Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 7.djvu/34

 22 NOTES AND QUERIES. [12 s. vn. JULY 10, 1920. work in door-cases, &c. Fine prospect from the top of the building ; a glimpse of the Isle of Wight. Viewed the church, but disappointed in finding the end containing the old Arundel chapel and monuments, all dilapidated. Effect of an antient religion subverted ! After dinner set out for Chichester. A delight- ful ride. Continued woods for some of the first miles ; then, the country opener, affording views of several seats and distant woods and hills. A nightingale by the roadside sung so sweetly as to be a perfect syren, and we could not easily get away from him. Chichester a neat old city, with many good modern houses. A fine gothic market cross. Visited the Cathedral fine spire tolerably handsome within, especially the choir. Tomb of Chillingworth in the cloysters. The inscription ends with Nee sentit damna sepulchri, an allusion to his funeral in the parliament times. Tomb of Collins in the cathedral : fine sculpture of Flax- man ; and poetical inscription by Hayley. Some other monuments by Flaxman. Called on Dr. Sanden an agreeable man acquainted with him at once. June 5, Saturday. Went before breakfast to Havant. A level unvaried country, rich in corn. Some ugly marshes towards the sea. From Havant to Portsmouth, flat, but soon becomes interesting from the tokens of approach to a large port. The latter part of the road populous and crowded. Entrance into Portsmouth very strik- ing from the novelty of the fortifications. Walk on the ramparts. Channel before the I. of Wight enlivened with ships at anchor. The sea of a beautiful hue. Feel quite refreshed at the sight. Visited the dockyard with Mr. Scott, an ex- cellent cicerone. Everything grand and magnifi- cent. Saw the workmen forging an anchor, Illi" inter' sese magna vi bracchia tollunt In numerum Great order and neatness in laying the stores. Cables of a first-rate 24 inches in circumference. Saw some curious remains of antiquity brought from Egypt comparison between ancient and modern art. In the evening took a walk with Mr. Scott to Southsea Castle and round by Kingston. Gained a complete idea of the road of Spithead, Ports- mouth Harbour, &c. The Crown, a bad inn and unconscionably dear. June 6, Sunday. The rough and cloudy weather made us change our intention of passing hence to the Isle of Wight. Set out after breakfast and got to Wickham to dinner. On leaving Portsea Isle, ascend a lofty eminence, whence is a noble prospect of the harbour, the different inlets of the sea, and the Isle of Wight, but the weather unfavourable. A rough wooded country beyond, with gentlemen's seats. Afternoon. Proceed with just rain enough to make it gloomy, biat not wet. First a pretty varied country, then black heaths through which is carried a new straight road. The approach to Southampton very fine, across a piece of water communicating with its bay and forming a lake. A like expanse edged with woods and overlooked by seats andt pleasure grounds. Southampton, a clean well-built town. A very handsome street entered by an ancient gateway runs through it. Fine view from the port down the bay, terminating in the Isle of Wight. The upper end of the bay, at ebb-tide, presents the deformity of a muddy flat ; otherwise, all is very beautiful. Extensive prospect from the top of a castle on a mount, which in our rambles we found by chance. June 7, Monday. O this weather " The South with dabbled wings?' Had it been fair, our morning's ride to Lynd- hurst would have been delightful. The first part of the road was the scenery about Southampton bay, the termination of which we just rounded the latter part through the New Forest. Even as it was, we enjoyed it much, for the air was clear though gentle rain constantly fell. Much grandeur in the forest views rising ground covered with wood stretching beyond reach of sight ; and the moors over which we travelled, edged with woods beautifully sinuous in their form and afford- ing picturesque glades and recesses. The day turned out so incessantly rainy that; we staid immured in a room of the inn at Lynd- hurst till the evening, employing ourselves with reading Gilpin, picquet, &c. At length an apparent clearing up tempted us to proceed in our journey. A fine avenue through the forest for some miles, then a varied country. The rain soon returned, but we got to Lymington by nine o'clock in very tolerable plight. June 8, Tuesday. A fine morning put us in spirits, and we spent the forenoon in walking about the environs of Lymington. We even climbed the steeple whence we had a fine view of the Isle of Wight from the Needles to Spithead, and of all the circumjacent country. But about noon dark clouds rose and brought on heavy rain, which returned at short intervals all the afternoon, and confined us to our inn. Determine to sefc our faces homeward to-morrow. June 9, Wednesday.- Impatience to change the scene made us set out in unpromising weather, and we encountered some heavy showers and squalls before we got to Lyndhurst. It set in afterwards for incessant rain, and we have the mortification of being in the centre of a delightful country without being able to stir a step from our inn. Picquet, newspapers, &c., but O for my own study. A tour for pleasure indeed ! but things may mend, and we have already enjoyed a gopd deal. June 10, Thursday. Morning began witfo gloomy presages, tempestuous wind and rain. Fireside and old magazines not reckoned by Mr. Gilpin among the charms of the New Forest. After contending against ennui as well as we could till evening, it got the better of us, and in mere despair we set out in the rain at six o'clcok for Rumsey. Handsomely peppered by the road and in ill plight to enjoy some of the fine forest scenes we passed through. However we arrived in tolerable condition, and did not regret that we had made the venture. June 11, Friday. Oh Sun ! What pleasure to- look again in thy face and tell thee " how I love thy beams." What is there thou canst not cheer and animate ! With light hearts we set out on- our morning's ride from Rumsey to Winchester. First part of the road through a pleasant wood. Afterwards a varied country ending in chalky downs. The city of Winchester seated in a hollow and not visible till near. Rather a mean place.