BLACKGANG CHINE.—This view of Blackgang exhibits its wild and rugged grandeur. The cliffs rise to a height of four hundred feet above sea level. The surf-line breaking on the red beach far below on the left, with the broad expanse of sea beyond, is very fine. The cliffs in the middle distance consist of the sands and clays of the lower Greensand formation, and are constantly falling and being eroded by the waves. The breakers on the shore at Blackgang are very grand in stormy weather, the beach being very steep and the water deep outside, a great volume rolls in with magnificent effect and thunderous sound. Geologically it is of great interest, the beds of the lower Greensand being more fully developed here than elsewhere, a thickness of almost eight hundred feet being exhibited in this neighbourhood.
Swiss Cottage, Osborne.
SWISS COTTAGE, OSBORNE.—The grounds of Osborne House contain five thousand acres, the lawn sloping down to the sea adjoining the grounds of Norris Castle. A sheltered portion of the garden contains a large number of trees and shrubs from Indian and foreign climes. In the vicinity of this Indian garden is Swiss Cottage, forming an architectural contrast to Osborne House, and surrounded with trees and flowers that make it appear quite a little paradise.
The Floating Bridge, Cowes.
THE FLOATING BRIDGE, COWES.—East Cowes is reached by crossing in this bridge, which goes backwards and forwards across the mouth of the Medina, conveying carts, carriages, coaches, and motor cars, as well as passengers. It works on chains which pass under it, fastened to the shore at each end. It is a novel experience to many people when they find the coachman drive his four-horse coach full of passengers down the slope on to the bridge, and then off again at the other side.
Whippingham Church.
WHIPPINGHAM CHURCH.—About a mile south of Osborne is Whippingham Church, a cruciform structure from designs furnished by the late Prince Consort. Before a private Chapel was added at Osborne the Royal Family often attended. The aisles which contain seats for the Royal Household are divided from the Chancel by ornamented arcades. The north aisle is converted into a Mortuary Chapel in memory of Prince Henry of Battenberg. Mural tablets to Princess Alice, the Duke of Albany, and a medallion bust to the Prince Consort have been erected by Her late Majesty; also a medallion to Sir Henry Ponsonby, whose tomb is in the Churchyard. From the back of the Church there is a fine view of the river Medina, looking towards Newport, the capital of the Island.