Holmesdale Natural History Club. 33 



beeches, we notice that the field on the right or north side of the lane is 

 some few feet higher than the lane. We forthwith commit trespass, get 

 through the hedge, climb the bank, and look north. The whole paper now 

 read supposes a clear day. A N.W. wind is about the best, but for some 

 points of view a N.B. is desirable. Looking nearly due N. we shall see 

 Harrow and its church, a place famous for its school, and for having educated 

 some of our most able men in all branches of public service. A little to the 

 east is the high ground about Stanmore, about 500ft., the highest land in 

 Middlesex. Taking the coiu-se of the sun, i.e.., proceeding east, which is 

 the plan I propose to pursue, we come a few miles nearer home to 

 Hampstead and its famous Heath, with a church of slender spire. Next in 

 order is Highgate, with its church on the crown of the hill, overlooking the 

 cemetery which lies below it. In former times, a very fine view of London 

 and of the country beyond was obtained from Highgate ; the view being 

 diversified and beautified by glimpses of the river Thames and of vessels 

 upon it. I have often had this beautiful prospect in olden time, on a summer 

 evening, with an easterly wind blowing. Now, I am afraid, smoke almost 

 constantly obscures the prospect. A little further east and a little further 

 back come the line of Muswell Hill, and in the distance the high ground 

 near Enfield Chase. Portions of the old forest still remain in the neighbour- 

 hood as enclosed and private woods. We now pass over the valley of the 

 river Lea, and arrive at the high ground in Epping Forest, of which the 

 highest point is High Beech, about 12 miles from London. From this 

 point (about 750ft.) was formerly a fine woodland prospect, also a prospect 

 of the valley of the Lea, the Thames, and the chalk hills of Surrey and 

 Kent. Still a little more east, we have, nearer home, Shootei's Hill, with 

 its tower, from which also is a fine prospect. In the far distance, looking 

 like a cloud, in Essex, are the Langdon Hills (about 800ft.). From these 

 hills is obtained one of the finest prospects in the south of England. They 

 lie about due north of Gravesend, and about 8 to lO miles from it. They 

 embrace a prospect of fertile, well wooded land in Essex, looking to the 

 W. and N. ; and looking to the S. and E. may be traced the river Thames 

 from Woolwich to the Nore, with tlic opposite hills in Kent and Surrey, 

 On the north side of the Thames, so far as we have gone, the view from 

 Eeigate Hill to Stanmore is about 30 miles, to Hampstead and Highgate 

 about 25, to High Beech over 30, and to Langdon Hills not much short of 

 40 miles. Quitting our view of the N. side of the Thames, and coming 

 nearer home, we notice the range of the North Downs, trending to the N.E., 

 of which range Reigate Hill is part. These North Downs form the hills 

 about Caterham, and shut out the view in that direction. Leaving the field 

 where we had committed trespass, we now descend into the lane, and 

 pursue our way towards the beeches. Just at the end of the lane, before 

 entering the grove, turning sharp round to the left, is a gate into a field, 

 from which may be had a very delightful view to the east ; but as we shall 

 have this view more fully, having passed through the whole length of the 

 grove, we do not stay at tho gate. Arrived, therefore, through the 



