M'r. PORT MAN’S CLIFF. 
83 - 
LET T E R XXL. 
I '4 
To the fa?ne . 
M A D A My 
Q UR chief bufinefs being the fight of agreeable obje&s, wc 
were now diredfed to Mr. port man’s cliff, which is a lit- 
tle mile diftant from blandford. The mention of a cliff 
gave me immediately an idea of Dover, or the coaff of sussex, 
but this is of a far different .nature. It is a hill planted in the 
modern tafte, which is a fimple and beautiful irregularity, with 
many ftately trees. It is already extended a confiderabie dis- 
tance, and is defigned to be carried in a femicircular form- 
near two miles towards blandford, a view of which is prefent- 
ed to the eye. The fine turf and foft molly walks, the eafy 
decline in fome places, and the ffeep defcent in others, render 
the whole very delightful. But what adds much to the charms 
of this place, is the river stour, which runs in fweet meanders 
in the valley below : indeed it is one of the moff fuperb and 
pleafing fcenes of the kind, that c^n be imagined. 
There is nothing remarkable in the houfe : it is new fronted, 
and makes an agreeable figure. Mr. portman has formed a 
plan for great improvement, for which there is fufiicient room, 
both as to the order of the out-houfes and the plantations. The 
whole, except the cliff, now lies rude and indigefled. 
From Mr. portman V we were conducted through his grounds, 
into the road to shaftsbltry • it lies for the moil part over 
2 downs, 
