1807.] 
island of its honours and its beauties; but 
that those who possess estates here should 
so seldom attempt to replace theni by 
planting, is truly astonishing, 
About two mies from Shanklin is one 
of nature’s grand curiosities, well deserv- 
iny attention, though it is seldom visited 
by travellers, as, in order to see it, car- 
riages and public roads must be quitted. 
It isa land-slip, in a style. of somewhat 
milder beauty than what we had. before 
seen, but comprehending arich and most 
picturesque variety ;—rocks, woods, and 
pastures, all having been. precipitated 
from their original destination, and now 
resting about half way between the sea 
andtheir former situation, It is impossi- 
ble to conceive any thing more unique 
and romantic than this. seene. The 
masses of fallen rock. assume the most 
fantastic forms; pillars, temples, and 
paves, peeping from amongst surrounding 
fohage. Shattered crags pile on pile, in 
some parts frown on the daring adventu- 
ver, and elude all approach, while im- 
pending cliffs above threaten to add to 
the confusion and the grandeur. Hazle 
copses smile amidst this charming va- 
riety, and hanging groves shade yet un- 
explored beauties. The stupendous 
range of chif above towers with awful 
grandeur, in some points presenting the 
appearance of mouldering ‘turrets, at 
Others ‘exhibiting colossal pillars, All 
here is holy stillness; no human habita- 
ton breaks on the harmony of the scene; 
there is no trace, no touch of art. A sim- 
ple path, leading from one hamlet to 
another, is just discernible. over the 
green knoll, or the level ‘terrace, and 
gives new interest, by excluding the idea 
of total desolation. It is scenes lke 
these which “ impart something more 
than images to a mind adapted and habi- 
tuated to converse with nature; they in- 
spire anexqtisite sentiment, that seems 
like the emanation ‘of a spirit residing in 
them.” [tis under the influence of these 
refined and sacred emotions that we ex- 
claim, ; 
I'm born for bliss, this glowing soul 
bxulting owns the stamp of heaven ; 
Scorns the dull mililion’s cold controul, 
And cherishes each rapture given. 
Yes, take your gold, ye herd supine, 
Whom sordid purposes employ ; 
Be intellect’s exhaustless mine 
- This besom’s treasury of joy. 
No more contined to realms of care, 
Being expands in joy’s full stream 3; 
While with blest Seraphim T shure 
ehe beuntigs of the Great Supreme.. 
Tour in the Isle o 
V77, oy ae ? 
VINE. 
24 
Fired, feasted, filled with nature’s charms, 
Still let me *mid her beauties rove ; 
Till.tired 1 sink in death’s cold arms, 
And spring to thee, thou God of love. 
Some friends having appointed to join 
us, we bid adieu to.our lovely retreat, 
aud returned to Ryde, to meet them. 
Part of the party not having seen Cowes, 
it was agreed to go thither by water, and 
from thence to Newport. Sajline on the 
from thence to Newport. Sailing 
Medina (which divides the Island), as far 
as Newport, affords some beautiful 
views, and the approach to this little me- 
tropolis, at high tide, is extremely beau- 
tiful. Vhe town is neat, clean, and 
cheerful, but too much like other towns 
long to detain those who worship na- 
ture, 
<< God made the country, and man made the 
*¢ town.” 
The numbers of military stationed 
here, never viewed by the reflecting 
mind but with dread and regret, render 
ed it unpleasant ;—cavaleades of sol- 
diers, with their inharmonious sounds 
and sights, breaking even on the solemn 
stillness of the sabbath. 
cé 
A pause, 
A solemn pause, all nature seems to feel, 
Save in the frowning camp. War knows no 
rest 5 
War owns no sabbath; war, with impious 
toil 
Unspent, with blood unsated, to the fiends 
Of vengeance still rebellows, still pursues 
His work of death; nor pauses, nor relents, 
For laws divine, or sight of human woe.” 
Gisborne. 
Carisbrook is the principal object in 
the neighbourhood of Newport deserving 
attention. This grand and venerable 
pile stands on a lofty eminence. Its 
long embattled walls, and dark-grey tow- 
ers, “ majestic, though in ruins,” fll the 
mind with pensive solemnity, while slow- 
ly winding up the ascent. The entrance 
is highly interesting; a bridge between 
two bastions leads to a fine old gate-way ; 
from this a passage, guarded with high 
embattled walls, conducts to a more an- 
tique and spacious gate, flanked by two 
round towers. The old and onginal 
wicket, latticed with iron, ‘yet remains, 
and opens into the castle-yard. Around 
this spacious area, partially covered with 
grass and briars, crumbling swalls, un- 
ruofed apartments, dark ‘gate-ways, and 
dismantled ‘towers, fill the mind with a 
succession of images, all calculated more 
deeply to 1mpress & Conviction of ‘the in- 
stabyity offiuman grandeur and human 
3 ; mee 
