weft, fo much greater and more continued, 

 than from any other quarter, is the natural, 

 and obvious caufe. The fame thing happens 

 at the entrance of Portfmouth-harbour. Spit- 

 head is the barrier of it's channel, which 

 runs clofe along the eaftern fhore under 

 South-fea-caftle, and Portfmouth-wall, much 

 in the fame manner as the channel of Beaulieu, 

 or rather Exbury-haven, runs clofe under the 

 fhore from Leap. Wherever there is a low, 

 or gravelly coaft, undefended, on the fouthern 

 fide of our ifland, it gives way to the fury 

 of the Atlantic winds and tides. The rocks 

 of Purbeck protect the gravelly coaft about 

 Pool, and Chrift-church. To the eaft of 

 thefe places there have certainly been depre- 

 dations. Wight defends Portfmouth, and the 

 fhores eaftward as far as Arundel; which 

 would probably go to fea, if they were equally 

 unprotected from the weft, as from the eaft. 



We had now entered Beaulieu-river, which 

 appears to be about half a mile broad. For 

 fome time Needfore-point on the left, con- 

 tinued a low, winding fhore; clofing us in 

 behind; tedious, and unvaried. But, on the 



VOL. ii. M other 



