“Where sweet simplicity resides, which Grace
    And Beauty call their own.”

Two miles further we pass SWAINSTON, another principal seat:  the mansion lies below the road, surrounded by trees; a copious stream, well stored with fish, runs through the gardens and plantations, which are extensive and judiciously laid-out; and the prospect-temple which crowns the hill on the right is a very conspicuous object.  From hence the road is on the slope of a series of hills, often picturesquely shrouded in groves and hanging woods; while in the more open parts some extensive views are presented of the north side of the island, the sea, and the opposite coast of Hampshire; but the prospect which is opened as we descend into Carisbrooke is particularly grand:  the village makes an admirable foreground, backed by lofty hills,—­on the left we see the town of Newport and its adjoining hamlets, with E. Cowes Park, &c. in the distance,—­and on the right,

    “High o’er the pines, that with their dark’ning shade
      Surround yon craggy bank, THE CASTLE rears
    Its crumbling turrets:  still its towering head
      A warlike mien, a sullen grandeur wears!”

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LANDMARKS AND OTHER CONSPICUOUS OBJECTS

Erected on the Hills.

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The fact of so many of the hills and downs being crowned with some far-seen object, such as a light-house, obelisk, or telegraph, must be a source of considerable interest to a traveller in the Isle of Wight, not only by their often giving an identity and attraction to many of those broad features of scenery which would otherwise be comparatively tame and monotonous, but also by enabling him to determine the bearings and situation of places in their vicinity.

We shall here name a few of the most conspicuous of these objects, nearly in the order pursued in the preceding description of the Tour of the Island:—­most of them being visible from the neighbourhood of Newport, which, as we have before stated, occupies a central position.  We shall therefore commence with Carisbrooke Castle.

At West Cowes—­the Church-tower, and Windmills.  At East Cowes—­Towers of Osborne, Norris, and East Cowes Castle.  At Wootton—­the Prospect-tower of Fernhill.  Southward of Ryde—­a large Windmill.  On Ashey Down—­the Sea-mark.  At Bembridge—­Mill on the Down.  Godshill—­the Church:  behind which, on Appuldurcombe Down, is an Obelisk and private Signal-station.  On Shanklin Down—­Cooke’s Castle.  St. Catharine’s Down—­ancient Tower, and old Light-house; on the sea-cliffs, the new Light-house; on the northern extremity of the down, the Alexandrian Pillar.  Freshwater Downs—­Light-house, and Beacon.

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TOURS OF THE ISLAND.

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