the verdict of many visitors to the far-famed Undercliff, as they go through shady groves and again emerge under the weather-worn craggy cliffs above the road. In spring the ground under the trees is carpeted with flowers, and the winding road uphill and down creates a transformation scene at every turn. There is no rest for the eye, and all the faculties are awake to enjoy a new sensation of delight as each corner in the road is turned. It is a perfect fairy land, and the rugged walls are half hidden by multitudes of plants which enhance the lights upon the stone.

Windy Corner—
The Undercliff.

WINDY CORNER—THE UNDERCLIFF.—One of the most romantic districts in the whole of England is the Undercliff, extending for five miles from Ventnor to Blackgang Chine. Its beauty has been caused by the slipping away of the Gault clay, letting down the masses of Upper Greensand rock. The chert beds of the cliff have been weathered out by wind and rain into forms of rugged beauty, while the broken and undulating ground below is filled with flowers and vegetation of the most wonderful and varied character, scattered rocks peeping out among the foliage furnishing bits of a most attractive character to the artist and photographer.

Ventnor, looking East.

VENTNOR, LOOKING EAST.—The differences of elevation afford to most of the houses in Ventnor practically uninterrupted views of the sea. The sheltered nature of the site also furnishes a most congenial climate, in which plants and shrubs in great variety flourish. The horned poppy adorns the cliffs, and valerian and tamarisk thrive even during the winter months. Its peculiarities of climate and position render it a highly favourable residence for invalids throughout the year. It would be difficult to name any place of equal extent and variety of surface, or of equal beauty in point of scenery—so completely screened from the cutting N.E. winds of spring.

Ventnor, from the Sea.

VENTNOR, FROM THE SEA.—Built on the slopes of the hill, Ventnor presents from the sea a remarkable and magnificent picture. Each house being at a different elevation, commands sunshine all the day. Sheltered from the cold wind, trees and flowers flourish and retain their beauty during the winter. When the golden gorse and purple heather are in bloom upon the downs it forms a most attractive scene. Steamboat trips daily during the summer furnish the visitors with abundant opportunities of enjoying this vision of beauty. The Railway Station lies between the hills behind the Church spire. The Town Station of the Isle of Wight Central Railway lies to the left beyond the Park.

Ventnor, looking West.

VENTNOR, LOOKING WEST.—From this point Ventnor is beautiful both in summer and in winter. The setting sun on a winter day is a sight worth travelling far to see, and in summer the white chalk cliffs of the foreground are clothed with crimson valerian, mingled with bright green samphire, while the gardens below, with the miniature lake, are full of colour. These effects, together with the houses perched on every conceivable vantage point of rock and surrounded with vegetation of varied hue, make up a picture of entrancing beauty. There is a good Pier for promenading and fishing as well as for steamboat excursions.

Old Oak Tree—
The Landslip.

OLD OAK TREE—THE LANDSLIP.—This is one of the many specimens of fantastic growth to be found in the Landslip, and is a great contrast to the tall and stately beech trees that grow in the Cloisters nearer to the upper cliff. It resembles very much the serpent-tree which was painted by Turner. This part of the Landslip is full of great diversities of form and situation, some appearing to grow direct out of the rocks. The white scented violet grows here in great profusion in April.

Blackgang Chine.

BLACKGANG CHINE.—This view of Blackgang exhibits its wild and rugged grandeur. The cliffs rise to a height of four hundred feet above sea level. The surf-line breaking on the red beach far below on the left, with the broad expanse of sea beyond, is very fine. The cliffs in the middle distance consist of the sands and clays of the lower Greensand formation, and are constantly falling and being eroded by the waves. The breakers on the shore at Blackgang are very grand in stormy weather, the beach being very steep and the water deep outside, a great volume rolls in with magnificent effect and thunderous sound. Geologically it is of great interest, the beds of the lower Greensand being more fully developed here than elsewhere, a thickness of almost eight hundred feet being exhibited in this neighbourhood.

Swiss Cottage, Osborne.

SWISS COTTAGE, OSBORNE.—The grounds of Osborne House contain five thousand acres, the lawn sloping down to the sea adjoining the grounds of Norris Castle. A sheltered portion of the garden contains a large number of trees and shrubs from Indian and foreign climes. In the vicinity of this Indian garden is Swiss Cottage, forming an architectural contrast to Osborne House, and surrounded with trees and flowers that make it appear quite a little paradise.

The Floating Bridge, Cowes.

THE FLOATING BRIDGE, COWES.—East Cowes is reached by crossing in this bridge, which goes backwards and forwards across the mouth of the Medina, conveying carts, carriages, coaches, and motor cars, as well as passengers. It works on chains which pass under it, fastened to the shore at each end. It is a novel experience to many people when they find the coachman drive his four-horse coach full of passengers down the slope on to the bridge, and then off again at the other side.

Whippingham Church.

WHIPPINGHAM CHURCH.—About a mile south of Osborne is Whippingham Church, a cruciform structure from designs furnished by the late Prince Consort. Before a private Chapel was added at Osborne the Royal Family often attended. The aisles which contain seats for the Royal Household are divided from the Chancel by ornamented arcades. The north aisle is converted into a Mortuary Chapel in memory of Prince Henry of Battenberg. Mural tablets to Princess Alice, the Duke of Albany, and a medallion bust to the Prince Consort have been erected by Her late Majesty; also a medallion to Sir Henry Ponsonby, whose tomb is in the Churchyard. From the back of the Church there is a fine view of the river