FIFTH DAY. 
Friday, 11th August. 
THE NORTHERN DIVISION OF THE NEW FOREST. 
SOUTHAMPTON. 
To-day another full programme had to be got through, and 
members required to be up betimes to see the town of Southampton 
and its famous docks before starting again for the New Forest. 
Besides the extensive docks, crowded with steamers and ships 
sailing to all parts of the world, the chief objects of interest in the 
town are the remains of the City Wall, of which several gates and 
towers are still standing—the ‘“Bargate” stands in the High Street ; 
the Public Parks, the Avenue, and the Common; the Ordnance 
Survey Office, Corn Exchange, and Custom House; numerous fine 
churches, the Hartley Institution, Public Baths, Theatre, Music Hall, 
and the monuments of Dr Isaac Watts, who was a native of the town, 
and of Lord Palmerston. The New ‘‘Empress” Dock, opposite 
the South-Western Hotel, was an object of much interest to the 
visitors, It is 18 acres in extent, with a depth of 26 feet at neap 
tides, and is supplied with every convenience for storing, loading, 
and discharging the cargoes of the splendid ships and steamers it 
accommodates. This fine dock was opened by the Queen in 1890. 
The two older docks have together an area of 26 acres; and the whole 
of the 44 acres are enclosed by nearly 14 miles of spacious quays. 
Along the water side there is also a frontage of about three-quarters 
of a mile of commodious quays, with steam cranes, railways, ware- 
houses, and other appliances for working the large shipping trade 
that frequents the port; as well as for the passenger-steamer service 
to all parts of the world. For the local traffic, the handsome new 
“ Royal Pier,’ which was opened about a year ago by the Duke 
of Connaught, provides ample space, and affords a splendid pro- 
menade for the fashionable society of the town. It is 1000 feet 
in length to the pier-head, and lavish provision has been made for 
the pleasure and enjoyment of the public, at a cost of about £40,000, 
so that it is one of the greatest attractions of the place. It may 
be noted that Southampton Water has the peculiarity of ‘‘ double ” 
tides; arising from the first influx coming up from the Solent; the 
