of this
opening in the cliff are covered with trees, bushes, wild flowers, fern,
wormwood, and many other herbs, here and there contrasted with bold
masses of rock or brown earth.

In the higher part of one of those declivities two or three picturesque
cottages are fixed, and seem half suspended in the air.

From the upper extremity of this great fissure, or opening in the cliff,
a small stream of water enters by a cascade, flows through the bottom,
winding in a varied course of about a quarter of a mile in length; and
then runs into the sea across a smooth expanse of firm, hard sand, at the
lower extremity of the chasm. At this point, the sides of the woody
banks are very lofty, and, to a spectator from the bottom, exhibit a
mixture of the grand and beautiful not often exceeded.

Near the mouth of this opening was a little hollow recess, or cave in the
cliff, from whence, on one hand, I could see the above-described romantic
scene; on the other, a long train of perpendicular cliffs, terminating in
a bold and wild-shaped promontory, which closed the bay at one end, while
a conspicuous white cliff stood directly opposite, about four miles
distant, at the further point of the bay.

The shore, between the different cliffs and the edge of the waves, was in
some parts covered with stones and shingle; in some, with firm sand; and
in others, with irregular heaps of little rocks fringed with sea-weed,
and ornamented with small yellow shells.

The cliffs themselves were diversified with strata of various-coloured
earth, black, yellow, brown, and orange. The effects of iron ore,
producing very manifest changes of hue, were everywhere seen in trickling
drops and streamlets down the sides.

The huts in which the fishermen kept their baskets, nets, boats, and
other implements, occupied a few retired spots on the shore.

The open sea, in full magnificence, occupied the centre of the prospect;
bounded, indeed, in one small part, by a very distant shore, on the
rising ascent from which the rays of the sun rendered visible a cathedral
church, with its towering spire, at near thirty miles' distance.
Everywhere else the sea beyond was limited only by the sky.

A frigate was standing into the bay, not very far from my recess; other
vessels of every size, sailing in many directions, varied the scene, and
furnished matter for a thousand sources of contemplation.

At my feet the little rivulet, gently rippling over pebbles, soon mi