SUGAR-LOAF HILL AND HOLY WELL. 13 



arch standing 120 feet above the stream that drains 

 the valley. Often have I paused at this spot, just 

 at set of sun to enjoy the prospect ; there was then 

 a splendidly luxuriant specimen of the Horse Chestnut 

 tree on the right, the only one of any size in Folke- 

 stone, it has since been cut down to make room for 

 a shop. Leading thence by the .banks of the stream 

 up to the Viaduct was a fine row of tall poplars, for 

 them too we mourn, unconsoled even by the pleasant 

 row of comfortable houses occupying their place. 

 We keep grumbling at the lack of trees in Folkestone, 

 but all the time we go on cutting down what few we 

 have. Very grateful to the eye was that row of 

 poplars leading up to the arches, and beyond ah 1 was 

 the background of hills fading away to the west in 

 the purple twilight. It is difficult now to find any 

 spot on this side from which to get a good view, and 

 streets are springing up so rapidly that if we allow 

 a few months to elapse we can hardly find our way 

 about old familiar spots. 



On passing through the arches we seem at once to 

 emerge into a new country, the whole scene changes 

 and so does its character. There before us stretches 

 the bold chalk escarpment of the North Downs with 

 its hollows and gently swelling sides ; and across 

 the grassy slopes falls the evening sunlight in long 

 golden gleams. It looks like some grand old earth 

 fortification of the giants 



" To sentinel enchanted land ;" 



one feels an instinctive desire to go up and see what 

 lies on the other side. The contrast between plain 

 and highland seems to give great pleasure to the 

 mind. 1 shall never forget the feeling of pleasant 



