RYDE, FROM THE PIER.—­The situation of the town is favourable as a principal entrance to the Island, the passage from Portsmouth by steamboat occupying about twenty minutes.  The Pier (toll 2d.) is 4,000 feet in length, and is in three portions—­for pedestrians and boating, electric railway, and the Isle of Wight Railway.  There is a fine pavilion and bandstand at the end.  Crowds of people find a never failing source of interest on the pier, yachting, boating, and fishing.  On summer afternoons it is a gay and charming scene.  The town is built on a gentle slope, and the houses command fine and extensive views.  It has the largest population of any town in the Island, about 11,000 inhabitants.

[Illustration:  Apley Tower, Ryde.]

APLEY TOWER, RYDE.—­Within one and a half miles of Ryde the wall is a continuation of the Esplanade in the direction of Spring Vale and Sea View.  The wall furnishes a means of defence against the encroachment of the sea, as well as a thoroughfare for pedestrian traffic.  Bicycles are also used on it to some extent.  When the tide is out a wide stretch of sands is exposed, and crowds of children use it as a pleasure ground, finding beautiful seaweed and shells.  The walk can be continued round the further point into Sea View.

[Illustration:  Totland Bay.]

TOTLAND BAY.—­This charming resort has sprung into prominence and grown very fast during the last few years.  Many of the houses are very picturesque and beautiful for situation, most of them with red-tiled roofs, which when toned a little more by time will be very beautiful among the trees.  There is a pier, and during summer a regular service of boats from Lymington, as well as excursion traffic.  The beach is steep and so you can bathe at any state of the tide.  A reading-room on the shore is much patronised.  The Green Cliff Walk is very delightful, and as the channel here is narrow there is a never-failing interest in the ships that pass in and out quite near.  The front lacks shade in the hottest days of summer.  It has great interest for the geological student, being close to Headon Hill and Alum Bay.

[Illustration:  Sandown, looking West.]

SANDOWN, LOOKING WEST.—­Sandown is celebrated for its fine stretch of sands which are easy of access, and forms an extensive pleasure ground for the children.  There is also a fine esplanade for promenading, which in the season is well patronised.  In this view the grounds of Ferncliff can be seen behind the Arcade Bazaar, and there is a cliff path to Shanklin on the top.  The picturesque fishing village lies under the cliff, slightly to the west.  Sandown Railway Station is a junction with the Isle of Wight and I.W.  Central Railway.  Near the station is the celebrated Secondary School of the Isle of Wight Education Authority.

[Illustration:  Tennyson’s Avenue, Freshwater.]