The Sun.
London, England, 1850-09-02 00:00:00

2, 1850.

the last work from the hand of our Nimrod the
Younger is not the least meritorious or the least at-
tractive in its character.

GUIDE TO THE ENVIRONS OF THE
METROPOLIS. By E. L. Blanchard.
A circuit round London of some thirty miles is
comprehended within this pocket guide-book, and the
descriptive letter-press is embellished with an elabo-
rate map of the environs of the metropolis. Scarcely
another volume could be produced more generally
attractive to the inhabitants of the capital—every one
of whom must be more or less interested in those sylvan
haunts and suburban pastures, in which, leisure
permitting, they may at any time obtain agreeable
relaxation. All the localities mentioned in these
delightful pages, crowded with a multitude of charm-
ing associations, are, let it not be forgotten, readily
accessible to the London population. Whether the
excursionist proceeds up the river by Richmond,
Twickenham, Teddington, Kingston, Hampton, Sun-
bury, Walton, Chertsey, Staines, and Windsor, or
down the river by Deptford, Greenwich, Woolwich,
Erich, and Gravesend, he may always proceed on his
way mith the utmost facility either by rail or steam-
boat. Hatnp3tead, Finchley, Highgate, and Isling-
ton ; Harrow, Willesden, Greenford, Hanwell, Ealing,
Acton, and Bayswater; Chelsea, Fulham, Chiswick,
Brentford, Isleworth, Harlington, Norwood, Brornp-
toe, and Knightsbridge, with other clusters of yet
more attractive " villages," present allurements
to the pedestrian of such perpetually changing
variety, that their interest can scarcely ever
be exhausted. These are each in succes-
sion particularised by Mr. Blanchard, who con-
trives with his literary recollections and never-failing
enthusiasm to invest them with perennial fascinations,
telling us, for example, that in that streatnlet Izaak
Walton angled, or that in yonder cottage Goldsmith
penned his " Vicar of Wakefield." As a companion
to the fields and woodlands surrounding the metro-
polis in all directions, this admirable guide-book can-
not but prove even to the habitual frequenter of its
environs an unfailing source of information and en
tartainment.

COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT.
•
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
COWES, SEPT. L
CHERBOURG REGATTA.
The President of the French Republic having inti-
mated a wish, through the French Ambassador at this
Court, that he should like to see as many yachts of the
Royal Yacht Squadron at Cherbourg as possible, on his
visiting that port, the Commodore (the Earl of Wilton),
the Vice-Commodore, and a large fleet of yachts, will
proceed thither. They are to sail from Cowes at 7 Aar.,
on Tuesday morning, the 3d inst.; there will also be a
muster from the South-Western, Royal Victoria, and
other yacht clubs. The Constance, Lord Conyngham;
Fair Rosamond, W. Lyon, EN.; and Corsair, Joieph
Gee, Esq., have already arrived there. The Russian
yachts will accompany the fleet to Cherbourg; the Em-
peror's is sent here to try her sailing qualities with the
yachts of the Royal Yacht Squadron.
EXCURSION TRIPS.—The Ruby and Gem steamers
bare this day brought over to Cowes about 500 pleasure
and health seekers, who had come down by the cheap
trains from London. The fare from London to South-
ampton and back again is only 35., and thousands every
Sunday avail themselves of the treat. Numbers take a
sixpenny dip in the sea from the bathing machines on
the beach, others proceed on to the wood below, and
jump in there and save their sixpences.
THE BATHING SEASON.—This is the season for change
here; one-half the houses are changing tenants; those
who have been here yachting for the last two months
are now off partridge shooting, and fresh company is
daily arriving for the bathing season. A great reduc-
tion has this year taken place in the rents of houses;
twelve-guinea houses having been reduced to eight, and
all others in proportion; and we have good reason to be-
lieve that the proprietors of houses will do better at
these low rates than at their former high ones, as they
will let for much longer periods.
ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON INTELLIGENCE.