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Page 15
The establishment has been visited by several eminent persons, who,
after having particularly examined the course adopted in every
department, expressed themselves so well pleased with its
management and beneficial tendency, that another building at a
short distance was erected in 1843; and altogether there is
sufficient room now for 700 or 800 delinquents. No stranger is
admitted without an order from the Home Secretary of State.
The newly erected residences of the officers and other parties connected
with the prison, barracks, &c., altogether form quite a village, known
by the general term of Parkhurst.
* * * * *
WEST COWES.
>>_The transient visitor here should immediately inquire
for the_ PARADE--_pass by the_ CASTLE _on the beach, to the
bathing-machines_--_retrograde by the carriage-road under the_ NEW
CHURCH--_mount the hill at the back of the Castle_--_reach the_ OLD
CHURCH, _which is contiguous to_ NORTHWOOD PARK--_and then return, to
cross over to E. Cowes_.
* * * * *
The decided advantages of Cowes are ... its excellent shore for
bathing--and its safe and commodious harbour--which recommend it
strongly as a fashionable watering-place, and the resort of gentlemen
fond of aquatic amusements.
The appearance of this town from the water, particularly when approached
by the passage from Southampton, is extremely pleasing; as the acclivity
of the hill on which it stands is sufficiently bold to admit of the
houses being seen above each other, as if built on a succession of
terraces, while their starting formality is charmingly relieved by the
intervening shrubberies and groups of lofty trees. To a stranger
however, who may confine his walk to the streets just where he lands,
this favorable impression would be almost obliterated,--for they are
both narrow and crowded: though in these respects there is some
improvement the further he goes either to the east or the west; but it
is near the Castle that he must look for the greatest share of united
beauty and respectability. The truth is, the lower part near the quay is
of course occupied by tradesmen, for the advantages of business, and
convenient landing-places; and as their houses stand at the edge of the
water, many parties prefer their lodgings to those in the more open
quarters on the top of the hill,--and many of them are therefore
elegantly furnished for letting.
* * * * *
THE PARADE affords a delightful promenade, being on the water's edge.
Here are several first-rate houses, standing at the foot of the steepest
part of the hill, which is luxuriantly clothed with hanging shrubberies
and several groups of majestic trees, presenting a perfectly unique
picture of sylvan and marine beauty. The Royal Yacht-Club House, with
its ample awning, and the very elegant Gothic villa of Sir John
Hippesley, will be particularly noticed.
[Illustration: THE CASTLE, WEST COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT]
THE CASTLE stands westward of the Parade: but were it not for a small
battery of eleven guns in front, the stranger might search in vain for a
fabric which he could identify as "a Castle," at least by any portion of
its modernized architecture and surrounding embellishments. In fact, the
original dwelling was a few years ago greatly enlarged--made a story
higher--the open ground at the back inclosed (!)--with other alterations
to render it a fit residence for nobility. It was built by king Henry
VIII, about the same time as those at Sandown, Yarmouth, and Calshot,
for the purpose of securing the coast against the then frequent attacks
of pirates, as well as the more formidable invasions of the French.
Beyond the Castle are the bathing-machines; the villas of Earl Belfast
and Lord Grantham; and behind these several others built in various
tasty styles, and acquiring a picturesque effect from being more or less
screened by the copse-wood on the steep slope at their back. But the
chief ornament of this quarter is the new Episcopal chapel, whether
viewed near, or from a distance on the water,--being a chastely-elegant
structure in the Gothic style, in a most commanding situation: it is
private property. Should the stranger feel disposed to extend his walk
for about a mile further on the beach, which he would find very
agreeable--he will come to a gentleman's residence distinguished by an
air of antiquity, named Westcliff, though the neighbourhood is popularly
called EGYPT.
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