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Page 16
We make this remark, because there is a lane close by, which turns
up to the high-road from Cowes to Gurnard Bay, and by this road we
would recommend the visitor by all means to return, for the sake of
the magnificent prospect which it affords, and on the peculiar
character of which the _permanent_ attractions of the place so much
depend. But to do this justice, the reader must have recourse to
his Map. The most prominent objects are Calshot Castle, standing
apparently isolated at the mouth of Southampton Water, and the tall
tower of Eaglehurst, seated on the neighbouring shore.
By "permanent attractions," we mean, that many landscapes of the
most romantic character fail to attract our attention for any
considerable time, on _repeated_ visits, if destitute of those
ever-varying circumstances which have in some degree the interest
of NOVELTY such for instance as the rural, and more particularly
the _marine_ prospects of the Isle of Wight; these afford an
endless source of amusement to the speculative eye,--whether
directed to the soft and gradual changes on the variegated face of
Nature _under cultivation_, or to the more animated, and constantly
shifting scene exhibited in a crowded sea-port, or where there are
other safe and ample roadsteds for the heaviest ships of war. In
these advantages Cowes and Ryde stand pre-eminent.
"Scenes must he beautiful, which daily viewed,
Please daily, and whose novelty survives
Long knowledge, and the scrutiny of years--
Praise justly due to those that I describe"
We are now supposed to have reached the top of the hill, where the old
CHURCH is situated: this is a spacious, plain building, having a very
tall square tower, as destitute of beauty as anything of the kind can
well be: yet as it peers loftily above all the surrounding objects, is a
great improvement to the outline of the hill, when viewed from any
considerable distance. Contiguous to the crowded cemetery stands ...
NORTHWOOD HOUSE, a large and elegant mansion in the Palladian style of
architecture. The PARK is an extensive demesne, and profusely planted;
there are however comparatively few of those venerable sylvan honors
which constitute the beauty of park-scenery.
On the eastern slope of the hill, where the high-road turns off for
Newport, stands WESTHILL, a charming cottage-ornee in the centre of a
smooth sloping lawn interspersed with magnificent elms and close
shrubberies.--In the environs of Cowes are several other genteel
residences: MOOR-HOUSE is distinguished by its Gothic pinnacles and
commanding station: and near Gurnard Bay is a pretty retired seat,
appropriately called WOOD-VALE.
Besides the two churches, there are Catholic, Independent, and Wesleyan
chapels. There are three large Hotels (see the List), and several minor
places of good accommodation; reading-rooms, a Mechanics' Institution,
&c.
* * * * *
EAST COWES.
>> _The town itself has nothing to interest a stranger: but in the
vicinity are several first-rate seats and marine villas--the most
distinguished being_ OSBORNE, NORRIS, _and_ EAST COWES CASTLE.
* * * * *
This little town is separated from West Cowes by the river Medina, which
here joins the sea. From the unexpected concurrence of various favorable
circumstances, it is looking-up to be a place of some importance: the
value of property has already considerably advanced, and trade in
general improved. It has one good Hotel, several respectable
lodging-houses: a neat episcopalian church, and an Independent chapel.
Having a large shipwright's yard, and a number of marine stores, wharfs,
&c., where merchant-ships lie alongside to take in or unload their
cargoes, it often exhibits much of the bustling appearance of a sea-port
town. There is a private landing-place near the ferry, for the
accommodation of Her Majesty. The Custom-house has been removed to the
other side of the harbour.
The immediate neighbourhood of East Cowes has long been extremely
beautiful, from being almost entirely covered with charming seats and
villas, whose luxuriant groves and shrubberies give the scenery an
uncommonly rich effect: and her Majesty having made this part of the
island her marine residence, it now possesses a proud distinction in
point of interest with the British public.
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