134 ON SURREY HILLS. 



there. For the artist who knows the paths that run 

 to and beside it, the river is an endless source of 

 inspiration ; but many of its treasures are hidden 

 from the stranger. And where as is the case in 

 many parts of it the beautiful spots lie so closely 

 together, the painter is bewildered amongst them, and 

 his day is nearly gone before he can make up his 

 mind which he shall fix on his canvas. 



After Boxhill Bridge, near Dorking, is passed, the 

 character of the river changes, and it begins to do a 

 little burrowing as it runs in a line with Betchworth 

 Park, part of the Deep Dene estate, its old ruined 

 castle and fine avenue of lime-trees, where the rooks 

 have their home. The great chestnut-trees, now in 

 all stages of decay, were, when I knew them best, and 

 probably still are, tenanted by brown owls, barn owls, 

 jackdaws, and starlings, as well as bats. The park is 

 rich in bird-life of many species. 



A short distance from the castle mill, the river 

 winds along at the foot of Boxhill, where it is pent up ; 

 you can see where it has torn a passage through the 

 chalk. 



The banks are full of beauty for a mile or more, 

 but, as they run through private property, the general 



