of the service with much credit, he was made Admiral; and so great was the confidence which his Sovereign, Queen Anne, reposed in his discretion, that she gave him the command of a squadron, with a commission to cruize as his own judgment dictated.

The rude promontory of DUN-NOSE presents its craggy heights beyond Bonchurch, and, by precluding all passage along the shore, obliges the traveller to climb a steep and zig-zag road, that has been formed with much labor through the huge masses of disjointed rock, which lie scattered over the acclivity in all directions. On ascending the hill, and passing through some of the large and fertile fields on its summit, the eye is attracted by the chasm called LUCCOMBE CHINE: the sides of this ravine are clothed with shrubs and brush-wood; and at the bottom runs a stream of fine water, which, at the termination of the Chine, forms a small cascade. Before so much attention was given to prevent illicit trade, Luccombe Chine was the favorite haunt of smugglers; and many thousand pounds worth of property are known to have been securely concealed in its recesses.

The next remarkable object on this coast is SHANKLIN CHINE, a chasm of a similar description to that of Luccombe, but on a more enlarged scale; and, in consequence, assuming a greater proportion of magnificence and grandeur. It commences about half a mile from the shore, and gradually increasing in breadth and depth, becomes, where it opens to the sea, nearly sixty yards wide, and ninety deep. Through the depths of the cavity flows the Shanklin rivulet, which rises to the south of the village, and, after supplying the inhabitants with its pellucid waters, hurries down the Chine, and in one part forms a fall of about twenty feet. On rocky ledges, of different elevations near the mouth of the ravine, are two picturesque cottages; near the lowermost of which, a winding path, and some irregular stone steps, lead the venturous traveller to the sea-shore. In some places, the water is almost concealed from sight, by the quantity of shrubs, briars, dwarf trees, and under-wood, which fringe the interior of the chasm.

"Exclusive

"Exclusive of the Chine of Shanklin," observes Mr. Wyndham, "which is deservedly ranked among the principal objects of the Island, the parish itself invites the attention of every observing passenger; for though not large, the neatness of every cottage; the park-like lawns through which the shady current meanders to the Chine; the acclivities around them, enriched with coppices, and with respectable ashes and oaks; and the mountainous range of its coast," form a variety of fine prospects, of striking beauty and

contrast.

It has been frequently asserted, and that with an air of great confidence, that SHANKLIN DOWN, which rises to the south-west of the village, has considerably increased both in bulk and height within the last sixty or seventy years: Warner mentions it as a wellknown fact; and other writers corroborate his testimony. The increase in its elevation is said to be at least one hundred feet;' as demonstrated by its appearance from St. Catherine's, from which, within the memory of man, it was not to be discovered, through the intervention of Week Down, but is now seen rising above the latter from the same spot, to the full height above mentioned.

SANDOWN COTTAGE, formerly the elegant retreat of the late John Wilkes, Esq. the chief star in the political horizon during the administration of the Earl of Bute, is situated near the shore of Sandown Bay, which extends about six miles, the eastern extremity being terminated by the chalky cliffs of Culver, and the south-western by the craggy rocks of the mountainous point of Dun-nose. The house is small, and elegantly fitted up: in the gardens are some detached and pleasant apartments, constructed with floor-cloth of the Kensington manufacture: these were ornamented with much neatness and classic taste by the late owner. The grounds are extremely pleasant, though not extensive. Immediately adjoining to the south-west, a range of BARRACKS has been erected for the accommodation of 300 men.

About half a mile eastward from the Cottage, is SANDOWN FORT, a regular quadrangular fortification, flanked with four bastions, situated on the level of the beach, and encompassed by a ditch. This was built in the reign of Henry the Eighth; yet having

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having been greatly neglected after the rise of the English navy, it became ruinous; but has of late years been repaired, and strengthened, at the expense of Government, and again placed on the military establishment: it is now the most considerable fort in the Island. During the American War, it was attacked by several privateers, though without effect.

CULVER CLIFFS, which rise to the height of 600 feet, and terminate the south-eastern extremity of Bimbridge Down, are supposed to derive their name from the Saxon Culore, signifying a pigeon: numerous flocks of this species, as well as other kinds of birds, breed in the precipitous recesses of the Cliffs; which were also famous for a peculiar breed of hawks, now less plentiful than formerly. An eagle's nest was likewise taken on these steeps so lately as the year 1780, by one of the gatherers of Samphire, which grows here in abundance.

At the eastern part of the Cliffs, about fifty or sixty feet below the summit, is a natural hollow, called the HERMIT'S HOLE, the path to which is steep, narrow, and rugged; only fit to be trod by those who are accustomed to explore the recesses of these craggy eminences. This opening is but of small extent, and scarcely repays the difficulty of reaching it, unless the idea of danger may be supposed to give point to the interest. The Cliffs command the whole sweep of Sandown Bay, with Shanklin and Dun-nose in the distance. The views from the summit of BIMBRIDGE DOWN are peculiarly fine, and in some respects superior to those from any other part of the Island; particularly at the time of high water, when Brading Harbour resembles an extensive lake, surrounded with gentle slopes, covered with wood. The northern prospects comprehend St. Helen's Road, Spithead, and the neighbouring shores of Hampshire. The peninsula of Bimbridge is extremely fertile, and well cultivated.

The Manor of YAVERLAND was anciently part of the possessions of Sir Thomas de Aula, whose heiress conveyed it to the Russels, by marriage, in the reign of Edward the First. In the time of Henry the Sixth, it passed by an heiress to Stephen Hatfield; and again devolving to females, was purchased, in the first of

Queen