casing. Its width and height are about 30 feet, and its length very nearly two miles.

BATH (106 miles). (Hotels: See "HOTEL LIST.") This is the most ancient watering-place, in the modern acceptation of the term, in England.

The waters of Bath are traditionally said to owe the discovery of their wondrous qualities to Bladud, an ancient British King, who was suffering from a cutaneous disorder, and who chanced to notice their curative effects upon a herd of swine, which appeared to be similarly affected." The spot was, of course, at that time, a waste, destitute of inhabitants, but the identical spring is said to be that over which a bath-room is erected, in which a statue of King Bladud stands, with an inscription to his honour. Certain it is that Bath was a Roman station, and that the qualities of its waters were in repute with the Romans, as they called it Aqua Solis or Aqua Calida. From the extent and character of the remains found here, they must have built a large city, with fine temples, extensive baths, and other public buildings. Two of their great military roads-the Fosseway, extending from the coast of Devonshire to the north coast of Lincolnshire, and the great road from London to Wales, called by Romans and Saxons respectively, Via Julia and Akeman Street-passed through it. No other city in England, it is said, can produce such a collection of local Roman remains as those now deposited in the Museum of the Bath Literary and Scientific Association. The city was strongly fortified. For about 150 years after the retirement of the Romans, it remained in the possession of the British inhabitants, who were driven out of it by the Saxons, only after much

fighting and the reduction of the city to ruins. The name given to it by the Saxons was Akeman Ceaster-the town or castle of invalids. It is at present, from its situation and the elegance of its buildings, one of the most beautiful cities in England. The views from Lansdown, the highest ground in the neighbourhood, at an elevation of 813 feet above the sea, overlooking the amphitheatrically formed area, in which the old town is situated, are of great extent and beauty. The principal building is the Abbey Church, which is of rather late date, having been commenced in 1503 and completed in 1539. It contains monumental works by the famous sculptors Bacon, Flaxman, Nollekens, and Chantrey. There are charitable institutions of various dates, one of which goes back as far as 1180, for the benefit of the sick poor, who resort to Bath for the benefit of its waters. Victoria Park was opened by Queen (then Princess) Victoria in 1830. Beckford's Tower, built by the author of "Vathek," and once celebrated for the costly collection of objects of art and literature which it contained, is now used as a chapel for Lansdown cemetery. A journey of about 20 minutes brings us to

BRISTOL (118 miles), (Hotels: See "HOTEL LIST"). Before Liverpool attained its present importance, this city ranked second to London alone. Like Bath, it was a Roman station, and rose into significance as a sea-port under the Saxons, being at the time of the Conquest, and subsequently, notorious for its importation of slaves to Ireland. It was formerly strongly fortified, and has played an important part in English history. It has always been distinguished for its maritime enterprise. Sebastian Cabot was born here, and hence, in 1497, he sailed

with his father upon his voyage of discovery. Newfoundland was colonized from this place, and its merchants have been, for generations, amongst the largest proprietors of estates in the West Indies. The docks, which were opened in 1809, are formed by converting the beds of the Avon, and a branch of the Frome, which here unites with it, into a floating basin, accommodating the largest ships, which ascend the river on the tide; the surplus waters of the Avon being diverted into a new channel prepared for them. The "Great Western" and the "Great Britain," the precursors of the existing fleets of ocean steamers, and the finest specimens of naval architecture of their day, were built here. Besides the West Indian trade, it has an extensive commerce with Newfoundland, West Africa, and in corn and timber; it has also a very large coasting trade. It has considerable manufactories of glass, earthenware, anchors and chains, and floor-cloths, and large shipbuilding establishments. Regular steamers run to all the ports of the Bristol Channel, Waterford, Wexford, Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow, Liverpool, Ilfracombe, and other places.

The inhabitants are proud, and with good reason, of their public buildings and institutions, the more ancient of which are in better preservation than most of those of equal age in other places. The CATHEDRAL, the old Church of the Abbey of St Augustine, is a grand Gothic edifice, founded by Robert Fitzhardinge in 1140, containing many tombs and effigies of his descendants, with many other interesting monuments. Lord Fitzhardinge, the noble owner of Berkeley Castle and its vast estates, which have come to him in unbroken succession from the above, is his chief

existing representative. At the west end of the Cathedral is a beautiful ancient gateway, and the Chapter-House of the Norman period, restored of late years, is particularly worthy of inspection.

There are modern monuments to Sterne's "Eliza," Mrs Draper; and to Lady Hesketh, Cowper's friend, by Bacon; to Southey, by Baily; and a fine figure of Faith, by Chantrey. Not so ancient, but a magnificent building, is the Church of St Mary Redcliffe, on Redcliffe Hill, styled by Camden "the first Parish Church in England." It is interesting in modern times from its connection with Chatterton, who calls it "the pride and glory of the Western fonde." It was amongst the muniments of this church that he professed to have found the poems which he published as Rowley's. In the churchyard is a columnar monument to his memory, erected by public subscription, on which he is represented in the dress of a Bluecoat scholar. The church was built by one of the merchant princes of Bristol, William Canynges, to whom there are two monuments. The late orator and statesman, George Canning, and the well-known diplomatist, Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, who takes his title from this place, are lineally descended from the abovenamed William Canynges. Nothing of the period of Gothic architecture to which it belongs can be more exquisite in its workmanship, or elaborate in its details, than the north porch of this church, which has lately been completely renovated. Admiral Penn, the father of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, is buried here. The Mayor's, or Gaunt's Chapel, so called from its having been founded by an ancient knightly family of that name, and containing many of their memorials, is well worth visiting.

In St Peter's Church is buried Savage the poet, who died here while imprisoned for debt. There are other old churches, of which we may particularize the Temple Church, the tower of which leans several feet out of the perpendicular.

There are several noble hospitals, and well endowed charitable and educational establishments. Amongst other persons of mark born here, may be mentioned the poet Southey; Hugh Elliot, discoverer of Newfoundland; Sir Thomas Lawrence, the painter; Baily, the sculptor; Captain Kater; Colston, Rey. nolds, and Hannah More, the philanthropist; the Herapaths; Coleridge, the poet and metaphysician; Conybeare, the geologist; and Prichard, the ethnologist. William Penn embarked here for the New World on his mission of colonization.

Among the principal events in its modern history are the riots of 1831, in which the MansionHouse, Bishop's Palace, three prisons, and upwards of forty private houses were burnt, and many persons killed and wounded. These disturbances arose out of the popular indignation against Sir Charles Wetherell, the Recorder, on account of his opposition to the proposed Reform Bill. CLIFTON, adjoining and now a part of Bristol (Hotel: *CLIFTON DOWN), lies on the north side of the River Avon, and commands charming views of the surrounding country. It enjoys a remarkably mild and balmy atmosphere. It owes much of its importance to its wells, the waters of which are similar to those of Matlock, and are in great repute in all cases of debility and consump

tion.

The Avon, which winds beneath the town is spanned by a magnificent suspension bridge, which

formerly crossed the Thames at Hungerford, near Charing Cross.

Within an hour's journey of Bristol are the pleasant seaside watering-places, Portishead, Clevedon, and Weston-superMare (placed in order of distance), which are much frequented during the bathing

season.

Some miles distant, across the channel, situated on the Usk, and easily accessible by steamer, and also by railway, via New Passage and Portskerret, in little more than an hour, is the busy town of NEWPORT (Hotel: King's Head), It has large docks, and exports great quantities of coal and iron, besides doing a considerable import trade in various commodities, and manufacturing iron extensively.

A

CAERLEON, a small markettown, at a distance from Newport of about 3 miles, is said to have once been the capital of Wales, and became the seat of an archbishopric soon after the introduction of Christianity into Britain. It was a Roman station of importance, known at different times as Isca Silurum, Isca Legionis Secunda, and Isca Colonia; and, judging from the great number of Roman remains, altars, tesseræ, baths, aqueducts, pavements, coins, &c., must have been of considerable extent. museum has been established, principally for the reception of the antiquities found here. It figures conspicuously in the legends relating to King Arthur, as his metropolis, and the seat of his "ROUND TABLE," which is the name given to the large Roman Amphitheatre, of which the outlines may still be traced, comprising an area of 222 feet by 192 feet. King Arthur is said to be buried here. It was long a celebrated seat of learning and religion. A journey of an hour

and a half from Bristol brings us to CARDIFF (Hotel: Cardiff Arms). Situated at the mouth of the small river Taff, it has nothing in its general aspect to attract the tourist's attention but its elegant church tower, and the remains of the old castle, which is still occupied by the Marquis of Bute. Previous to the year 1839 all the trade of this place was carried on by means of the old canal and the small vessels for which it was adapted, with the exception of a few colliers which were laden outside; but since that period, magnificent docks of very large extent, have been constructed by the Marquis of Bute, to whom the whole place belongs, which are thronged by ships of the largest size, of all nations; and by means of the railways, by which the district is intersected, Cardiff has become the greatest loading port in the Bristol Channel. The exports consist principally of railway-iron and coals. The prosperity of Cardiff has been reflected upon many of the neighbouring places, which, from the mere villages which they were within the memory of the present generation, have become flourishing and well-populated towns. In 1801, the popu lation of Cardiff itself was only 1018.

The gardens adjoining the castle are open to the public, by permission of the marquis. In the castle are many portraits of the Bute family, and works by Vandyck, Kneller, and others.

In the county of Glamorgan there are many remains of relig ious edifices and feudal castles, of which the most remarkable are Mayam and Meath Abbeys, Caerphilly, Neath, Swansea and Oystermouth Castles. Caerphilly is the nearest of those to Cardiff, and in extent and gran

deur, as a ruin, surpasses any other in Wales. Distance from Cardiff about 8 miles. Continuing on from Cardiff by railway, we reach, in 2 hours, the busy city of SWANSEA, a sea-port town, with large copper and iron works. Near Swansea is the bathingplace called the Mumbles, celebrated for its oysters, and around which are some very pretty smaller bays. The most important copper-works in the kingdom are in this district, ores being brought from Cornwall and all parts of the world to this place for smelting, on account of the abundant supply of fuel. Gower, the personal friend of Chaucer, and one of the earliest writers of English verse, is claimed as a native of Swansea.

About 2 miles from Cardiff, prettily situated on a declivity sloping to the bank of the River Taff, is LLANDAFF, still called a city, as the site of the Cathedral church of the Diocese which bears its name. Its only attraction is the Cathedral, finished in 1200--recently restored.

ROUTE 46.

LONDON TO WORCESTER AND GREAT MALVERN, VIA OXFORD.

Great Western Railway.

Distance from London to Worcester, 120 miles; fares, first class. 21s.; second, 158.; third, 98. 6d. Distance to Malvern, 128 miles; fares, first, 23s. 3d.; second, 16s. 6d. third, 10s. 3d.

HAT part of the route between London and Oxford, is described in Route 42, above. Leaving Oxford several small stations are passed before reaching HONEYBOURNE, where a line goes off to the left to Stratfordon-Avon, 9 miles. After passing several unimportant stations we reach WORCESTER, 120 miles. (Hotels: Star, Bell.) An old city, now noted for its manufactories of china and gloves. The Royal China Manufactories, may be seen every week day from 10 to dusk. About 8000 persons are employed in this business. It has broad clean streets and several buildings of note. The CATHEDRAL, the oldest parts of which date from the 13th century, is early English. It is in the form of a double cross and is 385 feet long. Its handsome tower, lately restored, is 170 ft. high. It has some fine windows and carvings. The old cloisters, recently restored, are very beautiful. Several of the churches are well worth visiting, as are the Guildhall and Corn Exchange. The old Palace contains some interesting portraits and commands a fine view of the Malvern

and Welsh hills. Eight miles from Worcester is GREAT MALVERN (Hotels: See "HOTEL LIST"). A fashionable watering-place, consisting of Great and Little MalMalvern Hills. There are sevevern, lying on the slope of the ral fashionable water-cure establishments here. The springs are tepid and sulphurated, and are useful in diseases of the skin. There is a fine Gothic church and remains of a priory. The neighbourhood abounds in fine excursions, and the view from Malvern Hills is very fine.

ROUTE 47.

THE RIVER WYE.

FROM HEREFORD TO ROSS, TINTERN ABBEY AND CHEPSTOW.

HIS excursion, one of the most delightful in Europe, should be made in the order given, going down the river. HEREFORD, which should be visited for its Cathedral and other interesting objects, is 1444 miles from London by the Great Western Railway; time,5 hours; Fares: first, 25s. 6d.; second, 19s. 3d. (Hotels: Green Dragon, City Arms). It may be conveniently reached also from Birmingham, or any point on the Great Western Railway. It is an ancient city on the left bank of the Wye. Its chief attraction is the CATHEDRAL, begun in 1095, recently restored. It is of Norman and early English architecture. Notice the elaborate porch, the Norman font in the south aisle, the splendid metallic screen separating the choir from