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Page 34
ST. BONIFACE DOWN, which forms a green back-ground to the view, is also
an object of interest (at least with artists or amateurs of sketching,)
that ought not to be passed by unnoticed. It is exceedingly steep: has a
never-failing spring on its lofty summit, and is often cheerfully
sprinkled with sheep, of the South-down breed, safely nibbling the close
herbage on its precipitous side.
Speaking of the down, we should deserve to be censured by those of
our elderly readers who may have been to Ventnor ere it reached the
magnitude of a town, not to inform them, that _the then only Hotel_
(so beautifully seated close at the foot of the hill,) _is no
longer a place of public accommodation_; the license has been
transferred. Many were the respectable parties of the olden time
who used to amuse themselves with the attempt to gain the summit of
the down,--sometimes successfully, but more frequently at the
expense of a rather too precipitate descent, to the no small
diversion of their friends who had less daring to make the
experiment. In this age of refinement, such displays of rural
agility would be regarded as "utterly vulgar!" there are however
more circuitous and accessible paths by which we may reach the
eminence, and hence enjoy a most delightful prospect.
In concluding this brief notice of Ventnor, it would be very unfair
to Dr. Clarke, not to mention the fact, that he was decidedly
opposed to the residences of invalids (with pulmonary consumption)
being accumulated together "_in the form of a Town_;" he recommends
that a number of _detached_ houses should be built along the
Undercliff, each surrounded with the protection of a garden-wall
and a few trees. But, begging the Doctor's pardon, we heartily
rejoice that his advice could not be acted upon to any considerable
extent (except at Ventnor and Bonchurch); because fortunately the
most eligible and attractive spots in this romantic district are in
the holding of gentlemen who have chosen such for their _private_
residences: and certainly, if selfishness was ever pardonable, it
is so in this instance; nay, for our part, we really congratulate
the public, that the spirit of exclusiveness so widely exists in
this happy region of the sublime and beautiful. For what a
lamentable transformation it would prove of the natural character
of the scenery, to have many large and often glary houses obtruding
upon the eye in every direction! banishing all the _wildest_ and
most interesting local beauties, for domestic convenience or
fantastic embellishment! Where then would be the attraction to call
the thousands annually to our romantic isle? Where those UNIQUE
LANDSCAPES which now constitute its proudest charm?
And after all, the Doctor's objection to a residence in town, is
largely compensated for in the case of Ventnor, by the many
advantages afforded to invalids, that could be procured only in a
populous place: such for instance as regular stage-coaches running
to and from Ryde and other places; a good landing-place;
bathing-machines; a post-office and reading-rooms; the location of
several apothecaries and eminent physicians: tradesmen of almost
every description; and the facility of enjoying society in the
dullest winter months.
Westward of Ventnor, we have a sudden and most agreeable transition from
the glare of the town to a quiet picture of rural scenery, broken only
by two or three cottages neatly built in the antique style; this is the
commencement of the property of Mr. Hambrough (of Steephill Castle),
which extends to St. Lawrence, the estate of Earl Yarborough; succeeded
by Old Park; and near Niton, the seats of Mrs. Arnold, Sir W. Gordon,
and Mrs. Vine: altogether a delightful distance of above four miles;
which we hope will long escape any desecration of its beauties by the
operations of building speculators.
* * * * *
APPULDURCOMBE.
This splendid seat, from its proximity to the Undercliff, is most
frequently embraced either in the south-eastern or the continued Tour,
in preference to giving it a separate day: therefore here is perhaps the
best place for its notice, especially as the regular road from Ventnor
to Newport passes close by: and as it is only two miles from the former
town. It is thus described by Sir Richard Worsley, in his "History of
the Isle of Wight:"
"The house is pleasantly situated about seven miles south of the
town of Newport: it has four regular fronts of the Corinthian
order, built of freestone; the pilasters, cornices, ballustrades,
and other ornamental parts are of Portland stone; the roof is
covered with Westmoreland slates. The grand entrance in the east
front is through a hall 54 feet in length by 24 in breadth, adorned
with eight beautiful columns of the Ionic order resembling
porphyry. On this floor are several handsome apartments, containing
many valuable portraits, and other good paintings; the offices are
very commodious, and on the first and attic stories are upwards of
twenty bed-chambers with dressing-rooms. The house was begun by Sir
Robert Worsley, in 1710: and completed by Sir Richard Worsley, who
made considerable additions, and much improved upon the original
design."
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