264 COMMANDING PROSPECTS. 



veins, are seen on the abrupt face of the precipice 

 itself, and bushes of the Bramble and the Sloe with 

 beds of Fern fringe the very yawning edge, giving a 

 sense of protection and security more apparent than 

 real. 



But though I mention these plants and flowers 

 first, they are not the first things that claim attention 

 here. He would indeed be an enthusiastic botanist 

 who could look at flowers, until he had somewhat 

 satiated his eyes with the glorious prospect around. 

 One knows not where to commence the admiring survey 

 — sea-ward, land-ward; up the coast, down the coast; — 

 all is magnificent, or beautiful, or both. Let us turn 

 westward first ; overlooking the harbour and the town 

 of Ilfracombe, the craft in the one, and the streets 

 and terraces of the other, looking almost as in a map. 

 Here is Lantern Hill just beneath us, crowned with 

 the old chapel of St. Nicholas, the supposed patron 

 of mariners in the times of Papal ignorance, then 

 Compass Hill, and the conical Capstone with its con- 

 spicuous walks and its signal -staff*; then come the 

 green slopes of the Eunnacleaves, and the seven 

 peaks of the Torrs, and the rounded outline of 

 Langley Cleve, a loftier elevation than this on which 

 we stand : the rugged rocks, and coves of the coast 

 line are seen here and there, and far away on the dim 

 horizon lies Lundy, blue and hazy, like a sentinel 

 keeping his guard at the entrance of the channel. 



Now for a gaze inland. Under our feet is the 

 village of Hele, embosomed in gardens and orchards, 

 and half hidden by tall and shaggy elms. A valley 

 winds up to the left, with a little stream running 



