At this season the steamers run several times a day to the Isle of Wight. Got up late had only time to get on board at the warf without taking breakfast. Found half a dozen gentlemen bound on a similar excursion to myself, some to land at Ryde and some at Cowes. In sailing down Southampton water admired the views. The new forest on one hand and Netley Abbey etc on the other. Enlivened by a mild spring sunshine. In a couple of hours arrived at East Cowes, for there are two towns - one on each side the Medina a river that divides the island in two parts. In the port of Cowes are some small fishing and coasting vessels, but few or none in the foreign trade at this time. From the steamer, transferred myself to a couch for Newport. In the interior of the island, had for company inside a young and modest girl, a native of the country. Before arriving at Newport there is an establishment called a Reformatory, for juvenile delinquents and the Albany barracks occupied by several companies of red coats. Breakfasted at the Bugle in Newport and hired a one horse vehicle called a fly to make the circuit of the Island at l8' per day. Beautiful weather and the drive from Newport to Yarmouth - agreeable but not very interesting.

Passed Carisbrooke Castle to the left - Yarmouth is a small town on the Solent Channel in width some two or three miles it never was of any importance, except that it sent two members to parliament before the reform act. Its population being only six hundred it was of course disfranchised from a small bastion on which are a couple of mortars had an interesting view of the Solent. At the entrance of which on a tongue of land is Hurst Castle and Light House. Symington on the low shore of Hampshire opposite to and five miles from Yarmouth - the superannuated old soldier that pointed out to me the various places shewed me also his little patch of wall flowers and roses. Coming out as accosted by several sailors with "Boat, Sir?"— when small craft appeared to be the only occupants of the mud filled port of Yarmouth. A few miles farther at Alum Bay descended the cliff and returning drove to the extremity of the island where there is a lighthouse and telegraph here the Needles - rocks are seen to best advantage. The cliff is many hundred feet high and frequented by flights of sea fowl. The inn that accompanied me to the point.

Shewed me the nests of the razor bills and the way they let each other down to get the eggs. His father fell over the cliff in a fog and was killed. From the Needles Light house the road runs on the top of Freshwater Gate. Dined and slept the only guest in the house. Continued the journey early in the morning, stopped at a little village called Brirton to breakfast. Entered the neat little old fashioned church, some quaint verses on the grave stones in the church yard - as

Nancy Ridett - Apr. 23rd 1827
In love she lived
In peace she died
Her life desired
But God denied

Elizg Chipp Mar l8l7
Grieve not for me my husband dear
Altho my body lieth here
Grieve not for me but comfort take
And love my offspring for my sake

A few hours drive brought me to Black Gang chine and St. Catherines Hill from whence the view extends over great part of the island. At the telegraph the men explained to me the signals made in announcing vessels. The Undercliff with a southern aspect and facing the sea, so called from its being protected from the north by a high ridge running parallel with the coast for several miles and considered the mildest climate in Great Britain. Resorted to on that account by numbers of invalids - Ventnor and Bonchurch are pretty villages as also is Shanklin, where I discharged the fly and went on to Ryde by the stage coach. At the end of the long wooden pier the steamer was waiting, which in half an hour landed me at Gosport and in another hour the rail road conveyed me to Southampton in time for a late dinner. This Isle of Wight excursion just occupying two days -