the hope that those who inspect its beauties as here transcribed
will be induced to visit and see it for themselves.

[Illustration: _Steephill Castle, Ventnor._]

STEEPHILL CASTLE, VENTNOR.--Within a mile of Ventnor, and close to
the Town Station of the Isle of Wight Central Railway, is Steephill
Castle with its beautiful and extensive grounds. From every point
outside the Castle is well embowered in trees, only the tower being
visible. It was built in 1835 by I. Hambrough, Esq. The architectural
features are well displayed from inside the garden. The view from
the tower is very fine. In 1874 the Empress of Austria stayed here,
and hunted with the Isle of Wight hounds during her visit. It is
occupied at the present time by Mr. and Mrs. Morgan Richards, the
parents of "John Oliver Hobbes" (Mrs. Craigie), who is a frequent
visitor.

[Illustration: _Appuldurcombe Abbey._]

APPULDURCOMBE ABBEY.--The ancient seat of the Worsley family, the
present building was erected in the eighteenth century by Sir Robert
Worsley. Here the Benedictine monks had a Priory in the time of
Henry III. It was dissolved by Henry V, Sir Richard Worsley died in
1805, and the house became the property of the Earl of Yarborough,
who had married the niece and heiress of the family. After being
used as a school for many years, it is now occupied by Benedictine
monks, In a beautiful park of four hundred acres, with a lofty down
behind it, the house appears to be a well secluded and charming
retreat. There is a public footpath through the meadow in front
of the house.

[Illustration: _Steephill Cove, near Ventnor._]

STEEPHILL COVE, NEAR VENTNOR.--Taking the cliff path from Ventnor
to the west within a little more than a mile there opens out to view
this pretty Cove. It is a place for painters, and its loveliness
in all varieties of Nature's many moods, has found admirers. The
cottages nestling under the banks, its parti-coloured gardens,
with enclosing pebble walls, its boats and crab-pots, with the
distant cliffs in succession, all combine in a composition that
strikes the beholder with a conviction of its beauty.

[Illustration: _Shanklin Esplanade, from Rylstone._]

SHANKLIN ESPLANADE, FROM RYLSTONE.--This favourite view, which shews
nearly the whole of Shanklin Pier, also includes in the distance the
Culver Cliff. Taken from the Garden of Rylstone, overlooking the foot
of the Chine, it forms a most attractive scene. The cliff p