be distinctly seen from the whole of the Pier, there is as much interest excited as if the prizes were contested between larger craft.  Rowing-matches also take place; good bands attend—­and the diversions of the day usually end with a splendid display of fireworks, a dinner, or a ball.  In short, nothing can exceed the gaiety of the scene, when the weather is at all fine:  as it is made the occasion of a general festivity by the inhabitants—­and resorted to as a holiday by great numbers from Newport, and the eastern parts of the island.

THE SHORE presents, when the tide is at its lowest ebb, a wide expanse of sand, stretching for miles both eastward and westward of the Pier, preserving upon an average the breadth of a mile:  here and there interspersed with ledges of rock, and the banks beautifully feathered with groves and shrubberies.  In some parts the sand has accumulated over the mud in sufficient quantity to bear wheel-carriages (which is the case near the Pier):  and is found to be gradually increasing both in depth and extent.  The best time to take a walk upon the shore is directly after the tide has begun to ebb,—­for the sand is then firm and cool to the feet; but after a few hours’ powerful sun in calm weather, it is rendered sufficiently hot to give the flowing sea almost the temperature of a warm bath, on which account the bathing here is preferred by many parties to a bolder shore.

That part called the DUVER (now built on,) was remarkable as having been chosen for interring the crew of the Royal George, a ship of 108 guns, which sank at Spithead on August 29th, 1782, by a sudden squall, while undergoing a careening of her bottom, when nearly 1000 persons perished.

Near the Pier are the bathing-machines, well attended, and in full operation; together with hot, tepid, and other baths for invalids.

THE PROSPECT.—­As the amenity of every situation depends, we consider, greatly on the range and beauty of the view which it commands, we here give a faint sketch of the one obtained from Ryde and its neighbourhood:  by which, however imperfect, it will be seen by the reader, that few prospects in England can surpass this, perhaps even in point of pleasing composition—­but certainly not as a perpetual source of the most amusing observation.

The foreground of the Pier generally presents a most animated picture,—­crowded with promenading fashionables; and surrounded by numerous wherries, steam-packets, and other craft, at anchor or gaily sailing about; a busy scene which forms a striking contrast to the quiet sylvan charms of the home-coast extending many miles east and west, and embellished by several delightful villas and other marine residences, among which are Osborne Palace (indicated by a lofty prospect-tower),—­and Norris Castle, just beyond.  We have the Solent Channel seen from here to peculiar advantage,—­on the one hand contracting to the appearance of