Leaving the direct London road, we turned to the left over a heath, from the farthest part of which, there is a fine opening to the west; and ascending a high hill came to a neat snug box belonging to the late Captain Wools, who commanded a troop of the Hampshire Yeomanry Cavalry. This house has an extensive prospect, but chiefly over the heath and forest ground. It is called Kidnocks.

The road winds down another hill into Botley, an inconsiderable town, but to which as well as many other places on this coast the system of barrack-building has been extended. There is a

bridge at the end of the town, and near it a house with a large clock whimsically placed on the roof, which makes it appear more like a public building than a private dwelling.

The next place we came to was Botley-Grange, a gentleman's house in a small park. At the termination of an avenue by the side of the road, is an Obelisk erected to the memory of a favorite dog.

Farther on, is a magnificent house called Town-Hill, built by Mr. Middleton, a gentleman of large fortune in the East-Indies, who made some figure on the trial of Warren Hastings: the grounds about it are spacious and pleasant, being at an easy distance from Southampton and it's excellent neighbourhood.

South Stoneham, the seat of Colonel Sloane, is not far from the last mentioned place. The House stands in a low situation at the end of an avenue of fine elms, to which you enter by a small lodge close to the road. It is a convenient family mansion built with brick, and has large gardens and pleasure grounds, which might be highly improved by a little attention. The view from one of the drawing rooms and eating parlour, though rather confined, is very striking-the river Itchen by it's junction with another stream forming a kind of bason at the foot of a fine lawn, and a neat bridge thrown over it, gives at once a pleasing object in perspective, and a great deal of entertainment by the diversion of fishing which it affords.

The finest trout, tench and salmon are taken here in vast quantities. The fields beyond the river are remarkably verdant and the Country in general beautifully wooded. Colonel Sloane retains some part of his estate in his own hands; and all those fields have gravel walks carried round them, and through several small woods and coppi, ces which abound with fine timber.

From the windows of the front of the house towards the garden you include a prospect of the windings of the river, which is navigable to Southampton, and among the rich woods which cover it's banks have a view of the ruins of St. Dennis's, or as Grose calls it St. Dionisius's Priory.

There is a large Block-Mill just below Stoneham-House, where the jacks and pullies for the shipping are made; and it is astonishing to see with what celerity the largest blocks of Lignum Vitæ are cut through.

The road from this place to Southampton is delightful. A handsome house of Major General

Stibbert on the left, and a fine prospect of Southampton Water-the navigation of the Itchen, and the Port of Northam just at it's mouth, where the Colliers and other small vessels rendezvous.

This pleasing scenery is scarcely lost to the sight, before you arrive at Belle Vieu, a charming house belonging to Admiral Sir Richard King, Bart. which was inhabited by the Earl of Moira during the time so many troops, designed for foreign service under his Lordship's command, were stationed at, and encamped near Southampton. This House from it's north front looks down an avenue which is the road from Southampton to Winchester; and from the side towards the garden commands a striking view of the modern edifices and embattled walls of the former, the ships in the river, the

op

posite shore of the New Forest, Calshot Castle, and the Isle of Wight.

L

CHAP. III.

The Polygon-Southampton-the new ChurchBaths-Fortifications-Visitors.

ON the right of the entrance to South

ampton are some magnificent buildings called the Polygon, from the number originally designed to have been built: they still retain the name, though there have been only four houses completed.

Southampton is a fine handsome town. The High-street is very broad and well paved, but the houses would look much better if the custom of building circular fronts and throwing out immense bow-windows was less prevalent: the shops however appear equal to any I have seen out of the Metropolis; and there is a great deal of trade carried on here.

A new Church has lately been built in the High-street; and, according to modern fashion,