18 GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE 



the Cuckmere. The southern escarpment composes a rocky and preci- 

 pitous range of cliffs, extending eastward along the coast from the 

 embouchure of Cuckmere river to Beachy Head, where it rises to the 

 altitude of 564 feet. 



The middle group is bounded on the east by the line of separation 

 above mentioned, on the west by Lewes levels, and on the south by 

 cliffs which reach from Cuckmere haven to Seaford point, from whence 

 to Newhaven harbour it is skirted by a low marshy coast ; the northern 

 margin is formed by the elevated ridge of Firle hills. 



The M^estern division embraces the most considerable extent of Down 

 in the county. The Adur forms the natural limits of this chain on the 

 west, and the Ouse on the east ; the southern slope is washed by the 

 British Channel, except towards the south-west, where a flat maritime 

 district, extending from near Brighton to Shoreham harbour, intervenes 

 and separates it from the sea-shore. The ridge by which it is bounded 

 on the north, presents a steep escarpment to the Weald, and is the 

 highest land in the county, Ditchhng beacon, the centre of this hne, being 

 864 feet above the level of the sea. Eastward of the beacon lies 

 Plumpton plain, an elevated platform commanding an extensive view 

 of the rich scenery of the Weald on the one hand, and of the Downs and 

 British Channel on the other. Bay mentions the prospect from this 

 spot as equal to any he had seen in the finest parts of Europe, extending 

 30 miles towards the sea, and 40 miles inland to Surrey *. 



Brighton and Lewes, two of the principal towns in the county, are 

 situated in tliis division of the South Downs. The former hes nearly in 

 the centre of the southern edge, on the margin of an extensive bay, 

 comprehended between Beachy Head and Selsey Bill, and is sheltered 

 by a range of hills on the east, north, and north-east : the peculiarities 

 of its site, and the structure of the cliffs in its vicinity, will be hereafter 

 particularized. 



Lewes is delightfully situated on the eastern extremity of this range ; 



* Whites Nat. Hist, of Selhourne, 1802, page 276*. 



