VOL. XVIII. (2) CLIMATE & TOPOGRAPHY, CHELTENHAM 153 



As the hill-slopes are ascended the movement of air is 

 much more considerable, in fact, in many of the more exposed 

 positions there is more wind, from time to time, than is suitable 

 for a good house site. Upon the hill summits it is rare that 

 some movement of air cannot be felt. The clay of the Vale 

 rises up the hill slopes usually to a height of some.Jiundreds of 

 feet, until, at a varying altitude, the rocks of the Oolite are 

 reached. These for the greater part are very porous, giving a 

 dry calcareous soil. 



The atmosphere of the hills is often less humid than that 

 of the town, though the annual rainfall may be rather greater 

 on the hills ; the temperature is somewhat cooler ; the effect 

 of the sunlight combined with that of the wind stronger, 

 more invigorating and colouring to the exposed skin. No 

 greater contrast of climate could be found within many 

 hundreds of miles than that obtained by going from Cheltenham 

 to the top of Cleeve Hill, which is but four miles distant. 



There are also appreciable differences of climate within 

 the bounds of the town itself, which, if minor, are yet 

 sufficiently marked to produce their effect, and persons moving 

 from one part to another often find themselves better or 

 worse suited. The district of Leckhampton is favoured by a 

 gently increasing elevation up to the foot of the steep rise of 

 Leckhampton Hill, and the air is perhaps fresher there than in 

 any other quarter of the town, and people often find a change 

 to that locality beneficial. Up-Hatherley and St. Marks are 

 on the windward side of the town, and benefit most from the 

 breezes that have not passed over the houses, but their altitude 

 is lower and they lie on the clay. Arle and Alstone lie com- 

 paratively low, and the same is true of the poorer district of 

 the North Ward off the Lower High Street and Tewkesbury 

 Road, and these parts are perhaps least bracing, though they 

 lie upon a sandy soil that is comparatively dry at the surface. 

 Pittville is greatly beautified by trees, and the air there is 

 perhaps very slightly more heavy and damp in comparison to 

 other parts, though people live quite healthily and happily 

 in the attractive squares and avenues in this locality. The 

 North-East and East side of the town towards Battledown is 



