BABBICOMBE BEACH. 35 



and farther still, the prospect is abruptly shut in by a 

 magnificent vertical cliff of great height, the northern 

 boundary of that lovely spot of renown, Anstey's Cove. 



These features, which I feebly essay to paint with 

 many successive words, and multitudes of others which 

 I must fain leave untouched, the eye drinks in at once, 

 grasping the whole grand and beautiful picture at a 

 glance, steeped as it is in loveliness. Those who have 

 seen it may possibly find an aid to memory in recalling 

 it in these details of mine, for I write with the scene 

 before me ; those who have not will probably find little 

 of interest in them. 



It is at the farther end of yonder beach that we must 

 commence our marine explorings to-day ; there, where 

 the pebbles at the lowest water-line merge into larger 

 dark stones, and a little on this side of the bounding 

 rocks. We might get down by this path to Oddicombe 

 beach, scramble over Black Wall, and so make our way 

 along Babbicombe beach to the spot ; but the state of 

 the tenacious soil at this season makes such a descent 

 unpleasant. There is a better road to the eastward, 

 which winds among the villas, and descends direct to 

 the spot we seek. Let us therefore pursue our walk 

 over the downs, along the margin of the cliff, enjoying 

 fresh aspects of the coast view as we proceed, till we 

 reach the road. 



