162 



THE BRIGHTON ROAD 



observations is seen readily enough here, on these 

 warrens, which owe their preservation as open spaces 

 to that mixture, worthless to the farmer, and not 

 worth the stealing in those times when land could 

 be stolen with impunity. 



Past the modern village of Kings wood, almost lost 

 in, and certainly entirely overshadowed by, the wild 

 heaths of Walton and Kingswood Warren the road 

 comes at last to Reigate Hill, where, immediately past 

 the suspension bridge that overhangs the cutting, it 

 tilts very suddenly and alarmingly over the edge of 

 the Downs. The suddenness of it makes the stranger 



^«w0*3_ 



KINGSWOOD WARREN. 



gasp with astonishment ; the beauty of that wonderful 

 view from this very rim and edge of the hills compels 

 his admiration. It is the climax up to which he has 

 been toiling all these long, ascending gradients from 

 Sutton ; and it is worth the toil. 



The old writers of road-books do more justice to 

 this view than any modern writer dare. To them it 

 was " a remarkably bold elevation, from whence is a 



mi 



delightful prospect of the South Downs in Sussex. 

 But near the road, which is scooped out of the hill, 



