The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-11-30
OVER THE OCEAN.
BREsT, France, }
Sept. 90, 1872. !

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Wight from the main land, and is approach.
ed by Southampton water, one of the fin
est rivers in the south of England. The
history of Southampton commences with
the Romans, who during the time they
held Britain, founded Military about
one mile north of the present town, called
Caselton, and Southampton was hamlet
south of this station. The Danes landed
here in the 9th Century and gained pos
| session of the city Winchester. There is
still considerable numberofremains ofthe
ancient walls seen in the various paths of
the old town, especially in the upper or
western part, and are still perfect to con-
siderable extent, although time and the
hand of man have altered their appearance
until very recent date the tide washed
their BASKERVILLE high above the water of
Southampton rose the loopholed and en-
battled walls, which are still seen pierced
for the discharge of arrows. On the west
ern shore road, there rises high town
originally circular-and following at the
waters edge long time worn range of
massive walls, having in about the centre
a looped semi-circular tower with high
parapet, known as the Arundel tower from
the circumstance that celebrated battle
was fought here in the year 1870, when the
French beseiged the town and were re-
pulsed with great loss by the English COM
manded by Sir John Arundel. One of
the finest views of the river and the lovely
scenery on each bank, I obtained from
the Royal pier, which can be embraced as
far as the Isle of Wight; from the other
side of the waters is the picturesque and
well wooded hills of the new forest which
streaches along its waters edge. is the fine
ly situated village of Hythe; little beyond
is the home Of the Drummond family, call
ed Cadlands, fine mansion of wooden
construction. The estate is called Cal
shot. l visited the Royal Victoria Hos
pital, erected by her Majesty, lone mile
from the city for the sick and wounded
soldiers on their return from foreign lands;
also the crumbling walls and fine honored
remains of the far famed Netley Abbey
about a mile nearer town, the next object
of attraction. Those historic ruins are
known to the student of history through
the world. The German emigrant with
recolections of Luther and the Reforma-
ton, and the rapid change that followed
that epoch in history. The Anglican
can with his reverence for the antique and
beautiful in the Old Country. l did enjoy
my visit to the ivy bound walls and vener-
able keeps the chaste and elegant columns,
and the substantial piles of masonry which
yet remain to distinguish Netley, one of
the most picturesque and beautiful relies
of past ages to be seen in the land; also
visited the Queens residence (Osborne;)
house is very prettily situated at the head
of broad lawn which descends with
sweep to the margin of the Solent. Its old
name, Austerbourne, refers to the oyster
beds of the Midway, which are still IA
nous, and yield considerable revenue
to their proprietor, the corporation of New
port. The estate was purchased from
Lady Isabella Blanchford, by the Queen
about 1910, but has since been so greatly
enlarged by successive additions, that her
Majesty can drive for miles without quit
ting her own desmesne, which covers
5000 acres,) and extends eastwards to
Kings Bay, and south to within two miles
of Newport. The palace is built in the
station style, from designs of Prince Con-
sort, adapted and carried out by Mr.. Thorn
as Cahett. There are two noble towers, a
campanile or flag tower 112 feet high, and
a clock tower of 80 feet. The palace is
filled with modern pictures and statuary by
Thud, McThomas, Broft, Wyatt, Cope,
Vornbeck, Winterhalter, and many other
old masters-and filled up with equal taste
and splendour. The ground and terrace,
garden, are all laid out with nice adoption
to the character of the position, and are
bounded eastward by the beautiful groves
and plantations of Barton. ! shall men
ton one feature of great interest, the
Swiss cottage, where the Royal children
formerly amused themselves with domes-
tic experiments, and the gardens which
they cultivated, and whose vegetables still
make their appearance on the table of the
Crown Prince of Prussia. The lodges and
cottages on the estate are all maintained in
admirable order, and excellent schools for
the laboring children, kept up at the
Queens expence, as well as under her di-
rect supervision. 1 walked about miles
up the east bank of the Midway, a more
agreeable ramble never had: The land
scape was SO soft and pastoral character
to the village and church of Whippiugham,
the quiet and lovely village, though def
cient in architectural purity, produces a
good effect. The portions of the church
interior) occupied by the Queen and her
attendants are, to some extent, severed
from the body of the church by range of
small pointed and richly sculptured arches:
The windows are filled with stained glass;
in the chancel a richly decorated tablet and
medallion bust, by Thud, commentaries
the late Prince Consort, and a stone cross
in the church-yard, faithful servant Of
the Royal household, fount given by the
Queen is also memorial of the lamented
husband. went early in the morning and
spent all day at Carisbrake Castle and
Mode Hill: The day was beautiful and
clear, and had a splendid view of the whole
lower valley of the Midway and the sur
rounding country, rich tract where shin
ing meadows and the broad Midway wind
ing through the midst, leads the eye along
the curves of the valley to its union with
the sea, where forest of small craft
marks the site of Cowes. In the extreme
distance are the purple hills of Hampshire,
and at the foot of the hill lies the town of
Newport: its regular rows Of plain houses
and dark-r red roofs partly concealed by
noble trees which, with the grey tower of
the old church and the masts of the ships
that are lying by the town quay. Decend-
ing past the beautiful cemetery approached
the great gate of Carisbrake Castle This
noble fortress is situated on an isolated