FROM YARMOUTH TO SVVANAGE. 347 



a very interesting- appearance. The gradual rise 

 of the northern side above the sea — the coloured 

 strata of Alum Bay — those singular masses of rock 

 the Needles — with the majestic chalk cliffs behind 

 them of the most dazzling whiteness — and the 

 precipitous face of the southern side of the Downs 

 above Freshwater — composed altogether a picture 

 of the most romantic character. On the north lay 

 the coast of Hampshire (see p. 164), consisting of 

 tertiary clay cliffs, above which were seen the town 

 of Christchurch, and several lesser places. As we 

 approached the Dorsetshire side, I perceived that 

 the chalk cliffs were of great height, forming the 

 eastern end of the promontory called Handfast 

 Point ; on the north side of which lay Studland 

 Bay, and on the south Swanage Bay. In these 

 cliffs, which present a vertical section of the Isle 

 of Purbeck from north to south, were seen, while 

 we were yet some miles distant, several very 

 large caverns ; and towards the north end four or 

 five detached masses of rock rising out of the sea ; 

 these were evidently isolated portions of the chalk, 

 which like the Needles had resisted longer than 

 the rest of the cliff, the destroying effects of the 

 waves. When sufficiently near, I made the vessel 

 lay to, that I might examine the stratification by 

 a telescope ; and I was surprised and delighted to 



