A VILLAGE BY THE SEA 



PORTCHESTER 



THE parish consists of nearly three thousand acres, of 

 which about one-half is land and the other half mud or 

 water, according to the condition of the tide. The land 

 portion is of a strangely diversified character. Sur- 

 rounded on three sides by the mud flats of the harbour, 

 most of the land lies low, and is only protected from 

 inundation during the spring tides by means of artificial 

 chalk banks raised some five or six feet above the level 

 of the shore. On the east, where the banks are highest 

 and where, in spite of every precaution, the marshy pas- 

 ture is more or less under water, salterns once ranged, 

 and formed a considerable source of profit to the 

 villagers. The arable portion of the parish, with the 

 exception of two or three small farms, is now divided 

 into market-gardens, which produce an immense quan- 

 tity of vegetables for the neighbouring town. 



An extensive chalk down, locally known as " the 

 hill," rises at the back of the village to the height of 

 three hundred feet, and shields the gardens from the 

 keen north winds. In the harbour are two small 

 islands, Horsea and Pewty, which form part of the 

 parish. The parish is also proud in the possession 

 of an ancient castle, dating back to Roman times, 

 which affords a famous shelter to various kinds of 

 birds. The mighty Norman keep, rising one hundred 



