OF THE COUNTY OF SUSSEX. 
7 
Tlie 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 western division embraces the most con- 
siderable 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 
slo])e 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 AVeald, 
and is the highest land in the county ; Ditchling 
Beacon, the centre of this line, being 86i feet 
above the level of the sea. Eastward of the beacon 
lies Plumpton Plain, an elevated platform, com- 
manding an extensive view of the rich scenery of 
the Weald on the one hand, and of the Downs and 
British Channel on the other : it is celebrated in 
history as the field where Henry III. was defeated 
by the barons, under Sir Simon de jMontfort. The 
prospect from this spot is equal to many in the 
finest parts of Europe, extending thirty miles to- 
wards the sea, and forty miles inland to Surrey. 
Brighton and Lewes, two of the principal towns 
in the county, are situated in this division of the 
South Downs. The former lies nearly in the 
centre of the southern edge, on the margin of an 
B 
