Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 7.djvu/106

 82 NOTES AND QUERIES. [12 s.vn. JULY si, 1020. of Glastonbury knit as they walk about the streets. This is the best occupation the place affords. Returned to Wells in the evening. August 2Qth, Friday. After breakfast pro- ceeded for Cheddar. An extremely pleasant road beneath the southern skirt of the Mendip hills cloathed with wood in some parts and sloping steeply ; on the other side a fine verdant plain, with insulated hills, dark with wood or beautifully green starting from it. The villages in the road watered with limpid streams and shaded by apple orchards. Cheddar is a large village, enlivened by a brisk clear stream, and close under the Mendip. The celebrated cliffs are a break in the range of hills leading through them. We entered them from the village, and were soon struck with the appearance of a winding narrow chasm with rocks on each side peeping through foliage. As we proceeded, every step increased the surprise, till at length we were lost in speech- less astonishment. The rocks became perpendi- cular walls, partly bare, partly cloathed, soaring to a prodigious height and crowned with pinnacles of grotesque forms, like the ruins of ancient castles but of a magnitude that reduces works of art to toys in the comparison. The frequent turns in the road perpetually varied the forms, and seemed to present impassable barriers before us, which gave way as we approached. After we had advanced till the rocks began to lose their grandeur, we turned back and leisurely enjoyed the scene in the reverse-direction. The character of strange and savage sublimity is probably nowhere in England so complete as in Cheddar Cliffs. Proceeded tc Axbridge, a mean town, and 1ho tee of the Mendip ridge. Jn three or four miles came to a syrct where a rrespTt burst upon us superior in grandeur and beauty to any we had yet seen. Before us lay the Severn Mouth and Bristol Channel, expanding into an arm of the sea, and presenting the two islands of Steep- holm and Flat holm, the former a bold and striking object. Beyond, the Welsh coast, gradually retiring till lost in obscurity, and backed by distant mountains. Beneath the eye and all round, a rich and varied country, studded with villages, partly stretching in green plains, partly dark with wood and rising with eminences. Soon after, we turned from the high road towards the Channel, and through a level well cultivated country reached Clevedon, a favourite resort of holiday Bristolians. We walked to a high down above the water, and had a very fine view of the Channel, its islands and coasts, and vessels gliding along. Dined and returned through a country still interesting, even after all the variety we had viewed. Reached the crowded, smoaky streets of the city as daylight was departing, and thus finished a delightful two days' tour, in which we had been singularly favoured by the weather. Our little horse performed admirably. August 30, Saturday. A rainy morning, which, however, did not prevent us from fulfilling an Barbauld [John Aikin's sister] and Robert Hall," says the D.N.B., " were among the friends at- tracted by his attainments and fine generous character." engagement to dine with Mrs. Jardine* at Shire- hampton, near the mouth of the Avon in the Bristol channel. M'r. E., Mr. Hort and I pro- ceeded on foot and had a charming walk by King's Weston. The[ladies and children came in a coach. The afternoon turned out fine, and we enjoyed the sweet views from Mrs. J's gardens,, and the extensive one from a summit just above,, which gave a full prospect of the channel with all the rich country round interspersed with seats,, parks, and woods. No part of England seems to unite the rich and cultured with the varied and romantic, in a degree superior to the environs of Bristol, which has also, on this side, the advantage- of a noble expanse of water. The whole party- walked home, five miles, by moonlight, andi arrived between nine and ten. Sunday, September 1. Went to meeting. In; the afternoon I again surveyed a considerable part of Bristol, and revisited St. Vincent's rocks, which had lost part of their sublimity, but none of their- beauty, by the recollection of Cheddar. Afternoon, and evening passed agreeably at home. September 2, Monday. Viewed the Infirmary an extremely neat and well contrived building,, perfectly clean and free from everything offensive- Strolled into the fair. Mr. Estlin and 1 went witti. Mr. Bright f in his carriage to dine at his house at Ham-green. A charming retired situation, with; beautiful plantations and walks. A winding path through a wood leads along the bank of the river- Avon near its mouth, and affords the singular- prospect of ships moored or sailing, under the shade of trees. Returned in the evening and supped at Mr. Hort's. September 3, Tuesday. Viewed the cathedral,, of which little more than the choir and east, end is remaining. Monument for Mason's wife and' some other interesting for their inscriptions- Took an affectionate leave of our good friends- after noon, and went in the coach for Bath. Got to Dr. Haygarth,J at four, and passed the rest of the day with the family. September 4, Wednesday. Took a walk before breakfast to the Upper Crescent. A mornings^ ramble in the coach with the ladies to the finest parts of this beautiful city, now very thin of visitors, but wonderfully striking from its neat- ness and the splendour and elegance of its build- ings. The front of the new playhouse is singularly elegant, and in a novel and appropriate style of architecture. September 5, Thursday. Made calls on Mr. (17661797) unitarian minister at Bath, whose sermons J. P. Estlin edited ; their son David Jardine (1794-1860), historical and legal writer,, became recorder of Bath and magistrate at Bow Street. f Probably Richard Bright, a merchant and banker of Bristol, whose third son, Richard (1789 1858) was the physician whose name is com- memorated by " Bright's Disease." t John Haygarth (1740-1827) who after mak- ing a name for himself at Chester, practised at Bath from 1798 onwards, and was, as the D.N.B. indicates, most enlightened in his treatment of infectious fevers.
 * hen turned into the Bristol road, which crosses
 * Probably the widow of David B. Jardine-