Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1893-04-20

deg. TO a height Of 400 and 500 fee,
above us on one hand, and on the Other
descending toward the water at about the
same angle. Above US the chalky cliffs
are enlivened with many head of fat cattle
that look as though at any moment they
might roll down into the streets below
From the station toward the water the
hillside Is terraced into levels, upon which
stand, tier below tier fine stone and brick
buildings buried amid trees, shrubs, ivy
and myrtle. The hard clean streets wind
and zigzag from shelf to shelf, until at last
we stand upon a grassy level from 100
yards to one third of mile wide, extend
ing along the coast at the foot of the hills
| about 80 feet above the level of the sea,
dividing the higher coast line from the
English channel. We can walk along this
lower shelf on hard. clean paths above the
sea. getting fine views of the channel with
its hundreds of busy ships and steamers
moving In all directions. and upon clear
days the coast of France can be seen in
the hazy distance.
After walking a mile or so along this
level, looking over the nice pier and clean
| ly kept beach. We came upon one Of the
most lovely spots imaginable amid all this
| beauty. A little dell sunk between those
verdure clad hills, spot that would al
most make one believe that fairies should
exist to people spot SO charming
| Through this vale Of beauty sparkling
| little stream wound its ripping way; at
| times a narrow little brook, flowing be-
tween banks Of holly and ivy. then 10
another moment, spreading out into a lit
tie lake upon whose silvery surface fioated
numerous tame water fowl. while all its
way was bordered with ornamental grasses
and beds and rows Of bright flowers. On
all sides Of this enchanting little glen rose
steep banks covered with trees festooued
with Ivy and other creeping vines.
An old wall, perhaps hundreds Of years
old, is built along the side of one OF those
steep hills, overrun with ivy and bright
leaved holly This wall encloses 4 part of
the grounds belonging TO an ancient castle
that has been rebuilt in modern DAYS and
called Steep Hill Castle In one part OF
this valley Is tine little park and lawn
tennis court Of the incest description
Along the hill, sides, buried In those grand
old trees, stand many very nice residences,
while throu2h the bottom Of the vale tnrre
are nice smooth drives and walks. Along
the way 10 shady nooks are placed many
seats for those who have wake, far
enough for time We passed out On this
little paradise. walked through the town
looked over the old graves In the ancient
church yard. and then turned our steps
towsrd that beautiful spot called Bou-
church
Who can describe the beauty and lowell
ness OF this short walk through this forest
OF oak and elms wreathed about with ivy?
Here We are completely shut out from all
things that can jar upon the most refined
appreciation of the wonderful beauties of
nature. Beauty. Tha, is a faint word to
express half the exquisite beauty that
surrounds u. On our left the top Of the
hill is shut from sight By the noble fore-.
ui pan .,.eatnctI anu urCoTsteu ~t.ii
the cliUsinG Ivy that It makes u forget the
loss Of their summer suit. On our right
between Us and the sea rises hill Of sand
stone. the side Of which is cut down To
make the smooth, hard level road over
which We pass. In places this wall has
n y. 81
pendicularly, and the gray stone has become
fe-tooned by the natural growth Of ivy
and holly mingled with other creepers. A
little brook also runs through the vale of
Bouchurch, along whose margin grow
many evergreen trees, the will cane. and
other towering grasses. We walked
through this delightful village, then tnriicd
toward the sea. and in few moments
stood upon The cliffs overlooking the
channel. From here we turned 10 the left
and walked through q forest of oak and
other hard woods, the narrow pathway
leading through aud among huge bouldcrs
along the margin Of deep ravines, and
cliffs facing the sea on one hand on the
other hAsh walls Of sandstone and chalk
towering hundreds Of feet above our
heads, their barren variegated sides made
beautiful by the cllnging wreaths Of ivy
and other vines. Along those lovely by
ways, through forests, among boulders.
along old vine covered walls, across farm.
with the homes of the farmers along the
fnr ka ff
miles we trudged until We found ourselves
al the entrance of that famous, delightful.
and world-renowned dell known as shank
lin Chine, grotto of enchanting beauty
that has been worn down by the constant
industry Of little stream. for perhaps
thousands Of years, until it has worn out
a narrow winding canyon from 75 to 100
feet deep through the sandstone forma-
tion, its walls draped and festooned with
many different species of vines and creep
ers, the English ivy predominating. as it
does in all such places in this country.
My fieshy friend, Capt. Freeman, though
good walker, a great admirer of natural
scenery, and keen observer, with ready
and just appreciation of all her beauties,
(as found upon several excursions which
we took together) paid for this tramp in
the sweat Of his brow, but with Jolly good
humor, and got in return good appetite
| for the excellent dinner served to US in
nice hotel at Shankin.
| After our dinner and a rest we took
| stroll through the clean little village until
the starting of the train in which we left
| for home.
| A few days later had the pleasure of
visiting the town of Ventuor again, as an
| invited brother to an installation Of off,
GERS and Masonic banquet at Var
bourough Lodge, at which. it is needless