DOESETSHIEE. 131 



communication by the Straits of Dover. It owes its existence to the fact that at 

 this spot the tidal wave proceeding from the Atlantic is met and stopped by 

 another tidal wave, propagated from the North Sea. The waste of the cliffs of 

 Hastings, held in suspension by the water, cannot, consequently, pass beyond this 

 point, where opposite tides neutralise each other, and it is therefore deposited 

 along the coast of the Eomney Marsh, which is thus continually increasino- in 

 extent. Dungeness, its extreme point, is supposed to advance annually about 

 5 feet into the sea. 



Agriculture and sheep farming are the principal occupations in that part of 

 England which extends from Cornwall to the Straits of Dover. There are no really 

 large towns besides Southampton, Portsmouth, and Brighton, and these only flourish 

 because in one way or other they are dependencies and outposts of London. 

 Reduced to their own resources, they would soon sink to a secondary rank. 



Topography. 



Dorsetshire is a maritime county, pleasantly diversified, and in the enjoyment 

 of a dry and salubrious climate. A considerable portion of its area is occupied by 

 chalky downs, which extend from the coast at Lyme Regis to Cranborne Chase, a 

 wooded tract on the border of Wiltshire, and attain their greatest height (910 feet) 

 in Pillesdon Pen, to the west of Beaminster. Lesser ranges extend along the 

 sea- coast, and end in the isles, or rather peninsulas, of Portland and Purbeck. 

 The chief rivers are the Frome and the Stour. The former enters Poole Harbour ; 

 the latter traverses the fruitful vale of Blackmore, and finally passes into 

 Hampshire, where it joins the Avon. The so-called Trough of Poole is a low-lying 

 district around Poole Harbour, abounding in peaty mosses. Agriculture and dairj'- 

 farming are the principal industries. 



Lyme Regis, close to the Devonshire border, romantically seated in a deep 

 comb opening out upon the sea between cliffs of furbidding aspect, is a favourite 

 watering-place. The neighbouring village of Cbarmouth has its Undercliff, like 

 Ventnor, in the Isle of "Wight, and there are other landslips in its neighbourhood. 



Bridjjort, 2 miles above the small harbour formed by the river Brit, is 

 an ancient but somewhat decayed town, where flax-spinning and ship-building 

 are carried on. Higher up the beautiful and fertile valley of the Brit, in the 

 midst of the hills, there stands the small market town of Beaminster. 



Chesil Bank, which connects the mainland with the Isle of Portland, commences 

 at the mouth of the Brit. Portland, with its fortifications, its convict prison, 

 quarries, and magnificent breakwater, has already been referred to (see p. 122). 

 On the western side of the capacious bay, now protected b}^ this great work of 

 engineering skill, Weymouth is seated, with its aristocratic suburb oî Melcomhe Regis. 

 Like Bridport, it has had'its period of decay, but its beach, so well adapted for 

 sea-bathing, the beauty of the surrounding country, and the advantages conferred 

 upon it by its well-sheltered harbour could hardly fail of once more restoring it to 

 prosperity. 



