Within the walls a signal post has been established, which communicates with several other stations, and apartments have been built for the accommodation of a lieutenant and a party of men. The bay affords ample facilities for aquatic excursions at any time, its tranquil surface being never disturbed except by violent storms from the south or southwest. Yachts and pleasure-boats are always in readiness, and the fares strictly kept under municipal supervision.

No place can be more salubrious than Weymouth. The air is so pure and mild, that the town is not only frequented during the summer, but has been selected by many opulent families as a permanent residence; and the advantages which it possesses in the excellence of its bay, the beauty of its scenery, and the healthfulness of its climate, have contributed to raise it from the low state into which it had fallen, from the depression of its commerce, to one of the most flourishing towns in the kingdom.

About half a mile to the south-west are the remains of Weymouth or Sandsfoot Castle, erected by Henry VIII. in the year 1539, and described by Leland as "a right goodly and warlyke castle, having one open barbicane." It is quadrangular in form; the north front has been nearly destroyed, the masonry with which it was faced having been removed; the apartments on this side are all vaulted, and appear to have been the governor's residence; at the extremity is a tower, on the front of which were the arms of England. The south front is circular, and was defended by a platform of cannon, the wall of which now overhangs the precipice on which it was raised. On this side is a low building, broader than the castle, and flanking its east and west sides, in which are embrasures for great guns, and loop-holes for small arms.

The walls in some parts are seven yards in thickness, but in a very dilapidated state, and rapidly crumbling away. The burning cliff at Weymouth-a kind of miniature volcanohas long attracted the notice of naturalists, and will well repay a visit. At Nottington-about two miles and a half distant, on the Dorchester-road-is a mineral spring, the water of which is considered very efficacious in cases of scrofula.

About four miles south from Weymouth is the island of Portland, which, though thus called, is in reality a peninsula, connected with the main land by an extremely narrow isthmus, called Chesil Bank, a line of shingles thrown up by the sea, and extending for more than eight miles, from Portland to Abbotsbury. It is not more than two miles broad and four long; and though the shores are steep and rugged, the surface of the soil at the summit is smooth, and yields wheat, oats, and barley of average quality. At the southern extremity, called Portland Bill, are the higher and lower lighthouses, and a signal station, called the "Lowes:" near the former is a remarkable cavern, from which the water rises as from a fountain. On the eastern side are Rufus and Pennsylvania Castles, and on the northern side are Portland Castle and another signal station. Nearly in the centre of the island is the little village of Easton, chiefly inhabited by the families of the men employed in the quarries. In the southern part of the island are the remains of an ancient castle, and the ruins of the old church, which formerly was in the centre. Behind the Portland Arms Inn-where, by the way, the original plum-pudding is made, after George the Third's verbal recipe (vide announcement over the mantelpiece)-there are some slight traces of a Roman encampment. The custom of gavelkind prevails here, and many curious

practices are still preserved in this quaint nook of the Channel. The rocks in the isle of Portland rise frequently to the height of one hundred or one hundred and fifty feet, and large masses lie scattered along the shore. These are composed of calcareous grit, containing moulds of various shells, and emitting a bituminous smell when rubbed with steel. The quarries are scattered among these rocks more or less in every part of the isle, but those of most repute are at Kingston. At this place, is a pier, where upwards of six thousand tons of stone are supposed to be shipped annually. The colour of the Portland stone, or freestone, as it is called, from the freedom with which it may be broken into any shape, is well known as almost white, and as composing the materials of the most splendid edifices in London, as well as in other parts of the British empire. It was first brought into repute in the reign of James the First; and whilst the digging of it constitutes the principal employment of the inhabitants, the quarries have proved an inexhaustible source of wealth to the proprietors. In the island are found numerous fossilized trunks of trees, or rather their roots and lower parts, apparently broken off.

A trip to the island is one of the most favourite excursions generally offered, among other temptations, to travellers, and will furnish materials for an interesting day's enjoyment. Indeed, this picturesque coast is unrivalled. The sea view is agreeably diversified with grand and striking objects, to break the monotony that usually pervades a marine prospect. The coast of this part of Dorsetshire itself presents also grand and striking points. St. Alban's Head and Tulworth Cove, with their bold and soaring cliffs, are sublime and astonishing features in the vast picture that we look upon from hence. The surrounding country is full of castellated remains and

interesting historical associations. In the neighbouring isle of Purbeck are the ruins of Corfe Castle, memorable for the assassination of King Edward the Martyr. Milton Abbey is even yet beautiful, under the decaying winters of many ages; and at Sherborne Castle there are many architectural fragments that still attest the genius of the ill-fated but high-minded Raleigh, and a garden too whose shades, planted by his hand, now overlook and wave above those walls which once afforded them shelter, honour, and protection. The rides about Smallmouth Sands, Upway, and beyond the source of the river Wey, are replete with picturesque and ever-changing objects, and the beauty of the town itself is not a little enhanced by the remaining ruins of Weymouth Castle, a scanty relic of the troublous times of old.

The latitude of Weymouth is one degree farther south than London, and many plants which require protection from the cold in the other parts of the country here flourish through the winter in the open air. The geranium grows luxuriantly, and requires little care, and the large and small-leaved myrtle are out-of door plants. Indeed, so salubrious is the climate, that Dr. Arbuthnot, who came in his early days to settle at Weymouth, observed that no physician could either live or die there. This, however, savours more of flattery than fact, as present observation will fully testify.

As a place for sea-bathing Weymouth is perfect, and the accommodation of about twenty or thirty machines, always ready, near the centre of the Esplanade, greatly facilitates that operation. The sands over which the bathers have to walk are well known as of the finest description; the declivity of the shore is almost imperceptible, and totally free from those óbstructions which are noticed on many parts of the southern

coast, so that the most timid can indulge in the luxury of open sea-bathing, with the additional comfort of perfect security, and of sea-water pure, clean, and transparent. Neat and commodious warm salt-water baths will also be found on the south parade, opposite the harbour.

Altogether, it may be fairly asserted that a more interesting district to reside in than that which immediately surrounds this place is hardly to be met with in the south-west of England, whether in point of its geology, rural scenery, fine views, extensive prospects, interesting antiquities, or grand and often palatial residences of the noble and the wealthy. A visitor spending his time at Weymouth need not complain that time hangs heavy on his hands, for he may find full and instructive occupation for every day of the period, without going over the same ground twice, if he has but energy, taste, and inclination, and should happen to enjoy that vigour and elasticity which a sojourn in any of the many comfortable boarding-houses fronting the bay will not be long in imparting.

The post-office arrangements are as follow:-Letters from London delivered at 9h. 30m. a.m.; box closing 4h. 15m. p.m. There has also been a day-mail recently added.

The following is extracted from "The Land we Live in," an excellent monthly periodical, under the superintendence of Mr. Charles Knight:

66

THE COUNTRY ROUND WEYMOUTH.

"If we take Weymouth bridge as a centre, and draw around it a circle of about eight miles radius, we shall find within that circle many striking contrasts. We shall have the thoughts drawn back to a period when the ancient Britons, or their priests, built mounds and earthworks, which-whether in