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now used as a boys' school; then Ventnor, Sandown, and Brading, all within an autumn-day's walk, and attainable in the depth of winter by railway.

Sheltered by the Downs, and attracted by the very moderate rental of good houses, Shanklin, of late, has become a favourite winter residence with those in search of health, or of retirement and economy. The air is strong and bracing, the drainage admirable; there are walks to be found sheltered from all winds. The only precaution to be attended to by persons with delicate chests is to secure the early portion of the day for their walk or drive; as, in consequence of the height of the surrounding Downs, Shanklin loses the sun's rays between three and four o'clock. By this hour, however, invalids ought to be at the fire-side, and under the home-roof. Cold winds may be defied, while the system, braced by the air and fair sights of the morning may well rest content in the pleasing thought of bright scenes past and brighter scenes to

come.

For the passing visitor there are several good hotels; and as comparisons are odious and in this case would be invidious, I shall leave the traveller to discover their several and separate merits by that most truthful of all tests, experience. The town contains good shops, where every commodity of life can be obtained at moderate prices.

Murray, as usual, is a good hand-book to carry

with you upon a visit to Shanklin; and for those who wish to go more deeply into the history, geology, and botany of the island, there is, also, an admirable guide to the Isle of Wight, by the Rev. Edmund Venables, M.A.

My autumn-day was at its close when, having glanced at the mercantile aspect of Shanklin, I went down to the North Cliff to take one last fond lingering look. The sun had bidden good-night to the Chine, but was still gleaming upon the bosom of the glassy bay, kissing the Culver cliffs till they blushed a rosy red, while a soft brown haze came curling round from the Solent, as if to veil them. Gradually the haze stole on, until it blotted out the whole coast-line; then only I turned away, and bade a long though, I trust, not last adieu to Shanklin Chine.

30

A SUMMER DAY AT HADLEIGH.

It

OF all the towns in the eastern counties, I do not know one more thoroughly old-fashioned, and essentially English in its character than Hadleigh. does not stand proudly on and around its Castle Hill, like Norwich; nor is it rich in monastic remains, like Bury St. Edmund's. It does not stand even on rising ground, like Ipswich and Colchester; but in the midst of a green and pleasant valley, through which the Brett winds its way leisurely and lazily into the Stour, preparatory to mixing its waters with the German Ocean between Harwich and Landguard Fort. Seen up this valley from the south, the tall spire of Hadleigh forms a graceful and pleasant object for several miles, harmonising exquisitely with the truly home scenery of the country round. But Hadleigh is a town of more than ordinary interest to the antiquary; for it is the burial-place of Guthrum, one of the early Saxon kings of the East Angles.

We will leave it for antiquaries to discuss the ety

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