198 . ON THE GRAMPIAN HILLS. 



when riding or walking, a vast panorama of smiling 

 country is visible whichever way the eye turns ; on 

 one side of this heather-clad range of grand hills is 

 seen the surrounding rich Vale of Taunton ; on the 

 other side the view extends over Bridgewater Bay to 

 Burnham and Weston-super-Mare ; whilst following 

 the line of hills which trend down to the Channel, a 

 view of the Welsh coast is obtained. The prominent 

 feature of these parts are the Combes, which may be 

 described as verdant valleys, the hillsides of which are 

 densely clothed with the redundant foliage of beautiful 

 beeches and other luxuriant trees, which flourish so 

 greatly in these parts. It is amidst these tranquil 

 woodlands that the wild red-deer are found in their 

 natural state, and these graceful animals roam at will 

 over hill, dale, and moorland, affording grand sport 

 to the lover of the chase, who follows them over the 

 Quantox Hills, or the wild trackless waste of Exmoor, 

 frequently pursuing the stag until he seeks refuge in 

 the waters of the Channel. 



When the headland is reached from the tall cliff he bounds, 

 And in the wild ocean escapes from the hounds ; 

 Then, resigned to his fate, 'o'er the waters he's borne, 

 And dies on the wild wave that breaks on Glenthorn, 



one of the loveliest spots on the coast of North Devon. 

 Arriving at Quantox Head, the visitor should seek 

 for St. Andries House, the residence of Sir Alexander 

 Acland Hood, which is situate on the shore of the 

 Channel, and is a most picturesque and beautifully- 

 arranged abode for anyone delighting in fine scenery. 

 From thence the traveller should make his way through 

 Watchet to the quaint old town of Dunster, where His 

 Royal Highness the Prince of Wales recently took up 



