several natural caverns. The present duke sold the place, in 1791, to the late Sir William Burrell, bart. whose widow resides here. About five miles from Dorking, towards Horsham, is LEITH HILL, on the highest part of which is a tower, erected by the late Richard Hull, Esq. who ordered his remains to be buried underneath. From this tower the prospect is esteemed equal, if not superior, to any in the kingdom, and perhaps in Europe. The curious stranger feels (when he approaches the platform that surrounds the tower) fuch fensations as we may suppose Adam to have felt when he instantaneously burst into existence, and the beauties of Eden struck his all-wondering eyes. It is really impossible for the most descriptive and animated language · to describe or justly convey a proper idea of this enchanting prospect. The best description that has yet appeared was given by that great critic Mr. Dennis, who says, "In a late journey I took through Surrey, I passed over a hill which shewed me a more transporting sight than ever the country had shewn me before, either in England or Italy. The prospects which in Italy pleased me the most, were, the Valdarno from the Appennines; Rome and the Mediterranean from the mountains of Viterbo, the former at forty and the latter at fifty miles distance; and, the Champagne of Rome from Tivoli and Frescati: from which places you see every foot of that famous Champagne, even from the bottom of the Tivoli and Frescati to the very foot of the mountains of Viterbo, without any thing to intercept your sight. But from a hill I passed in my late journey, I had a prospect more extensive than any of these, and which surpassed them at once in rural charms, pomp, and magnificence-the hill which I speak of is called Leith Hill, and is situated about six miles south of Dorking; it juts itself out about two miles beyond that range of hills which terminate the North downs on the south. When I saw from one of those hills, at about two miles distance, that side of Leith Hill which faces the downs, it appeared the most beautiful prospect I had ever seen. But, after we had conquered the hill itself, I saw a sight that would transport a Stoic; a sight that looked like enchantment and vision! Beneath us lay open to our view all the wilds of Surrey and Sussex, and a great part of those of Kent, admirably diversified in every part of them with woods, and fields of corn and pasture, and every where adorned with stately rows of trees. This beautiful vale is about thirty miles in breadth, and about sixty in length; and is terminated to the south by the majestic range of the southern hills and the sea, and it is no easy matter to decide whether these hills, which appear thirty, forty, or fifty, miles distance, with their tops in the sky, seem more awful and venerable, or the delicious vale between you and them more inviting. About noon, in a serene day, you may, at thirty miles distance, see the water of the sea through a chasm of the mountains; and that above all which makes it a noble and wonderful prospect is, that at the very time that, at thirty miles distance, you behold the very water of the sea, at the same time you behold to the southward the most delicious rural prospect in the world. At the same time, by a little turn your head towards the north, you look full over Box Hill, and see the country beyond it between that and London; and, over the very stomachers of it, see St. Paul's at twenty-five miles distance, and London beneath it, and Hampstead and Highgate beyond it." of It commands a view of the county of Surrey, part of Hampshire, Berkshire, and Nettlebed in Oxfordshire; some parts of Bucks, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Kent, and Es sex; and, by the help of glasses, Wiltshire. The whole circumference of the extent of vista is at least two hundred miles, which far exceeds that of the keep and terrace at Windsor Castle, over which may be seen as far as the eye, unarmed with art, is able to distinguish land from sky. Leith Hill Tower is a very conspicuous object, and it is much to be lamented that Mr. Hull did not, by his will, oblige his heirs (who came into the possession of a large estate) to keep it in repair; the sepulchre of their benefactor is, however, entirely neglected. On the west side, over the entrance, is a stone with the following inscription: Ut terram undique beatam Videas viator Hæc turris de longe spectabilis Sumptibus Richardi Hull Within side the tower, against the East wall, was a Portland stone (now dashed to pieces) containing the following inscription: Underneath this floor lieth the body of A native of Bristol, Who departed this life January 18th, 1772, in the 83d year of his age. Mr. Hull was the eldest bencher of the Inner Temple, and served many years in the parliament of Ireland, where, by probity and vigilance, he zealously supported the interest of his constituents, and, after a long and faithful ser vice in that station, he retired from the exercise of public to the enjoyment of private virtues; the testimony of a good conscience being his reward. He was a person eminent for the accomplishments of his mind and the purity of his heart. He lived, in the earlier part of his life, in habits of intimacy with Pope, Trenchard, bishop Berkeley, and many other shining characters of those times; and, to wear off the remainder of his days, he purchased Leith Hill Place for a retirement, where he led the life of a true Christian rural philosopher; and, by his particular desire and directions, his remains were deposited in a private manner under this tower, which he' erected a few years before his death. 1 Returning to Dorking, and keeping along the Mole, we' arrive at BETCHWORTH CASTLE, which formerly belonged to earl Warren; from whom it passed to the Fitz Alans, earls of Arundel; by different descents, it devolved to Sir Adam Brown, whose daughter and heir married Mr. Fenwick; whence it came to the late Abraham Tucker, Esq VOL. V. No. 115. U u (author (author of an excellent work on Metaphysics, entitled the Light of Nature pursued, under the signature of Abraham Search, Esq.) He bequeathed this estate to his daughter, Mrs. Tucker; and on her decease her nephew, Sir Henry St. John Pawlet Mildmay, bart. became lord of the manor, who has let the castle to Henry Peters, Esq. A mile hence is TRANQUIL DALE, the elegant villa of Mr. Petty. The situation of this charming place seems to correspond with its appellation; being consecrated, as it were, more particularly to the lovers of rural quiet and contemplation. The next place of consideration is REIGATE, a borough in the valley of Holmesdale, twenty-one miles from London. It had a castle, built by the Saxons, on the east side of the town, some ruins of which are still to be seen; particularly a long vault, with a room at the end, large enough to hold five hundred persons; where the barons, who took up arms against John, are said to have had their private meetings. This cave is esteemed a great curiosity. About the year 1270, in the reign of Henry III. John carl of Warren and Surrey, and Allan lord Zouche, having a trial concerning a certain manor before the king's justices in Westminster Hall, there happened to pass very reproachful language between the earl and the said baron, and they at last came to blows, insomuch that the earl and his followers being privately armed, set upon the lord Zouche and his eldest son in open court, and wounded them both. After which he fled to his castle of Reigate, in Surrey, and stood upon his defence; but prince Edward was sent with some forces to reduce him to obedience; and at last he was fined five thousand pounds to the king, and two thousand pounds to the lord Zouch and his son*. The town is pleasantly situated in a valley, denominated * T. Wikes, p. 91. An. Waverl. p. 225, M. West. 399. Rapin, Vol. I. p. 345. Note I. Holmsdale Holmsdale; and its name, which in Saxon signifies the course or channel of a river, was given from its being seated on a branch of the river Mole. Its very antient castle, during the Civil Wars of Charles I. was in the pos session of lord Monson, who forfeited it to the crown. Charles II. at his restoration, granted the manor and castle to his brother the duke of York; and at the revolution, they were again granted to lord Somers. The town gives title of baron to the earl of Peterborough. Under the hill, adjoining to the fouth side, is a large house, formerly a priory of black canons, founded by William Warren, earl of Surrey, about the year 1245. It was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the Holy Cross; and at the Dissolution, its revenue was valued at 77. 14s. 11d. per annum. It was given to the earl of Nottingham, and afterwards sold to Sir John Parsons, lord mayor of London; it was lately in the possession of Mr. Parsons, Sir John's grandson, and is now possessed by Mr. Mowbray. This seat is beautified with plantations, and a large piece of water. In the house are two halls, each fifty feet long, and of a proportionable breadth; but the ceilings are low. The carving about the house appears to be very antient. The whole is surrounded with hills on every side, so as to render the prospect very romantic. In Reigate the late lord Shaftesbury, author of " The Characteristics," had a house, to which he frequently retired when he was inclined to seclude himself from company. possessed by a private gentleman, who planted a small spot of ground in so many little parts, as to comprise whatever can be supposed in the most noble seats; so that it may properly be called a model of a garden and park; for in the garden are a mount, a river, a parterre, and wilderness; besides the gardens, &c. a lawn The house is now has laid out and * It has been said that when the Danes were in England, the inhabitants of this town defeated some of their straggling parties, from whence they have ever since entertained a high opinion of their own bravery, of which they thus poetically boast: The valley of Holmsdale Was never won, nor ever shall. U u 2 with |