war, we took a boat and crossed over to Ride, one of the most charming spots in the Isle of Wight. From hence we visited St. Helen's, Brading, and Sandown Fort; and having now obtained permission to see Appuldurcombe House, the magnificent seat of Sir Richard Worsley, we made a digression to that place, which amply repaid us for the trouble we had taken. It is impossible to compare this place with BLENHEIM, because they are so very different in plan and decoration; but when I mention the Duke of Marlborough's, you will naturally imagine that I think Appuldurcombe is worthy to be named with it.

Passing again through Newport, we hastened to Cowes, where we spent the night; and next morning engaged a vessel to carry us to Lymington, from which I now write. Sailing is as agreeable to me, as it is salutary to my father. I am a fair weather sailor, it is true, and therefore am little capable of judging how I should feel in a storm; but this I feel and know, that I am most affectionately your's.

22

LETTER III.

Lymington, Rumsey, Salisbury, Wilton, and Stonehenge.

MY DEAR SISTER,

Salisbury, July 1.

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LYMINGTON, from which I dated my letter, is very well for a borough town, but as a watering place, for which it is used by some persons of capricious taste, in my humble opinion, is unworthy of notice. At low water, we see the resemblance of a muddy meadow; and I would almost as soon think of plunging into the pond in a farm-yard by way of bath, as of dipping in the repulsive wave at Lymington. Yet the situation is agreeable: the view of the Isle of Wight is very fine, and the vicinity of this place to the New Forest, and to many charming scenes of nature and art, give it some claim to regard as a resting, though not as a bathing station.

On the beach here, salt has been made

from very remote ages; but as the expence of producing it is greater than in other parts of the kingdom, the manufacture is rapidly declining. The process however amused me; the salt water is pumped into shallow square pits, dug in the earth, called pans. In these it is exposed to the heat of the sun, till much of the aqueous part is evaporated; after which it is pumped into flat iron pans, eight or ten feet square, and as many inches deep, in which it is boiled over a fierce fire, till nothing but pure salt remain. This being drawn in proper vessels, becomes fit for use.

For some time we were undecided which route to take from Lymington; but, at last having resolved to visit Salisbury, before we proceeded farther towards the west, we began our journey, one delightful morning, through the New Forest, and breakfasted at Lyndhurst, where the kings of England have had a seat for hunting, ever since the reign of William the Conqueror. In this forest, which, for beauty and extent is unrivalled in England, William Rufus

lost his life; and we made an excursion to

the spot where this memorable event took place. You will recollect how happily Pope introduces this subject in his Windsor Fo

rest

Lo, Rufus, tugging at the deadly dart,

Bleeds in the forest like a wounded hart.

This place, indeed, was fatal to the family of the Norman invader. Here perished Richard, his eldest brother, and Richard, his nephew, as well as his son and successor Rufus. The monkish writers ascribe these multiplied calamities to the vengeance of heaven for desecrating so many churches, in order to have sufficient scope for the diver. sion of hunting; but the present generation think of this circumstance with more indulgence, and give William credit for laying the foundation of such an excellent nursery for timber, from which the British navy draws ample supplies.

I botanized with success in passing through this sylvan track, and found the Lancastrian asphodel, the sun-dew, and various species of orchis, and other plants, not commonly

to be met with. You would have been delighted, my dear Louisa, to have lost your. self with me amidst the shades of the New Forest, to have seen the deer bounding along, to have heard the harmony of the groves, and to have noticed at intervals some elegant villa peeping from amidst surrounding woods, of the most luxuriant growth.

Passing through Totton and Redbridge, we again entered Southampton; and though I hope to see many other places in my tour, I do not expect to find one that unites more internal as well as external charms than this. Notwithstanding the pleasure I had received from a ride through the very centre of the New Forest, I regretted that I could not have approached Southampton by water, from which point of view it exhibits attractions unrivalled.

After a short stay we bade adieu to some kind friends at this place, and took the Rumsey road. The elegant seat of Lord Palmerstone, at Broadlands, on the left, drew us from our route; and we did not think the

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