which he recommended, and which has been too frequently adopted on his authority, is a punishment too severe for mortals to undergo. I speak this on the opinion of competent judges. But the mind of Howard was tinctured with gloom and fanaticism; his benevolence was lost in the boundless ocean of his kind, and seldom or ever exerted itself in the narrow, but most important sphere of social duty and domestic affections. We took a walk to Maiden Castle in this vicinity, one of the noblest remains of ancient fortifications in Britain. Not far distant is the Roman Amphitheatre of Maumbury, from which we enjoyed a very agreeable landscape. All around us large flocks of sheep were feeding; and on examining the herbage, the sweetness of their flesh, and the fineness of their wool were easily accounted for. Various aromatic plants grow here in great abundance, and I had the pleasure to make some new entries in my Botanical pocket book.

Nine miles from Dorchester lies Weymouth, the Royal bathing place, and which

from this circumstance has risen into much consequence and celebrity; it stands on a delightful bay, at the efflux of the Wye, and is united with Melcombe Regis, by a newly constructed drawbridge. The velvet softness of the sand on the beach, the mildness of the air, and the variety of amusements and accommodations which Weymouth presents, independent of fashion, which has a sovereign sway on the success of all watering. places, give it just and indisputable claims to pre-eminence. About 40 years ago, however, it was only known as a borough town and a port of some trade; but its chief dependence now is upon the resort of company; and its vessels are more engaged in aquatic excursions than in foreign commerce. My loyalty taught me to regard this spot with more than ordinary veneration; and I joined most fervently in the prayer *, "that Weymouth may be long honoured with the summer visit of our most gracious sovereign, and that its tides and its breezes, may ever

* See "Guide to the watering and sea bathing places.”

E

waft to him and the partner of his throne, all their salutary influences."

We took a boat and passed over to Portland, which, however, is accessible by land. This island, as it is called, is seven miles in circumference, and contains as many villages. It appears like one continued rock, rising out of the sea; and from its quarries, it is computed that about 10,000 tons of stone are annually exported. For durabili ty and colour, no stone in the kingdom is superior to this, and many of our most superb public buildings are erected with it. We made a purchase of several fossils and other natural curiosities, which the quarrymen collect for sale. It is wonderful to see with what facility such immense blocks of stone are raised and put on ship board. The whole island is a scene of stupendous features of nature. I looked down into that prodigious cavern, called Keeve's Hole, with mingled sensations of terror and astonishment. Some travellers have been bold enough to descend into it, but you know I have always been told "that courage use

lessly applied is nothing but folly and rashness," and as this is both a just and a safe principle, I adhered to it, on this occasion.

The light houses are delightful objects to contemplate. They are erected, as the inscription on one of them records, "for the benefit and security of commerce, and for a lasting memorial of British hospitality to all nations." Notwithstanding the advantages derived from these benevolent works, shipwrecks are not unfrequent on this dangerous coast: it was off Portland, that the Haslewell, Indiaman, Captain Pierce, was cast away in 1786; with circumstances of peculiar horror.

Returning to Weymouth, we attended the Theatre that evening, where for the first time in my life, I had the pleasure of seeing a play performed; the pieces represented were "The Soldier's Daughter," and the "Deaf Lover," which indeed were not new to me, except in acting; yet I discovered many beauties in them now, which I never noticed before. What a pity it is, my dear sister, that we are not allowed to have plays acted

at Oxford; yet no doubt there are sufficient reasons for this prohibition.

During the night, the rain fell in torrents, but next morning the sun shone out with the most resplendent brightness; and the dust being laid and the air cooled, I never felt any thing more cheerful and refreshing.

Resuming the great western road, we soon reached Bridport, a long and not ill built borough town, standing on a small river near the coast. Formerly this place was famous for the manufacture of ropes and cables, and the vicinity still produces excellent hemp.

1

Preferring the route by the sea coast, we took the road leading to Lynn, thus missing Axminster and Honiton, the former re.. markable for its carpet manufactory, and the latter for its serges. Not a cloud obscured the sky; and we had one of the most beautiful sea-scapes that ever was beheld, particularly near the delightful and flourishing village of Charmouth, which on account of its local advantages has been selected as a bathing station. In the cliffs here are found