34 FEBRUAKY. 



self made it well out, stretching far forth upon the wide 

 eastern horizon of blue sea. Now, however, along that 

 shining line nothing is discernible but a white speck 

 or two, and yon ocean steamer that passes down the 

 Channel, with a long line of black smoke on the low 

 sky behind her. 



I forsake my sheltered seat, and climb to the down, 

 making my way towards the left, in order to see the 

 prospect to the right. Here is a track winding down the 

 broken slope, leading through roods of the round leaves 

 of the fragrant Butterburr. A month ago the whole air 

 was loaded with the delicious perfume of its lilac blos- 

 som. I make my way, slippery and tenacious enough 

 just now, along by the hedge of a field, till I come to 

 the edge of an abrupt perpendicular cliff. How beauti- 

 ful from hence is the sweet hamlet of Babbicombe the 

 Nether! The rugged masses of Black Wall project 

 from the foot of the slope into the sea, dividing Oddi- 

 combe from Babbicombe beach. Beyond it is the 

 latter, a sweeping curve of pebbles and then of larger 

 boulders, backed by an amphitheatre of picturesque 

 fishing huts, and elegant villas, half hid in bowery 

 plantations and woods, with peeps of lawns and gardens, 

 all occupying the steep sides of the bay, up to the sum- 

 mit of the downs. 



Beyond the beach, fine dark rock masses again project; 



