[Illustration:  On the Road to Blackgang.]

ON THE ROAD TO BLACKGANG.—­“One of the most charming drives in England,” is the verdict of many visitors to the far-famed Undercliff, as they go through shady groves and again emerge under the weather-worn craggy cliffs above the road.  In spring the ground under the trees is carpeted with flowers, and the winding road uphill and down creates a transformation scene at every turn.  There is no rest for the eye, and all the faculties are awake to enjoy a new sensation of delight as each corner in the road is turned.  It is a perfect fairy land, and the rugged walls are half hidden by multitudes of plants which enhance the lights upon the stone.

[Illustration:  Windy Corner—­The Undercliff.]

WINDY CORNER—­THE UNDERCLIFF.—­One of the most romantic districts in the whole of England is the Undercliff, extending for five miles from Ventnor to Blackgang Chine.  Its beauty has been caused by the slipping away of the Gault clay, letting down the masses of Upper Greensand rock.  The chert beds of the cliff have been weathered out by wind and rain into forms of rugged beauty, while the broken and undulating ground below is filled with flowers and vegetation of the most wonderful and varied character, scattered rocks peeping out among the foliage furnishing bits of a most attractive character to the artist and photographer.

[Illustration:  Ventnor, looking East.]

VENTNOR, LOOKING EAST.—­The differences of elevation afford to most of the houses in Ventnor practically uninterrupted views of the sea.  The sheltered nature of the site also furnishes a most congenial climate, in which plants and shrubs in great variety flourish.  The horned poppy adorns the cliffs, and valerian and tamarisk thrive even during the winter months.  Its peculiarities of climate and position render it a highly favourable residence for invalids throughout the year.  It would be difficult to name any place of equal extent and variety of surface, or of equal beauty in point of scenery—­so completely screened from the cutting N.E. winds of spring.

[Illustration:  Ventnor, from the Sea.]

VENTNOR, FROM THE SEA.—­Built on the slopes of the hill, Ventnor presents from the sea a remarkable and magnificent picture.  Each house being at a different elevation, commands sunshine all the day.  Sheltered from the cold wind, trees and flowers flourish and retain their beauty during the winter.  When the golden gorse and purple heather are in bloom upon the downs it forms a most attractive scene.  Steamboat trips daily during the summer furnish the visitors with abundant opportunities of enjoying this vision of beauty.  The Railway Station lies between the hills behind the Church spire.  The Town Station of the Isle of Wight Central Railway lies to the left beyond the Park.

[Illustration:  Ventnor, looking West.]