Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-07-24


existing social conditions. and he was
the first E,nglishman whom we have
heard criticise the Queen. being inclined
to scott al a greatness and large heart
edness that did not cost her an effort
or sovereign Almost everything
about Shankiin is in miniature, al
though il is growing rapidly. Tiny
villas with roses climbing right up into
the chimney pots, and such roses our
eyes never beheld. They We're in their
glory, of every shade and all varieties.
Trees of yellow teas, great bushes If
Giant of Battles" covered with the
regal rose. Baltimore Bellies" running
riot over piazzas and in at chamber
windows--the roses alone repaid us for
our trip. Mr.. wilkins stopped before
the grand place Of Shanklin and ex-
planned. this is the abode of the Lady
Of the Manor Mrs. White Popham a
very amiable lady. very amiable in
deed. adding after an expressive
pause--"she can Well afford TO be-" and
when he further told US that she drew
a ground rental for { l6. 900 per annum
we felt that for far less consideration
we could Guido Mrs. White Popham in
=
Inns pride and glory. The Chine. I"
Surely there can be no lovelier ten
minutes walk on earth The steep
sides of the gorge, rising high above MS,
We're covered with trees: apparently
every plant and trailing vine that
grows, hung IN graceful lines from
their roots and completely clothed what
we knew must be- rocks, but no color
was visible hut endless shades of
emerald. Each leaf and blade of grass
glistened from its bath the night he
fore; we crossed rustic bridges, We
heard little brook go gurgling by. ana
ut the head of the gorge we mounted
higher till we overlooked the tops az
tallest trees and saw Il silver cascade
dash down the steep rocky side: w
cried once and again How lovely, how
exquisite," and then kept silence for
very shame, We We're go poor in words.
Our guide left us with the warning to
Keep the hill on our right" and leav-
ing bay and sea on orr left we prepared
by tucl1ing up our skirts for our four
mile walk across the downs, through
the landslip. by Bonchureh to Ventnor.
We walked in Indian file along the mar
Afff 7itisH9y RtiAiif W stiltitSt
in nur very way, what did We see? a
rclic Of civilization in that primeval
spc;-"a penny in the slot" Think not
mas we attempted to defraud the ma
chine. if We had felt the slightest temp
tation would not the tale OF retributive
justice printed upon it stayed our
hands? How solemnly it read, not brief
and business-like as i'm America, be-
ware Of tampering:" but crime and it's
consequences were here set forth and
the readers left to draw the natural in
ference; once there was a man dis
covered who had broken open a ma
chine like this. he was imprisoned for
IA days. Silently we dropped our
pennies. turned the crank and nibbled
our chocolates thankful like the Phari-
see that we We're not as that other
man"
The beauty of the landslip is more wild
than that Of the Chine but in its way
as attractive; one does not ind here
smooth paths, and easy steps, but rather
stony byWays or wet and clay-iike
ground. The woods were thick with wild
flowers. yellow ana white honeysuckles in
masses peeped through thickets of ivy
snowy wild roses perfumed the air, but
before we realized it we were declaring
charming as dear BenehurchH 1t is all
of Is within ones grasp as it were and we
absolutely longed to put both arms
around it and hold ii close. It was 50 he
witching. The high cliffs from top Ia
bottom were tapestred with ivy relieved
by great clumps of pink and red wild
flowers; We wandered through the Old
church and saw the iron cross which
when the suns rays fail upon IL in Ger
.aiu dfreeltcE--casts upon the ground 4
Perfect "shadow-cros We climbed up
up up the chimney steep stone steps
that took as on to the upper road to
NcntEOr. and gave us more charming
views Of land aud sea Vefatnor is--Nent-
nor, what can We say more? except each
step was a new revelation to us of the
beauty the loveliness of nature While
our drive to t'reshwatGr, and Alum bay
va delightful and the view of the Nee
ttles''-chalk eliffs-most peculiar and in
terestng, as were also the pink, yellow,
and purple sands. of which We collected
specimens, yet, for us the most glorious
drive in the Isle of Wight was the I'm
dcfcliffs.' from Ventnor to BlackganG
Chine. A perfect road, thiclSly Woode,
ON either side, whose trees meeting over
head formed oftentimes for nearly a mile,
Il leafy bower, the ivy and trailing vines
seemed scarce able to find place 10 cling
and each tree trunk was entirely hidden
by the luxuriant growth of creeping
things. The tiny church at st. Lawrence,
only large enough to seat fifty people,
ana when even a SceptaR must enter Win
bowed head tif he exceed five feet in
heigh0 was one of the picturesque bits in
the landscape. All too soon We reached
our goal and began to descend BLACK
guug Chne;" extremely black 1t was. all
verdure gone. Wild and rugged-no change
OF scenery could be greater; but we
gained magnificent views of Island. sea
and lighthouse. Steps make the descent
and il is 4 very. very, long one-eNtre ms
~ easy. We felt eXhilarated from our
drive and fairy danced down those
winding stairs beaming with smiles. Sud
denly we met a party Of bre1thless trans
spring ascending with a capital ~ tour
lists. They almost gowered at us, As II
our high spirits were Il personal ahront
and then gasaed, with painful pauses be-
tween each word y o1--don't- know
wilat--youf redaing; it's-all-right-s go
ing--down-bUst" - here breath utterly
failed. This eloquent pause was amply
filed twenty minutes later by two deJect-
ed dsheveiled females. who as they eluns
10 the rope railing. GREATNESS ana almost
sinking with exhaustion ut each addition
nj steg, remembered their advance fellow
sufferers whom now they repentrd tTem-
selves Of secretly derding. and fully re-
allied that those same travellers had
IS ty,s tsf,tsr