( '97 ) 



are conftrufted of canvas around it. It is 

 finifhed in the higheft ftile of expence; and 

 if it were not for the oddnefs, and fingu- 

 larity of the conception, and contrivance, 

 it is not intirely deftitute of fome kind 

 pf tafte. But the building is fo whimfical, 

 and the end fo inadequate to the expence, 

 that we confidered it on the whole, as a 

 glaring contraft to thofe pleafmg fcenes, we 

 had juft examined at Exbury ; in which true 

 tafte had furnifhed us with a delightful en^ 

 tertainment at a trifling expence *. 



The view, which this tower commands 

 over the circumjacent country, is very exten- 

 five; but it's fea-vtew is moft admired, 

 ftretching from the bay of Southampton to 

 Portfmouth from thence to St. Helen's 

 and on the other fide, all along the range 

 of Wight, and beyond the Needles to the 

 ocean. The whole together forms the ap- 

 pearance of a magnificent bay; of which 

 Spithead, and St. Helen's, (where there is 

 commonly a fleet at anchor) make the central 

 part. 



* Sec page 1 86. 



o 3 But 



