[Illustration:  The Pond, Bonchurch.]

The pond, Bonchurch.—­One of the show places of the Isle of Wight known throughout the world by the lovely pictures that have been made of it.  It has lately fallen into disrepute by the destruction of some of its beautiful trees, but more specially by the leakage of the pond which left it stagnant, dirty, and partly dry.  This has now to a large extent been remedied, and the pond once more assumes its former aspect, giving reflection in its surface to the lovely forms of beautiful foliage with which it is overhung.  The village is one mile from Ventnor.

[Illustration:  St. Catherine’s Lighthouse.]

St. Catherine’s lighthouse.—­Formerly the Lighthouse stood upon the Downs, but the prevalence of sea mists during certain portions of the year which obscured the light, at last led to the erection of the present building near the margin of the sea.  It is one of the most powerful lights in the world, sending its rays far out over the sea and land as it revolves.  When the sea mists arise it has a powerful foghorn which can be heard for many miles.  Close by is the reef at Rockenend, on which many a gallant ship has been broken up.

[Illustration:  Ferncliffe Pleasure Gardens, Sandown.]

Ferncliffe pleasure gardens, Sandown.—­These beautiful grounds have lately been acquired by a syndicate of leading residents, with the view of their ultimate acquisition for the town.  The house is available for refreshments, and the Gardens, which are well wooded, are pleasant to ramble in.  There are little nooks and seats overlooking the bay in several directions.  It is already proving a great attraction to the town.

[Illustration:  The Needles.]

THE NEEDLES.—­When walking on the Downs from freshwater to the Needles, following the path by the military fence, this picture of the Needles comes suddenly into view, and is a very impressive sight.  The Needles themselves are stacks of upper chalk, with flints, and are the remains of an extension of the chalk.  The cliffs here are about four hundred feet in height, and at their base the sea breaks frequently in a long surf line on the steep shingly shore.  In calm weather visitors engage boatmen at Totland and Alum Bays to take them in boats through the Needles and land them in Scratchels Bay.

[Illustration:  Shanklin Old Village.]

SHANKLIN OLD VILLAGE.—­One of the most charming old-world pictures, which still retains its rustic simplicity.  Multitudes of visitors from all parts of the world yearly visit this relic of Old Shanklin.  Pretty thatched cottages can be seen in many parts of the Island, but nowhere is there such a combination, there being three different styles of roof in thatch, the setting in a background of trees completing the illusion of the country.  In the angle where the figures stand is the rustic fountain on which hangs the shield with the verse written by the poet Longfellow when staying at Hollier’s Hotel, Shanklin, in 1869.