND DOWNS. + +CORNWALL, TINTAGEL CASTLE. + +PLYMOUTH, DEVON. + +--------- MOUNT EDGECOMBE. + +BRIXHAM, TORBAY, DEVON. + +EXMOUTH, DEVON. + +BUDLEIGH SALTERTON. + +SIDMOUTH, VIEW FROM THE BEACH. + +CAVES AT LADRAM BAY. + +WEYMOUTH, WITH THE HARBOUR. + +HURST CASTLE, KING CHARLES'S PRISON. + +COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT. + +SOUTHAMPTON. + +------------ THE ANCIENT WALLS. + +PORTSMOUTH, ENTRANCE TO THE HARBOUR. + +----------- RIGGING-HULK AND FRIGATE. + +----------- VIEW FROM THE SALUTING PLATFORM. + +GOSPORT, FLAG-SHIP SALUTING. + +SPITHEAD, WITH SHIPS OF WAR. + +BRIGHTON, SUSSEX. + +HASTINGS, WITH THE TOWN AND CASTLE. + +--------- VIEW ON THE BEACH. + +RYE, SUSSEX, WITH ITS ANCIENT GATE, CHURCH, &c. + +FOLKESTONE, FROM THE BEACH. + +DOVER, WITH THE CASTLE. + +------ FROM THE CASTLE. + +SANDWICH, KENT, ANCIENT GATE AND DRAWBRIDGE. + +RAMSGATE, KENT, ENTRANCE TO THE HARBOUR. + +BROADSTAIRS, ISLE OF THANET, VESSEL ASHORE. + +WRECK IN KINGSGATE-BAY. + +MARGATE, TWO VESSELS ASHORE. + +CHATHAM, WITH THE DOCKYARD. + +GRAVESEND, FROM THE RIVER. + +LONDON, FROM GREENWICH PARK. + +PORT OF LONDON. + +THE TOWER. + +VIGNETTE-ENTRANCE TO THE PORT OF BERWICK. + + + + +THE + +PORTS AND HARBOURS + +OF + +GREAT BRITAIN. + + + + +BERWICK.--LIGHTHOUSE ON THE PIER. + + +The view of the Lighthouse, at the head of Berwick Pier (which forms the +vignette to our Second Volume), is taken from the entrance to the +harbour, about half a mile below the bridge. This Pier, the building of +which was commenced in 1810, stands on the north side of the river, and +is chiefly erected on the foundations of an old one, which is said to +have been built in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. From the lighthouse, +which was finished in 1826, two lights are exhibited at night, the one +above the other. The upper one, which is of a pale, white colour, is +lighted from sunset to sunrise; the lower one, which is of a bright red, +is a tide-light, and is only displayed during the time that there is ten +feet water on the bar. + +Berwick Harbour is not well adapted for vessels of large burthen, for +the greater part of the shore, in front of the quay, is dry at low +water. On the Tweedmouth side, near the Car Rock, is the best water +within the bar; and a vessel drawing from sixteen to eighteen feet water +may lie there at all hours of the tide without touching the ground. The +entrance to the harbour is narrow, as a bank of sand stretches out to +the eastward, from the Spittal shore, to the extent of nearly half a +mile, and approaches to within a cable's length of the rocks on the +north. When the wind is from the eastward, there is always a swell on +the bar; and the ebb-tide--more especially when there is a _fresh_ in +the river, in consequence of rain--runs out with such velocity that it +is impossible for a vessel to make head against it. Vessels bound for +Berwick, which cannot take the harbour in bad weather, usually seek +shelter in Leith Roads. + +The salmon fishery forms a most important branch of the trade of +Berwick. About the middle of the last century, the fish used chiefly to +be conveyed to London by small vessels of about forty tons burthen, +belonging to Harwich and Gravesend, engaged by the London dealers; the +fresh-caught salmon and gilse were conveyed in wells in the hold, but a +large portion was sent pickled in kits. About 1787, the practice of +packing salmon in pounded ice was suggested by George Dempster, Esq., of +Dunnichen, then M.P. for Cupar, to Mr. John Richardson, a salmon-dealer, +of Perth, who immediately adopted it; and the next year the +salmon-dealers of Berwick followed his example. + +Most of the salmon sent from Berwick to London are caught between the +mouth of the Tweed and Norham, which is about eight miles up the river, +and the highest point to which the tide flows. In 1799, the yearly +rental of the fisheries within this distance, on both sides of the +river, was estimated at L10,000; and in 1817 it was nearly double that +sum. In consequence of the decline of the salmon fishery since 1820, it +does not at the present time exceed L9,000. Various causes have been +assigned for the decline of the salmon fishery in the Tweed; such as the +building of the New Pier at the north side of the harbour; with the +draining of lands and the destruction of fish in close time towards the +upper parts of the river. How the building of the New Pier, and the +draining of lands in Selkirk and Roxburghshire affect the breed of +salmon, has not been clearly shown; and poaching in close time has not +prevailed to a greater extent during the last twenty years than in the +twenty years previous to 1816. The unremitting manner in which the river +was _legally_ fished between the mouth of the Tweed and Norham, from +1800 to 1817, is more likely to have been one great cause of the +decline; but the proprietors of the fisheries seem unwilling to admit +that a river may be over-fished, as well as land exhausted by +over-cropping. + +It can scarcely be said that there is a public market for salmon in +Berwick, almost all that are caught being engrossed by factors or +fish-curers, and sent to London; and salmon is generally as dear there +as in the metropolis. The fish, as soon as caught, are packed in large +boxes, between layers of pounded ice, and in this manner conveyed to the +metropolis. + + + + +[Illustration: THE MERSEY AT LIVERPOOL.] + + + + +THE MERSEY. + +FROM LIVERPOOL. + + + "A thousand keels the subject wave divide,-- + Float with the flow, or stem the ebbing tide,-- + Winged messengers that haste, with sails unfurl'd, + To barter produce with some distant world!-- + With oar and paddle, sail and thundering steam, + They row--they cleave--they plough the Mersey's stream; + That stream, which, fretted by a thousand prows, + No silent rest, no liquid slumber knows; + Whate'er the hour, whatever wind prevail, + Behold the outward and the homeward sail!" + +The Mersey is to Liverpool what the Thames is to London--the grand +channel of mercantile prosperity--the main artery that carries health +and vigour into the heart of the city, and thence distributes them by a +thousand ramifications through all classes of the community. The +navigation of this river has long been an object of primary import to +the prosperity of our national trade; and therefore every suggestion +which promised to obviate and remove those impediments which nature had +thrown in the way, has been met with the greatest promptness and +liberality. Whatever it was possible for art to accomplish has been +attempted, and that so successfully that, if the ultimate object has not +yet been obtained, the navigation of the Mersey has at least been +rendered comparatively safe and expeditious. The grand enterprise for +facilitating the intercourse between Liverpool and Manchester was +commenced in 1720, when a canal was formed, and the navigation of the +Mersey and Irwell was so greatly improved, that the "flats"--which were +previously ten or eleven days in going from one town to the other--could +now, by taking advantage of the tide, accomplish the same distance in as +many hours. How amazingly this distance has been again shortened in our +own times, by the introduction of steam power, is familiar to every one. + +The rise and expansion of Liverpool--in all that regards it as a +mercantile emporium--have taken place within the last two centuries. In +1650, the town--a mere fishing hamlet--consisted of only five or six +streets. A pool, branching from the river, extended over the space now +occupied by the new Custom-house and the three streets adjoining; and, +for the convenience of intercourse, a ferry-boat was kept at the corner +of Church-street and Whitechapel. This ferry was at last superseded by a +bridge, erected by the proprietor of the land, Lord Molyneux; and since +that period the advancement of the Mersey in the list of great navigable +rivers has been unprecedentedly rapid and successful. The grand +municipal improvements, however, have all been effected within the last +century. During that interval, splendid squares, streets, and public +monuments have sprung up into existence. Previously to that epoch there +was no spirit, no scope for commercial enterprise, and consequently no +harbour, nor dock, nor warehouse. But now spacious harbours extend for +several miles along the bank of the Mersey: on the bosom of the river +stately merchantmen, outward or homeward bound, laden with the produce +of every clime, are continually passing and repassing; while the usual +embellishments which follow a train of successful industry are apparent +at every step of our progress, adding ever varying features of beauty +and animation to the landscape. He who would form a just estimate of the +vast and unlimited resources of this great commercial city, should spend +at least a day, partly in a promenade along the banks, and partly on the +spring-tide of the Mersey. + +This river is navigable for vessels of considerable burden so far as the +mouth of the Irwell,--a distance of thirty-five miles from Liverpool. It +derives its source from the confluence of several small streams on the +Cheshire and Derbyshire frontier, and pursues a serpentine course, +gradually inclining to the south-west. Its largest tributary is the +Irwell, which falls into it near the village of Flixton, seven miles +from Manchester. A little below Warrington, the Mersey expands into a +broad arm of the sea, and turning abruptly to the south-west, contracts +its channel as it passes Liverpool to about three quarters of a mile in +breadth; but in proceeding farther inland, it again increases its width +to more than three miles. This peculiarity is very advantageous to the +port, as the great body of water, passing and repassing at every tide, +keeps the navigation of the Mersey always open. A range of sand banks +run parallel with the coast for many miles, but several channels +intervene, giving sufficient depth for vessels of the heaviest draught +at high water, at which time the Mersey presents the most interesting +and striking scene,--particularly when a westerly wind favours the +arrival of the numerous fleets destined to this port, bearing the flags +and freighted with the produce of all nations that have found a place in +the chart of commercial enterprise. + + + + +[Illustration: CANNING DOCK AND CUSTOM HOUSE, LIVERPOOL. + +Dedicated to the Right Hon. Viscount Sandon, M. P.] + + + + +CANNING DOCK AND CUSTOM-HOUSE, + +LIVERPOOL. + + +Liverpool presents one of the most remarkable instances on record of the +vast influence of commercial speculation, when pursued with steady +vigour, prudence, and resolution. Commerce is the first step to empire, +and, successfully prosecuted, never fails to consolidate the strength +and independence of the state. To this important end no city in the +kingdom has so amply contributed as Liverpool; none of our rivers, the +Thames excepted, has wafted to our shores so many precious cargoes as +the Mersey, nor exported so much of the produce of our native +manufactures to all parts of the world. This great commercial city, +rapid as its progress has been, is still advancing in the career of +prosperity; hardly a month passes without some local improvement,--some +substantial proof that her trade is on the increase, stimulating +domestic industry, and affording the means of unlimited intercourse with +every shore of the commercial world. + +Canning Dock, with the Custom-house, forms one of the finest points of +view in Liverpool, presenting at one view a building of elegant design +and execution, and a forest of masts which sufficiently indicate the +bustle of trade, and the air of business that pervade every feature of +the place--animate or inanimate. Canning Dock--so distinguished in +honour of Mr. Canning, a name happily identified with Liverpool and the +prosperity of its trade,--covers a space of five hundred yards in +length. On the west side it communicates with three graving docks, where +vessels are laid up for repairs, and is chiefly occupied by vessels +trading to the northern coast. It is the first of the seven docks +extending southward, and is generally filled by vessels in the act of +discharging or taking in their cargoes. It presents a scene of great +bustle and activity, and, though only one out of many, affords the +stranger a very clear idea of the vast amount of traffic that is daily +shipped or entered at this emporium. + +The Custom-House is of recent date, and replaced the old official +buildings, which were found quite inadequate to the purposes of a daily +extending commerce. Through the united interest of Canning and +Huskisson, negociations were entered into with Government as to the +necessity of a new Custom-house; and after a short time arrangements +were concluded for its immediate erection. Mr. Foster, architect to the +Liverpool corporation, was engaged to prepare the designs, and made +choice of the present site as the most appropriate for a commercial +building of this size and character. + +The lower apartments of the Custom-house consist of spacious vaults for +the safe custody of bonded and other goods; and in the centre is the +apartment known as the Long Room. The offices of customs occupy the +whole extent of the west wing; and it is intended that part of the east +wing shall be appropriated to the use of the general post-office. Above +these are the excise offices and those of the dock-treasurer and +secretaries. The remaining portions of the edifice are subdivided into +the board-room, the dock-committee's offices, and the stamp-office. + +The chasteness and beauty of the Ionic style of architecture adopted in +this magnificent edifice have been much and justly admired. The centre, +and the east and west fronts are adorned by lofty porticos, each +supported by eight Ionic columns. The centre of the building is +surmounted by a magnificent dome, lighted by sixteen windows, and +ornamented round by pilasters. Inclosed within the outer dome is a +smaller one encircled by twelve windows, so as to afford sufficient +light to the Long Room. The interior of this building will amply repay +the stranger for a visit. The grand front is opposite Castle-street; +and, entering in this direction, the first object which claims attention +is the massive grouping of the pilasters which support the floor of the +Long Room over head. The stairs, flanked by handsome iron +balustrades,--the landing-places supported by eight Ionic stone columns, +each of a single piece,--the four pilasters, and the elaborate +ceilings,--are all deserving of particular attention. The Long Room is +altogether splendidly designed and executed; lighted by fourteen windows +on the sides, and by twelve as already observed, in the inner dome. The +ceiling is divided by lateral and transverse beams into regular +compartments, all beautifully ornamented. At each of the opposite ends +of this noble apartment are a corresponding flight of stairs and +landing-places. But to convey a just description of this monument to the +genius of commerce is at once difficult and tedious; we therefore +recommend all who may visit Liverpool, as admirers of its docks, +harbours, and splendid edifices, to devote an hour to the +Custom-house--a building which reflects great honour upon the architect, +and serves as a lasting ornament to the second city of the empire. + + + + +[Illustration: ST. NICHOLAS' CHURCH, LIVERPOOL. + +(from St. George's Basin)] + + + + +ST. NICHOLAS' CHURCH AND ST. GEORGE'S BASIN, + +LIVERPOOL. + + + "Here have the wild deer bounded,--here the trees + Waved, a wide-spreading forest, in the breeze! + Then came the woodman's axe,--the forest fell,-- + The shrine arose, and peal'd the chapel bell;-- + The crowd of pilgrims and the sound of prayer + Disturbed the woodland savage in his lair.... + What hear we now!--what see we in the gale! + The city's shout,--the far-expanding sail,-- + The crowded Mart,--the tramp of busy feet-- + And wheels that shake the densely-peopled street." + +St. Nicholas, or the Old Church, is supposed to stand upon the site of +an ancient chapel built about the time of the Conquest. But whether this +be correct or not, there is at least evidence to prove that, in 1361, +license for burial here was granted by the Bishop of Lichfield. It was +endowed by Queen Elizabeth with a small sum, under five pounds, to be +paid annually out of the chantry rents to the minister; and another sum, +between five and six pounds, as a yearly grant to the schoolmaster. In +the olden time a statue of the patron, St. Nicholas, erected in the +churchyard, was much frequented by mariners, who believed that an +offering made to the saint would conciliate the winds in their favour, +and secure a prosperous voyage. Time, however, put an end to this +confederacy between the saint and seamen. St. Nicholas was dethroned; +and for a time the winds "blew as if they would have cracked their +cheeks" at the downfall of one who had so long laid them under arrest. +But at length a better knowledge of the compass and the coast made the +seaman ample compensation for the loss of his ghostly patron, and showed +him that a skilful mariner and a stout bark are better securities +against storm and tempest than any saint in the calendar. + +In 1774 this church was rebuilt,--"The old roof, walls, and Gothic +pillars, the old blue ceiling, black and white clouds, golden sun, moon, +and stars, painted and gilt thereon," were removed, and the +re-edification completed, under the direction of Joseph Brooks, Esq. In +1810 this church was the scene of a dreadful catastrophe; the steeple +suddenly gave way as the children of the charity-school were entering +the church. It fell upon the body of the building, and twenty-four lives +were sacrificed, seventeen of which were girls belonging to the school. +Many others were severely wounded. The accident was attributed to the +weakness of an old arch upon which a modern spire had been erected. The +spire was subsequently restored by Mr. Harrison, of Chester, with a +degree of taste and execution which does him credit. It consists of an +ornamented Gothic tower, surmounted by an open lantern, with an air of +great lightness and elegance, and forming a very striking feature among +the many architectural objects--civil and ecclesiastical--by which it is +surrounded. The height of the tower is one hundred and twenty feet, and +that of the lantern sixty; so that together the steeple has an elevation +of not less than one hundred and eighty feet. During the night the clock +opposite the river is illuminated, so that it may serve as a landmark to +assure the mariner that St. Nicholas is still on the watch for his +safety, as in the good olden time. + +St. George's Dock, from which the view of the Church is taken, was +constructed according to an act of parliament obtained in 1762, and +completed at an expenditure of twenty-one thousand pounds. It is two +hundred and sixty-four yards in length, one hundred in breadth, and +lined on the east side by a row of very large warehouses, with footpaths +under the piazzas. Extending along both sides are sheds for merchandise; +and on the pier-head, at the west side of the dock, are the public +baths. The latter, comprised in a large building of plain but classical +design and execution, were erected by the corporation at an expense of +thirty-six thousand pounds, and opened to the public in the month of +June, 1829. Nothing could be better adapted to its purpose than this +great public edifice, in which the twofold recommendation of ornament +and utility are happily combined. The water is constantly flowing +through the baths in a fresh current; being supplied from the river at +high-tide, filtered, and contained in a reservoir of eight hundred tons +under the centre of the building. Private, cold, shower, warm, tepid, +medicated, and vapour baths are to be had at all hours; and from the +excellent manner in which every department is arranged and conducted, +the inhabitants possess in this establishment one of the great means of +promoting health and averting disease. + + + + +[Illustration: NEW BRIGHTON.] + + + + +NEW BRIGHTON. + + +New Brighton has already taken a prominent station in the list of +fashionable watering-places, and in several respects bids fair to +eclipse even the attractions of its celebrated namesake in Sussex. +Highly favoured by nature in a romantic point of view, the striking +features of this locality have been duly taken advantage of in +constructing a series of marine villas, all in harmony with the native +landscape. These, with the most picturesque effects as viewed from a +distance, combine every accommodation that can be desired,--either for +families of distinction, or private individuals; while the air, which +the invalid inhales from the atmosphere around him, produces a degree of +vigour and exhilaration, which is rarely experienced in situations more +inland or less elevated. + + "The rural wilds + Invite; the mountains call you; and the vales, + The woods, the streams, and each ambrosial breeze + That fans the ever-undulating sky-- + A kindly sky!" + +The honour of founding New Brighton belongs to James Atherton, Esq. A +bold design, as it at first appeared, but which judgment, taste, and a +liberal hand have converted into a lasting monument,--creditable alike +to the originator and to the discriminating public, who have manifested +a decided preference for the situation, and thus amply justified the +enterprise. The first step taken by Mr. Atherton was to purchase nearly +two hundred acres of land, including the site of the future town. These +were put under the care of persons well instructed in the plan of +operations. The design was prosecuted with unremitting zeal; houses +sprang up, streets were laid out, and in a comparatively short time the +skeleton of New Brighton was completed. Strangers resorted to the spot; +the citizens of Liverpool became eager for its completion, and for those +enjoyments which it presented as a summer retreat, as well as for the +many advantages which it offered to the invalid. Thus encouraged by the +vote of public approbation, the works made rapid progress, and shortly +after assumed the name and consideration of a favourite watering-place. + +In the design and execution of the various embellishments of the place, +the architect has never stepped aside from the rules of good taste. The +pleasure and accommodation of the visitors have been carefully studied. +Spacious streets, fifteen yards in breadth and nearly a mile in length, +insure a free circulation of air, and throw open an agreeable promenade +to the public, who resort thither in great numbers during the summer and +autumn. The partiality evinced for this watering place, (of which the +inhabitants can so readily take advantage,) is every day adding to the +number of its visitors, and thereby contributing to the further +extension of the original plan. A commodious and elegant hotel has been +erected, where casual visitors and others, in conjunction with the +allurements of a well-served table, can enjoy the exhilarating prospect +of the sea, and the numberless vessels of all denominations that stud +and traverse its waters. For the accommodation of the resident +population, a reservoir, containing nearly two thousand gallons of +water, has been constructed, and supplied from a fine spring on the +beach. + +The Fort and Lighthouse are objects well deserving of attention. The +former is very strongly built, and covers a space of nearly four +thousand yards. It is approached from the main land by means of a +drawbridge, and mounts sixteen pieces of cannon with others in the +embrasures of the towers. On account of the great sandbank at the +entrance of the river, it is ordered that every ship of heavy burden +shall pass within nine hundred yards of the Fort. + +The Lighthouse is constructed of Anglesey marble, and is considered a +masterpiece of its kind. It rises about ninety feet above the rock; each +stone is worked to a given geometrical form, and made to lock and +dovetail with those adjoining with great accuracy. The whole is cemented +together by a liquid volcanic substance brought from the vicinity of +Mount AEtna, which, in the course of time, becomes as hard as marble. The +lantern is illuminated by revolving lights--two of which are brilliantly +white, and the other of a deep red. The work is from the design of Mr. +Foster, and executed by Mr. Tomkinson, at an expense to the Liverpool +Corporation of twenty-seven thousand five hundred pounds. + + + + +[Illustration: MATLOCK BATH.] + + + + +MATLOCK, + +DERBYSHIRE. + + + "To MATLOCK'S calm, sequester'd vale + Bear that maiden, faint and pale! + There--'mid streams like music flowing, + There--'mid flowers profusely blowing, + Health and beauty shall return, + And snatch a victim from the urn." + +The reputation of the Matlock water is supported by the recorded +testimony of more than a century; while the picturesque scenery in which +the village is embosomed forms no small addition to its medicinal +attractions. The number of invalids who resort annually to this +salubrious spring appears to be on the increase,--the best criterion of +the value attached to it. In the superior accommodation which it now +offers to every class of visitors, nothing has been neglected that even +the most fastidious can desire. Those domestic comforts, in particular, +which are often of more real importance to valetudinarians than the +skill of the physician, have been provided with a scrupulous exactness, +which makes the stranger at Matlock feel completely at home. + +Matlock, however, though so friendly to the invalid, is neither gloomy +nor isolated; but to those who delight to mix in the gayer scenes of +artificial life, it possesses every attraction which refined society and +social intercourse can bestow. He who seeks health, and he who seeks +relaxation and pleasure, may enjoy every facility which science or +fashion can offer; and nowhere are the amusements better conducted, or +the rules of society more strictly observed, than at Matlock. + +The environs embrace some of the most striking and romantic scenery, as +well as historical sites, in England; and so close at hand that many of +the finest features enter into the same picture. Washed by the crystal +Derwent and finely wooded,--with rocks, and fountains, and precipices, +scattered at random through the charming landscape,--the visitor is +tempted to pass much of his time in the open air, which accelerates the +cure the water has begun. Romantic foot-paths, meandering along the +rocky acclivities, and opening at short intervals upon enchanting points +of view, allure the indolent to that salutary exercise which seldom +fails to reward the _pieton_ with increased strength and exhilaration of +spirits. The roads in the vicinity are kept in the best possible order, +and, owing to the nature of the soil, rain is so speedily carried off, +or absorbed, that the invalid may indulge in out-door exercise without +apprehension. + +That portion of Matlock in which the invalid is most interested consists +of the Old Bath, the New Bath, the Hotel, and several commodious +lodging-houses, situated on the south-east side of the Derwent. These, +with the various additions and improvements recently effected, offer to +his choice all that can be desired in point of comfort and convenience. +The buildings are of stone, elegantly constructed externally, and +presenting internally an arrangement admirably adapted to the purposes +of their erection. The servants of the establishments are well +conducted, and attentive to their several duties; and the vigilance with +which every department is regulated is a subject of commendation with +every visitor. + +The water of Matlock is remarkable for its sparkling purity; it springs +from limestone rock in a copious stream; and, having a temperature of +sixty-eight degrees of Fahrenheit, is to be considered as a thermal +water. It has been found to contain a small portion of neutral +salt--probably muriate of soda--and an earthy salt, chiefly calcareous. +Of the latter, when the water is exposed to the air, a deposition is +quickly effected, and incrustations formed upon every substance immersed +in it--some curious specimens of which are seen at what are called the +Petrifying Wells. + +In a medical point of view, the water of Matlock may be employed in all +those cases in which a pure diluent drink is advisable; but it is +chiefly used as a tepid bath--or at least as one which exceeds the +extreme limits of a cold bath. On this account, it produces only a +slight shock on immersion, and is, therefore, peculiarly fitted for +those delicate and languid habits that cannot exert sufficient reaction +to overcome the effects of the common cold-bath, and on which the +benefit it produces chiefly depends. It forms a good intermediate bath +between that of Bath or Buxton and the sea, and may be recommended as a +preparative for the latter. The abundant supply of water always at the +same temperature is a circumstance in favour of natural baths; while the +purity of the air and exquisite beauty of the situation must always +render Matlock a favourite resort for the invalid and man of taste. To +the geologist it presents a wide and interesting field of observation. +Few districts in England comprise within the same limits so great a +proportion of poetical and historical scenes. + + + + +[Illustration: CONWAY CASTLE.] + + + + +CONWAY CASTLE, + +NORTH WALES. + + + "Tantot c'est un vieux fort, qui, du haut des collines, + Tyran de la contrie, effrei de ses vassaux, + Portait jusqu'au ciel l'orgueil de ses crenaux; + Qui, dans ces temps affreux de discorde et d'alarmes, + Vit les grands coups de lance et les noble faits d'armes + De nos preux chevaliers...... + Aujourd'hui la moisson flotte sur ses debris." + +Conway, or more properly Aberconway--so called from its position on the +river of that name--makes no inconsiderable figure in the page of +ancient history. It appears, on the testimony of Suetonius, the Roman +governor in Britain, that the chief motive entertained by his countrymen +in their occupation of this coast was a pearl fishery at the mouth of +the river Conway; a specimen of which, presented by Sir R. Wynne to the +Queen of Charles the Second, is said to have found a place among the +jewels that now adorn the British diadem. + +The town of Conway is large, though not populous, and in situation and +appearance highly picturesque. It is surrounded by lofty embattled +walls, a mile and a half in circumference, well preserved, defended by +twenty-four round-towers and four gates, and presenting at all points a +striking picture of the ancient style of fortification. From the side +towards the river ran two curtain-walls, terminating in watch-towers, +but of which only one remains. + +The castle, a truly grand and imposing structure, was built in 1284; an +epoch which gave origin to so many of those native fortresses, which +will long continue to be the subject of interest and admiration to every +traveller in this romantic country. + +Conway had, unlike Carnarvon and other fortresses situated on a level, +no imposing portal to usher into the interior. Its two entrances were +small, both practised for security, between an advanced work flanked by +two small towers, one ascending by winding stairs from the river, the +other, from the interior of the town, crossed the defensive moat by +means of a drawbridge, and passed through a portal and outwork of small +turrets into the great court of the castle. This stands on a rock, its +courts flanked by eight enormous battlemented round-towers of unequalled +beauty of proportion, those next the river having in addition small +turrets. Of these towers, all are perfect as to their exterior save one, +called Twr Dwu, or the broken tower, of which the lower portion, with +the rock that supported it, has fallen away, exposing to view the +immense solidity of its fractured walls. The interior of each tower was +occupied by several stages of spacious apartments, the flooring and roof +of which are entirely gone, with the fire-places, and lancet windows, +the interior yawning in vacant desolation, blackened, weather-stained, +and overgrown with rampant weeds and briers. There were stairs to ascend +to the upper apartments from the courts below, and a way round the +battlements which may still be followed out. The interior of the castle +consists of two courts, comprising the different apartments. As we enter +the grassy area, surrounded by ivied walls, and picturesquely surmounted +by the battlemented turrets, the great hall appears on the right; three +spacious windows of pointed architecture, and formerly highly enriched +with mullions and tracery, lighted it on the side next the court, and +the side wall, furnished with six lancet windows, with recessed and +raised seats, looking out upon the creek, which, running up from the +Conway, defended the walls on the south. Two carved fire-places of ample +dimensions warmed the immense and royal apartment, supported by several +gothic arches, some of which, clothed with ivy, still span the vacant +space above, while beneath, among nettles and brambles, yawn the offices +below. At the extremity of the hall is a noble arched window. The walls +are now mantled thick with ivy, and the nettle and bramble overgrow what +remains of the floor of this royal apartment, where Edward, whose statue +in Westminster Abbey is of unequalled beauty, and Queen Eleanor, with +masque and antique pageantry, entertained the throng of knights and +barons bold, who had assisted in the subjugation of the Welsh, who +besieged, however, the potent monarch in his own castle, and would have +starved him into a surrender, but for the timely arrival of a fleet +bearing soldiers and provisions. Since that period, its history is +little remarkable. It was held in the civil war, for Charles I., by +Archbishop Williams, who, being superseded by Prince Rupert, assisted +the Parliamentarians in effecting the reduction of the place. + + + + +[Illustration: CONWAY QUAY.] + + + + +CONWAY QUAY. + + +The district of Conway is mostly agricultural, and possesses no distinct +manufactures by which the prosperity of the town and its population can +be greatly promoted. A few small trading-vessels belong to the port; and +here also ships of burden are occasionally repaired. The great +improvement to the harbour is the erection of the quay; and the channel +of the river having been deepened, and every impediment to the +navigation removed, it may be anticipated that a speedy increase of +trading intercourse will succeed its former languor and inactivity. The +exports consist chiefly of timber, slate, and lead; and the imports, of +coal from Flint and Liverpool, and of tea, sugar, cotton, with various +other articles of domestic consumption. + +The chain-bridge, which constitutes so beautiful a feature in the +picture of Conway, was erected by Mr. Telford, of whose genius Wales +possesses several of the noblest monuments. That immediately under +notice--constructed on the same principles as the bridge over the Menai, +but much smaller in its proportions--is three hundred and twenty feet +between the supporting towers, and eighteen feet above high-water mark. +Nothing can be more elegant and beautiful, as it appears lightly +spanning the river, and suffering the eye to penetrate its net-like +fabric, so as scarcely to offer an obstruction to the landscape which +shines through it. The scenery at this point is exceedingly interesting, +and presents the works of nature, and art, and human genius, in striking +combination. + +The town of Conway, before the formation of the railroad, was one of the +most old-world places imaginable, unique for its faded and forlorn +appearance, small as is the area enclosed, a considerable portion being +occupied by open spaces and gardens. Everywhere entered by gothic +portals, and as its interior was traced, with the defensive wall +everywhere in sight, it transported the beholder back to the middle +ages, more than any other walled city in England. There is a singular +and picturesque variety of ancient houses; some at the head of the +street leading to the castle, curiously carved, appear almost as old as +the castle itself; others with their gable roofs, and black rafters, are +of later date, and the Plas Mawr, or great mansion, in the principal +street, prominently challenges the traveller's attention with its air of +faded magnificence and singular construction. It is of Elizabethan +architecture, and the arms of England, with initial letters E. R. and R. +D., supposed to be Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, as well as those +of R. W., Robert Wynne of Gwydir, sheriff of Carnarvon in 1591, and +founder of the house, occur frequently, and the place is lavishly +adorned with various decorative devices of the age--swans, owls, +ostriches, mermaids, ragged staves, &c. The church contains little to +interest beyond its front, and an inscription to a certain Nicholas +Hooker, of Conway, gentleman, of a very anti-Malthusian import, the said +Nicholas, though the father of twenty-seven children, being but a +degenerate copy of his father, who could boast--_O si sic omnia!_--of no +less than forty-one. + +Numerous and delightful are the rambles about this most picturesque +place, which is backed by bold heathy hills and green sequestered +valleys. One of the prettiest is to Gyffin, about a mile distant, which +may be reached by following up the shores of the creek, south of the +castle, and the small stream coming down into it. The little church is +very ancient, and contains some curious paintings worthy of inspection; +it is half buried, and so unpretending is the building in aspect, that +it may be passed almost without noticing its sacred character. There is +an excellent view of the town and castle from the upper road on the +return; the long line of walls may be traced from the highest point, as +they sweep round and join the castle, the whole space thus enclosed +resembling in its outline the Welsh harp, as often suggested. The river +and hills appear finely beyond. The artist especially should not omit to +view Conway from this, perhaps its finest point of view. + +So unique is, or rather was, Conway Castle in picturesque effect, that +it is difficult to mention any particular point from which it appears to +greater advantage than another. From the quay, or the river, from every +eminence around, seen in front or flank, near or distant, either by +itself, or where the walls of the town prominently enter into the +composition, it is, or rather was, alike unequalled. The tourist who is +not pressed for time, and delights to hover around so magnificent a +memorial of past ages, will study it at every point. On taking a +solitary walk round the walls, he may fancy himself tracing the +abandoned battlements of some old gothic town of the Orient, Rhodes, or +Antioch, or the Saracenic defences of Jerusalem; a dream which may +hardly be long indulged at present; for now, as Hood says, + + "That iron age, which some have thought + Of mettle rather overwrought, + Is now all over_cast_," + +and its crumbling memorials are sharing the same fate. Furness Abbey is +turned into a railway station, and the passing train thunders through +the very centre of old, castellated Conway, reminding us, while it +indeed scares away all romantic daydreams, of the happy change from +feudal oppression and border warfare, to the fusion of jarring +interests, and the progress of enlightened civilization. + + + + +[Illustration: THE MENAI BRIDGE, BANGOR. + +(North Wales.)] + + + + +THE MENAI BRIDGE. + + +The Menai Bridge, one of the many triumphs of modern engineering, arose +from the following circumstances. During the summer of 1818, Mr. +Telford, the engineer, was engaged on a survey of the extensive line of +road from the metropolis to Holyhead--that point of the Welsh coast +nearest to Ireland, and situated in the Island of Anglesea. Between this +island and the Caernarvon coast flows that arm of the sea familiar to +every reader as the Menai Straits, through which the tide rushes with +great velocity, owing to local peculiarities well known to all who have +navigated that portion of the Channel. There were at this time five or +six ferries across the strait; but these, owing to the circumstances +mentioned, were generally difficult, and seldom without danger; so that +the intercourse between the opposite shores being much impeded, was a +source of daily inconvenience to the inhabitants. This was more +particularly felt from the fact that one of the staple productions of +Anglesea was its cattle, which, when sold for the inland counties or the +London market, had to be driven into the water, and compelled to cross +the strait by swimming, which was attended with risk of property as well +as inconvenience. These circumstances were brought before the eyes of +Telford, and his ever-active and ingenious mind set instantly to work, +in order to remedy the evil by providing new facilities of intercourse. +The result of his reflections and mature calculations on this engrossing +topic was the possibility of throwing a bridge across the Menai. + +The grand obstacle was a deep rapid tide-stream with high banks. To have +erected a bridge of the usual materials would have obstructed the +navigation; and any attempt to erect piers in the shifting bed of the +sea must have inevitably proved a failure. Telford therefore recommended +the erection of a suspension-bridge; and the plan, after due +consideration, being approved by government, the work was commenced in +1820, carried on with great spirit, and in 1826 brought to a most +successful termination. It is partly of stone, partly of iron, and +consists of seven stone arches. These arches connect the land with the +two main piers, which rise on an elevation of fifty-three feet above the +level of the road, over the top of which the chains are suspended, each +of which measures from its fastenings in the rock, one thousand seven +hundred and fourteen feet. The topmasts of the first three-masted +vessel which passed under the bridge were nearly as high as those of a +frigate, but they cleared twelve feet and a half below the level of the +roadway. The suspending power of the chains is calculated at two +thousand and sixteen tons; and the total weight of each chain is one +hundred and twenty-one tons. + +Since the day it was first opened, the Menai Bridge has been the wonder +of every traveller, an object of pilgrimage for scientific men of all +countries, and a source of daily advantage to the United Kingdom, which +no other work would have supplied. "The visiting of the Menai Bridge," +says Mr. Smith, in his _Guide to Snowdonia_, "forms a new era in the +lives of those who have not had that pleasure, and is a renewed luxury +to those who have. There is something to be admired at every step: the +effect of a passing carriage; the vibration caused by the mere +application of the hand to the suspending-rods; the depth of a hundred +feet to the level of the water; the fine view of the Straits in both +directions; the lofty pillar erected in honour of Lord Anglesey; the +diminutive appearance of persons on the shore; the excellence and +strength of the workmanship, the beauty of the arches over the road +through the suspension-piers, and the echo in them, all conspire to +fascinate and detain the spectator. There is so much elegance, beauty, +and magnificence, in this grand work of art, that it harmonizes and +accords perfectly with the natural scenery around; and although in +itself an object of admiration, still, in connexion with the features of +the landscape, it heightens the effect of the general view." + +"Seen, as I approached it," says Mr. Roscoe, "in the clear light of an +autumnal sunset, which threw a splendour over the wide range of hills +beyond, and the sweep of richly variegated groves and plantations which +covered their base; the bright river, the rocky picturesque foreground; +villas, spires, and towers here and there enlivening the prospect--the +Menai Bridge appeared more like the work of some great magician than the +mere result of man's skill and industry." Such were the encomiums +lavished upon the first bridge which crossed the Menai; but men have +since learned to view this structure with diminished admiration. +Telford's great work no longer stands alone. The tubular bridge of his +great successor, Stephenson, has taken its place beside the older and +lighter work, and the very fact of its existence tends to diminish the +wonder with which the first was looked upon. + + + + +[Illustration: PORT PENRYN AND BANGOR.] + + + + +PORT PENRHYN AND BANGOR. + + +Bangor, although a city and the oldest see in the principality, is +inconsiderable in size and population; but the natural beauty of its +situation, the advantages which it commands from its inland as well as +maritime connexion, and its excellent society, render the town and +environs a most desirable place of residence, as well as a favourite +resort for those families and individuals who employ the summer months +in the pursuit of health, recreation, or improvement. The numerous +walks, rides, and drives in the vicinity, all enhanced by their +immediate and varied prospects of the sea, offer those facilities to +health and enjoyment which cannot be too highly appreciated either by +the tourist or resident. The city consists principally of one irregular +street, fully a mile in length, with a fine vista towards the Menai--a +name which the genius of Telford has rendered familiar to all the +admirers of science and art. The houses are well-built, of a moderate +size, neat in their appearance, and present to the stranger's eye a +pleasing air of domestic comfort and progressive improvement. In the +latter respect, no year passes away without contributing something to +the public ornament or utility--objects which are zealously patronised +by the influential inhabitants, and encouraged by those numerous and +spirited visitors, estimated at fifty thousand annually, whom business +or relaxation attract to the place. But to convey the best proof of the +advances which Bangor has realised in the scale of provincial +importance, and in all that has immediate reference to social and local +improvements, we need only state that at the commencement of the present +century the number of houses was only ninety-three, but that now it +amounts to nine hundred or upwards. During three-quarters of the year a +regular communication between Bangor and Liverpool is kept up by the +steamboats that ply along this romantic and much-frequented coast, and +which contribute greatly to the interests of the place. The environs are +enlivened by many picturesque villas, and every accommodation is +provided in the hotels and private lodging-houses for the reception of +visitors. + +The great object of general interest at Bangor is its cathedral,--a very +ancient and venerable structure,--the foundation of which was among the +earliest of those primitive temples which marked the triumphant progress +of Christianity on the British soil. It is understood to have been +founded by St. Daniel, at the commencement of the sixth century, and +bears the sainted name of the founder. The choir was built by Bishop +Deane, in or about 1496, and is used only for the cathedral service. The +nave, built by Bishop Skivington in 1532, is fitted up as a parish +church; and in one of the transepts the service is read in the Welsh +tongue. + +The free school,--founded in 1557 by Dr. Glynn, brother of the bishop of +that name,--five daily schools within the parish, the central National +school, four Sunday-schools, and almshouses, give a most favourable +impression of the religious and civil advantages enjoyed by the +inhabitants of Bangor, who evince a spirit and zeal worthy of those +blessings which, in comparison with other and far more populous towns, +place them in so enviable a position. + +The principal export is the product of the slate-quarries, which is +conveyed on a railway from Llandegai, six miles distant, to port +Penrhyn, at the egress of the river Cegid into the Menai. This port is +now capable of receiving vessels of large burden. It is nine hundred +feet in length, and in all respects well adapted for the trading-craft +which here take in their cargoes. The slates are of all dimensions, from +large tombstone slabs down to the smallest size for roofing. For +cyphering-slates, inkstands, and other fancy articles, there is a +manufactory near the port. At a short distance is a handsome building +containing hot and cold sea-water baths, with rooms for dressing and +refreshment. The construction of this establishment, with its terrace +and other appurtenances, is said to have cost the late Lord Penrhyn +thirty thousand pounds. In the straits of Menai there is a good fishery, +near Garth Ferry. There is a weekly market every Friday; and fairs are +held in April, June, September, and October. No stranger should neglect +to visit Penrhyn Castle, one of the finest baronial mansions in +Europe. + + + + +[Illustration: BEAUMARIS.] + + + + +BEAUMARIS, + +ANGLESEA. + + + "I have stood gazing on Snowdon and Plinlimmon, the vale of Clwyd, + the straits of Menai--lake, river, sea, and land--till they seemed + of themselves to say, Stranger, well mayst thou gaze! we merit + thine admiration--we are of GOD!" + +Beaumaris is finely situated on the picturesque banks of the Menai, +where it opens into the bay, and presents many attractions derived from +its historical monuments, its natural advantages, and modern +improvements. As the principal town in the island and county of +Anglesea, it has long been a place of fashionable resort, and being at +the same time the borough and market-town, it is a scene of considerable +activity, cheerfulness, and animation. It is in general well built; +particularly one street, the houses of which are large and commodious, +and of superior design and execution. Of the original wall by which it +was once enclosed, considerable portions still remain--sufficient to +demonstrate, by their massive strength and durability, the iron +features, and the no less iron policy of feudal times. The +castle--erected by Edward the First, and now an imposing ruin close to +the town--covers a large space of ground, but stands too low to produce +that effect upon the spectator which it would have done had it, like so +many of its cotemporaries, occupied an isolated and commanding position. +It is surrounded by a deep fosse, with an entrance between two embattled +walls on the east, with round and square towers. The gate opens into a +spacious court, measuring fifty-seven yards by sixty, with four square +towers, and an advanced-work on the east, called the Gunner's Walk. +Within these was the keep--the body of the castle--nearly square, having +a round tower at each angle, and another in the centre of each facade. +The area forms an irregular octagon, of the dimensions above named. In +the middle of the north side is the hall, twenty yards long by twelve +broad, with two round towers, and several others about the inner and +outer walls, built of a bluish stone intermixed with square stones, +which produce a rather novel and pleasing effect. + +There appears to have been originally a communication round the whole +buildings of the inner court by means of a gallery two yards broad, and +which still remains nearly entire. In various recesses in different +parts of the sides of this gallery are square apertures, which appear +to have had trap-doors or openings into a dungeon beneath. The two +eastern towers served also as dungeons, with a dark and narrow descent +to each--sufficiently characteristic of the dark and despotic purposes +to which they were applied. On the east side of this building are the +remains of a very small chapel, arched and ribbed with painting and +intersecting arches; also some Gothic pilasters and narrow lancet-headed +windows, and various compartments, with closets constructed--after the +manner of those times--in the centre of the massive walls. + +When Edward the First built the town, and erected it into a corporation, +he endowed it at the same time with various lands and privileges of +considerable value, in order to secure more firmly his possessions in +the island, and changed its name from Bonover to Beaumaris, in allusion, +it is supposed, to its low but pleasant situation. He caused also a +canal to be cut, in order that vessels might be brought up close under +the battlements to discharge their cargoes, as the iron mooring-rings +affixed to the walls clearly indicate. + +The church, which forms a prominent feature in the picture of Beaumaris, +is a spacious and very elegant structure, having a lofty square tower, +visible at a great distance, and presenting in all its proportions and +compartments a fine specimen of ecclesiastical architecture. The other +public buildings consist of the county-hall, the town-hall, the +free-school, and the custom-house; each possessing, in an eminent +degree, every ornament and accommodation befitting buildings of their +class and destination. The view from the green commands a striking +prospect of the most interesting portion of the Menai Strait, bounded in +the distance by the Caernarvon mountains, which gradually overtop each +other till they unite in the majestic Snowdon, whose summit--now belted +with clouds, and now glittering in the sunshine--asserts his claim to +undivided empire as "Sovran" of the British Alps. + +With respect to trade, Beaumaris can hardly be said to enjoy any +exclusive advantages: the vessels belonging to the port are generally +hired by neighbouring merchants and others, who have trading connexions +with Liverpool and other ports on the English and Irish sides of the +Channel. The bay, though not spacious, is safe and commodious, and +affords shelter and good anchorage for vessels that take refuge here in +tempestuous weather. The town has a weekly market on Wednesdays, and +three annual cattle fairs in February, September, and December. During +the season it is much resorted to as bathing-quarters, and has +everything to recommend it as a summer residence. A steam-boat plies +regularly between this and Liverpool, thereby affording every facility +to visitors, and presenting in the passage a rich succession of +beautiful, picturesque, and sublime scenery, which successively invites +and fascinates the eye of the spectator. + + + + +[Illustration: HOLYHEAD.] + + + + +HOLYHEAD. + + +Holyhead is familiar to every reader as the favourite point of +rendezvous for all who are on their way to the Irish capital. By the +admirable arrangements of the Post-office, and the sure and +swift-sailing packets that are here in regular attendance, a passage +across the Channel is now a matter of as much certainty, as to time, as +that of the mail from London. The perfect order and the surprising +expedition with which passengers and despatches may thus be forwarded to +and from Dublin are the general theme of admiration amongst foreigners, +and a means of vast accommodation to our own commercial houses. During a +long series of years the improvement of Holyhead has engaged the special +attention of Government; every suggestion, entitled to the approbation +of skilful and experienced engineers, has been liberally carried into +effect: so that in the present day it seems hardly possible that any +packet-station can offer greater facilities for all the purposes of +Government, or for the interests of social and commercial intercourse, +than Holyhead. The steam-vessels which carry the daily mails are of the +best possible construction, commanded by experienced naval officers, and +affording excellent accommodation for the passengers who are constantly +passing to and fro between the British and Irish shores. + +The harbour of Holyhead is shaped by the natural cliffs which overhang +the sea, on the verge of which stand the ancient sanctuary of the place +and its cemetery. The foundation of this church--originally a small +monastery--dates from the close of the fourth century: it was long +afterwards remodelled into a college of presbyters by one of the Lords +of Anglesey; and, after undergoing many alterations suitable to the +varying taste of the ages through which it has passed, it assumed its +present appearance--that of an embattled edifice built in the shape of a +cross. + +Under the Head--the mountain from which the harbour takes its name, and +which overshadows the town--are two rocky eminences nearly opposite the +church, both of which are crowned with ruins which carry the mind far +back among the bright days of Cambrian independence. In the rock is a +wide and lofty cavern, supported by natural columns, on which tradition +has conferred the title of the Parliament-house; and it is not to be +denied that patriotic legislators have been often worse accommodated. +This curiosity requires to be visited in a boat. On the highest point +stands an uncemented circular stone wall, about ten feet in +circumference, which is conjectured to have served as a _pharos_ in +ancient times; for this coast has a perilous celebrity attached to it, +and no vessel could safely approach the haven by night without a warning +signal of this kind. + +The pier of Holyhead is admirably constructed. It is built on a small +island north of the harbour, called Inys-halen, and combines in an +eminent degree the requisites of security and accommodation in a work of +such importance to the interests of trade. The foundation was laid in +1809, under fortunate auspices; and the grand object, which had been so +long and anxiously cherished, was happily accomplished, under the able +direction of Mr. Rennie, within a comparatively short period. It has a +depth of four fathoms water, so that vessels of heavy burden can ride at +anchor in perfect safety. At the extremity is a lighthouse, finely +proportioned, substantially built, and highly ornamental as well as +useful to the pier and harbour. + +The pier extends a thousand feet in length; and close adjoining to it +are the Custom-house, with several respectable family houses, among +which are those for the harbour-master and resident engineers. The +lighthouse contains twenty lamps and reflectors, at an elevation of more +than fifty feet above the sea, and exhibiting in every direction a +steady blaze of light. At the present time, works for improving and +enlarging the harbour are proceeding on a very extensive scale, and bid +fair, upon completion, to render Holyhead one of the first harbours of +the United Kingdom. + + + + +[Illustration: BRIDGE TO THE SOUTH STACK LIGHTHOUSE. + +(near Holyhead.)] + + + + +THE SOUTHSTACK LIGHTHOUSE, + +HOLYHEAD. + + + "Approaching it from the water, its singular aspect, its wild site + and deserted air--the lighthouse towering seventy feet in + height--the neat, comfortable dwellings close under its guardian + wing--the sounds of life and industry mingled with the lashing of + the sea--and the cry of innumerable birds, ever circling above and + around--were altogether of so unwonted a character, that, had I + been transported to the antipodes, I could not have felt more + unfeigned surprise."--ROSCOE. + +Few objects on the British coast excite more individual interest than +the subject of this illustration. The singularity of its position, the +difficulties which attended its erection, the grand objects of humanity +to which it has been made subservient, are all calculated to interest +the heart, and afford scope for the imagination. + +The Southstack islet is about thirty yards from the rock known as the +Head; and on this the lighthouse was erected in 1809, under the +direction of Captain Evans, of the Royal Navy. Its form is that of a +round tower, the foundation of which is a hundred and forty feet, and +the light two hundred feet above the sea--so that it embraces within its +sphere the whole bay of Caernarvon. The approach by water to this +remarkable sanctuary of human life is well calculated to make a lasting +impression upon every visitor, and should never be omitted where a +favourable opportunity is presented by the state of the weather. It is +here that the extremes of natural desolation and human industry are +brought into juxtaposition; where human enterprise has established an +asylum amidst the ruins of nature, the war of waves, the wreck of +tempests, to shed the "light of hope" over the heart of many a +despairing mariner. + +Happily for the cause of humanity, vast efforts have been made, and are +continually making, to diminish where they cannot entirely remove the +dangers which have so long invested our native coast; and it is +impossible to calculate the number of lives and the amount of +merchandise which have thus been saved from imminent destruction. Much, +however, still remains to be effected--much that is really +practicable--and it is earnestly to be desired that the attention of +Government should be constantly directed to those points on which the +science of the engineer can be most beneficially employed. Holyhead in +particular is still susceptible of vast improvements; and with the +addition of a capacious outer harbour, sufficient to admit +merchant-vessels and others of larger size than those now frequenting +the port, it would speedily realize all that could be wished for by +those most interested in the welfare of the place, and in the prosperity +of trade. This is also a subject well deserving of attention on the part +of the Admiralty; for, with proper accommodation, her Majesty's ships, +in the event of a war, might be advantageously stationed at this port, +so as to secure free intercourse, and serve as a protection to the +coast, which is now in a defenceless condition and open to any attempt +at hostile aggression. We are happy that this question has received the +consideration of her Majesty's Government; and feel assured that the +steps which are now making towards the accomplishment of so great a +desideratum will ensure the grateful approbation of the public, and the +increased prosperity of Holyhead. + +The Southstack, as already mentioned, is cut off from the promontory by +a deep chasm thirty yards in width, through which the sea roars and +boils with great force and impetuosity. To cross this formidable ravine +an oriental rope-bridge was formerly employed, that is--a sliding basket +was attached to the cable, which was secured at either side of the +abyss; the passenger entered the basket, and by the ingenious working of +lateral pulleys it was sent off or hauled in, according to the arrival +or departure of visitors. This hempen apparatus was replaced in 1827 by +a handsome suspension-bridge, on the same principles as that over the +Menai. It was suggested by the intelligent veteran already mentioned, +Captain Evans, and has answered every purpose contemplated in its +erection. The roadway is five feet in width, and its height above +high-water mark is about seventy feet. The airy span of this bridge is +highly graceful and picturesque, and adds greatly to the interest of the +picture. On the rock, close under the walls of the lighthouse, are +several cottages for the use of the Superintendent and those under his +command. The different points of view which it comprises are all deeply +interesting to a stranger, particularly from the lighthouse, where the +sphere of vision is greatly enlarged. + + + + +[Illustration: THE EAGLE TOWER, CARNARVON CASTLE.] + + + + +EAGLE TOWER, + +CAERNARVON CASTLE. + + +Caernarvon Castle, of which the Engraving annexed presents so faithful +and striking a resemblance, is a subject of no ordinary interest: it +generally engrosses the attention of all strangers in these parts, and +is, in every sense, one of the noblest specimens of castellated +architecture in existence. Like so many others of similar design and +execution, this fortress owes its origin to the policy of Edward the +First, who built it, according to contemporary history, by appropriating +the revenues of the See of York, then vacant, to the purposes of warlike +enterprise and ambition. The town is understood to have arisen under the +same auspices. The Castle defends it on the south by means of a narrow, +deep moat in front. In its west wall are three circular towers, with two +others on either side, and a narrow gate or entrance, over which is +placed a bare-headed figure with flowing locks,--the statue of the +founder,--holding in his left hand a sword, which he draws with his +right hand,--or rather, perhaps, is returning to its scabbard, in +allusion to the subjugation of the Welsh,--and a defaced shield under +his feet. This gate leads to a narrow, oblong court. At the west end is +a polygon, or many-sided tower, with three others of hexagonal form +above, and eagles sculptured on the battlements, from which it received +the name, preserved in the Engraving, of the "Eagle Tower." It is a +noble structure, having ten sides, and a staircase of three hundred +steps to the battlements. In this tower is the birth-chamber of Edward +the Second,--the first Prince of Wales,[1]--whose nativity, on the 25th +of April, 1284, was an humiliating epoch to the spirit of Cambrian +freedom. The room measures only eleven feet by seven,--dimensions little +in accordance with the importance attached to that event,--but still in +some measure characteristic of the fortunes of the royal heir, who, +after an eventful reign, was destined at last to perish by a horrible +death in the dungeon-room of Berkeley Castle. Adjoining this chamber is +a semicircular apartment, traditionally described as the King's Nursery. + +The Castle and the court which it encloses are very nearly a mile in +circumference. From the outside, twelve towers are seen; out of which, +as observed in those of Conway Castle, issue several smaller angular +turrets, which, relieved against the horizon, produce a very picturesque +effect. A gateway on the south side of the Castle is called the Queen's +Gate, from the circumstance of Queen Eleanor having entered the fortress +through this gate, by a temporary bridge erected for the occasion. + +Our limits do not permit us to indulge in more minute description of +this vast and imposing fortress, which, from the state of repair in +which it is still kept, may brave the changes of season and the fury of +the elements for many generations to come. Externally it is still +entire, and challenges the admiration of all who have the least taste +for what is sublime and striking in architecture. The castle-walls are +still washed by the sea on the north and west, as they formerly were on +the south. Founded upon a rock, and occupying so strong a position, it +might well have been considered impregnable in the absence of gunpowder. +Immense as the structure appears, it is said to have been built within +the short space of twelve months; a fact which would appear incredible, +did we not reflect that in those days of bitter vassalage the _will_ of +the sovereign was a law that could not be transgressed without certain +destruction to the offenders. If a work was considered impracticable, or +of doubtful accomplishment, all hesitation was removed--all difficulties +cancelled--by these expressive words, _Le Roi l'a voulu!_ And under the +more than magical influence of this laconic phrase, the "towery +fortress" of Caernarvon may have sprung into sudden existence. + +[1] The origin of the motto ICH DIEN--I serve--is generally attributed +to Edward the Black Prince who, in leading the vanguard of his army to +the battle of Cressy, slew John of Luxemburg, King of Bohemia, and then +deplumed his helmet of those ostrich feathers which, in memory of this +victory, became his _cognisance_,--sometimes using one feather, at +others three, as appears on his seals and tomb, with scrolls containing +this motto, ICH DIEN. But the ancient arms of the princes of Wales, +while they were independent sovereigns, were quarterly _gules_ and _or_, +four lions _passant_, counterchanged. The Charter of Edward the First to +his son is dated March 24th, 1305,--_i.e._ when the Prince had attained +his majority. + + + + +[Illustration: CARNARVON.] + + + + +CAERNARVON CASTLE. + + + ----"Rifled towers + That, beetling o'er the rock, rear the grey crest + Embattled." + +The first royal charter granted in the Principality of Wales was that +conferred on the town of Caernarvon by Edward the First. It is a place +of great historical interest and importance, and, in connexion with its +magnificent castle, presents one of the most imposing features on the +British coast. The town is not large; but the recent improvements--public +and private--which have been carried into effect have materially +contributed to its internal convenience and outward embellishment. Of +these the Baths demand especial notice, as one of the principal +recommendations to strangers and invalids who resort to this part of the +Cambrian shore either for health or relaxation. The building in itself +is a good specimen of classical taste--combining elegance of design with +excellent workmanship, and presenting, in the distribution of its +apartments, every convenience for the reception of visiters and +invalids, a choice of hot and cold sea-water baths, with the appendage +of comfortable dressing-rooms. For those who have the pleasure in the +"cold plunge," as the means of bracing the relaxed system by the +exercise of swimming, there is excellent accommodation in a capacious +bath, appropriated to that salutary purpose, which is refreshed by a +constant supply of water drawn by a steam-engine from the sea through +iron pipes, and received into large reservoirs of the same metal. This +edifice, which combines in an eminent degree the useful and ornamental, +was built at the expense of the Marquess of Anglesey, and is said to +have cost upwards of ten thousand pounds. + +Within the walls this ancient town is intersected by ten streets, +crossing each other at right-angles, which, at various points, fix the +stranger's attention by those features and recollections of "other +times" with which they are so closely associated. Of these, the main or +high street runs from the land to the Water-gate, and is a very fair +specimen of that architecture which characterises almost all town +buildings of the feudal period. Beyond the walls the town assumes a very +different character; elegance, taste, and comfort, and those features +which mark the progress of art and refinement, are brought into +immediate view; while numerous cottages, and several villas of handsome +design and finely situated, throw an air of luxury and domestic comfort +over the rural suburbs, the natural character of which is highly +favourable to buildings of this description. The town is well paved, +lighted with gas, and abundantly supplied with water. + +The Port of Caernarvon has accommodation for shipping not exceeding four +hundred tons burden, and is frequented by a great number of vessels in +the coasting-trade, as well as by others in connexion with London, +Liverpool, Glasgow, Dublin, Cork, Bristol, and various port-towns in the +United Kingdom. The principal exports consist of slate and copper-ore, +the inland transport of which has been greatly facilitated since the +construction of the railway. The imports are chiefly colonial produce, +Birmingham and Manchester goods, and various articles of +home-consumption from the London markets. The quay and harbour of +Caernarvon, which formerly presented serious obstacles to the shipping +interest on account of the _bar_ at the entrance, have been so improved +that the danger, if not entirely removed, is at least so far diminished +as to excite little apprehension for the safety of the ordinary craft in +connexion with this port. To defray the expense of these public works, +Government has levied additional port-dues; and it is much to be wished +that, in all other harbours of difficult or dangerous access, the same +advantages could be obtained on similar conditions. + +The town is now, agreeably to the Municipal Act, divided into two wards, +and governed by a mayor, six aldermen, and eighteen councillors. In +addition to the picturesque civic retreats already alluded to, as giving +so much animation to the native scenery, the neighbourhood is +embellished with the baronial seats of the Marquess of Anglesey, Lord +Boston, and Lord Newborough. The ruins of Segontium, several Roman +stations, part of a military road, and a considerable number of +primitive domestic edifices, are among the chief objects of antiquity +which deserve the attention of visiters to this neighbourhood. + + + + +[Illustration: HARLECH CASTLE.] + + + + +HARLECH CASTLE, + +NORTH WALES. + + + "The tower that long had stood + The crash of thunder and the warring winds. + Shook by the slow but sure destroyer--Time, + Now hangs in doubtful ruins o'er its base." + +Harlech Castle, according to the Welsh historians, derives its origin +from Maelgwyn Gwynedd, prince of North Wales, who flourished at the +commencement of the sixth century. The present castle appears to have +been rebuilt by Edward I., on the foundations of the original fortress, +portions of which are still observable in the masonry of the latter +epoch, so well known as the "castle-building reign" in England. In the +reign of Henry IV. the castle was seized by Owen Glendower, but was +retaken four years later; and, after the battle of Northampton, in 1460, +afforded temporary shelter to Margaret of Anjou. + +In 1468, the castle of Harlech was captured, after a short siege, by the +Earl of Pembroke; of whom Sir John Wynne, in his history of the Gwydir +family, quotes some Cambrian lines expressive of the ravages committed +by him in the counties of Merioneth and Denbigh at that unhappy period. +The last of the many tempestuous scenes with which this fortress has +been visited occurred in 1647, when William Owen, with a garrison of +only twenty men, surrendered it to Cromwell's forces under General +Mytton; but this was not accomplished till every other castle in Wales +had deserted the royal cause. + +This castle is a strong square building, with a round-tower at each +angle, and one of the same form at each side of the gateway. Besides +these there are four other turrets, smaller and higher, which rise above +the towers at the angles, and are in a more dilapidated state. The +entrance is under a pointed arch, which formerly contained six gates of +massive strength and construction. Although the roofs, doors, and +casements of this interesting stronghold have long disappeared, it still +presents in the distance an air of even habitable preservation. There +are the remains of stone staircases in every tower, and in the area one +of these, leading to the top of the battlements, is still entire. In +all the rooms fire-places, with pointed arches, are visible, as well as +window recesses, which in the state apartments are three in a row, and +of spacious dimensions; while those in the smaller rooms gradually +contract outwards till they terminate in a "slit" or loophole, as in +most other castles of this style and period. + +The view of Harlech Castle is among the finest in this picturesque and +interesting country; the situation is commanding, and the effect of +these venerable towers and battlements, as they first burst upon the +traveller's eye, is strikingly bold and impressive. His fancy is hurried +back to the days of other times: the shades of native harpers and native +heroes flit before his eye; history and romance divide the empire of his +mind; and for a time he rests with mute but intense interest on these +castellated landmarks of Cambrian history. + +The rock upon which the fortress is built rises from the Gamlas,--a +level marsh, resembling water in the distance, nearly a mile in breadth, +and which it is probable was once covered by the sea. On the side +overlooking this marsh, the rock is precipitous, and steep at either +end. In front it is on a level with the town of Harlech, from which it +is separated only by a deep trench or moat, and overlooked by a group of +magnificent mountains in the rear, from which the view is sublime. The +whole platform of the rock is occupied by the castle, except a narrow +belt of about four or five feet in width, forming a beautiful green +path, which winds round the outer walls, skirting the very brink of the +precipice. + +The town of Harlech is an ancient free burgh, and originally one of the +chief places in the county of Merioneth. It is now reduced to the +condition of a secondary village, has a corporation governed by a mayor, +is one of the polling-places for the county members, and is enlivened +during the year by several periodical fairs and weekly markets. + +Various objects of antiquity have been discovered from time to time in +the neighbourhood of Harlech. In 1692 an ancient gold _torque_ was dug +up in a garden near the castle. It is in the form of a wreathed bar, or +several rods twisted together, about four feet long, flexible, bent in +the form of a hat-band, neither sharp nor twisted, but plain, evenly +cut, an inch in circumference, and in weight about eight ounces. This +interesting relic is an heir-loom in the Mostyn family. Several coins of +the Roman empire have also been found in and near this town, which +afford indisputable evidence of its great antiquity. The distance of +Harlech from London is two hundred and twenty-nine miles. + + + + +[Illustration: BARMOUTH.] + + + + +BARMOUTH: + +OR, ABERMAW. + + + "Here, beneath the mountain's brow, + Hygeia hears the pilgrim's vow; + Here the breath of summer seas, + The balm of morn, the evening breeze, + The charms of a romantic land, + Refresh and gem the Cambrian strand,-- + Where still the muse of Cymry lingers, + And strikes the harp with raptured fingers." + +Barmouth, the only port in Merionethshire, occupies a romantic situation +at the mouth of the river Mawddach, where the tide at high-water forms a +bay of about a mile across, but rather hazardous, owing to the shifting +sandbanks by which the channel is interrupted. Overhung by lofty +mountains, which leave no adequate space for the horizontal expansion of +the village, the houses appear to hang almost perpendicularly from the +steep side of the cliffs, so that the chimneys of the one appear to be +the foundation of the other. They form eight successive tiers or +terraces, to which there is no better approach than by steps hewn in the +rock. + +This romantic village, which consists of only one irregular street, is +much frequented as sea-bathing quarters, for which it has every +accommodation, and, in respect to bold and picturesque scenery, has few +rivals in the whole Principality. The sea-beach affords every facility +for pedestrian exercise; the walks along the banks of the river are +numerous, and command the most striking points of view; while regular +assemblies, and some of the best Cambrian harps, promote social +intercourse and hilarity among the visitors, and give a stir and +animation to the whole neighbourhood. + +Barmouth, says Mr. Roscoe, is considered to the north-west part of the +kingdom, much like Weymouth and other fashionable watering-places to the +south, and is resorted to during the summer months, not only by numbers +of families in the Principality, but by many others residing in the +surrounding counties. The sands are very fine and hard, extending along +the beach for several miles, and the bathing is at all times as +excellent as can be desired. The restless tides of the Channel dashing +against the surrounding coast produce that constant and salubrious +motion, which is extended to the waters of the bay. There are two +convenient inns, the "Commercial," and the "Cors y Gedol Arms," besides +a number of respectable lodging-houses. + +The town has the benefit of weekly markets, with an excellent supply of +fish and poultry, at a cheap rate, and is further enlivened by two +annual fairs, in October and November. The native manufactures consist +chiefly of flannel and hosiery, a great quantity of which is exported. +The other _exports_ consist of corn, butter, cheese, oak-bark, timber, +&c.; the _imports_, of coal, culm, and other articles for the use of the +interior. + +The number of small coasting-vessels, and others belonging to this haven +that trade with Ireland, is stated at a hundred or upwards; and +commercial business, upon the whole, is considered to be in a +flourishing state. + +The distance of Barmouth from London is two hundred and twenty-two +miles, and it communicates with Caernarvon by a cross-mail. The resident +population is considerably under two thousand, but is greatly augmented +during the bathing season. The shipping at the pier communicates to the +place a particular air of prosperity and cheerfulness, and gives +employment to a very considerable portion of the inhabitants. + +"The beauties of the road from Llanilltyd to Barmouth," says Mr. Pratt, +"are so manifold and extraordinary that they literally beggar +description. New pastures of the most exuberant fertility, new woods +rising in all the majesty of foliage, the road itself curving in +numberless unexpected directions,--at one moment shut into a verdant +recess, so contracted that there seems neither carriage nor bridle-way +out of it, and at another the azure expanse of the main ocean filling +the eye. On one side, rocks glittering in all the colours of that beauty +which constitutes the sublime, and of a height which diminishes the wild +herds that browse, or look down upon you from the summit, where the +largest animal appears insignificantly minute. On the other hand, +plains, villas, cottages, or copses, with whatever belongs to that +milder grace which appertains to the beautiful." + + + + +[Illustration: SWANSEA BAY.] + + + + +SWANSEA BAY. + +GLAMORGANSHIRE. + + + "In front, the Bay its crystal wave expands, + Whose rippling waters kiss the glittering sands + Far o'er its bosom, ships with spreading sails + Export the _ores_ from Cambria's sunny vales. + Above--yon feudal bulwarks crown the steep, + Whose rocky base repels the stormy deep; + Here health is found,--there Industry resides,-- + And Freedom on her native shore abides." + +The reputation which Swansea has long enjoyed as a delightful +watering-place has suffered no diminution in consequence of the numerous +rivals with which this coast is so agreeably diversified. As bathing +quarters, it enjoys peculiar advantages in its shore, which is admirably +adapted for that purpose; while the adjacent scenery, and the various +objects of interest or curiosity with which it abounds, serve as +pleasing incentives to exercise and recreation,--the happy effects of +which are soon observable in the health and appearance of invalids who +make choice of Swansea as their summer residence. Every resource which +visitors can desire, for promoting either health of body or agreeable +occupation for the mind, is here amply provided. Warm, sea-water, and +vapour, baths,--public rooms, billiard-tables, reading-rooms, +circulating libraries,--with comfortable private lodgings and excellent +hotels, are among the list of daily luxuries at their command. + +The Harbour of Swansea is capacious,--well constructed, defended by two +strong stone piers, about eighteen hundred feet in length,--and affords +accommodation to a great many trading-vessels. On the west pier, a +light-house and watch-tower offer additional security to the shipping; +and every facility is provided for lading and unlading. The tide flows a +considerable way up the river, which is navigable to the extent of two +miles for vessels of burden. The canal, running parallel with the river, +extends to Brecknockshire, a distance of sixteen miles; and in its +course passes through thirty-six locks, and over several aqueducts. Its +head is nearly four hundred feet higher than its mouth, which readily +accounts for the great number of locks. There is also a canal from the +Swansea to the Neath canal, on which a packet-boat is established, and a +_tram_-road from the former to Oystermouth. With Bristol and Ilfracombe +there is a regular communication kept up by means of steam-vessels, +which leave and arrive according to the state of the tide. + +The public buildings of Swansea--ancient and modern--are numerous in +proportion to the population. The Town-hall, erected in 1829, is an +elegant structure, approached by two flights of steps, and adorned with +columns of the Doric order. The castle, situated nearly in the centre of +the town, was originally a building of great extent, and of a strength +well suited to the purposes of its erection. A massive tower, surmounted +by a range of light arches which support a parapet, is the principal +part now remaining of this once redoubtable fortress. It appears to have +been founded at the remote epoch of 1113, by Henry Beaumont, Earl of +Warwick,--a Norman leader who conquered Gowerland; but being soon after +laid siege to by a Welsh chief,--Griffith ap Rhys ap Theodore,--a +considerable portion of the outworks was destroyed. It is now in the +possession of the Duke of Beaufort, "Earl" of Glamorgan, who is +hereditarily entitled to the "prisage and butlerage" of all wines +brought into the harbours of Swansea and Chepstow. + +The public rooms of Swansea stand on the north side of the promenade, +called the Burrows, which consist of several acres tastefully laid out +in parterres. Here also are an excellent House of Industry and an +Infirmary, established in 1817 and situated on the beach. Besides the +free Grammar-school, founded in the seventeenth century, by Hugh, Bishop +of Waterford and Lismore, there are the Lancasterian and +National-schools, which are incalculable blessings to the increasing +population of Swansea. + + + + +[Illustration: OYSTERMOUTH, + +(Swansea Bay.)] + + + + +OYSTERMOUTH CASTLE. + + + "Here--the 'grim-visor'd knight,' at the head of his band, + Has cased him in armour, and girt on his brand; + While Beauty looked down from her lattice on high, + With the 'smile on her lip and the tear in her eye.' + But victor nor vassal shall hither return:-- + The castle is roofless,--the chief's in his urn; + And those ramparts, that frown o'er the surf-beaten rocks, + Are the haunt of the sea-fowl,--the lair of the fox." + +This stately relic of the feudal ages overlooks the picturesque Bay of +Swansea, and attracts many strangers to its gate,--not only for its +venerable antiquity, but for its bold position on the verge of lofty and +abrupt limestone cliffs, which command a magnificent view of the +subjacent scenery. It is supposed by some to have been erected by the +Earl of Warwick, in the reign of Henry the First; by others, to have +been the family fortress of the Lords of Gower, in the reign of King +John. But to which of the two the credit of founder belongs is matter of +conjecture. Like the Castle of Swansea, already mentioned, it is now the +property of the Beaufort family, whose mineral possessions in this +district are said to be of incalculable value. + +The principal walls of this domestic fortress have suffered +comparatively little from the lapse of time, or the hand of violence. +Most of the original apartments may be easily traced out, so as to give +a tolerably correct idea of their shape and dimensions, and the internal +economy with which they were arranged. The general figure of the main +body is polygonal; the ramparts are lofty and massive, but not flanked +with towers, except at the entrance, which appears to have been strongly +secured by double gates and a portcullis. + +In many parts along this picturesque coast, the limestone rocks swell +over a fine sandy beach into perpendicular cliffs of great boldness, +exhibiting vast quantities of organic remains, and worn in many places +into deep and lofty caverns. Built on a cliff of this description, and +with all the necessary accessories of vigilance and security, it could +have been hardly possible to have selected anything more eligible for a +feudal keep, whose chiefs generally chose their fortalices as the eagle +chooses his eyry,--to secure a wide field for himself, and exclude +lesser birds of prey. + +The village of Oystermouth--about half a mile to the south of the +castle--occupies a beautiful position on the verge of the Bay. A lofty +rock throws its shadow over it; the headland of which, called the Mumble +Point, stretches far into the sea, and affords a safe anchorage for +shipping. The village is chiefly inhabited by fishermen, who, as the +name implies, are mostly employed in dredging for oysters, which are +found of superior quality in the adjoining bay. During summer, it is +much resorted to by strangers, for the benefit of sea-bathing,--a source +of annual revenue to the inhabitants, who, by letting their apartments, +secure very good returns. + +This is understood to be the natal soil of Gower,--the father of English +poetry,--and therefore classic ground:-- + + "Here, in the olden time the 'moral' GOWER + Attuned his harp upon that rocky strand; + Gather'd the shell, and pluck'd the vernal flower, + And struck the wild chord with a master's hand. + To him the summer sea, the stormy wave, + Were heaven-born music in their various keys; + As, thundering through yon subterranean cave, + The billows sang in chorus with the breeze." + +The railway from Oystermouth to Swansea is a source of great convenience +to the inhabitants, as a means of ready intercourse between the most +frequented points of the coast adjacent. Newton, proverbially known as a +healthy station for invalids and sea-bathers, and Caswell Bay, within +half-an-hour's walk of Oystermouth, are well deserving of a stranger's +attention. The latter is remarkable for the number and extent of the +marine caverns already alluded to, as well as for the beauty and variety +of the sea-shells with which the sands at low water are profusely +enamelled. + + + + +[Illustration: THE MUMBLES ROCKS AND LIGHTHOUSE. + +(Swansea Bay.)] + + + + +THE MUMBLES' LIGHTHOUSE. + + + "Amidst the storms,--when winds and waves are high, + Unmoved I stand,--undimm'd I shed my light; + And through the blackness of December's sky + I pour effulgence on the seaman's sight." + + INSCRIPTION FOR A LIGHTHOUSE. + +The Mumbles' Lighthouse is much frequented by visitors from Swansea +during the season. Few jaunts of this character can be productive of +more enjoyment than a trip from Swansea to Oystermouth Castle and the +Mumbles' rocks. The road, issuing from the western extremity of Swansea, +follows the shore of the bay, with the open sea on the left, and on the +right a range of wooded hills; of which advantage has been taken for the +site of numerous pretty villas. Some gentlemen's seats occupy the +intervening level, and their plantations skirt the high-road. Of these +Singleton Abbey and Woodlands are the principal. As we near the +extremity of the bay the scene is indeed beautiful. Oystermouth Castle, +and the pretty village of the same name, lead the visitor onwards till +he reaches a broken, breezy headland, the only ascent to which is by a +kind of sheep-path, which zig-zags its way to the summit of a narrow +promontory terminating in two islands, and on the farther of which is +situated the Mumbles' Lighthouse. It is a structure admirably adapted +for the purpose to which it is devoted. To every building of this +description, devoted to the preservation of human life, a profound +interest is attached; and we cannot but observe at a single glance how +invaluable these Lights have been, and ever must be, where the danger of +shipwreck is so greatly increased by the rugged nature of a coast--here +walled in by precipitous cliffs, and there scattered with rocks that +appear and disappear according to the tide. The means thus happily +adopted along the Welsh coast have been crowned with success; and how +comfortable is it to reflect, when calmly seated at our winter hearths, +that--while the "winds howl round our steady battlements," and "ships +break from their moorings,"--there are friendly lights sparkling around +our coasts, to cheer and direct the bewildered mariner in his course, to +show him his danger, and to point out "a way to escape." + +To understand the importance of lighthouses, we need only remind the +reader of the published "Statement," that the number of British vessels +alone, which have been annually returned as wrecked, amounts to _five +hundred and fifty_;--namely, "three shipwrecks every two days throughout +the year." The average burden of merchant-vessels is about one hundred +and ten tons; and if we value old and new together at half the price of +building, we have L330,000 for the worth of the whole, which, by +deducting the value of sails, masts, and other materials saved from some +of those stranded, may be reduced to L300,000. If we add an equal sum +for the cost of the cargoes, the whole loss from shipwrecks will amount +to L600,000. This statement proceeds on an old estimate from 1793 to +1829; but M'Culloch, in the supplement to his Dictionary, says that the +number of ships actually lost, or driven ashore, in 1833, amounted to +_eight hundred_. It is probable, then, that the annual lost by shipwreck +is not much short of a _million sterling_. If _one-fifth_ of this loss +could be prevented by additional lighthouses, the saving of money would +amount to a _million_ in five years,--to say nothing of the still more +important saving in human life. We are anxious--not on the score of +economy only, but of humanity--to place these lamentable facts before +the eyes of Government, from whose hands the mitigation at least, if not +the removal, of such disasters is confidently expected. + +In the rock immediately under the lighthouse is a large cavern, called +Bob's Cove,--a very characteristic feature, and a chief attraction to +pleasure-parties, who resort hither at low water for the sake of the +view, which from this isolated point is very striking and variegated:-- + + "Town and hamlet, sea and shore, + Wooded steep and mountain hoar; + Ships that stem the waters blue, + All concentrate in the view." + +Expanding to the eastward, is the beautiful curve of Swansea Bay and the +distant mountains; on the westward, the broken coast of Gower; in front, +the boundless expanse of ocean. The bracing sea breezes inhaled upon +this exposed promontory, its elastic turf, and the magnificent prospect +it everywhere commands, never fail to produce a most agreeable and +salutary exhilaration, and constitute the finest medical and physical +tour in the world. + + + + +[Illustration: NASS SANDS LIGHTHOUSES. + +(near Bristol.)] + + + + +THE NASS SANDS LIGHTHOUSES. + + + "After our ship did split, + When you, and that poor number saved with you, + Hung on our driving boat, I saw your brother, + Most provident in peril, bind himself-- + Courage and hope both teaching him the practice-- + To a strong mast that lived upon the sea, + Where, like Orion on the dolphin's back, + I saw him hold acquaintance with the waves + So long as I could see." + + TWELFTH NIGHT. + +The Nass Lights were erected by the late Mr. Nelson, in 1832, under the +direction of the Trinity House. The eastern, or upper Light, burns at +the height of one hundred and sixty-seven feet, and the western, or +lower one, at one hundred and twenty-three feet above high-water mark. +They are one thousand feet apart, built of the stone of the country, and +stand on Nass Point, near Dunraven Castle, Glamorganshire. + +It unfortunately was not merely the dangers of the ocean to which the +luckless mariner was in past times exposed upon this iron-bound coast, +to them was too frequently added the infamous deceptions of the +wreckers, who were accustomed to resort to the artifice of driving to +and fro an ass bearing two lanterns, so as to represent a distant vessel +in motion, and thus lured many a ship to destruction among the rocks and +sands. Numerous are the legends of fearful interest which the older +inhabitants relate descriptive of the accidents attendant upon these +murderous practices, now happily only matters of history. + +The erection of lighthouses, beacons, and other means for the prevention +of shipwreck, is every year becoming an object of greater importance to +the members of that excellent corporation, the Trinity House. Within the +last thirty years, great and permanent advantages have been secured to +commerce by the vigilance and activity of that body. Much, however, is +still left to call aloud for the exercise of their high privilege, +skill, and humanity. The navigation of our coasts is still attended in +many parts with imminent danger. Rocks, and shoals, and quicksands, +indeed, cannot be obliterated by the hand of man; but the perils they +involve, in respect to the shipping, may be greatly diminished by +increasing the number of those monitory beacons to which the eye of the +mariner is so often turned with intense anxiety. The erection of the +two lighthouses which here illustrate the subject, has been attended +with the happiest consequences. Many a shipwreck, we will venture to +say, has been prevented by a timely regard to these friendly beacons. +The Bristol Channel has often been the scene of sad catastrophes in the +chronicles of seafaring life; but at present the danger to the foreign +and coasting-trade has been greatly obviated by those judicious measures +which have emanated from the above society. + +The voyage up the Bristol Channel is singularly romantic and beautiful; +but the coast is exposed to all the fury of the Atlantic, and the surf +against the cliffs is distinctly visible at Swansea. The steamers now +keep close along shore, in a channel inside the Nass Sands, which form +an extensive and dangerous bank to seaward. The contrast between the +tumultuous masses of breakers over these sands, when the wind is fresh, +and the calmness of the narrow channel we are traversing in security, is +very striking. These sands, and another large shoal, called the +Skerweathers, have been fatal to many vessels. A large West Indiaman, +with a cargo of rum and other valuable produce, was lost a few years ago +on a rock called the Tusca, which disappears at high-water; and in 1831, +this coast was fatal to the steamer _Frolic_, in which all the crew and +passengers, amounting to nearly eighty persons, perished. The coast near +Porthcaul appears at Swansea to be the eastern extremity of the bay; but +the bluff point called the Nass, about eight miles further, is literally +so. The coast onwards, past the Nass-point, as observed in the admirable +Engraving annexed, is almost perpendicular, so as closely to resemble a +lofty wall, in which the limestone rock is disposed in horizontal +strata. When the sea runs high in this quarter, the scene, as may be +readily conceived, is truly terrific-- + + "And not one vessel 'scapes the dreadful touch + Of merchant-marring rocks." + + MERCHANT OF VENICE. + + + + +[Illustration: CARDIFF.] + + + + +CARDIFF, + +GLAMORGANSHIRE. + + + "Here British hearts the arms of Rome withstood, + Repulsed her cohorts with their native blood; + Till Caradoc and independence fell, + And freedom shrieked in CARDIFF'S citadel-- + And Cambria's heroes, rushing on the glave, + Died gloriously for her they could not save!" + +The county of Glamorgan, of which the principal town is represented in +the accompanying plate, abounds in historical sites well adapted for the +pencil, and furnishing the reader with many interesting facts and +traditions. The southern portion of the country is remarkably fertile, +highly cultivated, and presents to the stranger a long succession of +luxuriant corn-fields, verdant pastures, and animated pictures of rural +happiness and independence. It would be difficult to find any tract of +land in Great Britain that can surpass the Vale of Glamorgan in richness +of soil, or in soft and graceful scenery. This favoured region extends +the whole length of the county--from the base of the mountains on the +north to the shore of the Bristol Channel on the south-west. It presents +throughout a most gratifying proof of what may be accomplished by +judicious management, when soil and climate are both in favour of +agricultural operations. + +As a fair proof of the mild and salubrious nature of the atmosphere, we +need only observe that the magnolia, the myrtle, and other delicate +exotics, not only live but flourish in this auspicious climate. Equally +favourable to health and longevity, this district has numerous living +testimonies in the vigorous health and protracted age of its +inhabitants, who are fully sensible of the blessings they enjoy. The +valley, at its greatest breadth, measures about eighteen miles; in +various places, however, it is contracted into less than the half of +this space, and presents in its outline a constant variety of +picturesque and graceful windings. + +The town of Cardiff is built on the eastern bank of the river Taff, over +which there is a handsome bridge of five arches, leading to Swansea. It +is a thriving town, possessing considerable trade; and, by means of a +canal from Pennarth to Merthyr-Tydvil, has become the connecting medium +between these extensive iron-works and the English market, and is, in +fact, the port of the latter. The Taff, which falls into the sea at +Cardiff, forms a principal outlet for the mining districts of +Glamorganshire, the produce of which has hitherto found its way to +market through the Glamorganshire canal; but its sea-lock, constructed +about fifty years ago, has long been found inadequate to the demands for +increased accommodation, in consequence of the great prosperity of trade +since the canal was opened. + +The Marquess of Bute, possessing lands in this neighbourhood, obtained, +in 1830, an act for constructing a new harbour, to be called the Bute +ship-canal, and completed the work at his own expense. The great +advantages of this enterprise are--a straight, open channel from +Cardiff-roads to the new sea-gates, which are forty-five feet wide, with +a depth of seventeen feet at neap, and thirty feet at spring-tide. On +passing the sea-gate, vessels enter a capacious basin, having an area of +about an acre and a half, sufficient to accommodate large +trading-vessels and steamers. Quays are erected along the side of the +canal, finished with strong granite coping, and comprising more than a +mile of wharfs, with ample space for warehouses, exclusive of the wharfs +at the outer basin. This great work was finished in the summer of 1839, +at an expense to the proprietor of three hundred thousand pounds. + +Cardiff Castle, which stands insulated on a high mound of earth, was +partially restored and modernised by the late Marquess of Bute. This +ancient fortress is connected with several interesting events in +history. In one of its towers, or dungeons, Robert Duke of Normandy was +twenty-five years imprisoned by his younger brother, Henry the First, +who had previously usurped the throne and deprived him of his eyesight. +In the reign of Charles the First it was bombarded by the Parliamentary +forces during three successive days, and only surrendered in consequence +of treachery on the part of the garrison. + + + + +[Illustration: GLOUCESTER.] + + + + +GLOUCESTER. + + + "I which am the queene + Of all the British vales, and so have ever been + Since Gomer's giant brood inhabited this isle, + And that of all the rest myself may so enstyle." + + DRAYTON. _Vale of Gloucester._ + +Caer-Glow, or the "fair city" of the ancient Britons, is a name happily +characteristic of Gloucester. The beauty of its situation, on a gentle +eminence overlooking the Severn, where its stream is divided into two +channels by the Isle of Alney; the richness and fertility of the +surrounding districts; its highly picturesque scenery; its splendid +cathedral and numerous public buildings; and latterly the tide of +prosperity occasioned by the vast improvements in regard to its inland +port, present a combination of attractions for which it would be +difficult to find a parallel in the British provinces. Commercial +enterprise has now a fixed residence in the place, and within the last +ten years has made great and important advances in the several +departments of foreign and domestic industry. + +The Port of Gloucester and the Cathedral, of which the accompanying +plate gives a most correct and interesting view, are the two principal +features; and to these, in accordance with the plan of the work, our +descriptive text will be more strictly confined. The Port is of great +antiquity,--so much so as to have existed as an inland harbour long +prior to any written document of the place,--but it is only of late +years that ships of burden could be anchored in the city basin. A +century ago, as recorded in the _Magna Britannia_, the Port of +Gloucester had a large quay and wharf on the banks of the river, very +commodious for trade, to which belonged a custom-house, with officers +proper for it; but the business was not great, as the city of Bristol, +only a few miles distant, had engrossed all the foreign trade in this +part of the country. The vessels which at the period in question +navigated the Severn were generally small trading-craft, of between +fifty and two hundred tons burden, so that Gloucester was deprived of +all those advantages which have been so happily secured to it by modern +enterprise and improvement. Of these, the Berkeley ship-canal is a noble +monument. By the vast facilities thus afforded, the commerce of +Gloucester has enjoyed a course of uninterrupted prosperity, and bids +fair to eclipse even Bristol itself in the extent and ramifications of +its still increasing trade. Ships of heavy burden are now safely moored +in the basin, and discharge those cargoes in the heart of the city which +had formerly to be transhipped at Bristol, and conveyed to their +destination by means of barges and lighters. + +The Gloucester Spa, which is now become a place of fashionable resort, +has contributed in no small degree to the many attractions of the city +and its vicinity. This saline chalybeate was first opened to the public +by a grand fete, in May, 1815. The establishment contains every +requisite for the health and recreation of the visitors, and vies as +much with Cheltenham and Leamington in its appropriate and tasteful +arrangements, as it does in the salubrious qualities of its spring--in +proof of which numerous testimonies are daily added as the result of +experience. There is a very handsome pump-room, with hot, cold, and +vapour baths, and an abundant supply of water. The Spa is in the centre +of grounds tastefully laid out, embellished with all the care and effect +of landscape-gardening, and presenting to the _pieton_ and equestrian a +pleasing variety of shady walks and rides, + + "Mid rural scenes that fascinate the gaze, + And conjure up the deeds of other days." + +The Cathedral of Gloucester is deservedly considered one of the noblest +specimens of ecclesiastical architecture in Christendom. It is a grand +object with every traveller who enters upon a tour of the English +provinces, and makes a strong impression on the mind, even after he has +visited the gorgeous temples of Rome and Milan. + +In the interior of the cathedral are numerous specimens of monumental +sculpture; among which the most remarkable are those of Robert, Duke of +Normandy, and Richard the Second. The present altar, of the Corinthian +order, is placed before the rich tracery of the original high-altar, +which, except from the side-galleries of the choir, is concealed from +view. The great elevation of the vault overhead, the richness and +variety of its designs, the elaborate and minute tracery with which the +walls are adorned, added to the vast dimensions of the great +oriel--eighty-seven feet in height--render the choir an almost +unrivalled specimen of what is styled the florid Gothic, and leave an +impression upon the stranger's mind never to be obliterated. + + + + +[Illustration: BRISTOL. + +(from Rownham Ferry.)] + + + + +BRISTOL, + +FROM ROWNHAM FERRY. + + + "But Avon marched in more stately path, + Proud of his adamants[2] with which he shines, + And glistens wide; as als of wondrous Bath + And BRISTOW faire, which on his waves he buildeth hath." + + SPENSER. + +The city of Bristol has enjoyed a celebrity of many centuries, and is +continually adding to her power and affluence by that spirit of +enterprise which has drawn tribute from the remotest shores and peopled +her harbour with the ships of all nations. The commercial importance +which she acquired at so early a period of our history, and which gave +her for a time so preponderating an influence over the other ports and +harbours of the kingdom, has been sustained by her spirited citizens +with a skill and industry rarely equalled and never surpassed. To the +great facilities formerly enjoyed by the merchants of Bristol another +advantage has been added by the construction of the Great Western +Railway, which has opened a rapid channel of intercourse between the +Thames and the Severn,--the London docks and the harbour of Bristol. +This event has been still further advantageous in having given origin to +various ramifications of the same means of conveyance, so that the +products of our native manufactures can be thrown into this channel, and +an interchange effected, with a cheapness and facility quite +unprecedented in the history of our inland commerce. That Bristol has +recently extended her commercial interests by her connexion with the +West Indies, Russia, France, and Germany, is abundantly indicated by the +numerous traders from those countries which are to be seen lading and +unlading in her port. + +Bristol possesses no less than nineteen parish churches, with a +population--not including the suburbs--considerably under sixty +thousand. The cathedral, an ancient and most venerable pile, was founded +about the middle of the twelfth century by the mayor of Bristol, and, +till the reign of Henry the Second, it served as a priory of Black +Canons. It was then converted into an abbey, and subsequently, on the +dissolution of monastic establishments, under Henry the Eighth, it +underwent the further change into a cathedral, dedicated to the Holy +Trinity. A bishop, dean, six secular canons or prebendaries, one +archdeacon, six minor canons or priests'-vicars, a deacon and subdeacon, +six lay clerks, six choristers, two grammar-schoolmasters, four almsmen, +and others, were endowed with the site, church, and greatest part of the +lands of the old monastery. The various changes it has undergone exhibit +the finest specimens of English architecture peculiar to the several +periods at which they took place. All the ornamental work is of the +purest design, and elaborately executed, but on which our limited space +will not permit us to enlarge. Several of the lateral chapels are in +fine taste and preservation, containing monuments of the founder, of +several abbots, and bishops; also those erected to the memory of Mrs. +Draper--the "Eliza" of Sterne, Mrs. Mason, and Lady Hesketh, which +awaken feelings of deep interest in every mind imbued with the literary +history of the last century. + +On the east bank of the Avon is Redcliff Parade, affording a beautiful +prospect of the city, shipping, and surrounding country. The quay, which +extends from St. Giles's to Bristol Bridge, exceeds a mile in length, +and is known by the quaint names of the _Back_, the _Grove_, and the +_Gib_. On the banks of the river below the city are numerous dockyards, +as well as the merchants' floating dock. The several squares in Bristol +are handsome: Queen's-square has a spacious walk, shaded with trees, and +an equestrian statue of William III., by Rysbrach, in the centre; +King's-square is well built on an agreeable slope; on the north-west +side of the city is Brandon-hill, where the laundresses dry their linen, +as they profess, in virtue of a charter from Queen Elizabeth. + +Clifton, two miles west of Bristol, is charmingly situated on the summit +of the northern cliffs above the river Avon; many of the houses are +occupied by invalids, who seek the aid of Bristol Hot Wells, situated at +the western extremity of Clifton, near the stupendous rock of St. +Vincent. From its summit above the banks of the Avon there is a fine +prospect of the river and its environs, embracing some of the most +fertile land in Somersetshire, as well as the western part of Bristol. + +[2] In allusion to the crystal-brilliants, long known as "Bristol +diamonds." + + + + +[Illustration: REDCLIFFE CHURCH AND BASIN, BRISTOL.] + + + + +REDCLIFFE CHURCH AND BASIN, BRISTOL. + + +The church of St Mary Redcliffe's, Bristol, was founded in 1249, and not +completed till 1375, an interval of a hundred and twenty-six years. The +founder was Simon de Burton, mayor of Bristol. It is pronounced by +Camden as "on all accounts the first parish church in England." It has, +of course, undergone, in the long lapse of generations, many changes, +repairs, and perhaps improvements. In the middle of the fifteenth +century, after having been seriously damaged in a storm, it was repaired +by William Cannynge the mayor; and, owing to the extent of these +repairs, he has established a just claim to the gratitude of posterity +as the second founder, and to commemorate the restoration thus effected, +two beautiful monumental statues were erected to the memory of himself +and his wife in the church. This patriotic and pious individual was five +times mayor of Bristol, and makes a prominent figure in the Chatterton +controversy. It is to be regretted, however, that the spire was never +restored, which, with the tower, was originally two hundred and fifty +feet high. So great was the beauty of this sacred edifice, that it was +celebrated over the whole country as a masterpiece of art, and attracted +numerous visitors; nor has that admiration diminished with the lapse of +time, for there are very few individuals, curious in the mystery of +ecclesiastical architecture, who have not visited or studied the +specimen here preserved. + +The church is built in the form of a cross; and the nave, which rises +above the aisles in the manner of a cathedral, is lighted by a series of +lofty windows on each side, and supported by flying-buttresses. The +tower is large and richly ornamented, like the remaining part of the +spire, with carved work, niches, and statues. The principal entrance is +from the west front; but there are porches both to the northern and +southern sides. Of the first of these the interior is very beautiful; +and it was over this porch that the room was situated in which +Chatterton, whose father was sexton of the church, pretended to have +found the poems which he attributed to Rowley. The length of the church +is two hundred and thirty-nine feet, that of the transept one hundred +and seventeen feet. It is remarkable that the transept consists of three +divisions or aisles, like the body of the church; and the effect thus +produced is fine and striking, when the spectator places himself in the +centre and looks around him. The breadth of the nave and aisles is +fifty-nine feet; the height of the nave is fifty-four feet, and that of +the aisles twenty-five feet. The roof, which is nearly sixty feet in +height, is arched with stone, and ornamented with various devices. +Although externally this church has all the appearance of a massive +structure, it has nevertheless, from its loftiness and the peculiar +beauty of its masonry, a light and airy appearance both within and +without; and justifies the high eulogium, which we have already quoted, +as pronounced upon it by Camden. Among the sepulchral treasures +contained in this church, is the tomb of Sir William Penn, father of the +celebrated founder of Pennsylvania. + +The business of shipbuilding is carried on to a very considerable extent +in Bristol; and stimulated by that spirit which has always characterized +the magistrates and merchants of Bristol, added to the vast improvements +which have been so recently affected, it is confidently believed, that +this ancient city and port are now entering upon a fresh epoch in their +commercial prosperity. + +The principal exports are derived from the neighbouring manufactures; +and the imports consist chiefly of sugar, rum, wine, wool, tobacco, +coffee, turpentine, hemp, and timber. The quay extends upwards of a mile +along the banks of the rivers Frome and Avon. Owing to the serious +inconvenience and frequent damage sustained by large vessels, when lying +at low water in the river, a floating harbour was formed here at great +expense in 1804. To accomplish so important a design the course of the +Avon was changed; the old channel was dammed up to form the new harbour, +which, communicating with the river, is accessible at all times, with +sufficient depth of water for vessels of the largest size. This great +work, comprising the elegant iron bridges over the Avon, was the result +of five years' labour, and an enormous expenditure; and, although much +benefit has accrued to the port from the success of so spirited an +undertaking, still the expectations to which it naturally gave rise, as +to the extension of commerce, have not been realized. This is +attributable to various local causes. + + + + +[Illustration: SUSPENSION BRIDGE AT CLIFTON. + +(near Bristol.)] + + + + +CLIFTON. + +THE SUSPENSION BRIDGE. + + + "Scared at thy presence, start the train of Death, + And hide their whips and scorpions; thee, confused, + Slow Fever creeps from; thee the meagre fiend + Consumption flies, and checks his rattling cough!" + + ADDRESS TO THE BRISTOL FOUNTAIN. + +The village of Clifton has long been distinguished among our native +watering-places as the Montpelier of England. In point of situation, and +the beautiful and varied scenery it commands, it is without a rival +among those numerous springs which, from their medicinal virtues, have +risen into universal repute. It occupies a very elevated position; and +from the windows of his apartment the visitor may enjoy enchanting views +of the western part of Bristol, the Avon, and the numerous vessels that +glide to and fro upon its waters. The plateau, which terminates a +gradual ascent from the river, is covered with elegant buildings, that +furnish excellent accommodation to the numerous visitors who annually +resort to these salubrious fountains. Many private families of opulence +and respectability make this their principal residence, and with +justice, for few situations in the British empire can supply more varied +and rational sources of enjoyment. Those who seek to combine the +blessings of health with rational amusement and mental cultivation, will +very rarely be disappointed in selecting the now "classic" shades of +Clifton as a residence. + +The Bristol hot-well--"Bristoliensis aqua"--is a pure thermal, slightly +acidulated spring. The fresh water is inodorous, perfectly limpid and +sparkling, and sends forth numerous air-bubbles when poured into a +glass. It is very agreeable to the taste, and in specific gravity +approaches very nearly to that of distilled water; a fact which proves +that it contains only an extremely minute admixture of foreign +ingredients. The temperature of this water, taking the average of the +most accurate observations, may be reckoned at 74 deg.; a degree of +temperature which is scarcely, if at all, influenced by the difference +of season. The water contains both solid and gaseous matter, and the +distinction between the two requires to be attended to, as it is owing +to its very minute proportion of solid matter that it deserves the +character of a very fine natural spring. To its excess in gaseous contents +it is principally indebted for its medicinal properties,--whatever these +may be,--independently of those of mere water with an increase of +temperature. The principal ingredients of the hot-well water are a large +proportion of carbonic acid gas--fixed air--a certain portion of +magnesia and lime in various combinations with the muriatic, sulphuric, +and carbonic acids. The general inference is that it is remarkably pure +for a natural fountain, from the fact of its containing no other solid +matter--and that in less quantity--than what is contained in almost any +common spring-water. Much, however, of the merit ascribed to the Bristol +and Clifton wells is due to the mild and temperate climate of the place, +which of itself is sufficient to recommend Bristol as a desirable +residence for invalids. + +Independently of its medicinal waters, Clifton has many attractions, +which from time to time have been the subjects both of painting and +poetry, and made it the favoured residence of many distinguished +individuals. Of the latter, none have deserved better of their country +than Mrs. Hannah More, whose writings breathe the purest sentiments of +religion and morality, and whose personal _Memoirs_ form one of the most +interesting volumes in English biography. + +The Suspension Bridge, which forms so prominent a feature in our +engraving, is unfortunately still far from that state of completion in +which the artist has been pleased to depict it. Many years have passed +since its commencement, and still more thousands of pounds have been +expended in preparation, and yet this great and useful work remains a +monument of misapplied capital and wasted labour. + + + + +[Illustration: BATH.] + + + + +BATH. + + + "O'er ancient Baden's mystic spring + Hygeia broods with watchful wing, + And speeds from its sulphureous source + The steamy torrent's secret course; + And fans the eternal sparks of latent fire + In deep unfathomed beds below, + By BLADUD's magic taught to flow-- + BLADUD, high theme of Fancy's Gothic lyre!" + + WARTON. + +The origin of Bath, like that of other celebrated towns, is involved in +obscurity. To its medicinal springs, however, it is solely indebted for +the great reputation it has enjoyed for centuries, as a sanctuary for +the afflicted, a cheerful asylum for the invalid, and as a favourite +point of reunion, where social pleasure and mental cultivation were sure +of a kindred reception among the many gifted spirits who have sought +health or relaxation in its shades. The comparative quiet which here +prevails is not without its importance to the invalid; after the +dissipation of a season in Town, a retreat to Bath is like the +tranquillity of a monastery after the excitement of a military campaign. +This was more particularly felt and acknowledged as long as the +continent remained shut; but during the last twenty years the temptation +to foreign travel and the fame of certain continental spas have annually +diverted from home a great many of those whose cases, it is probable, +would have benefited in an equal measure by resorting to the thermal +waters of Bath. Travelling, however, is of itself a sanatory process; +and to this, to the changes of scene, of society, of diet, and to the +mental excitement produced by a succession of new scenes and incidents, +the invalid is more indebted than to any of the numerous _spas_, to +which the credit of a cure is so generally ascribed by the recruited +votary. This is a fact well known to the physician, and corroborated by +the results of daily experience. When such means are impracticable, +however, the society and the waters of Bath furnish excellent +substitutes; and the testimonies in their favour are too well supported +by ancient and "modern instances" to require any eulogium in a work like +the present. + +The trade of Bath, like that of most great watering-places, is greatly +dependent on its visitors. Hotels and lodging-houses are numerous, +elegant, commodious, and fitted for the accommodation of all classes of +society. Property, nevertheless, has suffered much depreciation of late +years, owing to various causes, and not a little to the preference given +to those continental spas already alluded to, by which many of the +streams which used to flow in upon Bath as a regular source of +prosperity have been greatly diminished or entirely dried up. + +The public amusements of Bath are numerous and liberally conducted. Of +these the most important are the subscription assemblies and concerts, +at which a master of the ceremonies presides--a functionary of high +authority, who holds his office in regular descent from the hands of the +celebrated Beau Nash. The latter gentleman, by a peculiar union of good +sense, "effrontery, wit, vivacity, and perseverance, acquired an +ascendancy among the votaries of rank and fashion which rendered him a +species of modish despot, to whose decrees it was deemed a part of the +loyalty of high breeding to yield in silent submission." The assemblies +are held in the Upper Rooms, in the vicinity of the Circus, which were +erected in 1791, at an expense of twenty thousand pounds. The Ball-room +is one hundred and five feet long, forty-three feet wide, and forty-two +high. The Lower Assembly-rooms stood near the Parade, and were also very +elegantly fitted up, though on a less extensive scale, but were +destroyed by fire in 1820. The theatre is a handsome edifice, fitted up +in splendid style, with three tiers of boxes, and the roof divided into +compartments, containing the beautiful paintings by Cassali which +formerly occupied a similar place in Fonthill Abbey. + +In the vicinity of Bath, especially on Lansdown and Claverton Downs, +there are delightful spots for equestrian exercise. Races take place on +the former of these the week after Ascot races. + +Bath is eminently distinguished for its numerous public charities, its +literary and scientific institutions, its society for the encouragement +of agriculture, the arts, manufactures, and commerce; its clubs, +subscription-rooms, libraries, schools, and hospitals. + +The diseases in which the waters of Bath are resorted to are very +numerous, and in many instances consist of such as are the most +difficult and important of all that come under medical treatment. In +most cases the bath is used along with the waters as an internal +medicine--first adopted in the case of King Charles. The general +indications of the propriety of using these medicinal waters are chiefly +in cases where a gentle, gradual, and permanent stimulus is required. +Bath water may certainly be considered as a chalybeate, in which the +iron is very small in quantity, but in a highly active form, whilst the +degree of temperature is in itself a stimulus of considerable power. + + + + +[Illustration: TINTAGEL CASTLE.] + + + + +TINTAGEL CASTLE. + + +This Engraving, after Mr. Jendles' spirited sketch, embraces not only +Tintagel Castle, but one of those more useful erections which modern +science has rendered available to commercial purposes, and intended for +the shipment of ores from the neighbouring mine. The different character +of the erections which crown the opposing cliffs mark the widely +separated eras of their erection, while both become objects of deep +interest to those who see in the ruins of the one hand, and the +progressively improving mechanism of the other, a type of the spirit +which animated our warlike ancestors to maintain their dominant power +over their native soil, converted in their more peaceful descendants +into a determination to make the best use of the treasures it contains. + +Tintagel Castle is situated partly on the extremity of a bold rock of +slate, on the coast, and partly on a rocky island, with which it was +formerly connected by a drawbridge, and is of great antiquity. This +castle is said to have been the birthplace of King Arthur, but his +history is so blended with the marvellous, that his very existence has +been doubted, and the circumstances connected with his birth are +certainly not amongst those parts of the relation which are most +entitled to credit. It was, however, said by Lord Bacon, that there was +truth enough in his story to make him famous besides that which was +fabulous. + +In the year 1245, Richard Earl of Cornwall, brother to King Henry III., +was accused of having afforded an asylum in Tintagel Castle to his +nephew David, Prince of Wales, and in the reign of Henry III. the castle +and manor of Tintagel were annexed to the Duchy of Cornwall. So little +remains of the walls of this ancient and formerly impregnable castle, +that the date of its erection cannot even be conjectured from the style +of the architecture: it is certain that the castle was in a dilapidated +state in 1337, in which year a survey was made. There was then no +governor, but the priest who officiated in the chapel of the castle had +the custody of it, without fee. It is described as a castle sufficiently +walled, in which were two chambers beyond the two gates, in a decayed +state. A chamber, with a small kitchen for the constable, in good +repair; a stable for eight horses, decayed; and a cellar and bakehouse, +ruinous. The timber of the great hall had been taken down by command of +John of Eltham, Earl of Cornwall, because the hall was ruinous, and the +walls of no value. + +In the reign of Richard II., Tintagel Castle was made a state prison, +and in 1385, John Northampton, lord mayor of London, was committed to +this castle. Thomas Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, was also a prisoner here +in 1397. "The ruins of Tintagel Castle," says the Rev. R. Warner, "claim +dominion over unqualified desolation; over one wide and wild scene of +troubled ocean, barren country, and horrid rocks: its situation and +aspect quite chilled the tourist," and in continuation of his +description, he introduces the less sublime remark, "that to look at it +was enough to give one the tooth-ache." + +Tintagel was made a free borough by Richard Earl of Cornwall, and, as +well as Trevenna, about a mile distant from each other, forms part of +the borough of Bossiney, which formerly sent two members to parliament. +Although not incorporated, it is governed by a mayor. At Trevenna is an +annual fair for horned cattle on the first Monday after the 19th of +October; and at Tintagel is a school supported by the mayor and free +burgesses. The church, dedicated to St. Simphorian, is a vicarage, in +the patronage of the dean and chapter of Windsor. It was formerly +appropriated to the abbey of Fonteverard, in Normandy, but having passed +in the same manner as Leighton Buzzard, in Bedfordshire, was given, by +King Edward IV., to the collegiate chapel of St. George at Windsor. + + + + +[Illustration: PLYMOUTH. + +_Devon._] + + + + +PLYMOUTH. + + +The view of Plymouth is taken from the grounds of Mount Edgecumbe, +looking across the lower part of the Sound. About the middle distance is +St. Nicholas' Island; beyond which are perceived the ramparts of the +citadel. Between the citadel and the point of land to the right, where +several small vessels are seen, is the entrance of the creek called the +Catwater. + +The towns of Plymouth and Devonport--the latter until 1824 having +usually been called Plymouth Dock, or briefly, Dock--stand nearly in the +same relation to each other as Portsmouth and Portsea, except that they +are not contiguous, the distance between them being about a mile and a +half. Plymouth is the old borough, and Devonport is the modern town; the +latter, indeed, has been entirely built within the last +hundred-and-fifty years, since the establishment of the royal dockyard +by William III., in 1691. Each town returns two members to Parliament, +this privilege having been conferred on Devonport by the Reform Bill; +and the municipal government of each is vested in separate authorities. +Plymouth and Devonport, with Stonehouse, which lies between them, may be +considered as forming one large town, which occupies a parallelogram +about two miles and a half in length by one in breadth, and contains, +with the suburbs of Morice-town and Stoke, about a hundred thousand +inhabitants. + +Plymouth harbour, or, as it is generally called, Sutton Pool, is on the +land side nearly surrounded by houses, and the entrance to it from the +Catwater is protected by two stone piers, about ninety feet apart. +Plymouth has a considerable coasting trade with London, Bristol, Hull, +Newcastle, and other parts of England, and also carries on a direct +trade with the Baltic, the Mediterranean, America, and the West Indies. +The principal exports are copper, tin, and lead-ore, manganese, granite, +and pilchards. There are about fifty decked fishing-boats belonging to +Plymouth, which not only supply its market and that of Devonport with +plenty of excellent fish, but also furnish a considerable quantity for +Bath, London, and other places. The fish most common in Plymouth market +are hake, basse, gurnards, pipers, tub-fish, whiting-pouts, soles, +mullets red and grey, and John-Dories. Quin, that he might enjoy the +latter fish in perfection, took an express journey from Bath to +Plymouth. The export of granite, and other kinds of stone for the +purposes of building, is greatly facilitated by a railway, which extends +from about the middle of Dartmoor to the quays at Sutton Pool and +Catwater. The larger class of merchant-vessels generally anchor in the +Catwater; and in time of war it is the usual rendezvous for transports. +It is sheltered from south-westerly gales by Mount Battan, and is +sufficiently spacious to afford anchorage for six or eight hundred sail +of such ships as are usually employed in the merchant service. There are +about 320 ships belonging to Plymouth, the tonnage of which, according +to the old admeasurement, is about 26,000 tons. + +Though the neighbourhood of Plymouth affords so many beautiful and +interesting views, the town itself presents but little to excite the +admiration of the stranger. It is very irregularly built; and most of +the old houses have a very mean appearance, more especially when +contrasted with some of recent erection. Several large buildings, within +the last twenty or thirty years, have been erected at Plymouth and +Devonport, in the _pure Grecian style_; and the two towns afford ample +evidence of the imitative genius of the architects. At the corner of +almost every principal street, the stranger is presented with +reminiscences of Stuart and Revett's Athens. + +Plymouth citadel is situated to the southward of the town, and at the +eastern extremity of the rocky elevation called the Hoe. It commands the +passage to the Hamoaze, between St. Nicholas' Island and the main-land, +as well as the entrance of the Catwater. It was erected on the site of +the old fort, in the reign of Charles II., and consists of five +bastions, which are further strengthened with ravelins and hornworks. +The ramparts are nearly three-quarters of a mile in circuit; and there +are platforms for a hundred-and-twenty cannon. The entrance to the +citadel is on the north, through an outer and an inner gate. Within the +walls are the residence of the lieutenant-governor, officers' houses and +barracks for the garrison, with a magazine, chapel, and hospital. In the +centre of the green is a bronze statue of George II., the work of an +artist named Robert Pitt, and erected, in 1728, at the expense of Louis +Dufour, Esq., an officer of the garrison. An excellent panoramic view of +Plymouth, Saltram, the Catwater, the Sound, Mount Edgecumbe, and other +places, is to be obtained from the ramparts, round which visitors are +permitted to walk. + + + + +[Illustration: MOUNT EDGECUMBE. + +_DEVON._] + + + + +MOUNT EDGECUMBE. + + +The view of Mount Edgecumbe is taken from Cremhill point, a little to +the south-east of the entrance of Stonehouse Creek. About the centre of +the view is perceived a battery, near to the Old Blockhouse which was +erected in the reign of Queen Elizabeth; between the masts of the brig, +which is sailing in towards the Hamoaze, the house is seen; and to the +left, in the distance, is Cawsand Bay. + +For upwards of two hundred years the situation of Mount Edgecumbe, +whether looking towards it or from it, and the beauty of the grounds in +its vicinity have been the subject of general admiration. In visiting +Mount Edgecumbe from Plymouth or Devonport, the most usual way is to +cross at the ferry from Cremhill point. The gardens generally first +claim the visitor's attention. Near the lodge, on the left, is a garden +laid out in the Italian style, and surrounded by a bank planted with +evergreens. In this garden is the orangery, and opposite to it is a +beautiful terrace, on which, and in the grounds below, are several +statues. The visitor is next shown the French flower-garden, which is +planted with the most beautiful shrubs and flowers, and was the +favourite retreat of Sophia, Countess of Mount Edgecumbe, who died in +1806, and to whose memory a cenotaph, consisting of an urn and a tablet, +is erected within its bounds. The English garden and shrubbery display +less art, but are no less beautiful than the imitative gardens of Italy +and France. In it is a bath of the Doric order, and a secluded walk +leads to a rocky excavation, overspread with ivy and other creeping +plants, amidst lofty evergreens: fragments of antiques are scattered +amidst heaps of stones in this romantic dell. In the pleasure-grounds, a +path continued along the edge of a cliff, which affords interesting +views of the picturesque sinuosities of the coast, leads to a verdant +lawn, from which the sides rise with a gentle ascent in a semicircle. +The acclivity above the lawn is thickly shaded by a succession of trees, +which form a magnificent amphitheatre, and display an endless variety of +foliage. From different parts of the amphitheatre, Barn Poole presents +the appearance of an extensive lake, without any visible communication +with the sea, from which it appears to be separated by the diversified +line of coast, that forms its boundary on every side. At the entrance of +a wood near this spot is an Ionic circular temple dedicated to Milton, +whence the path continues on the margin of the cliff, through +plantations and shrubs, which fringe the rocky coast down to the brink +of the sea. In the more open part of the park is a mock ruin, intended +as a picturesque object from the grounds and from the opposite shore. A +cottage near the cliff is overhung with beautiful evergreen oaks, the +windows of which command pleasing sea views in opposite directions. +After ascending a perpendicular rock, by a winding path of perilous +appearance, the great terrace at the arch presents itself, having the +appearance of a perforation in the cliff, the base of which is washed by +the waves of the Sound. + +The walks round the grounds are extremely pleasing, and from many points +excellent views are obtained of Plymouth Sound, the Hamoaze, Devonport, +and the surrounding country. It seems, however, doubtful if the +circumstance of a nobleman's seat commanding a view of a large town, at +the distance of less than a mile, be an advantage to it. It is perhaps +not altogether pleasant to have a _country_ seat overlooked by, and +overlooking, a large town. Dr. Johnson, alluding to the view of Mount +Edgecumbe, has observed, that "though there is the grandeur of a fleet, +there is also the impression of there being a dock-yard, the +circumstances of which are not agreeable." + +The house at Mount Edgecumbe was erected about the year 1550, by Sir +Richard Edgecumbe, who was sheriff of Devonshire in the thirty-fifth +year of the reign of Henry VIII., in the castellated style, with +circular towers at the corners. About seventy years ago, those towers +were pulled down, and rebuilt in their present octangular form. In the +principal rooms is a collection of family portraits, including a few by +Sir Joshua Reynolds. + + + + +[Illustration: BRIXHAM.] + + + + +BRIXHAM. + + + "Here busy boats are seen: some overhaul + Their loaded nets; some shoot the lightened trawl; + And, while their drags the slimy bottom sweep, + Stealthily o'er the face o' the waters creep; + While some make sail, and singly or together + Furrow the sea with merry wind and weather." + + W. STEWART ROSE. + +In the Engraving of Brixham Quay, from a painting by Edward Duncan, the +view is taken from the eastward. To the right, from the end of the pier, +several of the larger class of fishing vessels belonging to the place +are perceived lying aground; while, further in the harbour, a merchant +brig is seen discharging her cargo. In the foreground, to the left, the +attention of a group appears to be engaged by a small ship which a young +fisherman holds in his hands. + +Brixham lies about a mile and a half to the westward of Berry Head, the +southern extremity of Torbay, in the county of Devon, and is about +twenty-eight miles south of Exeter, and one hundred and ninety-eight +west-south-west of London. As a fishing town, Brixham is one of the most +considerable in the kingdom. The total number of fishing vessels +belonging to the place is nearly two hundred, of which, about one +hundred and ten are from thirty to forty tons burden, and the rest from +six to eighteen tons. Besides these, there are several yawls and smaller +boats which are employed in the fishery near the shore. For years past +about seventy of the larger class of fishing vessels have been +accustomed to proceed to Ramsgate, for the purpose of catching fish in +the North Sea for the supply of the London market. They usually leave +Brixham in November and December, and return again towards the latter +end of June. The Brixham fishermen send a great quantity of fish to the +Exeter, Bath, Plymouth, and Bristol markets. The principal fish which +they take are cod, ling, conger-eels, turbot, whitings, hake, soles, +skate and plaice, with herring and mackerel in the season. A quantity of +whitings are generally salted and dried at Brixham. On the coast of +Devonshire dried whitings are called "buckhorn," a name sufficiently +expressive of their hardness and insipidity. Besides the vessels +employed in the fishery, there are ships belonging to Brixham which are +chiefly engaged in the West India, Mediterranean, and coasting trades. +A weekly market, with a market-house at the water-side, was established +here in 1799, and in 1804 a stone pier of great strength was erected at +the expense of the nation. The population of the place is about 5,000. +One of the most memorable events in its history is the landing there of +William Prince of Orange, afterwards William III., on the 5th of +November, 1688. The view of Torbay, from the cliffs above the town, is +in the highest degree interesting, especially when enlivened, as it +frequently is, by a fleet of fishing-boats dotting its placid waters, +and stretching far into the British Channel. + +At an early period the manor of Brixham was held by the Nevants and the +Valletorts; but after divers ownerships it was divided into twelve +quarters, one of which was purchased by twelve fishermen of Brixham +Quay, and divided into as many shares; some of these have been much +farther subdivided, yet their owners, be their shares ever so small, +have the local denomination of Quay Lords. + +Brixham Church Town is about a mile distant from the quay. The church is +a spacious structure of the date of the fourteenth century, with an +embattled tower, and the peculiarities of the architecture of that +period. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and contains several +monuments of considerable antiquity, the inspection of which will repay +the antiquarian for the visit. + +Torquay, one of the most fashionable watering-places on the Devonshire +coast, is situated on the opposite side of Torbay, at a distance of +about five miles by water; but if the journey be made by land, the curve +of the bay extends it upwards of nine. It is sheltered from the north +winds by the promontory of Hope's Nose, and a range of lofty hills which +form its northern boundary. It is rapidly increasing in extent, and is +spoken of in terms of the highest admiration by most of the visitors. +The houses are chiefly built of a kind of marble found in the vicinity, +and are so scattered among the hills and dales as to command delightful +views of the surrounding country. On the coast the rock scenery is truly +magnificent, and from the heights the eye ranges over a wide extent of +cultivated land, abounding in every variety of nature, and terminated by +the distant outline of the mountain tops. + + + + +[Illustration: EXMOUTH.] + + + + +EXMOUTH. + + +The town of Exmouth, as its name imports, is situated at the mouth of +the Ex, one of the largest rivers in Devonshire, which, rising in +Exmoor, in Somersetshire, flows past Tiverton, Exeter, and Topsham, and +after a course of about seventy miles discharges itself into the sea. It +lies on the left bank of the river, and is about eleven miles to the +south-eastward of Exeter, and one hundred and sixty-eight from London. +It is sheltered from the north-east and south-east winds; and the +temperature of the air is mild and highly favourable to invalids. As the +bathing-machines are placed within the bar, which breaks the violence of +the sea, visiters are thus enabled to bathe in safety at all times. +There are also excellent warm sea-water baths in the town for such as +require them. There is a convenient market-place at Exmouth; and a new +church was erected by Lord Rolle in 1825. Exmouth and Littleham +constitute a united parish, the population of which is about 3,400. In +1814, the late Admiral Sir Edward Pellew was created a peer, with the +title of Baron Exmouth; and in 1816, after his expedition to Algiers, he +was further advanced to the rank of Viscount. + +In the reign of King John, Exmouth appears to have been a port of some +consequence; and in 1347 it furnished ten ships and one hundred and +ninety-three mariners to the grand fleet assembled by Edward III. for +his expedition against France. In the reign of Henry VIII., Leland calls +it "a fisschar tounlet," in which state it appears to have continued +till about the middle of the last century, when it began to increase, in +consequence of the number of persons visiting it for the sake of +sea-bathing. It is said that Exmouth first came into repute as a +watering-place from one of the judges of assize going there to bathe, +and returning with his health very much improved. The following account +of the place, and of the manner in which the visiters passed their time +about sixty years ago, is from a letter published in Polwhele's _History +of Devon_:--"The village is a very pretty one, and composed, for the +most part, of cot-houses, neat and clean, and consisting of four or five +rooms, which are generally let at a guinea a week. We have from some of +the houses, when the tide is in, a beautiful view of the river, which, +united with the sea, forms a fine sheet of water before our doors of +large extent. Lord Courtenay's and Lord Lisburne's grounds, rising in +inequalities on the other shore, complete the perspective. This is the +most gay part of the village; but then its brilliancy is only +temporary--for, the tide returned, instead of a fine sheet of water, we +are presented with a bed of mud, whose perfumes are not equal to those +of a bed of roses.... Exmouth boasts no public rooms or assemblies, save +one card assembly, in an inconvenient apartment at one of the inns, on +Monday evenings. The company meet at half after five, and break up at +ten; they play at shilling whist, or twopenny quadrille. We have very +few young people here, and no diversions; no _belles dames_ amusing to +the unmarried, but some _beldames_ unamusing to the married. Walking on +a hill which commands a view of the ocean, and bathing, with a visit or +two, serve to pass away the morning, and tea-drinking in the evening." + +From the preceding account it would appear that Exmouth, "sixty years +since," was but a dull place, even at the height of the season, and more +likely to induce lowness of spirits than to prove a remedy for care, +"the busy man's disease;" for what temperament, however mercurial, could +bear up against the daily round of tea-parties--where silence was only +broken by the "beldame's" scandal--diversified once a week with shilling +whist or twopenny quadrille? Since the period when the above-quoted +letter was written, Exmouth has been greatly improved, and many large +houses have been built for the accommodation of visiters. But since the +cot-houses have been elevated to handsome three-storied dwellings, it is +only fair to add that the rate of lodgings has also been raised in the +same proportion; "five or six rooms, neat and clean," are no longer to +be obtained at a guinea a week. There is now a commodious assembly-room +in the town, where the young and the fair--who are not so scarce at +Exmouth as they appear to have been sixty years ago--occasionally meet +to enjoy the amusement of dancing; while the more elderly have still the +opportunity of cheating time at "shilling whist or twopenny quadrille." +There are also several billiard and reading-rooms, which are places +pleasant enough to while away an hour or two in when it rains; and the +monotony of the morning walk on the hill, and the dulness of the evening +tea-drinking, are now frequently diversified with excursions by water to +Powderham Castle, Dawlish, Topsham, and places adjacent. + + + + +[Illustration: BUDLEIGH SALTERTON.] + + + + +BUDLEIGH-SALTERTON. + + +The village of Budleigh-Salterton lies about half-way between Sidmouth +and Exmouth, and at a short distance to the westward of the mouth of the +river Otter. It is pleasantly situated by the sea-shore; and the beauty +of the country in its vicinity, and the convenience afforded for +sea-bathing, have caused it of late years to be much frequented as a +watering-place. + +Of the many watering-places with which the requirements of fashion have +sprinkled our southern coasts, there are few which can boast of a more +delightful situation than the subject of our present engraving. +Protected on both sides by the surrounding hills, it is completely +sheltered from the severity of those winds which are frequently the bane +of some of our otherwise most eligible retreats; while its view of the +ocean is uninterrupted by any of those obstacles which add more to the +utility than the beauty of our older sea-bathing towns. The coast of +Devonshire offers peculiar advantages to the invalid; it has a southern +aspect; the winters are milder than in any other part of England, and +the north-east wind, with its concomitant evils, is less felt than in +the more exposed though more popular ports of the Isle of Thanet. In +addition to a genial climate, Devonshire is entitled to some preference +on the score of economy with that large class to whom the cost of even +an occasional residence at the coast is a serious consideration; and +although a temporary sojourn at any watering-place must necessarily be +more expensive than the same time spent in a rural district, the visiter +will find that in none can a greater share of the comforts and even +luxuries of life be obtained upon moderate terms than in +Budleigh-Salterton and its neighbouring towns of Exmouth and Sidmouth. + +Another advantage which these smaller towns possess is the freedom from +restraint in which they allow their patrons to indulge. The almost +slavish deference which the higher classes of society are compelled to +pay to certain conventional rules of fashion and etiquette may be +quietly laid aside during a residence at such towns as the one now +before us, and this, too, without fear of forfeiting that claim to +exclusiveness which every grade is so anxious to maintain against the +one below it. Few persons will deny the gratification that they have +derived from an occasional relaxation of those social laws that restrict +our actions in everyday life; and not the least of the benefits which +they receive from their summer visits to the coast may be traced to the +opportunities which they afford for their becoming again, though but for +a few weeks, or even days, "children of a larger growth." + +The village of East Budleigh, which is also the name of one of the +hundreds into which Devon is divided, lies about two miles above +Budleigh-Salterton, on the banks of the river Otter. Leland, in his +_Itinerary_, thus notices East Budleigh: "On the west side of the haven +is Budelegh, right almost against Oterton, but it is somewhat more from +the shore than Oterton. Lesse then an hunderith yeres sins, ships usid +this harbour, but it is now clene barrid. Some call this Budeley Haven, +of Budeley town." It has been supposed by Polwhele that the name +Budleigh, or Budely, is derived from the British _budelle_, a stream, +and that it had originated from the number of springs or small brooks +which run through every valley in the parish; for scarcely a house can +be found that is more than a furlong distant from a rivulet. + +Hayes, near East Budleigh, is celebrated as the birthplace of Sir Walter +Raleigh. This fact is mentioned in our notice of Ladram Bay; but the +following circumstance, which has since come to our knowledge, will +confirm the remarks we then made, by showing the hero's love for the +place of his birth, and its probable effect upon his after life. His +father having only a lease of the property, it subsequently came into +the possession of a person named Duke, to whom Sir Walter addressed a +letter, dated "From the Court, 26th July, 1584," wherein he expresses a +wish to purchase the farm and house of Hayes, and says that from "the +natural disposition he has to that place, being born in that house, he +would rather seat himself there than any where else." The proprietor, +not wishing to have so great a man for a neighbour, did not comply with +Sir Walter's request. The letter, about fifty years ago, was to be seen +at Otterton House, pasted on a piece of board for its better +preservation.[3] + +At St. Mary Ottery, about six miles above East Budleigh, on the opposite +side of the river, the poet Coleridge was born, in 1772. When young he +went to London, where he was educated at Christ's Hospital; and few +reminiscences of the place of his birth are to be found in his poems, +though he has dedicated one sonnet to his "Dear native brook, wild +streamlet of the west,"--the river Otter. + +[3] Polwhele's _History of Devon_, vol ii. p. 219. + + + + +[Illustration: VIEW FROM THE BEACH AT SIDMOUTH. + +_LOOKING TOWARDS THE SOUTH-WEST._] + + + + +VIEW FROM THE BEACH AT SIDMOUTH, + +LOOKING TOWARDS THE SOUTH-WEST. + + +In this view, from a painting by J. D. Harding, the characteristic +features of the coast of Devon are most happily expressed; and the +manner in which the subject is treated at once displays the feeling of +the artist to appreciate, and his ability to depict, the most beautiful +scenery of the English coast. The simplicity of truth is not here +outraged for the sake of pictorial effect, but the whole composition is +at the same time appropriate, natural, and pleasing. + +Sidmouth is situated on the southern coast of Devonshire, about 15 miles +south-east of Exeter, and 158 south-west of London. It derives its name +from the little stream called the Sid, which there discharges itself +into the sea. The town is situated at the end of a beautiful vale, and +is sheltered on the east, west, and north by ranges of hills, which are +cultivated to their very summits. It occupies the margin of a small bay, +bounded on the east by Salcombe Hill, and on the west by Peak Hill, each +more than 600 feet above the level of the sea at low water. The +undulating and richly-cultivated vale through which the Sid meanders is +screened towards the north by the Gittisham and Honiton Hills. On the +south it commands an extensive view of the sea. It has a bold and open +shore, and many of its newest houses are built near the beach, which is +protected from the encroachments of the sea by a natural rampart of +shingly pebbles, that rises in four or five successive stages from near +low-water mark, and terminates in a broad and commodious promenade about +one-third of a mile in length. Sidmouth has two suburbs, respectively +called the Western Town and the Marsh. It has a weekly market on +Saturday, and two annual fairs--the one on Easter Tuesday, the other on +the Wednesday after September 1. The church is dedicated to St. +Nicholas. Its revenues were granted, in 1205, by Bishop Marshall, to the +monastery of St. Michael, in Normandy, to which the priory of Otterton +was a cell, but afterwards reduced with those of the other alien +priories. The beauty of its situation, the mildness and salubrity of the +air, and the conveniences afforded for sea-bathing, have caused Sidmouth +to be much frequented within the last forty years as a watering-place; +and there are now many private residences of the nobility and gentry +erected in its immediate vicinity, the proprietors of which, attracted +by the beauty of the scenery, and the mild, sheltered character of the +situation, reside there during the greater part of the year; thus giving +a superiority to the society, which the visitor cannot always find in +sea-bathing towns of a much larger population. + +Sidmouth is a place of great antiquity; and in 1348 it supplied three +ships and sixty-two mariners to the great fleet of Edward III. It has +been said that there was formerly a good harbour at Sidmouth, but that +it became so choked up with sand, that no ships could enter. This +account, however, is considered by the Rev. Edmund Butcher to be +inaccurate. He says that no sand has destroyed its harbour; and he is of +opinion that there never was one of any magnitude at the place. He, +however, thinks that there might have been a kind of natural basin, in +which the small vessels of former times might have rode, or even +discharged their cargoes, with less risk than is at present incurred by +vessels which unload on the beach. + + + + +[Illustration: CAVES AT LADRAM BAY. + +_DEVONSHIRE._] + + + + +CAVES AT LADRAM BAY. + + +Ladram Bay is on the southern coast of Devonshire, and lies between +Sidmouth and the mouth of the river Otter. It is of small extent, and is +neither noticed by any of the historians of the country, nor described +in any guide-book. The Lade rock forms its eastern extremity; and to the +westward it is bounded by a similar promontory, near to which are the +caves represented in the engraving. The bay is only accessible to +pedestrians proceeding from Sidmouth at low water through a cave at its +eastern point; and its approach from the westward is also through a +perforated rock. This small and secluded bay is extremely romantic, and +the cliffs between its extreme points are lofty and nearly +perpendicular. It is frequently visited in summer by picnic parties from +Sidmouth, Otterton, and Budleigh Salterton; and it is said that +smugglers, availing themselves of its retired situation, occasionally +manage to land a cargo there, notwithstanding the vigilance of the +preventive men, who have a look-out near the bay, but not a regular +station. The only house in its immediate vicinity is a fisherman's +cottage, near the end of the road leading to it from Otterton. + +There are several curious caverns and perforated rocks on the southern +coast of Devon. Just within the promontory called the Bolt-head, at the +western end of Salcomb-bar, is a cavern called the Bull-hole, which is +believed by many persons of the neighbourhood to extend for about three +miles to a similar cavern in a creek near Sewer-mill. The tradition is +that a bull entered at one cavern, and came out at the other; and hence +the name of the Bull-hole. Nearly at the top of the cliff of Bolberry +Down, about a mile to the eastward of the Bolt-tail, is a cavern called +Ralph's-hole, which is about twenty feet long, seven feet wide, and +eight feet high. It is nearly four hundred feet above the sea; and the +rock by which it is approached is within three feet of the precipice, +and only admits of one person passing at a time. It is said that a man +named Ralph made this cave his abode for many years in order to avoid +being arrested, and that with a hay-fork as a weapon to defend the +entrance he set the bailiffs at defiance; his residence, however, was +more remarkable for its security than its convenience; and if the +blessing of freedom is not included in the balance of advantages and +evils, Ralph would probably have found a more comfortable home in any of +her Majesty's gaols than in his sea-beaten fortress. A few miles +further westward, directly off Thurlston sands, in Bigberry bay, is a +perforated rock, about thirty feet high, called Thurlston rock. At very +low ebb-tides it is left dry, but as the flood increases, the sea washes +over it, making a noise in stormy weather that is heard at a great +distance. + +The village of Otterton, in the immediate vicinity of these caves, is +remarkable for the peculiarity of possessing a church with a tower at +the eastern end. At this place there was formerly an alien priory +subject to St. Michael's, in Normandy. The river Otter is a fine trout +stream, and affords much amusement to the patrons of the rod and line; +but it is navigable for boats only at high-water, when small craft can +ascend as far as Otterton, about two and a half miles from its mouth. A +view from Peak-hill, an eminence in this neighbourhood, frequently +excites the admiration of visitors, commanding as it does the beautiful +vale of Sidmouth, with the village and beach on the east, the vale of +the Otter on the west, bordered by Haldon and other hills, and extending +to the sea on the south. + +Bicton House, on the banks of the Otter, is the seat of Lord Rolle; it +is a spacious edifice, standing in a park plentifully stocked with +beach, elm, and oak, and abounding in deer. At the time of Domesday +survey, this manor was held by the somewhat burdensome tenure of +maintaining the county gaol; but from this service it has been many +years relieved by Act of Parliament. Sir Walter Raleigh was born at +Hayes, in the parish of East Budleigh, a small village about four miles +from Sidmouth; and much of his love for maritime enterprise was probably +derived from his early associations with this romantic coast, so well +calculated to impress the youthful mind with a passion for the sea and +its wonders. + + + + +[Illustration: WEYMOUTH.] + + + + +WEYMOUTH + + +Weymouth and Melcombe-Regis lie on opposite sides of the same river, the +latter on the east, and the former on the west. They are connected by a +bridge, the central part of which can be swung open, to allow of the +passing and repassing of ships. The name of Weymouth is generally given +to the united towns, which are both in the county of Dorset, and about +130 miles to the south-westward of London. + +Weymouth derives its name from the Wey, or Way, a small river which +there discharges itself into the sea. It is a place of great antiquity; +it is mentioned in a charter granted by Ethelred, about the year 880, +giving certain lands there to his faithful minister, Altsere. In the +Domesday Survey there are no less than eight places in the county with +the name of _Wai_ or _Waia_; that, however, which is described as having +twelve _salterns_, or salt ponds, was undoubtedly the Weymouth of the +present time. In the reign of Edward II. Weymouth returned two members +to Parliament; and in 1347, probably in conjunction with Melcombe, it +supplied 15 ships and 263 mariners to the grand fleet of Edward III. + +Melcombe owes its adjunct, "Regis"--King's--to its having been a part of +the demesne lands of the crown in the time of Edward I. It is not +mentioned in the Domesday survey; but it appears to have been summoned +to return two members to Parliament several years earlier than Weymouth, +though the latter, in all charters, has precedence as the more ancient +town. The inhabitants of the two places had frequent quarrels respecting +their rights to the harbour and the profits thence accruing; and, in +consequence of those dissensions, the towns were deprived of the +privileges of a staple port by Henry VI. In the thirteenth year of the +reign of Elizabeth the two towns were united into one borough, having +their privileges in common, and jointly returning four members to +Parliament. By the Reform Bill the number of members returned by the +united towns has been limited to two. + +The following is Leland's account of the two places at the time of his +visiting them, in the reign of Henry VIII.: "Ther is a townlet on the +hither side of the haven of Waymouth caullid Milton or Melcombe], beyng +privilegid and having a mair. This town, as it is evidently seene, hathe +beene far bigger then it is now. The cause of this is layid on to the +Frenchmen, that in tymes of war rasid this towne for lak of defence. For +so many houses as be yn the town, they be welle and strongly buildid of +stone. There is a chapelle of ease in Milton. The paroch church is a +mile of: a manifest token that Milton is no very old town ... Milton +standith as a peninsula, by reason of the water of the haven that a +little above the toun, spreedith abrode and makith a bay, and by the bay +of the mayne sea that gulfith it in on the other side. The tounlet of +Waymouth lyith strait agaynst Milton on the other side of the haven, and +at this place the water of the haven is but of a small brede; and the +_trajectus_ is by a bote and a rope bent over the haven, so that in the +fery bote they use no oars. Waymouth hath certein liberties and +privileges, but ther is no mair yn it. Ther is a key and warf for +shippes."[4] + +In the same manner as at many other towns on the southern coast, the +trade of Weymouth appears to have declined considerably from the time +that the English ceased to have any possessions in France; and the +comparatively small depth of water in the harbour has tended to prevent +the increase of its shipping in modern times. The harbour at Weymouth is +what is called a tide-harbour. The channel is about fourteen feet deep +at high water; and at the quays on each side the ships lie aground at +low water. The large lake at the westward of Melcombe-Regis receives at +spring tides a vast body of water, which, on its return scours the +harbour and prevents the accumulation of sand. The number of ships +belonging to the port of Weymouth is about eighty-five, the aggregate +tonnage of which is 7175 tons. + +The increase of Weymouth within the last forty or fifty years is chiefly +owing to the number of persons who take up a temporary residence there +to enjoy the benefit of sea-bathing, for which the excellent beach +affords the greatest convenience. It is said that the place first began +to obtain celebrity on this account about 1763, in consequence of Ralph +Allen, Esq., of Prior Park, near Bath, having derived great benefit +while residing there, and recommending it to his friends. Weymouth was +visited, in 1789, by George III., who resided there for about ten weeks, +and was so much pleased with the place that in several succeeding years +it was honoured with a royal visit. + +[4] Leland's Itinerary, vol. iii., p. 79. Edition 1769. + + + + +[Illustration: HURST CASTLE. + +_THE PRISON OF KING CHARLES I._] + + + + +HURST CASTLE + + + "Here Walter Scott has woo'd the Northern muse; + Here he with me has joyed to walk or cruise; + Hence have we ranged by Celtic camps and barrows, + Or climb'd the expectant bank, to thread the Narrows + Of HURST, bound westward to the gloomy bower + Where CHARLES was prisoned in yon island-tower." + + W. STEWART ROSE. + +Among the numerous objects which confer particular interest and beauty +on the neighbourhood of Lymington, the most prominent is Hurst Castle, +of which a striking view is presented in the annexed Engraving. It was +erected by Henry the Eighth, as a fortress for the protection of this +part of the Channel from piratical inroads and hostile aggression, and +to give his "loving subjects" a strong and lasting pledge of his +"paternal solicitude" for their welfare. It is situated near the +extremity of a remarkable, natural causeway, or point of land, which +runs boldly into the sea to a distance of nearly two miles, and exhibits +these massive battlements to great advantage. Its works of defence +consist of a circular tower, strengthened by semicircular bastions; and +when armed and garrisoned in a manner becoming the important trust +confided to it, must have presented a very formidable appearance. + +Lymington, to whose neighbourhood this formidable stronghold serves as +an attractive feature, is now well known and much frequented as a +delightful watering-place. It stands about a mile from the narrow +channel which separates the main land from the Isle of Wight. Owing to +the daily increasing facilities of communication, the picturesque +scenery of the New Forest, the various objects of interest and notoriety +with which the vicinity abounds, and the delightful prospects which may +be enjoyed from the windows of the apartments as well as from the +adjoining walks, Lymington is well deserving of the commendation which +it has uniformly received from all strangers.[5] + +Among the many tempting rides and walks which are open to the public, +and present a continual variety of sea and inland views, the most +interesting are those to Mudiford, Milford, Boldre, Beaulieu, and High +Cliff. On the latter the late Earl of Bute erected a magnificent +edifice, in consequence of an early and strong partiality to the spot; +for here, he observed, he had always slept soundly, when he could find +that luxury nowhere else. The view from this point is one of the finest +in the kingdom. The house, though much reduced in size, and modernized +by the present owner, has rather gained than lost by the change; while +the salubrious quality of the air has certainly not deteriorated. Boldre +contains much picturesque scenery, which will be still more highly +appreciated when the stranger is informed that in the vicarage of this +parish, and amidst the scenes which daily met his eye, the late Rev. and +pious William Gilpin composed his popular work on Forest Scenery.[6] +Beaulieu is interesting as having been the seat of a rich abbey, founded +in 1204; the refectory of which has been long used as a parish +church.[7] Mudiford possesses a fine level sandy beach, of wide extent, +admirably adapted for sea-bathing, and commanding a variety of scenes +and objects of great beauty. It was a favourite with George the Third +and Queen Charlotte, when at Weymouth, who honoured Mr. Rose with a +visit at his picturesque cottage on the beach. + +[5] The cliffs which extend towards Hurst Castle abound in marine +fossils, shells, and petrifactions, from which many excellent +collections have been made. + +[6] _Remarks on Forest Scenery and other Woodland Views, illustrated by +the Scenery of New Forest, 1791._ The _Picturesque Tours_, by the same +author, display a deep and correct feeling of the beauties of nature. At +his death, in 1804, he appropriated a collection of his Sketches to the +endowment of a school at Boldre. + +[7] The pulpit belonging to this ancient refectory is the most perfect +and elegant relic of its kind in England. + + + + +[Illustration: COWES. + +_HAMPSHIRE._] + + + + +COWES. + + +East and West Cowes, in the Isle of Wight, lie on opposite sides, and +near the mouth of the river Medina, which rises on the southern side of +the island, and after passing Newport, discharges itself into the +strait--usually called the Solent Sea--that separates the Isle of Wight +from the main land. The view of the harbour in the engraving is taken +from West Cowes. + +In the reign of Henry VIII., two castles were built at the mouth of the +river Medina to defend the passage to Newport. The old castle at West +Cowes is still standing, but that of East Cowes has long been +demolished. The castellated building seen in the engraving is a +gentleman's seat, and is of modern erection, combining the interior +comforts of modern civilization with the exterior grandeur of a baronial +residence of the middle ages; but whether such a combination is lawful, +admits of a doubt. Beheld from the sea, with its towers and battlements +rising above the luxuriant plantations around it, has a fine and +imposing effect. The grounds are extensive and well designed, possessing +at once the scenery of a park and the cultivated beauty of a +pleasure-ground. + +Cowes harbour is spacious and commodious; and the roads off the mouth of +the river, which afford excellent anchorage, used frequently to be +crowded, in time of war, with merchant-vessels waiting for convoy; and +the towns derived great advantage from supplying ships, while thus +detained, with provisions and small stores. The loss of a great part of +this trade, on the termination of the war, has perhaps been more than +compensated by Cowes having become the rendezvous of the Royal Yacht +Squadron, which was first established under the name of the Yacht Club, +in 1815. The number of vessels belonging to the squadron is about a +hundred, and their aggregate tonnage is nearly 9,000 tons. The members +have a club-house at Cowes; and at the annual regatta, which generally +takes place about the last week in August, there are usually upwards of +two hundred vessels assembled in the roads, to witness the sailing for +the different prizes. + +The town of West Cowes is situated on the declivity, and at the base of +a hill, on the summit of which stands the church. The streets are mostly +narrow, and irregularly built; but recently the town and its vicinity +have been much improved by the erection of several large houses and +beautiful villas. There is a regular communication between Cowes and +Southampton, by steam-boats, which, in summer, leave each place twice a +day. East Cowes is a much smaller place than West Cowes; but, like the +latter, it has been greatly enlarged within the last twenty years. + +In the vicinity of East Cowes is situated Osborne House, the marine +residence of her Majesty and the royal family, for whose accommodation +great additions and improvements have been made to the house and +grounds, and what was formerly the seat of a private gentleman, has now +been rendered a palace worthy of the royalty of England. The brief +limits to which our notices are confined preclude us from entering upon +a description of an edifice to which we could do but very imperfect +justice, and which, after all, must derive its chief interest from the +illustrious family who occupy its walls, and avail themselves of its +peculiarly advantageous situation as the starting point for those marine +excursions in which the Queen and her Consort so frequently indulge. The +presence of royalty in its neighbourhood has rendered Cowes one of the +most fashionable, as nature had previously made it one of the most +beautiful, of the watering places on our southern coast, while the +facilities afforded by the competing lines of the London and South +Western, and London and South Coast Railways, render it at all times +easy of access from the metropolis. + + + + +[Illustration: SOUTHAMPTON. + +_HANTS._] + + + + +SOUTHAMPTON. + + +The town of Southampton is situated in the county of the same name, or, +as it is more frequently called, Hampshire. It is built on a point of +land at the confluence of the river Itchin with the estuary called the +Anton, but which is more generally known as Southampton Water. The +origin of the name of the town--which has unquestionably given its name +to the county--does not appear to have been satisfactorily ascertained; +some writers supposing it to be composed of the Saxon words, _ham_ and +_tun_ or _ton_--which are nearly synonymous, and each equivalent to the +modern English town--with the prefix _South_ to distinguish it more +emphatically from Northampton. Others, however, consider that the name +has been derived from the river Anton, on the banks of which the town is +situated. "The town of _An_dover," says Sir Henry Englefield, "the +village of Abbot's-_An_, the farm of North_anton_, and the hamlet of +South_anton_, both near Overton, and not far from the eastern source of +the river _Anton_ or rather _Ant_, are abundant proofs of the +probability of this etymology." + +Southampton, as a chartered borough, may rank with the oldest in the +kingdom. Madox, in his _Firma Burgi_, says that Henry II. "confirmed to +his men, or burgesses of Southampton, their guild, and their liberties +and customs by sea and land; he having regard to the great charges which +the inhabitants thereof have been at in defending the sea-coasts." From +a grant by the same king to the priory of St. Dionysius, it appears that +there were then four churches in Southampton. While the English were in +possession of Guienne, the merchants of Southampton carried on a +considerable trade with Bayonne, Bordeaux, and other towns in the south +of France. + +In 1338 the town was assaulted and burnt by a party of French or +Genoese; and in the next year an act was passed for its better +fortification. Whatever injury the town might have sustained from the +attack of the French or Genoese, it would seem that its trade as a port +was not diminished by it; for, nine years afterwards, Southampton +supplied twenty-one ships and four hundred and seventy-six mariners to +the great fleet of Edward III. In consequence of another attack by the +French, in the reign of Richard II., the fortifications were further +strengthened. In 1415 the army of Henry V., destined for the invasion +of France, assembled at Southampton, where, previous to their +embarkation, the Earl of Cambridge, Lord Scrope, and Sir Thomas Grey, +were executed for high treason. The result of this memorable expedition +was the victory of Agincourt. While the English continued to hold +possession of part of France, the trade of Southampton appears to have +been very flourishing, and the port was one of the principal in the +south of England for the import of wine. Camden, writing about 1586, +describes it as a town famous for the number and neatness of its +buildings, the wealth of its inhabitants, and the resort of merchants; +"but now," adds Camden's translator, writing about a hundred years +afterwards, "it is not in the same flourishing condition as formerly it +was; for having lost a great part of its trade, it has lost most of its +inhabitants too; and the great houses of merchants are now dropping to +the ground, and only show its ancient magnificence."[8] + +For the last fifty years the trade of Southampton, as a port, has been +gradually reviving; and at present there is no port in the south of +England in a more flourishing condition. The arrival and departure of +the numerous large steamers belonging to the Oriental and Peninsular and +the West India Mail Packet Companies, give it an air of activity and +importance very different from the character given of it in the +preceding paragraph. The splendid docks, and the facilities afforded by +the railway, have induced the government of the day to select it as an +eligible point for the embarkation of a large portion of the emigrants +sent out with free or assisted passages to the Australian colonies. + +[8] Camden's _Britannia_, translated by Bishop Gibson, vol. i., p. 213. + + + + +[Illustration: THE WALLS OF SOUTHAMPTON.] + + + + +SOUTHAMPTON. + +THE WALLS. + + + "Of yore, SOUTHAMPTON, by thy briny flood, + Girt with his courtly train, great Canute stood; + And, turning from the disobedient wave, + A check severe to servile flattery gave." + +The accompanying View shows a portion of those ancient fortifications +within which the town of Southampton was originally enclosed. The walls +are in many places quite demolished; but in others they still present a +venerable, though dilapidated appearance, with the remains of several +towers at regular intervals, after the manner of fortified cities. The +circuit of the walls is computed at nearly two miles. With regard to the +precise date at which the walls were erected, there is no certain +record. The north, east, and south walls bear every mark of uniform +regularity in their structure: the gates of the town are apparently of +the same date with the walls, and much resemble each other in the massy, +flat form of their pointed arches, which rise at an angle from their +piers, being struck from centres below the level of their spring--a mode +of construction chiefly used in the reign of Edward the First. Yet the +remains of semicircular towers, still visible on the Bargate, and which +flanked its round arch, very much resembling the towers on the north and +east walls, lead us to suspect that the wall, on the land side at least, +is of higher antiquity than the time of the Edwards, and that the +present gates were built later than the wall. The very singular position +of the Water-gate, which retires thirty feet behind the eastern part of +the south wall, and the awkward position of the South-gate, at the very +angle of the wall, seem to indicate that these gates were not parts of +the original design. From the south-west angle of the wall, quite to the +Bridle-gate, which was close to the vallum of the Castle, the whole wall +is a mass of irregular and almost inexplicable construction. It is +conjectured that the side of the town, protected as it was by the +Castle, and covered by the sea, was not at all, or but very slightly +fortified, until the fatal experience of the sack of the town by the +French proved that some further defence was necessary. The line of the +town wall, south of the West-gate, is irregular in its construction; and +the wall between the West and Bridle-gates bears evident marks of +having been built in the most hasty manner, and with the greatest +economy of materials. This wall, in its present form, Sir Henry +Englefield supposes to have been built about the period when, according +to the old historians, Richard the Second fortified the town, and built, +or probably repaired and strengthened, the Castle, for it had evidently +been built several centuries before his reign. + +At the accession of Henry the Eighth, the port of Southampton was much +frequented by foreign merchant vessels, particularly those of Venice, +which traded largely in wool and tin. But the exportation of wool being +prohibited by the legislature, the Levant merchants gradually resorted +to other ports, and, now deserted by her commercial friends, Southampton +found her resources greatly impoverished. About the commencement of the +last century, however, the tide flowed once more in her favour, and, +continuing to increase, has at length placed her in a position of +unprecedented prosperity. But to this happy result the erecting of new +docks, an improved harbour, and, above all, communication with London by +railway, have mainly contributed. The terminus to the latter, begun and +completed in 1839, is a very pleasing piece of Italian composition, with +a projecting rusticated arcade of five arches below, and the same number +of pedimental windows to the upper floor. The facade, nearly seventy +feet in length, is considerably extended in its lower part by +screen-walls, which take a sweep from the building. + +The principal trade of Southampton is with Portugal and the Baltic, and +with the islands of Guernsey and Jersey. Hemp, iron, and tallow are +imported from Russia; tar and pitch from Sweden; and from Portugal, wine +and fruit. + +The environs of Southampton are particularly interesting and +agreeable--enlivened with elegant seats, romantic ruins, picturesque +villages, and much beautiful scenery, which never fail to attract a +great confluence of visitors during the fine season. Among these Netley +Abbey is the grand attraction. The town itself is rich in vestiges of +antiquity; and, in its modern character, presents all the _agremens_ to +be met with in our most fashionable watering-places. + + + + +[Illustration: ENTRANCE TO PORTSMOUTH HARBOUR.] + + + + +PORTSMOUTH. + +ENTRANCE TO THE HARBOUR. + + +In the front of this view, and towards the right, a man-of-war cutter is +seen running out of the harbour; and, from her heel to leeward, and the +agitated state of the water, we may perceive that it is blowing a stiff +breeze. Vessels of her class are chiefly employed in the coast-guard +service and as admirals' tenders, or as packets on short voyages, or in +communicating between one naval depot and another. In the distance, to +leeward of her, the Dock-yard semaphore is perceived; and more to the +right, but nearer to the eye of the spectator, is seen the Round Tower; +from which, in former times, an immense chain used to extend to the +Block-house at Gosport, on the opposite side of the channel, for the +purpose of protecting the entrance to the harbour, in the event of its +being assailed by the ships of an enemy. Towards the centre of the +engraving a broad-side view is presented of the Port-Admiral's +flag-ship, a first-rate, which, from the flags at her mast-head, appears +to be making a signal; ahead of her, in the distance, the hulls are +perceived of two ships of war, laid up in ordinary; and further to the +left is seen part of the Block-house Fort, at Gosport, with a beacon, to +direct vessels in making the harbour. + +Portsmouth harbour is one of the most secure and commodious in the +kingdom; and from the depth of water, both within it and at its mouth, +ships of the line can enter or depart at all times of the tide. From the +narrowness of its entrance,--which, between the old Round Tower at +Portsmouth and the Block-house Fort at Gosport, is not wider than the +Thames at London-bridge,--it is protected from the swell of the sea; +while it is sheltered from the violence of winds blowing off the land, +by the range of hills to the northward. Immediately above its entrance +the harbour begins to expand, and about a mile and a half above the old +Round Tower it is nearly two miles in breadth. It then branches off into +three principal creeks, or _leats_, as they are frequently called; one +of which runs up to Fareham, another to Porchester Castle, and the third +to Portsbridge. In these creeks most of the men-of-war in ordinary are +moored. As those ships, when laid up, are each covered over with a large +wooden roof, to protect them from the effects of the weather, they +appear, when seen from Portsdown Hill, which commands an excellent view +of the harbour, not so much like floating castles as like immense +floating barns--ample garners, which would contain more corn than the +swords and cutlasses of their former gallant crews, beat into +reaping-hooks, will ever cut down! + +At Portsmouth the tide flows about seven hours and ebbs about five; and +the velocity with which the ebb tide runs out effectually scours the +channel at the mouth of the harbour, and prevents the accumulation of +sand. It is high water in the harbour at half-past 11 o'clock at the +full and change of the moon; and the rise of spring tides is about +eighteen feet, and of neaps about twelve. In the months of March and +April the specific gravity of the water in Portsmouth harbour becomes so +much increased, that ships lying there are observed to float about two +inches lighter than at other times of the year. The latitude of the +Observatory in the Dock-yard is 50 deg. 48' 3" north; longitude 1 deg. 5' 59" +west. + +Though Portsmouth does not appear to have been a place of much +consideration as a naval station previous to the reign of Henry VIII., +who may be regarded as the first English King that established a +permanent royal navy, it was yet undoubtedly a town of some consequence +long before that time. In 1194, Richard I. granted a charter to the +inhabitants, wherein, after declaring that he retains the town of +"Portsmue" in his own hands, he establishes an annual fair to be held +therein for fifteen days, to which all persons of England, Normandy, +Poictou, Wales, Scotland, and all others, either foreigners or his own +people, might freely resort, and enjoy the same privileges as at the +fairs of Winchester, Hoiland, or elsewhere in his dominions. The +burgesses of "Portsmue," as the place was then called, were also allowed +to have a weekly market, with the same privileges and immunities as +those of Winchester and Oxford; with freedom from all tolls of portage, +passage, and stallage, and exemption from suit and service at hundred +and county courts.[9] This charter was confirmed in 1201 by King John, +and in 1230 by Henry II.; and in 1256 the latter monarch granted another +charter, establishing a guild of merchants at Portsmouth. The privileges +of the burgesses were at several different times confirmed by succeeding +kings; and, in 1627, Charles I. granted them a charter, whereby a mayor +and twelve aldermen were appointed for the civil government of the town. +This charter, which was renewed by Charles II., has since been modified +by the Municipal Reform Bill of 1835, which directs that the borough +shall be divided into six wards, which shall elect a town council of +forty-two members. In 1298 the borough was summoned to send two members +to Parliament, a privilege which it continues to enjoy. + +[9] Anderson's History of Commerce, vol. i., p. 180., edit. 1787. + + + + +[Illustration: RIGGING HULK AND FRIGATE, PORTSMOUTH.] + + + + +PORTSMOUTH. + +RIGGING-HULK, WITH A NEW FRIGATE ALONGSIDE. + + +In this engraving we have a view of a new frigate, with only her lower +masts in, lying alongside of the _Topaze_ rigging-hulk. The latter +vessel--which now presents so clumsy an appearance, from her bows and +sides being sheathed with a stout doubling of timber, and from a wooden +house being built over her stem--was formerly a French frigate, and, +when she first came into our possession, she was much admired by +nautical men for the beauty of her build. Further in the distance, to +the right, is seen a first-rate lying off the Dockyard Quay, partly +rigged; and, beyond her, are perceived the immense wooden roofs which +cover the building-slips. The line of building to the right is the +rigging-house, and the tower erected above it is the Dockyard Semaphore. +On the extreme right, towards the front, is seen the forepart of a +mooring-lighter, with one of the numerous spar-booms lying afloat near +the Common Hard. The original picture was exhibited in the Gallery of +the British Institution, where it excited general admiration. + +The great naval depot at Portsmouth is partially described in connection +with other engravings in this work, and we have therefore thought it +might be interesting to occupy our present space with some details +respecting the peculiar mode in which one very important portion of the +rigging is manufactured in this yard, and which forms a principal object +of curiosity to all persons visiting it. We allude to the machinery for +manufacturing blocks, invented by Mr. Brunel, the celebrated engineer. + +After the wood--generally elm--for the shell of the block is cut into +proper sizes by circular-saws, its complete formation, including the pin +and the sheave, is effected by means of several different machines, all +contrived with the greatest mechanical skill, and put in motion by a +steam-engine. The first process is that of the boring-machine, which, by +means of a centre-bit, pierces a hole to receive the pin, and at the +same time, according as the block is intended to be single or double, +forms one or two similar holes, at right angles to the former, to +receive the first stroke of the chisel which cuts out the space for the +sheave. By the second, called the mortising-machine, this space is cut +out by a chisel acting vertically, and making about a hundred and +twenty strokes a minute, and under which the block is caused to move +gradually, so that at each stroke a thin piece of the wood is cut away. +After this the block is taken to a circular-saw, which cuts off the +corners, and reduces it to the form of an octagon. The shaping-machine, +to which it is next taken, consists of two equal and parallel wheels +moving on the same axis, to which one of them is permanently fixed, +while the other is moveable in the line of the axis, so that, by sliding +it nearer to the former, or more apart, as may be required, the shells +of blocks of all sizes may be fixed between their two parallel rims. Ten +shells of the same size being firmly fixed at regular intervals between +those rims, the wheels are put into motion with extreme velocity, and +the shells are rounded by striking against a cutting instrument, which +at the same time moves in such a manner as to give to each block its +proper shape and curvature. When one half of the side has thus been +finished, the motion of the wheels is reversed, and the other half +finished in the same manner. When one side has been rounded, the shells +are reversed, and the other side completed as above. The last process +which the shell undergoes consists in scooping out the groove for the +strap, or "strop," as the rope is called, which goes round the block. +The shell is now completed, and the visitor is next shown the different +processes in forming the sheave and the pin. + +The sheaves are generally made of lignum-vitae; and the first operation +is performed by a circular-saw, which cuts the wood into pieces of a +proper thickness. By a second machine the holes for the pins are bored, +and they are formed into perfect circles by means of a crown-saw. The +third, called the coaking-machine, is an admirable specimen of +mechanical ingenuity. By its operation, a small cutter drills out round +the pin-hole--to a certain depth from the flat surface of the +sheave--three semicircular grooves, for the reception of the metal coak, +or bush, which sustains the friction of the pin. So truly are those +grooves formed, that the slight tap of a hammer is sufficient to fix the +coak in its place. The fourth operation consists in casting the coaks. +By a fifth, after being fitted in the grooves, holes are drilled in the +coaks, for the reception of the pins which fasten them to the sheaves; +and by a sixth the pins are rivetted. By the seventh operation, the +central hole in the coak for the pin, on which the sheave turns, is +drilled out. By the eighth, the groove for the rope is turned round the +circumference of the sheave, and its sides polished. In the ninth, the +iron pins, on which the sheaves revolve, are cast, turned, and polished; +and on their being inserted, the block is complete and ready for use. + + + + +[Illustration: VIEW FROM THE SALUTING PLATFORM, PORTSMOUTH.] + + + + +PORTSMOUTH. + +VIEW FROM THE SALUTING PLATFORM. + + +The correctness of this view will be immediately recognised by every +person in the least acquainted with Portsmouth. The platform, from which +it is taken, forms the grand promenade of the inhabitants, and is +usually the first place visited by strangers, on account of the prospect +which is thence obtained. Immediately in front of the engraving is seen +the northern extremity of the platform, on which are two soldiers, who +seem indulging themselves with a leisurely inhalation of the fresh +breeze from the water, after having liberally expended a portion of +their own breath in sounding their bugles at parade. Beyond the +platform, the most conspicuous object is the Government Semaphore, with +three flags displayed as a signal; and to the left, the landing-place +called the King's Stairs. Beyond the old round tower is seen the +flag-ship of the Port Admiral; and, between her and the gun-brig which +is running in, a distant view is obtained of the Town Hall of Gosport. + +Portsmouth, one of our greatest naval depots, is situated near the +south-western extremity of the island of Portsea, in the county of +Hampshire, and is about seventy miles S.S.W. of London. Adjoining to it, +on the northward, is the town of Portsea; and to the south-east, without +the walls, lies the suburb of Southsea. The three places may be +considered as forming one large town, under the general name of +Portsmouth, the aggregate population of which is about 50,000. The +population of Gosport, which lies to the westward of Portsmouth, on the +opposite side of the harbour, is, with that of the adjacent hamlet of +Stoke, about 12,000. The docks and naval storehouses are within the +precinct of Portsea; the hospital and the victualling establishment are +at Gosport; and the offices of the Port Admiral and the residence of the +Lieutenant-Governor are at Portsmouth, within the lines of which are +also the barracks for the accommodation of the garrison. Portsmouth is +strongly fortified by a circuit of bastions and a moat, which enclose +the town on the landside, and which are connected with a similar line, +extending in a semi-circular form round the landside of Portsea. In the +event of a siege, it would require 14,000 men to form an efficient +garrison for the united towns. The situation of Portsmouth is low and +marshy; and the peculiar smell which arises from the mud at low water, +and from the moat, may be perceived at the distance of two or three +miles, in approaching the town from the northward. + +The principal church at Portsmouth stands in St. Thomas'-street, and +nearly in the centre of the town. It is dedicated to St. Thomas a +Becket, and was erected between 1210 and 1220, by Peter de Rupibus, +Bishop of Winchester. The transept and the chancel are the only parts +which remain of the original structure, the nave and side-aisles having +been rebuilt in 1692. At the same time the old tower, which formerly +stood above the intersection of the transepts and the nave, was taken +down, and the present one erected at the western entrance. It is +surmounted with a cupola, and its height is about 120 feet. + +With the exception of the older parts of St. Thomas' Church, which +afford one or two good specimens of the Gothic style, Portsmouth +contains but little in the shape of architectural antiquities that is +likely to attract the notice of the stranger. The building, above which +the Semaphore is erected, near the northern extremity of the saluting +platform, was, in former times, the residence of the governor of the +town. Previous to the suppression of the monasteries and religious +houses, it belonged to a Domus Dei, or hospital, which was founded in +1238. A part of the church of this hospital is yet standing at a short +distance to the south-east of the Semaphore, and near to the grand +parade. It is now the garrison chapel; and against its walls are placed +numerous monuments erected to the memory of officers, both naval and +military, who have died in the service of their country. + + "A tomb is theirs on every page, + An epitaph on every tongue; + The present hour, the future age, + For them bewail, to them belong. + + For them the voice of festal mirth + Grows hushed,--their name the only sound; + While deep remembrance pours to worth + The goblet's tributary round. + + A theme to crowds who knew them not, + Lamented by admiring foes; + Who would not share their glorious lot! + Who would not die the death they chose!"[10] + +[10] Lines by Lord Byron "On the Death of Sir Peter Parker." + + + + +[Illustration: GOSPORT, FLAG SHIP SALUTING.] + + + + +GOSPORT. + + +Gosport, of which our engraving represents a view, is a small, but +important town, adjoining Portsmouth, from which it is separated by a +wide channel, forming part of the extensive basin known as Portsmouth +Harbour, and containing a large number of our "wooden walls;" some in a +condition ready to put to sea at a few hours' notice, others lying in +ordinary, as it is termed, that is, without rigging, sails, or other +fittings requisite to render them complete and efficient for service, +but which are speedily provided when required. Portsmouth, Gosport, and +the neighbouring towns--including Portsea and Landport--form one +extensive fortified position, protected at every point from the attacks +of an enemy; they are enclosed by broad earthworks, along the extent of +which are mounted heavy guns, commanding the various drawbridges which +cross the moat surrounding the works. At a short distance from the town +is a large range of barracks for the marines, capable of accommodating +upwards of a thousand men--a portion of the building, including the +house of the commandant, has but recently been completed. Near this is a +new prison, devoted entirely to military occupation; it is a substantial +building of red brick, and well adapted for the accommodation of its +inmates consistent with its character as a penal establishment. + +Close to the harbour, and within the fortifications, is an immense pile +of imposing appearance, called the Clarence Victualling-yard; the most +interesting feature of which is, the admirable but simple +steam-machinery employed in making biscuits for the navy. In the +precincts of this immense depository are also included a cooperage, +brewhouse, and slaughterhouse, which supply the navy with the stores +requisite for their various destinations, including wines and spirits, +of which a large stock is constantly kept here. The quay at which her +Majesty embarks for her private residence, Osborne House, in the Isle of +Wight, is situated in this yard, which is connected with the main line +of the South-Western Railway, by a small branch running from the +terminus, devoted solely to the use of her Majesty and the Lords of the +Admiralty. There are two churches in the town, St. Mathew's, near the +entrance to the Clarence-yard, and Trinity; the former consists entirely +of free sittings, the latter is a chapel of ease to the parish church, +situated at Alverstoke, a small village, at a distance of little more +than a mile from the town. There are also a Catholic chapel, two +Wesleyan chapels, and two Congregational chapels in the town. + +Of late years the neighbourhood of Gosport has much improved; many +handsome and commodious villas, and other residences, having been +erected at various times. Anglesea, which adjoins Alverstoke, is quite a +new neighbourhood, and has but recently come into existence, consisting +principally of residences for the gentry during the summer months. The +town of Ryde, in the Isle of Wight, is situated opposite to this spot, +and between them lies the Solent, which at times is enlivened by the +appearance of some ships of war lying at anchor, and frequently of large +fleets of merchant ships detained here from stress of weather, or +waiting a favourable wind to convey them to their respective +destinations. At the mouth of the harbour, on the Gosport side, is +situated Blockhouse Fort, opposite to a similar one on the Portsmouth +side, embrasured with heavy guns for protecting the entrance to the +harbour, which is approached only by a circuitous channel, commanded on +the one side by the guns of Southsea Castle, and on the other by those +of Fort Monckton, at a short distance from which has recently been +erected another fort, to protect the entrance to the Southampton Water. +Adjoining Blockhouse Fort are barracks for the Royal Artillery, and at +Fort Monckton, barracks for infantry. Near the latter is Haslar +Hospital, devoted to the reception of sick members of the navy and +marines; it is a handsome quadrangular building of red brick, and +affords accommodation for a large number of patients; within its walls +are included a church, and a Museum of Natural History, which is well +supplied with specimens, and to which additions are being continually +made by the officers and gentlemen connected with the service. At the +foot of the High-street, Gosport, is the landing-place for passengers by +the steam ferry, or floating bridge, as it is called, which plies +between Gosport and Portsmouth every half-hour, and forms the only means +of communication for carriages and vehicles of all kinds. In addition to +the steam ferry is a staff of watermen, busily plying their calling +during the absence of the bridge, and securing the stray passengers that +may prefer their mode of transport, or have arrived too late for the +other conveyance. During certain states of the weather, the danger and +difficulty of managing their boats entitle the watermen to increased +fares, which are indicated by certain coloured flags hoisted +conspicuously over the town hall, near the beach, and regulated by a +person appointed by the licensing magistrates. The climate of this part +is healthy, and well adapted for persons with weak lungs, or affections +to which a cold, keen, air would be unfavourable. + + + + +[Illustration: MEN OF WAR AT SPITHEAD.] + + + + +MEN-OF-WAR AT SPITHEAD. + + +In this Engraving (a vignette) is presented a stern-view of a +seventy-four, with her guess-warp booms[11] out, moored at Spithead. To +the right is a victualling hoy, dropping alongside of the seventy-four; +and in the distance is seen a first-rate. The time is evening, which +invests the whole scene with its calm. We may conclude that the day has +been fine, as both ships seem to have availed themselves of the +opportunity thus afforded of "drying hammocks;" they are seen suspended +from their yards and between their masts. + +The roadstead of Spithead, which is sufficiently large to afford +convenient anchorage for nearly all the ships of the British navy, lies +between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight; and the usual place in which +ships of war ride is about three miles distant from Portsmouth harbour. +It derives its name from the _Spit_, or end of a sand bank, extending +from the western shore of the estuary towards Southsea Castle, about a +mile below Portsmouth. The channel for the harbour, from Spithead, is +comparatively narrow, and is commanded by the batteries at Southsea +Castle. To the westward of Spithead is the sand called the Motherbank, +on the edge of which merchantmen generally anchor; and to the +north-eastward are St. Helen's roads, a frequent rendezvous as well for +ships of war as for vessels in the merchant service. All these +roadsteads are protected from southerly winds by the high land of the +Isle of Wight. + +Within the last few years considerable interest has been excited by the +attempts which have been made to raise the guns, and various other +articles, belonging to the Royal George, which sank at Spithead on 29th +August, 1782. This ship carried 108 guns, and was considered one of the +finest in the navy, had just returned from sea, and, as she had made +more water than usual for some time before, it was at first intended +that she should go into dock. The surveying officers, however, having +discovered that the leak was not very far below the water-line, it was +resolved to repair the defect, with a view to saving time, by giving the +ship a heel as she lay at her moorings at Spithead. On subsequent +examination, it was found that a pipe which supplied the water for +washing the decks required to be replaced, and, as it lay considerably +below the water-line, it became necessary to give her a greater heel +than had been at first contemplated. For the purpose of effecting this, +some of her guns and part of her ballast were removed to the opposite +side. As the ship lay thus considerably inclined on her side, she, from +some cause that has not been clearly ascertained, gave an additional +heel, and the water rushing in through her lower-deck ports, which had +been carelessly left open, she almost instantly filled and sank, +carrying down with her a victualling hoy that was lying alongside. At +the time of the accident there were nearly twelve hundred persons on +board, of which number about nine hundred, including two hundred and +fifty women, were drowned. Among the sufferers were Admiral Kempenfelt +and several of the officers. About three hundred persons, chiefly +belonging to the ship's crew, were saved. Admiral Sir P. Durham, at that +time one of the lieutenants of the Royal George, was on board when the +accident happened, and saved himself by swimming to the shore. + +Mr. Kingstone, of the Portsmouth dockyard, who went down to the wreck in +a diving-bell in 1817, gives the following account of its appearance at +that time:--"The quarter-deck, forecastle, and roundhead, with the +larboard topside as low down as the range of the upper deck, are +entirely gone. The oak-strakes and midships of the flat of the upper +deck are much decayed by worms in several places so as to show the beams +and framing beneath. The whole of the fir appears as sound as when first +laid. The deck is much twisted, from the ship's falling so much fore and +aft. The wreck has a beautiful appearance when viewed about a fathom +above the deck, being covered with small weeds, interspersed with +shells, star-fish, and a species of polypus, lying on a thin, greasy, +grey sediment. All below the deck is a perfect solid of fine black mud; +and, when suspended over the larboard side, she appears a rude mass of +timber lying in all directions." + +During the summer of 1853, Spithead was the scene of a grand marine +review and sham fight. Her Majesty and Prince Albert were present, with +a numerous suite of naval officers. The nautical skill displayed on the +occasion received the highest encomiums from those best qualified to +judge of its value; and the merit of the screw propeller, as attached to +vessels of war, was strikingly manifested. + +[11] The guess-warp booms are the spars suspended at right angles from a +ship's side, to which the boats are made fast when she is moored. + + + + +[Illustration: BRIGHTON. + +_SUSSEX._] + + + + +BRIGHTON. + + +Brighton is in the county of Sussex, and lies about fifty-two miles +south of London. The old name of the town was Brighthelmstone, which +some antiquaries suppose to have been derived from Brighthelm, a Saxon +bishop; while others suppose that it may be derived from the Saxon +_beorht_, _briht_, _berht_, and _byrt_, signifying _bright_; _heal_, a +light-house or watch-tower, a corner or point of a wedge, a hall; and +the word _tun_, or _ton_, signifying a town. + +The name, spelled Bristelmstune, occurs in Doomsday-book. Three manors +are described under this name, and they all appear to have been formerly +in the possession of Earl Godwin, the father of King Harold. Brighton, +or Brighthelmstone, until it began to be frequented as a watering-place, +about the middle of the last century, is seldom noticed by historians; +and until that period it never appears to have risen above the condition +of a small fishing town. In 1313, John de Warren, then lord of the +manor, obtained a charter to have a market at Brighthelmstone every +Thursday; and in 1513 the place was pillaged by the French. In the reign +of Henry VIII. a block-house was erected at Brighton; and this defence +appears to have been either rebuilt or further strengthened in 1558. + +About 1750, Brighton, which was then recovering from the depressed state +in which it had been for upwards of a century, began to be visited +during the summer as a bathing-place. In 1782, the Duke of Cumberland, +brother to George III., when residing at Brighton, received a visit from +the Prince of Wales, afterwards George IV., and his royal highness was +so much pleased with the place, that he determined to build for himself +a marine residence there. The Pavilion was accordingly commenced in +1784; but from the alterations and additions which the royal owner was +almost constantly making, it would be difficult to say when it was +finished. On the decease of George IV., the Pavilion became the property +of his successor, William IV., from whom it has descended to her present +Majesty, who, disapproving of it as a marine residence, it was allowed +to fall into decay, and was ultimately purchased from the crown by the +corporation for upwards of L50,000. It is now open to the public for a +small fee, and the larger rooms are occasionally used for balls, +concerts, and public meetings. The grounds are at all times available as +promenades; and, whatever the architect may say of its merits, there can +be no doubt that the edifice adds one to the many attractions of +Brighton, and forms a favourite lounge for the visitors in weather which +will not permit of recreation in the open air. + +The Chain Pier is within a few minutes' walk of the Pavilion: it is +constructed upon the suspension principle; the chains are supported by +four pairs of towers, placed at a distance of nearly two hundred feet +apart. It terminates in a circular platform furnished with an awning and +seats, for the convenience of those who are desirous of inhaling the +invigorating breeze from so advantageous a position; commanding, as it +does, not only a prospect of the entire bay, but also an excellent view +of the town. The expense of its erection was about L30,000; but it has, +on several occasions, suffered from tempests, to which its great length +and exposed position render it at all times peculiarly liable, yet the +public spirit and liberality of the inhabitants have on each occasion +speedily repaired the damage. + +There is, perhaps, not another watering-place in the kingdom which can +exhibit so imposing a front to the ocean. For an extent of nearly three +miles Brighton displays a continuous line of handsome buildings, +interspersed with squares, crescents, and terraces--all commanding views +of the sea. The district of Kemp Town, at the eastern extremity of this +line, deserves especial notice. Many of its mansions comprise all the +luxuries and conveniences of the metropolis, with the sanitary +advantages of marine villas; leaving nothing to be desired by the most +fastidious taste, and affording accommodation for large establishments +conducted upon a scale befitting the highest ranks of our aristocracy. + +The proximity of Brighton to London, the short time in which the transit +between the towns is accomplished--less than two hours, and the numerous +trains which run during the day, give it at all times a decided +advantage over other sea-bathing towns on the south coast, and make a +popular excursion for those whom business or taste confines to the +capital, and who cannot enjoy a lengthened stay at the coast. + +The high grounds on the land side of Brighton afford unusual facilities +for horse and carriage drives, and thus agreeably diversify the +amusements of the day--an opportunity of which the inhabitants and +visitors freely avail themselves. Of the bathing accommodations we have +left ourselves no room to speak; but we may say they are of the highest +character, replete with every convenience, and on a scale becoming a +town of sixty thousand permanent residents. + + + + +[Illustration: HASTINGS.] + + + + +HASTINGS. + + +The town of Hastings is situated on the coast of Sussex, about +sixty-four miles S.S.E. of London. It has been supposed that the place +was so called from Hastings, a Danish pirate, "who, where he landed for +booty, built sometimes little fortresses; as we read, in Asserius +Menevensis, of Beamflote Castle built by him in Essex, and of others at +Appledore and Middleton in Kent"[12]. This conjecture, however, does not +appear to be well founded; for there can be little doubt of the place +having been called Hastings about the year 780, in the reign of King +Offa, whereas Hastings, the pirate, did not invade England till about +880, in the reign of Alfred the Great. "Some there are," says Camden, +"who ridiculously derive the name from the English word _haste_; +because, as Matthew Paris writes, 'apud Hastings ligneum _agiliter_ +castrum statuit Gulielmus Conquestor'--at Hastings William the Conqueror +_hastily_ set up a fortress of timber." Truly, as old Fuller might have +said, there has been more _haste_ than speed in the endeavour to provide +this place with a godfather. + +It is said that the old Saxon town of Hastings stood considerably to the +southward of the present one, and that it was destroyed by the +incursions of the sea previous to the Conquest. The town, however, would +appear to have been in a short time rebuilt; for William the Conqueror, +soon after landing at Pevensey, marched to Hastings, from whence he +advanced about eight miles into the country, where he encountered the +English army under Harold, at the place since called Battle, in +commemoration of the event. + +Hastings, though not the oldest, is considered to hold the first rank +among the ancient maritime boroughs called the Cinque Ports, which were +originally instituted for the defence of the coast, and endowed with +special privileges on condition of supplying a certain number of ships +and mariners for that purpose. Dover, Sandwich, and Romney are +considered the oldest of the Cinque Ports, as they are the only ones +which are mentioned in Domesday as privileged ports. Hastings and Hythe +are supposed to have been added by William the Conqueror; and the number +being thus increased to _five_, occasioned the community to be called +the _Cinque_ Ports. Although Winchelsea and Rye, which had previously +been members of Hastings, were constituted principal ports at some +period between the Conquest and the reign of King John, the name of +_Cinque_ Ports still continued to be given to the community. The Cinque +Ports are governed by a lord warden, who is also governor of Dover +Castle. A certain number of persons (called Barons) deputed from the +Cinque Ports, have the privilege of supporting the canopies above the +king and queen at coronations. + +There was formerly a pier at Hastings, at which vessels could unload; +but it was destroyed in a violent storm, about the commencement of the +reign of Queen Elizabeth, and never rebuilt. From the remains of this +pier, which are still to be seen at low water, it appears to have run +out in a south-eastern direction from the centre of the Marine Parade, +below where the fort now stands. The fort, in a great measure, answers +the purpose of a breakwater in resisting the waves, which in high tides, +accompanied with a strong wind from the seaward, would otherwise be +likely to do serious damage to the lower part of the town. + +The trade of Hastings is very inconsiderable; its imports being chiefly +coals for the consumption of the town, and its exports principally oak +timber and plank, for the purposes of ship-building. The great supports +of the town are the numerous visitors who take lodgings there during the +bathing season, and the fishery, which gives employment to about 500 +persons. What may now be considered the old town of Hastings is situated +in a hollow between two hills, the East and the Castle-hill, and +consists chiefly of two streets, which run nearly parallel to each +other, and are called High-street and All-Saints-street. The new town of +Hastings, which has been almost wholly erected within the last thirty +years, lies to the south and westward of the Castle-hill, so called from +the ruins of the old castle on its top. There are two old churches at +Hastings, St. Clement's and All-Saints', and a modern chapel, St. +Mary's, in Pelham-crescent, immediately under the Castle-hill. From the +accommodation which it affords to visitors, and the beauty and interest +of the walks and rides in its vicinity, Hastings is one of the most +agreeable watering-places on the southern coast of England. + +[12] Camden's Britannia, Bishop Gibson's Translation. + + + + +[Illustration: HASTINGS.] + + + + +HASTINGS. + +FROM THE BEACH. + + +We have elsewhere remarked upon the origin and early history of this +fashionable watering-place, and at the same time traced its connexion +with those once important towns, the Cinque Ports: on the present +occasion we propose to occupy our space with its modern features, and to +include a brief notice of its more aristocratic neighbour, St. Leonards. +The older streets, that lie close under the hill and stretch up towards +London, are narrow and inconvenient; they are mostly occupied as shops, +but new ranges of smart and commodious dwelling-houses have been built +on every hand. For many years the visiters to Hastings had to submit to +the inconveniences attendant upon a residence in a small fishing-town; +but these have now been removed, and hotels and private lodging-houses, +provided with all the luxuries of modern requirement, are to be found in +abundance. The rapidity with which Hastings can be reached from the +metropolis, while it has greatly increased the number of its visiters, +has, perhaps, robbed it of part of that exclusiveness for which it was +formerly distinguished. It is now the summer resort of a large and +constantly-increasing number of the middle class, who derive a new stock +of health from its genial breezes and bracing waves, while their +expenditure forms the support of the large and constantly-increasing +resident population. + +Of St. Leonards, we may remark that it is quite a creature of our own +day. Mr. Burton, the architect of a large part of the buildings about +the Regent's-park, commenced the formation of a new town here in 1828. +His plan was conceived on a bold scale, and was very fairly carried into +execution. A noble esplanade extends for more than half a mile along the +beach. A handsome range of buildings, called the Marina, some five +hundred feet in extent, stretches along the sea-front of the town, with +a covered colonnade of the same length. Other terraces and scattered +villas, bearing in character a considerable resemblance to those in the +Regent's-park, were also erected, together with a church, +assembly-rooms, bath-houses, and hotels of large size and the most +complete arrangements. There are also pleasure-grounds and other +contrivances for the amusement or comfort of visiters. St. Leonards has +been able to boast of a large array of noble and distinguished visiters +from its earliest infancy. Her present Majesty heads the list, she +having, when Princess Victoria, resided with her mother, in 1834, at the +western end of the Marina. The Queen Dowager is also among the names it +delights to remember. The house in which she lived is now called +Adelaide House. Among its literary visitants Campbell has perhaps the +first place, he having left a permanent record of his residence at it in +the _Lines on the View from St. Leonards_:-- + + "Hail to thy face and odours, glorious Sea! + 'Twere thanklessness in me to bless thee not, + Great, beauteous being! in whose breath and smile + My heart beats calmer, and my very mind + Inhales salubrious thoughts. How welcomer + Thy murmurs than the murmurs of the world! + Though like the world thou fluctuatest, thy din + To me is peace, thy restlessness repose. + Ev'n gladly I exchange yon spring-green lanes, + With all the darling field-flowers in their prime, + And gardens haunted by the nightingale's + Long trills and gushing ecstacies of song, + For these wild headlands and the sea-mew's clang. + + "With thee beneath my windows, pleasant Sea! + I long not to o'erlook earth's fairest glades + And green savannahs--Earth has not a plain + So boundless or so beautiful as thine." + +St. Leonards was originally a mile and a half distant from Hastings; but +the old town has stretched out its arms to its youthful progeny. The +Grand Parade was the first step towards uniting them; and now other +places have sprung up, and they are fairly joined together. The +esplanade now reaches, with hardly an interruption, from the Marine +Parade at Hastings to the Marina at St. Leonards, and forms probably the +finest walk of the kind in the kingdom. + +The vicinity of Hastings is replete with objects of interest, and +amongst them we may mention Bulverhythe, a short distance from St. +Leonards, generally assigned as the landing-place of William of +Normandy. East Hill, or Camp Hill, was probably the site chosen for his +first encampment, whence, after a brief stay, he marched to meet the +English troops under Harold. Of the events of that day our readers are +already well informed; but should any of them feel disposed to spend a +day in visiting the old town of Battle, they will find their labour well +repaid by an inspection of the ruins of Battle Abbey; though we must +caution them against the supposition that the existing remains are those +of the edifice erected by the Conqueror in commemoration of his victory: +they are of a later date, yet still deserving of a better fate than +seems to have fallen to their share. + + + + +[Illustration: RYE + +(Sussex)] + + + + +RYE, + +SUSSEX. + + +To the Cinque Ports, of which Rye and Winchilsea are appendages, we have +already adverted in several articles of this work. As places where +strength and vigilance were particularly necessary, and from which ships +might put to sea in cases of sudden emergency, these ports were +entitled, in former times, to the special attention of government, and +performed great and important services to the country. Their privileges +are numerous, and they are within the jurisdiction of the Constable of +Dover Castle, Warden of the Cinque Ports. + +Until the reign of Henry VIII., the crown seems to have had no permanent +navy, but to have depended almost entirely on the Cinque Ports for the +protection of our maritime frontier; and hence the origin of those +privileges conferred upon them by successive sovereigns, in +acknowledgment of services rendered to the State. Among these are the +exemption from toll and harbour-dues, still recognised at several ports, +and various other rights of minor consideration. In ancient times there +were several courts of jurisdiction, extending over all the ports and +their members, and intended either as courts of appeal, for persons who +considered themselves aggrieved by any of the separate and local +tribunals, or for regulating the grand affairs of the whole association; +but these may now be considered as obsolete--their functions have +dwindled to mere matters of form. + +Rye is a town and harbour of great antiquity, near the borders of the +Kentish marshes. It occupies the declivity of a hill, on a peninsula, +bounded on the south and west by the sea, and on the east by the river +Rother. The town is composed of several well-formed and regularly built +streets, and lighted with gas; and from various points the eye wanders +over the channel and adjacent country, where rural and marine scenery +conspire to form some of the most delightful views on the coast of +England. The ancient history of Rye, during the height of its prosperity +as a sea-port, abounds in incidents of a martial and romantic interest, +as transmitted to us by Froissart and the ancient chroniclers of those +times when the star of chivalry was still dominant in the kingdoms of +Europe. + +In the reign of Richard II., and again in that of Henry VI., Rye was +burnt by the French, when the early records of the town are supposed to +have been consumed; for, with the exception of a few fragments, all the +old writings and charters which have been discovered are subsequent to +that calamity. In the same conflagration, the old church is supposed to +have fallen a sacrifice, and to have been rebuilt in its present form--a +capacious cruciform structure with a central tower--but in a different +situation, the original having stood on the spot, near Ypres tower, +called the Old Church-yard. This tower, now appropriated to the purposes +of a gaol, has recently undergone several alterations and improvements. + +The old harbour of Rye, which in former days presented so stirring a +scene of commercial activity, has dwindled like that of Sandwich, +Winchilsea, and many of its prosperous contemporaries, into comparative +insignificance. But in accounting for this melancholy fact, we must look +to natural causes, rather than to the decay of native enterprise. The +present harbour is situated on the east side of the town; and on the +north--a mile and a half from the sea entrance--vessels of two hundred +tons burden can still lade and unlade close to the quay. Under spirited +management, and with proper funds for such an enterprise, it is believed +that it might still be made to accommodate vessels of every draught and +tonnage. By means of the three rivers, Rother, Tillingham, and Brede, +which traverse the country, great facilities are afforded to commercial +intercourse. Coal, corn, hops, bark, wood, and timber, constitute the +chief articles of trade; and several sloops are constantly employed in +conveying chalk from the cliffs at Eastbourne, for the burning of lime. +During the season, the herring and mackarel fisheries employ a good many +hands, the produce of which is chiefly sent to the London market. + +The Borough of Rye has exercised the elective franchise from the +earliest date of parliamentary representation. Previous to the enactment +of the Reform Bill, it returned two members; but by that great public +measure the town and its electoral district were limited to one +representative. The government of the town is vested in a mayor, four +aldermen, and twelve councillors. The mayor is coroner for the borough +and liberty, and also a justice of the peace. Courts of quarter sessions +are held before a recorder, nominated by the crown; and a commission of +the peace has been conferred on four gentlemen, residents of the +borough, who meet in petty session twice a week in the Court-hall. The +church-living, a discharged vicarage, is in the gift of the Earl of +Burlington. The charitable institutions consist of a Free Grammar +School, a British School, an almshouse, and some minor bequests for +benevolent purposes. Corn and provision-markets are held twice a week--a +cattle-market every fortnight--and annual fairs on Whitmonday and the +tenth of August. + + + + +[Illustration: FOLKSTONE. + +_KENT._] + + + + +FOLKSTONE. + + +Folkstone is in the county of Kent, and lies about seventy-two miles +south-east of London, and seven west-south-west of Dover. In the +beautiful vignette, from a drawing by Boyes, the view is taken from the +eastward, and represents the characteristics of Folkstone of the past +rather than the present. Few ports in her Majesty's dominions have risen +into commercial eminence so rapidly as the subject of our present +Engraving. For the following description we are principally indebted to +the recently published work of Mr. G. Measom. He remarks: "The town is +very irregularly built in its lower and older part, having steep and +narrow streets, which nevertheless are clean and well paved, and the +whole is now lighted with gas. The higher portion, however, going up to +the cliffs, is much more regular, and comprises several pretty terraces +with lodging-houses for summer visitors, who may here enjoy all the +benefits of a fine, bracing air, and sea-bathing, combined with that +rural retirement so desirable in the country, and which cannot be found +either at Dover, Ramsgate, or other bathing towns on this coast. The +cliffs, too, command the most delightful views, south-west, over the +wide level of Romney Marsh, as far as Beachy Head, while seaward stands +the town and harbour at our feet, beyond which are the Straits of Dover, +skirted in the horizon by the coast of France. Folkstone has two +churches--one of modern erection in the upper town--and four or five places +of worship for Dissenters, all of which have attached Sunday-schools; +besides which there are several daily subscription-schools, and a good +grammar-school. It has also a town-hall and market-house, a +custom-house, a mechanics' institute, dispensary, several libraries, +reading-rooms, &c., and four or five good inns. + +"The port of Folkstone, not less than the town, has been vastly improved +by the South-Eastern Railway Company. Even before they acquired +possession of it in 1845, efforts had been made by the construction of +an arm at the end of the pier to arrest the progress of shingle, which +here, as at Dover, constantly choked and filled up the harbour. The +first step adopted by the company was the carrying out from the +south-west end of the arm of the pier of a groyne formed with piles, and +which gradually led to the formation of a breakwater, about fifty feet +broad at top, forming an obtuse angle with the old arm of the pier. This +at once stopped the further accumulation of shingle within the harbour, +which was then at vast expense cleared of the gravel and mud long +collected therein, and it has since remained clear. This breakwater, +moreover, has been greatly improved by constructions of masonry intended +to bind the work together; and at the same time great additions and +improvements have been made both in the foundations and superstructures +of the original piers. In fact, Folkstone Harbour, which was before a +slough of gravel and mud, almost inaccessible except at half-spring or +spring tides, has, owing to these improvements, become 'a harbour having +twenty feet of water considerably within the entrance, and is now +capable of being entered by steamers three hours and a half after high +water; while during neap tides there are occasionally four or five feet +of water in the entrance at low water, and immediately outside, +sufficient for a steamer to take her passengers from the pier-head and +work herself clearly off.' (See _Mr. Swan's Report_.) Another point of +importance in connexion with this harbour, is the great ease with which +it can be taken in bad weather, to which the captains of steamers bear +almost individual testimony; and to this, also, we may add the superior +ease with which vessels may be swung, and the facility of backing out +without turning round, so as to save time in landing passengers and +again leaving port. On the whole, this harbour, as now improved, is one +of the finest monuments of engineering skill in this country, and +confers infinite honour on Peter W. Barlow, Esq., the company's +engineer, and the Directors, who so spiritedly backed the undertaking. +It scarcely need be added, that the first result of these improvements +was to make Folkstone suited for a regular packet station, and now for +some years this port has acquired at least one-half of the traffic +across the Straits, which was formerly wholly monopolised by the +neighbouring port of Dover; nor, as the sea voyage is shorter, and the +steamers are vastly superior, can there be any doubt that ere long it +will become the chosen route of all the intelligent travelling public. +Indeed, the constantly and rapidly increasing customs and harbour dues +of the port, year by year, furnish of themselves a sufficient proof that +Folkstone has acquired a vigour and vitality which it only requires +perseverance in the inhabitants to maintain; nor can this increase in +the prosperity of the town be truly ascribed to any other cause than the +spirited conduct of the company, who have made it one of their most +important maritime termini. The census, moreover, speaks on this subject +with an eloquence that is quite unanswerable, for in 1831 Folkstone had +only 2,300 inhabitants, and in 1841 but 2,900, whereas in 1851 it had +upwards of 7,500; showing an increase of about 140 per cent. Facts like +these speak more than all praise!"[13] + +[13] G. Measom's _Illustrated Guide to the South-Eastern Railway_. + + + + +[Illustration: DOVER. + +(from the Ramsgate Road.)] + + + + +DOVER, + +FROM THE RAMSGATE ROAD. + + +The most favourable point of view for an artist who is desirous of +obtaining a general view of Dover, is certainly that portion of the +Ramsgate Road of which Mr. Bartlett has availed himself on the present +occasion. Placed at a sufficient elevation to enable him to embrace a +wide extent of land and water, he is still sufficiently near the town to +secure that distinctness of detail which adds so much to the effect of a +landscape. One of the chief points of attraction in Dover must always be +the Castle, but as we shall have another opportunity of referring to +that structure, in connection with our view of Dover from the Beach, we +purpose now to devote our attention to the town itself. + +At the period of the Conquest, Dover was unquestionably a place of +considerable note. It is mentioned, with Sandwich and Romney, in the +Domesday-book, as a privileged port; and is said to have enjoyed, from +an earlier period, sundry privileges and immunities in common with those +two towns, on consideration of supplying a certain number of ships and +mariners for the defence of the adjacent coast. In the reign of King +John, Dover received a charter as one of the Cinque Ports; and in +several succeeding reigns, its shipping and mariners were frequently +employed in the fleets assembled to convey English armies to France. As +it was considered the key of England, it was surrounded with walls and +strongly fortified; and as it was the principal port in the kingdom for +persons taking shipping in proceeding to France, acts were passed in the +reign of Edward III. and Richard II., appointing the rate of passage. +Henry VIII. expended large sums in the improvement of the harbour, the +entrance of which had been much choked up by shingle washed in by the +sea. A pier was commenced, and carried on at a great expense, but he +died before it was completed; and in the reign of his successor, the +work appears to have been almost wholly suspended. In the reign of +Elizabeth, further attempts were made to improve the harbour; and in +1606 an act was passed appointing eleven commissioners, who were +empowered to receive certain rates, and employ the money in repairing +the pier and improving the harbour. In succeeding times various plans +have been tried to prevent the increase of the bar, which, after a gale +of wind from the seaward, is sometimes increased so much, as to prevent +all vessels, except those that are of very light draught of water, from +entering or leaving the port. It is high water at Dover pier at sixteen +minutes past eleven on the full and change of the moon; and the rise of +the water at spring-tides is about twenty feet. Dover is much frequented +in summer as a watering-place; and for the convenience which it affords, +and the beautiful and interesting scenery in its neighbourhood, it is +surpassed by no other town on the coast. + +At a short distance from the entrance to Dover Castle is mounted the +long brass gun, usually called Queen Elizabeth's pocket-pistol, which +was presented to her Majesty by the United Provinces. It is twenty-four +feet long; but is so much "honey-combed," that, were it fired, it would +be certain to burst. Popular tradition says that it contains an +inscription to this effect:-- + + "Sponge me well, and keep me clean, + And I'll throw a ball to Calais green." + +There is, indeed, an inscription on it in the Dutch language, but though +it commemorates the destructive power of this long piece of ordnance, it +says nothing which implies that its range was so extraordinary. The +distance from Dover Castle to the church of Notre-Dame, at Calais, is +rather more than twenty-six miles. This gun was cast at Utrecht in 1544, +by James Tolkys, and the verses inscribed on its breech have been +translated as follows:-- + + "O'er hill and dale I throw my ball; + Breaker, my name, of mound and wall." + +About a mile to the southward of the town is the celebrated cliff which +is supposed to have been described by Shakspeare in King Lear. + + "_Gloster._--Dost thou know Dover? + + _Edgar._--Ay, master. + + _Gloster._--There is a cliff, whose high and bending head + Looks fearfully in the confined deep: + Bring me to the very brim of it. + + * * * * * + + _Edgar._--Come on, sir; here's the place:--stand + Still.--How fearful + And dizzy 'tis, to cast one's eye so low! + The crows, and choughs, that wing the midway air, + Show scarce so gross as beetles: halfway down + Hangs one that gathers samphire; dreadful trade! + Methinks he seems no bigger than his head: + The fishermen that walk upon the beach + Appear like mice; and yon tall anchoring bark, + Diminished to her cock; her cock, a buoy + Almost too small for sight: the murmuring surge, + That on the unnumber'd idle pebbles chafes, + Cannot be heard so high. I'll look no more, + Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight + Topple down headlong." + + + + +[Illustration: DOVER. + +_KENT._] + + + + +DOVER. + + +Dover is in the county of Kent, and lies about seventy-two miles +south-south-east of London. The town is situated in a valley, having on +one side the cliffs on which Dover Castle is built, and on the other the +eminence called the _Heights_; these are strongly fortified, and form +the principal defence of the town and harbour. The greater part of the +town lies on the western side of a small stream, called the Dour, which +there discharges itself into the sea. The view in the Engraving is taken +from the beach, on the eastern side of the harbour, looking towards the +north-east. The row of houses seen extending in a line nearly parallel +with the beach is called the Marine Parade; and, crowning the cliff, is +perceived what of old was termed "the Key and Bar of England,"--Dover +Castle. Its importance as a place of defence against the attacks of an +invading enemy has, however, been seldom proved; and for the last three +centuries the best defence of England against the invasion of her foes +has been her wooden-walls. + + "Britannia needs no bulwark, + No towers along the steep; + Her march is o'er the mountain wave, + Her home is on the deep. + With thunders from her native oak, + She quells the floods below, + As they roar on the shore, + When the stormy tempests blow; + When the battle rages loud and long, + And the stormy tempests blow." + +The height of the cliff, on which Dover Castle stands, is about three +hundred and twenty feet above the level of the sea; and the area of the +ground inclosed by the outward walls is about thirty-four acres. It has +been supposed that the Romans, in one of Julius Caesar's expeditions, +first built a castle and established a military station at Dover; but +this opinion is founded on mere conjecture, and is extremely improbable. +That the Romans, at some subsequent period, had a station not far from +the present keep is certain; for the remains of the walls and ditch are +still perceptible. It however appears to have been but of small size, +and was probably only a _castrum exploratorum_, or look-out station, +garrisoned by a small body of soldiers detached from a neighbouring +camp. Within the boundary of the exploratory camp the Romans had built a +pharos, or watch-tower, the greater part of which is yet standing. + +Previous to the Norman Conquest, there was undoubtedly a castle or +fortress at Dover, probably near the spot where the keep or principal +tower of Dover Castle now stands. Previous to the death of Edward the +Confessor it appears to have belonged to Harold, afterwards King of +England; for William, Duke of Normandy, who was then probably devising +measures to secure to himself the English crown, refused to allow Harold +to depart from Rouen, till he had taken an oath to deliver up to him +"the Castle of Dover and the well of water in it," on the decease of +Edward. After the battle of Hastings, the Conqueror marched without +delay to Dover, took possession of the castle, and put the governor to +death. It appears that he also burnt the town, which perhaps might not +have received him with sufficient humility, in order to terrify others +into immediate submission to his authority. The foundation of the +present keep of Dover Castle was laid by Henry II. in 1153, the year +before he succeeded to the English crown on the death of King Stephen. +The ground plan is nearly a square, and the building, in its general +appearance, bears a great resemblance to Rochester Castle, which was +erected according to the designs of Bishop Gundulph--the architect of +the White Tower in the Tower of London--in the early part of the reign +of William Rufus. The walls of the keep of Dover Castle are from +eighteen to twenty feet thick, and are traversed by galleries +communicating with the principal apartments. The summit is embattled; +and the top of the northern turret is 93 feet high from the ground, and +about 465 feet above the level of the sea, at low water. The view from +the top is extremely grand and interesting, including the North +Foreland, Reculver Church, Ramsgate Pier, Sandwich, and a great part of +the intermediate country, with the straits of Dover, the town of Calais, +and the line of the French coast from Gravelines to Boulogne. In 1800, a +bomb-proof arched roof was constructed, and several large cannon mounted +on it. During the late war the fortifications were greatly strengthened, +the old towers on the walls repaired, and additional quarters for +soldiers constructed, in order that the garrison, in the event of +invasion, might be able to withstand a regular siege. + + + + +[Illustration: SANDWICH. + +(Kent.)] + + + + +SANDWICH, + +KENT. + + + Her walls are crumbling down--the gate, + Through which her merchants wont to pour + Is all dismantled: adverse fate + Has cast a blight upon her shore. + Her streets and shipless haven show + The tenure of all things below. + +The history of Sandwich, as one of the Cinque Ports, presents a striking +example of the fluctuation of trade, and the uncertain tenure by which +all mercantile property is held, when supported by merely human +ingenuity and enterprise. A very slight operation of nature is +sufficient to paralyse the hand of ambition, and to strike the once +productive landscape with sterility. Harbours, where our forefathers +have counted the thickly crowded masts of stately merchantmen, are now +deserted or forgotten. Many of the channels through which riches were +once poured into this county, have been gradually dried up; while new +ports and harbours have been opened on various parts of the coast, where +commercial enterprise has fixed her abode. But, like their predecessors, +these also may be deserted in their turn, and silently co-operate in +that ever-progressive scheme of nature, by which, as the old and +familiar scenes of our youth become changed or obliterated, others are +called forth to take their place. The existence of a shoal, or the +shifting of a sand-bank, may mar or diminish the prosperity of a city; +and to the great local changes which this part of the Kentish coast has +undergone, the decay of Sandwich, as a harbour, is chiefly to be +ascribed. Where fleets of merchantmen once rode in safety; where the +busy scenes of lading and unlading once offered pictures of maritime +prosperity, the fishing-craft of the place can hardly find anchorage, +and all the characteristics of a flourishing port have disappeared; so +that it may be affirmed, with a truth too evident, that-- + + "The balance has shifted--prosperity's ray + No longer enlivens her harbour and bay." + +The town of Sandwich includes the parishes of St. Clement, St. +Mary-the-Virgin, and St. Peter-the-Apostle. St. Clement's Church is a +very ancient and spacious structure, with a massive tower, a noble +specimen of the Norman style of ecclesiastical architecture. St. Mary's +is also a church of considerable antiquity as well as St. Peter's; but +both have been considerably damaged by time and accident. The Guildhall +is an ancient and handsome edifice. The Free Grammar-School, endowed +with exhibitions, was founded in 1563; and among the charitable +institutions are the Hospitals of St. Thomas and St. John, in which a +number of aged persons of good character, but in reduced circumstances, +are comfortably supported. The Hospital of St. Bartholomew is a +munificent foundation, from the funds of which sixteen decayed tradesmen +of respectable character, and others, members of the corporation, are +supported in comparative affluence. + +Sandwich was originally enclosed by walls and partly fortified. It had +eight gates, one of which, called Fisher's Gate, is considered by +architects and antiquaries as well deserving of inspection, for the +excellence of its design and workmanship. It illustrates a period when +the craft had reached its zenith in this country, and when the +Templars--the Vaubans of their day--still exercised the mysteries of +architecture. + +Ship-building and rope-making, as well as a foreign trade with Norway, +Sweden, and Russia, in iron, timber, and hemp, are still carried on in +Sandwich though comparatively to a very small extent. The home trade, +chiefly with Wales and Scotland, consists of flour, seed, hops, malt, +fruit, &c.; but of the once celebrated woollen trade of Sandwich not a +vestige is left. The weekly market-days are Wednesday and Saturday, with +a cattle-market every alternate Monday, and annual fairs on the second +of October and fourth of December. + + + + +[Illustration: RAMSGATE.] + + + + +RAMSGATE, + +ENTRANCE TO THE HARBOUR. + + +The view of the entrance to Ramsgate harbour, engraved from a painting +by E. W. Cooke, is taken from the southward, and its fidelity will +immediately be recognised by every one who has seen the place. It is +blowing a stiff breeze, which causes a swell; and the fishing smack, +seen entering, is lowering her sails, that she may not have too much +_way_ when she gets within the harbour. To the left is the lighthouse, +which stands near the end of the western pier; and the extremity of the +eastern pier is perceived to the right. + +The cost of Ramsgate harbour, dock, lighthouse, and other requisite +buildings, is said to have amounted to L650,000. The form of the harbour +is nearly circular, and its area is about forty-six acres. The length of +the eastern pier, following its angles, or "cants" as they are +technically termed, is about 2000 feet, and that of the western about +1500. Their general width is about 26 feet, including the thickness of +the parapets; and the width of the entrance to the harbour between their +heads is 240 feet. The harbour is maintained by a tonnage duty on all +ships passing, whether sailing on the east or west of the Goodwin Sands, +and by a duty on coals and stones discharged in the harbour. + +The light displayed from the lighthouse is stationary, and is only +exhibited when there is ten feet water between the pier heads. In the +day time a flag is hoisted while there is the same depth of water at the +entrance of the harbour. In spring tides, the depth of water increases +to sixteen feet in about an hour from the time that the ten-feet signal +is displayed; in about two hours to twenty feet; and in three hours, or +about high water, to twenty-one feet. In neap-tides the depth of water +at those periods respectively is fourteen, seventeen, and eighteen feet +between the pier heads. + +During the summer, Ramsgate is much frequented by visitors from London, +who come by the daily steam-packets to enjoy the benefit of sea-bathing, +for which the beach to the southward of the pier affords excellent +opportunity. Powerful steam-packets ply every day between London and +Ramsgate, and the passage up or down is usually made in seven hours. +There are several excellent hotels and many convenient lodging-houses at +Ramsgate, and the charges generally are moderate. At the close of the +year, when the summer visitants have all retired to their several +homes, another description of persons make their appearance at +Ramsgate--the Torbay fishermen, who generally establish their rendezvous +there from December to June, for the sake of fishing in the North Sea. +It seems probable that Ramsgate, as a port, will continue to increase +very considerably in importance; and, in the event of a continental war, +when steam-vessels are likely to be much employed, its eligibility as a +place for the embarkation of troops, and as a packet station, will +doubtless not be overlooked. It not unfrequently happens, in stormy +weather, that the Dover packets enter Ramsgate with safety, when they +cannot approach their own harbour. + +The South-Eastern Railway Company have extended their line to Ramsgate, +and the route, though rather circuitous, secures a large share of +patronage from that portion of the pleasure-seeking visitants of our +coasts to whom the stiff breezes and heavy swell, generally found off +the North Foreland, are the reverse of gratifying. + +George IV., on his departure to visit his Hanoverian dominions in 1821, +embarked at Ramsgate; and to commemorate the event, an obelisk was +erected by subscription of the inhabitants. The popularity of Ramsgate, +as a watering-place, was greatly increased by the partiality evinced for +it by her present Majesty, when Princess Victoria, who, with her august +mother, the Duchess of Kent, honoured it with several successive visits. + +Camden, in his Britannia, gives the people of the Isle of Thanet, and +more particularly the inhabitants of Ramsgate, Margate, and Broadstairs, +the following character: "They are, as it were, amphibious, seeking +their living both by sea and land, and turning to account both elements. +They are fishermen and ploughmen, farmers and sailors; and the same man +that holds the shafts of a plough, turning up a furrow on land, can also +take the helm at sea. According to the season, they make nets, catch +cod, herring, mackerel, and other fish; go to sea, and export their own +commodities--and those very men also dung the ground, plough, sow, +harrow, reap, and house the corn." The inhabitants of Ramsgate, and of +the Isle of Thanet generally, no longer retain this amphibious +character; the "division of labour," the advantages of which are so +strikingly pointed out by political economists in the manufacture of +pins, has abridged their multifarious pursuits; the same man does not +now till the earth and plough the sea; and few indeed are to be found +who can handle an oar as well as a flail: the consequence is, that we +have better boatmen and better agriculturists. + + + + +[Illustration: BROADSTAIRS. + +(Kent.)] + + + + +BROADSTAIRS. + +ISLE OF THANET. + + + "True to the dream of fancy, Ocean has + His darker tints; but where's the element + That chequers not its usefulness to man + With casual terror?" + + CAMPBELL. + +This delightful watering-place, nearly equidistant from Margate on the +north, and Ramsgate on the south, enjoys its full share of popularity; +and, judging from many recent improvements, offers increasing +attractions to the numerous visitors who make Thanet's "sea-girt shore" +their summer residence. To those who prefer tranquillity and retirement +to scenes of bustle and holiday festivity, Broadstairs will present many +advantages over its more gay and animated rivals; and to the studious +and contemplative nothing can be more congenial than the society which +generally meet once a year in this interesting spot. To the invalid it +is favourable from the same causes, offering few temptations to gaiety +or indulgence, but affording every facility for retired and intellectual +enjoyment. The sea-view is magnificent; and the numerous vessels which +are constantly passing and repassing give a most agreeable animation to +the waters in front, which are walled in by lofty cliffs, from which the +visitor inhales the fresh sea-breeze, as it first strikes the land, and +carries its invigorating influence through his frame. + +Broadstairs has long been the periodical residence of many distinguished +literary men, most of whom have acknowledged the benefit derived from +its bracing climate, and verified their opinion by repeated trials. If +pure air could be as readily administered as certain medicinal +compounds, there would be little necessity for so often deserting the +courts and counting-houses of the metropolis in search of health; but so +long as this "draught" cannot be made up according to nature's +prescription, it is cheering to know that on the coast it may be had +ready prepared, and without "mistake" or "adulteration." + +It was while overlooking a scene like that which opens upon the visitor +at Broadstairs, and while sensibly feeling all the salubrious influence +of the breezes, that seemed to welcome and caress him when exchanging +the pleasures of town for poetry and contemplation on the coast, that +the Bard of Hope broke out into these noble and impassioned lines:-- + + "Hail to thy face and odours, glorious Sea! + 'Twere thanklessness in me to bless thee not, + Great beauteous being! in whose breath and smile + My heart beats calmer, and my very mind + Inhales salubrious thoughts. How welcomer + _Thy_ murmurs, than the murmurs of the world! + Tho', like the world, thou fluctuatest, to me + Thy din is peace, thy restlessness repose. + Even gladly I exchange yon spring-green lanes, + With all the darling field-flowers in their prime, + And gardens haunted by the nightingale's + Long trill, and gushing extasies of song, + For these wild headlands and the sea-mew's clang!" + +Broadstairs appears, in addition to its attraction as bathing-quarters, +to have formerly enjoyed a considerable share of trade in the fisheries; +but this source of revenue having dried up, recourse was had to +ship-building, which is still carried on to a small extent. Its chief +dependence, however, is on the number and respectability of its +visitors, many of whom retire here for several months annually with +their families, and, by a liberal expenditure, do much to support the +markets and to encourage local industry. The bathing-place is at the +mouth of the harbour, under the cliff, and is provided with every +accommodation to be found at the larger watering-places. There are two +or more excellent hotels, and two extensive public libraries, commanding +magnificent views of the sea and the shipping--from a fishing-boat to a +seventy-four--passing to and from the Downs, at all hours of the day. +The place is still further enlivened, as well as benefited, by the +London steamers, which here land or embark passengers in their way to +and from town. + + + + +[Illustration: WRECK IN KINGSGATE BAY. + +(Isle of Thanet.)] + + + + +KINGSGATE, + +NEAR BROADSTAIRS. + + + "Olim Porta fui Patroni Bartholomaei, + Nunc Regis jussu REGIA PORTA vocor, + Hic exscenderunt Carolus Secundus Rex + Et Jacobus Dux EBOR. 30 Junii, 1683." + +So named in consequence of its having been the point at which King +Charles II. and his brother, the Duke of York, disembarked on their way +from London to Dover, as recorded in the preceding inscription. It +consists of a narrow sloping passage, cut through the chalk cliff, and +communicating with the beach for the convenience of the fishery formerly +carried on in this neighbourhood. It was originally known as "St. +Bartholomew's Gate," from the circumstance of its having been completed, +according to tradition, on the festival of that Saint, and therefore +placed under hallowed auspices. The eastern side of this portal, +opposite the sea, bears, in Saxon characters, ~God Bless Barth'lem's +Gate~. It is about a mile from Broadstairs, and in the midst of scenery +which Henry Lord Holland did much to embellish by great liberality and a +correct taste in architecture. His marine residence here was built after +the model of Cicero's villa on the shore of Baiae, near Naples; but being +subsequently purchased by some monied speculator, who had most likely +never heard of Cicero, it was despoiled of its rich Italian marbles, +curtailed and barbarised in its proportions, and metamorphosed into +three insignificant dwellings. Around it were several fantastic +buildings, intended to represent various Gothic ruins; the most +considerable of which was the convent, containing the remains of a +chapel and five cells, which once afforded an asylum to poor families. +Nearer the cliff is a rude Gothic structure, erected on the larger of +the two tumuli, called Hackendown Banks, which, according to tradition, +marks the spot where a sanguinary conflict took place between the Saxons +and the Danes, in which the latter were defeated. On opening these +barrows, graves were found excavated in the solid chalk, of an oblong +oval form, about three feet long, and covered with flat stones. In one +of them were discovered three urns of coarse, black, ill-burnt earth, +which, on being exposed to the air, crumbled to pieces. On a tablet +erected by Lord Holland is a Latin inscription, to the memory of the +Danes and Saxons, who here fought a sanguinary battle for the possession +of Britain; the natives having before been perfidiously and cruelly +expelled. The village of St. Peter, situated on a conspicuously wooded +eminence, is much frequented by pleasure parties from the three +bathing-places adjacent. The church is a fine, venerable structure, the +steeple of which, of great strength and solidity, is remarkable for a +rent from top to bottom, occasioned, it is said, by the shock of an +earthquake, which was severely felt along this coast in 1580. + +The North Foreland, the most eastern point of England, and supposed to +be the "Cantium" of Ptolemy, forms a bold projection on the line of +cliffs between Broadstairs and Kingsgate. On this promontory stands the +North Foreland Lighthouse, which has proved an incalculable safeguard to +the navigation of the Downs, which, independently of the near vicinity +of the Goodwin Sands, is attended with great risk in dark and stormy +weather. The lights consist of patent lamps, with large magnifying +lenses twenty inches in diameter, which are lighted at sunset, and kept +burning till after daybreak. From the top the view of the straits and +French coast is most extensive, and on this account it is much resorted +to by strangers. The date of its erection is that of the landing of King +Charles at Kingsgate, already noticed. + +The Goodwin Sands, which here protect the Downs from the swell of the +Northern Ocean, are about seven miles from the coast, ten miles long, +and two or more in breadth. They consist of a more soft, fluid, porous, +spongy, but withal tenacious substance, than the neighbouring sands, and +are consequently of such a quality, that when a ship strikes upon them +there is but very little chance of her getting off: the nature of the +sand being to swallow its prey in a few hours, while the surf, which +breaks over them, frustrates all attempts to approach the ill-fated +vessel. When the tide, however, has ebbed sufficiently, these sands +become so hard and firm that cricket-matches have been played upon them. +But woe to him who does not quit so treacherous a field at the proper +moment; for on the return of the tide they are instantly converted into +quicksands, that float to and fro with the waves. + + + + +[Illustration: "THE WESTMINSTER" AND "CLAUDINE," ASHORE NEAR MARGATE.] + + + + +SCENE NEAR MARGATE. + +TWO VESSELS ASHORE. + + + At night, beneath a cloudless moon, + Yon gallant vessel plough'd her way; + But storms arose:--next day at noon, + A stranded wreck that vessel lay! + So man, beneath a flattering sun, + Puts forth in pride his slender sail; + But while he dreams of treasure won, + His bark is shatter'd in the gale.--W. B. + +Along the west side of the Isle of Thanet the sea has made very +considerable encroachments; many of the ancient landmarks have been +washed away, and naturally exposed to the fury of the north and east +winds, great portions of the cliffs have gradually disappeared in the +sea. The same causes continuing in active operation, the effects are +annually perceptible upon the boundary line, which defends this coast +from the Northern Ocean. But the damage sustained in the east is amply +compensated for in the west of England, where a territory fit for the +accommodation of 20,000 or 30,000 inhabitants might be gained from the +tide-mark at little comparative outlay. We allude to the projected +improvements on the Lancashire coast, particularly Morecambe Bay, and +the estuary of the river Duddon. + +Margate had originally a natural inlet of the sea; and in the reign of +Edward I. Gore-end church, in consequence of the sea's encroachment, was +removed inland. "Margate," says Leland, "lyeth in St. John's paroche in +Thanet, a v. mile fro Reculver; and there is a village and a peere for +shyppes, but sore decayed." Owing to its natural position, Margate has +never been able to establish a foreign trade. In 1787, the old wooden +pier having become ruinous, it was cased with stone, and extended +further into the sea; but a tremendous gale having soon after come on, +the works were demolished; and a fresh act of parliament being obtained +for that purpose, a fine, strong, and convenient mole was erected on a +new plan, where a public promenade, with an extensive prospect, affords +a beautiful source of recreation to the visitors, while at the same time +it shuts out from observation the hurry and bustle of the harbour. + +In 1748, a tremendous storm from the southward drove a number of vessels +from their anchorage in the Downs, many of which were wrecked under +these cliffs. The vast sacrifice of life and property thus occasioned +induced the shipping and mercantile interests to think of increasing the +capacity of Ramsgate harbour, an account of which appears in this work. +Winds from the south-east and south-west are those by which the safety +of the shipping in the Downs is most endangered. Vessels breaking adrift +in the latter at night, with strong south-west and southerly gales, says +an experienced naval officer, should run into the North Sea, through the +Gulf Stream; if in distress, and the attempt uncertain, the only +alternative is to run for Ramsgate harbour or on the Sandwich flats. +Along this coast nine lug-boats, called _hovellers_, are employed for +the relief of vessels in distress. They vary from twenty to twenty-seven +tons burthen each, draw five feet water, and are usually manned with a +crew of ten men, who are always on the out-look for vessels requiring +their assistance. By their proverbial courage and exertions, many lives +are annually saved from vessels wrecked on the neighbouring coast and +shoals, and much valuable property restored to its owners. When it +becomes a salvage case, they lay their claims before one of the +commission courts, appointed by the Lord Warden, who make an award +agreeable to the service performed. Several of these boats are stationed +at Margate, Ramsgate, Deal, and Dover; but those of the latter only have +the privilege to enter continental ports, by license from the +Custom-house. In the most severe and boisterous weather several of these +boats cruise in the Narrows of the Channel, and are frequently the means +of rendering, under desperate circumstances, important service to the +shipping interest. + + + + +[Illustration: CHATHAM.] + + + + +CHATHAM DOCK-YARD. + + +The view of the Dock-yard at Chatham is taken from the opposite side of +the Medway, a little above Upnor Castle, which was built by Queen +Elizabeth to defend the passage of the river. To the left is seen a +sheer hulk, so called from her "sheers"--two strong pieces of timber of +great height, inclining towards each other and joined together at the +top--which are used for the purpose of raising and placing in their +proper situations the lower masts of ships of war. Further to the right +are perceived the large roofs of the building-slips and dry-docks; +nearly abreast of which are two ships of war laid up in ordinary. A-head +of those vessels are two others of the same class; and further up the +river, directly in front, a view is obtained of part of the town of +Chatham. + +The Dock-yard of Chatham lies at a short distance to the northward of +the town of that name, and on the right bank of the river Medway. The +first dockyard at Chatham for the service of the navy was established by +Queen Elizabeth. It was situated higher up the river than the present +yard, on a narrow slip of land, and had only one dock. In 1622 a new +dock-yard was formed by James I., and the site of the old one, which was +too circumscribed for the service of the increasing navy, was assigned +to the Board of Ordnance. In the reign of Charles I., additional +dry-docks and building-slips were formed and several store-houses +erected. + +Chatham dock-yard is enclosed on the land side by a high wall, and the +principal entrance is through a lofty gateway to the south-west, above +which are the royal arms, and on each side an embattled tower. Strangers +wishing to see the yard are furnished with a ticket by the +superintendent of the dock-police on entering their names in a book kept +at a lodge within the gate. There are four docks and seven +building-slips at Chatham, most of which are covered with immense roofs. +To the south-westward of the docks there is a long range of store-houses +facing the river, and having in front a spacious quay, part of which is +occupied as an anchor wharf. Behind this line of buildings, which is +upwards of a thousand feet in length, is the ropery, where cables and +all other kinds of ropes are manufactured for the use of ships of war. +Beyond the docks to the northward, are the mast-ponds and sheds for +storing timber, on the right; and on the left is the boat-house. At the +smith's shop anchors and other articles of iron work are made for the +use of the navy; and towards the north-eastern extremity of the yard is +a saw-mill, erected by Mr. Brunel, the inventor of the block-machinery +at Portsmouth. The mill is situated on an eminence, and the timber +intended to be cut is floated through a tunnel from the Medway into an +elliptic basin, from which it is raised by machinery to the level of the +mill. The saws are put in motion by a steam-engine; and the timber, +after having been cut, is conveyed away by trucks running on railways to +different parts of the yard. When M. Charles Dupin, the celebrated +French author of several works on the dock-yards, roads, bridges, and +harbours of Great Britain, visited Chatham in 1817, he objected to this +saw-mill being erected on an eminence; but he seems to have overlooked +the consequent advantage of the timber being thence conveyed by a gentle +slope, with very little labour, to the different docks and slips, +without interfering with any of the other works.[14] The commissioner +has a handsome residence within the walls of the yard, and there are +also many excellent houses, which are occupied by the officers and +principal artificers. A neat chapel, of brick, for the convenience of +the officers and workmen, was erected within the yard in 1811. At one +period during the late war, the number of men employed was 3000. + +The Ordnance Wharf is situated to the south-westward of the dock-yard on +the site of the old yard established by Queen Elizabeth, and it is still +frequently called the Old Dock. The guns are placed in rows, and have +painted on them the name of the ship to which they belong, and their +weight of metal; the carriages are also placed separately, but under +sheds. Large piles of shot are seen in various parts of the wharf; and +there is also within its boundary an armoury, where various kinds of +weapons--chiefly muskets, pistols, pikes, and cutlasses--are arranged in +admirable order. + +A fund--commonly called the Chest of Chatham--for the relief of disabled +seamen, was established there by Queen Elizabeth on the recommendation +of Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Hawkins, in 1588--the seamen of the +royal navy, after the defeat of the Spanish Armada, having agreed to +give up a portion of their pay for the relief of their wounded and +disabled brethren. The Royal Marine Hospital of Chatham is one of the +finest establishments of the kind in Great Britain, and from the +elegance of its plan, the extent of its buildings, and its commanding +position, forms a truly noble feature in the landscape. + +[14] _Quarterly Review_--Dupin, _On the Marine Establishments of France +and England_.--No. XLIII. p. 41. + + + + +[Illustration: GRAVESEND.] + + + + +GRAVESEND, + +FROM THE THAMES. + + +The great facilities of communication with the metropolis, the salubrity +of the air, the beauty of the surrounding scenery, and the public +amusements by which it is enlivened, have all contributed to render +Gravesend the most frequented town on the river Thames. The thousands of +visitors who here keep holiday during six or eight months of the year, +have insured resources to the inhabitants more to be depended on than +the fluctuations of trade. New houses, new streets, hotels, +reading-rooms, public baths, and pleasure-gardens, have all appeared in +succession since the introduction of steam on the river, and now present +attractions rarely to be met with in any inland or maritime town of like +size. The harbour, generally enlivened by East and West Indiamen at +anchor; the incessant passing and repassing of steamers to every part of +the coast and kingdom; with private yachts and pleasure-boats skimming +past, or lying off the piers, with their holiday freight of joyous +citizens, give a never failing interest and spirit to the whole picture; +and present, in a short sojourn at Gravesend, more animation and variety +than is to be met with at any other part of the river. The rides and +drives inland are highly varied and picturesque. Cobham Hall--the +ancient seat of Lord Darnley--and its magnificent park-scenery, with the +village and ancient church adjoining, are objects that well repay a +summer-day's excursion. Springhead, famous for the water-cresses which +it supplies to the London markets, is one of the most rural and +picturesque retreats in Kent; while Gad's-hill, to which Shakspeare has +given immortality, as the scene of the robbery of the Sandwich +merchants, said to have been perpetrated by Henry the Fifth--when Prince +Hal--and his dissolute companions, is within an easy walk. +Windmill-hill, the highest object in the background of the picture, is +proverbially famed as commanding one of the finest panoramic views in +the county. + +The bathing-establishments are on a large scale, admirably constructed, +and managed with great punctuality and attention. Adjoining the Clifton +Baths is a delightful pleasure-ground, agreeably varied with walks and +seats, and ornamented with trees, shrubs, and flowers. From this +eminence, which overhangs the Thames, a charming prospect is open at all +times to the groups of visitors by whom it is frequented. + +The gardens, now known as the Rosherville-gardens, have been opened of +late years for dancing, music, and fireworks during the season, and have +become the chosen resort of numerous societies and schools, who here +celebrate their anniversaries. A large dining-hall and other necessary +adjuncts have been erected for their accommodation, including a handsome +pier, at which most of the steam-boats call, on their passages to and +from the other piers. + +The Town-pier--having superseded the old and unpleasant process of +boating--is a structure of vast convenience as a landing place, and is +besides of excellent design and execution. It consists of insulated +columns, or piles of cast-iron, supporting a floor or stage, and extends +into the river about fifty feet beyond low-water-mark. In summer this +stage is covered with an awning, under which visitors can promenade, +sheltered from sun or shower, and enjoy the entertainment furnished by +an excellent band of music, which takes its daily station on the Pier. +Below the Town-pier is another pier, or jetty, extending nearly a +hundred feet into the water, called the Terrace-pier--so called from +having attached to it an extensive terrace or promenade, and a +beautifully arranged lawn or shrubbery, for the use of those who +frequent the pier. + +During the last ten years, Gravesend has several times suffered very +severely from fires, causing great destruction in the more closely-built +portions of the town; these calamitous visitations, though deplorable in +their immediate consequences, have not been without their beneficial +results, by affording an opportunity for widening and improving the +thoroughfares in their vicinity, and of which due advantage has been +wisely taken. + +For many years, the steam-boat companies monopolized the traffic from +London to Gravesend, their superior vessels, rapid speed, and moderate +fare, set every other species of conveyance at defiance; but they have +been compelled to admit a formidable rival to their trade, in the +all-absorbing railway, which now surpasses them in quickness, and places +itself upon an equality in respect to price and accommodation. The +North-Kent line passing through Woolwich and Erith, has penetrated into +the heart of Gravesend, and by filling up the Thames and Medway canal, +made an iron road to the ancient city of Rochester. But, although the +skill of the engineer and wealth of the capitalist has thus succeeded in +bringing this fashionable watering-place and the old cathedral town into +closer connection with our giant metropolis, they have not been able to +overcome those natural obstacles to the rapid progress of the locomotive +engine--hills and valleys, without having recourse to that most +disagreeable of all roads, the subterranean--and the difference between +rushing through their sombre excavations, amid the clatter of the +machinery and the hissing of the liberated steam, and calmly gliding on +the quiet surface of the beautiful Thames, must, we think, be such as to +render the journey by the river at all times the most popular with those +who travel for pleasure. + + + + +[Illustration: LONDON FROM GREENWICH PARK.] + + + + +LONDON, + +FROM GREENWICH PARK. + + + How glorious is the scene that here expands, + Where, 'mid her lofty towers, Augusta stands, + Drawing, in tribute to her daring helm, + And boundless trade, the wealth of every realm; + And stretching forth her hand o'er land and main, + To check the proud, and break the captive's chain! + +It may be safely affirmed that they who have witnessed the view of +London, from Greenwich Park, have beheld a scene which neither time nor +circumstances can ever obliterate, and to which it may be doubted if +Europe itself could furnish a rival. It is a point to which foreigners +and strangers uniformly advert, in expressing their admiration of the +British capital and its environs; and to which, during the fine season, +multitudes resort for the sake of the delicious park-scenery and the +magnificent prospects which it commands. From the base of the National +Observatory to the cupola of St. Paul's, the objects which it embraces +are of the most variegated and imposing character. In the fore ground is +the palace of the former "Kings and Queens of England,"--now the noblest +Hospital in the world--with all its stately appendages. In the centre of +the picture is the Thames--the great "highway" by which the fleets of +commerce are continually pouring the treasures of the world into the +heart of the metropolis. In the back ground--here in bold relief, and +there dimly shadowed in the horizon--are seen the towers and temples of +London, with the majestic dome of St. Paul's presiding over the whole in +glorious pre-eminence. Turning to the east, the scene presents new +objects of interest and admiration. The shipping off Blackwall--the +Docks--the vast traffic by which the river is continually agitated--the +steamers passing and repassing, their decks crowded with company, and +the bands of music occasionally striking up, as they pass the Royal +Hospital, the national air of "Rule Britannia,"--all produce an effect +upon the spectators, which, in point of animation, cannot be surpassed. +What gives peculiar interest to the picture, is the appearance of the +"ancient mariners" who are continually in sight--pensioners who have +given their legs and arms as pledges to British independence, and now +pass the evening of their days in every comfort to which a +weather-beaten seaman can aspire-- + + Heroes, every one, + Ye might as soon have made the steeple run; + And then his messmates, if you're pleased to stay, + He'll one by one the gallant souls display. + +This magnificent Hospital presents an imposing range of buildings in the +Grecian style of architecture, extending several hundred feet along the +right bank of the Thames, and divided into two wings by a noble lawn, +with a descent to the water's edge by a handsome flight of steps. The +wings recede a considerable space from the river and are crowned in the +distance by two lofty domes, behind which rise the acclivities of the +royal park, covered with trees of centuries, and undulating with +variegated masses of verdure. Through the midst of these, and occupying +the site of the original fortress of Greenwich, rises that celebrated +Observatory which has so frequently engaged the attention of scientific +Europe; and with which the names of Flamsteed, Halley, Bradley, Bliss, +Maskelyn, Pond, and Airey, are so emphatically connected. + +To the history of Greenwich Hospital we can only very briefly advert. +After the rebellion in 1715, the forfeited estates of the Earl of +Derwentwater, amounting at that time to six thousand pounds per annum, +were voted by parliament to this hospital; and with the numerous +benefactions since bestowed by private individuals, it is now enabled to +provide for nearly three thousand inmates. Every Pensioner receives a +liberal allowance of provisions and clothes, with a shilling a week for +pocket-money. The nurses--widows of seamen, and of whom there were +lately a hundred and five--in addition to provisions, have each an +annual allowance of from eighteen to twenty pounds. A library is +provided for the exclusive use of the Pensioners. The office of governor +of Greenwich Hospital is generally conferred on veterans of the highest +rank and standing in the service,--such as Hood, Keats and Hardy, the +friend and companion of Nelson. + + + + +[Illustration: THE PORT OF LONDON.] + + + + +THE PORT OF LONDON. + + +The Port of London commences at London Bridge. The forest of masts which +rises in direct view--thickening in perspective till it is lost in the +distance--announces the vast extent of that Commerce which stretches its +arms to the "uttermost parts of the globe." The Pool, as this part of +the river is called, extends from London Bridge to Deptford,--a distance +of nearly four miles, with an average breadth of from four to five +hundred yards. It consists of four divisions, called the Upper, Middle, +and Lower Pools, and that occupying the space between Limehouse and +Deptford. The Upper Pool extends from London Bridge to Union Hole--a +space of about sixteen hundred yards; from this to Wapping New Stairs +forms the Middle Pool--about seven hundred yards. The Lower Pool extends +from the latter point to Horseferry Pier, Limehouse--about eighteen +hundred yards. The fourth Pool occupies the space between Limehouse and +Deptford--about two thousand seven hundred yards. + +The Custom-House, which is a prominent feature in this View, was first +erected in 1559--very shortly after the accession of Queen Elizabeth; +but, having shared the fate of the other public buildings in the great +fire of London, it was rebuilt, two years after by Charles the Second. +By a similar calamity, however, this was also burnt to the ground in +1718, and a third erected, which--strange to say--was also consumed in +1814. The fourth, which is the present magnificent structure, was opened +for business in May, 1817. It was erected from the designs of David +Laing, Esq.; but, in consequence of certain defects, which threatened +destruction to a considerable portion of the building, the Long Room, as +it is called, was _shored_ up, the front next to the river taken down, +and the present front as shown in the Engraving, was substituted by Mr. +Smirke. The whole is erected on an extensive and magnificent scale. + +The London and St. Katherine's Docks are seen a little to the right, and +afford accommodation to a vast number of shipping. The London Dock +covers twenty acres: fourteen tobacco-warehouses cover an acre each; the +cellars occupy three acres, and can accommodate twenty-two thousand +pipes of wine. The St. Katherine's Dock covers the extensive area of +ground which a few years ago was occupied by the parish of St. +Katherine; the whole of which, comprising above twelve hundred houses, +was bought and pulled down, at an outlay of two millions sterling, for +the construction of these magnificent basins and warehouses, with which +nothing that mercantile enterprise has hitherto effected can bear a +comparison. The old parish church of St. Katherine was built on the site +of an ancient monastery founded in the twelfth century by Matilda of +Boulogne. A rich hospital and various benefactions have belonged to this +parish ever since its original endowment; for the perpetuation of which +a handsome church and several dwelling-houses were erected near +Gloucester Gate, Regent's Park, the emoluments connected with which were +bestowed by the late Queen Adelaide, in whose gift they were, upon +persons belonging to the royal household, or otherwise recommended to +her Majesty. + +In front of these docks is a spacious steam-packet wharf; and from this +point to Rotherhithe the river--here called the Middle Pool--is +generally so crowded with shipping at anchor, or rapidly passing up and +down, that it requires both skill and caution on the part of the +helmsman to avoid collision. It is here that strangers can form an exact +idea of the vast traffic by which the Thames is continually animated, +and to which there is no parallel in the cities of commercial Europe. + +Notwithstanding the obvious utility of wet-docks, and the vast trade of +the British Metropolis, there was no establishment of this sort on the +Thames till nearly a century after a wet-dock had been constructed at +Liverpool. The inconvenience arising from the crowded state of the river +at those periods when the fleets of merchantmen were accustomed to +arrive, the very insufficient accommodation afforded by the legal quays +and sufferance-wharfs; the necessity under which many ships were placed +of unloading in the river by means of fighters, and the insecurity and +loss of property thence arising, had been felt and complained of as an +intolerable grievance. But so powerful was the opposition to any change, +made by the private wharfingers and others interested in the support of +the existing order of things, that it was not till 1793 that a plan was +projected for making wet-docks for the Port of London, yet the activity +and enterprise of the merchants and shipowners of the metropolis have, +since that date, amply compensated for their lost time, and the docks of +London are now models of superiority in that peculiar department of +civil engineering. + +Though not included in the engraving, the recent improvements which have +been effected in its vicinity by the public spirit of the Corporation of +London, demand a passing tribute of admiration. The New Coal Exchange is +an edifice worthy of the purpose for which it was designed--the mart for +the sale of one of Great Britain's most valuable products; and +Billingsgate is now a market fitting for a city containing two millions +of inhabitants. + + + + +[Illustration: THE TOWER OF LONDON.] + + + + +THE TOWER OF LONDON. + + +This celebrated fortress is situated on the east side of the City, a +short distance from London-bridge, near the banks of the river Thames. +It at first consisted of no more than what is at present called the +White Tower, traditionally reported, without any authority, to have been +built by Julius Caesar, though there is the strongest evidence of its +being marked out and a part of it first erected by William the +Conqueror, in the year 1076, doubtless with a view to secure to himself +and followers a safe retreat, in case the English should ever have +recourse to arms to recover their ancient possessions and lost +liberties. + +The death of the Conqueror, however, in 1087, about eight years after he +had commenced this fortress, for some time prevented its progress, and +left it to be completed by his son William Rufus, who, in 1098, +surrounded it with walls and a broad and deep ditch, which is in some +places about one hundred and twenty feet wide, into which water from the +river Thames was introduced. Henry III., in 1240, ordered a stone gate, +bulwark, and other additions to be made to this fortress, and the +ancient tower to be whitened, from whence it was called the White Tower. +In 1465, Edward IV. greatly enlarged the fortifications, and built the +Lion's Tower, for the reception of foreign beasts, birds, &c., presented +to the kings of England; the zoological collection have, however, long +since been transferred to more eligible quarters in the Regent's-park. +By the command of Charles II., in 1663, the ditch was completely +cleansed, the esplanade rebuilt with brick and stone, and sluices were +erected for admitting and retaining water from the Thames, as occasion +might require. + +The Tower is in the best situation that could have been chosen for a +fortress, lying near enough to protect the metropolis and the seat of +commerce from invasion by water. It is parted from the river Thames by a +commodious wharf and narrow ditch, over which is a drawbridge. Upon this +wharf is a noble platform, on which are placed sixty-one pieces of +cannon, nine-pounders, mounted on handsome iron carriages, which were +fired on state holidays, but small pieces are now used for those +purposes. + +Parallel to the middle part of the wharf, upon the walls, is a platform, +seventy yards in length, called the Ladies' Line, from its being much +frequented in the summer evenings, as on the inside it is shaded with a +row of lofty trees, and without affords a fine prospect of the shipping +and of the boats passing and repassing on the river. The ascent to this +line is by stone steps, and, being once upon it, there is a walk almost +round the walls of the fortress without interruption, in doing which the +visiter passes three batteries: the first called the Devil's Battery, +where there is a platform on which are mounted seven pieces of cannon; +the next is named the Stone Battery, and is defended by eight pieces of +cannon; and the last, called the Wooden Battery, is mounted with six +pieces of cannon. + +The wharf, or esplanade, which is divided from Tower-hill at each end by +gates, is opened every morning for the convenience of a free intercourse +between the respective inhabitants of the Tower, the City, and its +suburbs. From this wharf is an entrance for persons on foot, over the +drawbridge already mentioned; and also a water-gate under the +Tower-wall, commonly called the Traitor's-gate, through which it has +been customary, for the greater privacy, to convey traitors and other +state prisoners by water to and from the Tower; the water of the ditch +had here a communication with the Thames, by means of a stone bridge on +the wharf. Over this water-gate is a regular building, terminated at +each end by a round tower, on which are embrasures for pointing cannon. + +The principal buildings are the church, a small edifice, dedicated to +St. Peter ad Vincula, the White Tower, the Governor's House, the Bloody +Tower, the Offices of Ordnance, of the Keepers of the Records, the Jewel +Office, the New Spanish Armoury, the New Horse Armoury, the Grand +Storehouse, in which is the small armoury, the train of artillery, and +the tent room; the New Storehouse, wherein are three armouries; handsome +houses for the chief and inferior officers; the Mess-house for the +officers of the garrison, and the barracks for the soldiers. In addition +to these, there is a street called the Mint, which includes nearly +one-third part of the Tower. The principal part of the houses were +formerly inhabited by the officers employed in the coinage, but now by +the military and various persons employed in the different offices. + +The ravages of the fire which occurred in this fortress a few years +since have now been repaired, and its ancient walls strengthened and +improved in accordance with the rules of fortification adopted by the +best engineers of the day. The stagnant moat which formerly encircled it +has been drained and converted into an exercise ground for the soldiers +in the garrison. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ports, Harbours, Watering-places +and Picturesque Scenery of Great Britain Vol. 2, by William Finden + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PORTS, HARBOURS *** + +***** This file should be named 34867.txt or 34867.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/8/6/34867/ + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Susan Skinner and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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