le him to form a very good idea of the whole
scene. The windings of the Chine commence a little below the Hotel,
which (as already stated) stands at least 500 feet above the beach.

From the proximity of several newly erected villas and
lodging-houses, it ought here to be stated to the visitor, that the
_true character_ of the place is in consequence greatly injured:
for the garish and obtrusive habitations of genteel life but ill
accord with that solitary and impressive magnificence which
constitutes the very interest--the sublimity and peculiarity of a
silent and cheerless scene, such as formerly were the aspect and
condition of Blackgang Chine and its immediate neighbourhood.

"There has long been a tradition that Blackgang Chine was once the
favorite retreat of a gang of pirates, and from that circumstance
its name was derived.--Without disputing the fact of its having
offered occasionally concealment and a safe depository to
smugglers, or even pirates for a time,--it is equally, if not more
probable, that it is indebted for its very expressive appellation
to its sombre coloring, and the _step-like_ appearance of the
strata, if the word _gang_ be admitted to have the same
signification as it has in a ship."

* * * * *

Between Blackgang and Freshwater are several other Chines on an inferior
scale, partaking more or less of the same sterile aspect: such are
Walpan, Whale, Compton, Cowleaze and the Shepherd's, Grange, Chilton,
and Brooke: but though several of them are well entitled to notice, they
are seldom visited, owing to their remoteness from the public roads.

>> It should be observed however, that though they possess less
scenic interest than those already described,--they embrace a
portion of the island most attractive to the geologist, from the
circumstance of the cliffs and shores abounding in the most
beautiful specimens of fossil remains.--We would moreover call the
attention of those visitors who may desire to examine into the
agency which has produced the chines, to the two called _Cowleaze_
and _the Shepherd's_--the latter of which has been formed within
the last 40 years, in consequence, it is said, of a countryman in
an idle moment turning the course of the small rivulet which had
hitherto run through Cowleaze. They are situated