itself, although much improved of late, is neither picturesque
nor appropriate; but the adjoining scenery, and particularly the marine
villas of Lord Grantham and the late Sir J. C. Hippesley, have greatly
increased the beauty of the spot, which first strikes the eye of a
stranger in his progress to West Cowes from ~146~~Southampton Water.
The town itself rises like an amphitheatre from the banks of a noble
harbour, affording security and convenience for large fleets of ships
to ride at anchor safely, or to winter in from stress of weather, or
the repair of damages. But here ends my topographical sketches for the
present. The inspiring air of "Home, sweet Home," played by the steward
upon the key bugle, proclaims our arrival; the boat is now fast drawing
to her moorings at the Fountain Quay, the boatmen who flock along-side
have already solicited the care of my luggage, and the hand of my
friend, Horace Eglantine, is stretched forth to welcome my arrival at
West Cowes.

The first salutations over with my friend Eglantine, I could not help
expressing my surprise at the sailor-like appearance of his costume.
"All the go here, old fellow," said Horace; "we must start that
long-tailed gib of yours for a nice little square mizen, just enough to
cover your beam and keep your bows cool; so bear a hand, my boy, and let
us drop down easy to our births, and when properly rigged you shall go
on board my yacht, the Rover, and we will bear away for the westward.
Only cast off that sky scraper of yours before the boom sweeps it
overboard, and cover your main top with a Waterloo cap: there, now, you
are cutter rigg'd, in good sailing trim, nothing queer and yawl-like
about you." In this way I soon found myself metamorphosed into a
complete sailor, in appearance; and as every other person of any
condition, from the marquis downwards, adopted the same dress, the
alteration was indispensably necessary to escape the imputation of being
considered a Goth. Among the varied sports in which the nobility and
gentry of England have at any time indulged, or that have, from the mere
impulse of the moment and the desire of novelty, become popular, none
have been more truly national and praiseworthy than the establishment of
the Royal Yacht Club. The promotion ~147~~of aquatic amusement combines
the soundest policy in the pursuit of pleasure, two points but rarely
united; in addition to which it benefits that class of our artizans,
the shipwrights