to it a character of coolness and sequestered retreat, which no other place that I have seen possesses in an equal degree. The hottest and most sunny season of the year seems the time for enjoying this place to full advantage. In dark and chilly weather, it must probably appear to superabound with shade and moisture; yet the site of the house is tolerably cheerful and open.

A little to the south-west of the Rookery, another dell descends in the same direction, called by the appropriate name of Valley Lonesome. This is occupied by the house and grounds of Mr. Haynes, and presents a scene considerably different from any yet described. The house, an elegant piece of architecture, appears, by a jet d'eau playing in front, with two equidistant bridges, and various ornamental appendages, disposed with perfect correspondence and regularity, to have been planned before the modern taste of rural decoration took place. The stream flowing through the valley is made to put on a variety of forms in basons, falls, channels, &c. which are rather trifling; but a cascade, really of some effect, bursts out from a high bank which borders the vale, though the steps or ledges down which the water is made to fall, and the round stone-bason which at last receives it, give it too formal an appearThe general character of Valley Lone

ance.

some is

gay and cheerful, notwithstanding its sequestered situation. Its upper end terminates in that wild tract, which, at length becoming a black naked moor, rises into the celebrated Leith-Hill, The ascent on this side is very gentle; and the elevation would scarcely be suspected, were it not for the very extensive prospect that bursts on the sight at the further extremity. A tower, now in a ruinous state, marks the spot most favorable for the view. The southern part of Surrey, and a vast reach into Kent and Sussex, particularly the latter county, bounded by the line of elevated downs, compose the field of this extensive prospect, which is rather striking from its extent alone, than from any peculiar beauty or singularity of the detached parts. A flat and tolerably wooded country reaches to the downs; which last afford a wavy horizon, broken in some places by gaps; through one of which the sea, near Shoreham, may in clear weather be discerned by the aid of a glass. In a line with Leith-hill are other high moors, stretching away to the western side. of Surrey. Returning from Leith-hill, a long and singular avenue of firs, planted in small clumps at regular distances, leads to the main valley we have left, by the back of the noble woods and plantations surrounding the seat of Sir Frederick Evelyn at Wotton. The seat itself is an ordinary

house, strangely placed in a bottom; but few mansions can boast of such an imposing accompaniment of lofty groves and thick woods, filling and characterising a large tract of land.

In order to bring our tour round Dorking within moderate compass, we will now take our course from Sir Frederick's straight to the chalky ridge we have so long left; and ascending it, proceed over Ranmer common to Denbeighs, the seat of Mr. Denison, impending over the town of Dorking, to which it affords one of its most conspicuous objects. This house was built by Mr. Tyers, first proprietor of Vauxhall, who transported to it many of the ideas of his public gardens, dark walks, temples, theatrical deceptions, ruins, monuments, and the like. These have been mostly removed, or suffered to go to decay; but there remains on one side of the house a fine green terrace, backed with trees; and on the other a close plantation of considerable extent, crowning the verge of the hill. Though taste has done much less for this place than for Norbury park, yet it may be questioned, whether its site be not equally advantageous, and the prospect it commands equally striking, with respect to variety and beauty. Almost all the places we have been describing lie within its view; to which may be added the town of Dorking, and all the lesser charms of the sub

jacent valley. Its descent to Dorking is very steep; and the road passes by some extensive chalk-pits, which are continually wrought, and furnish a lime in great esteem for its property of hardening under water.

It would be easy to enlarge the list of beautiful scenes in this neighbourhood, all within the reach of a morning's walk or ride, and affording a source of daily variety for several weeks. The purity of the air, the fragrance from an exuberance of aromatic plants and shrubs, the music from numberless birds, the choice of sheltered or open country, the liberty of wandering without obstacle or question through the most cultured scenes, and the perfect repose which reigns all around, unite to render this tract of country one of the most delightful to the contemplative man, and the most salutary to the invalid, that I have ever visited.

(D) p. 235.

BIOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT

OF

THE LATE DR. PULTENEY.

RICHARD PULTENEY, M.D. F.R.S. L. and E., was born in the year 1730 at Loughborough, in Leicestershire. His parents had thirteen children, of whom he alone arrived at the age of maturity. From early youth he was of a delicate habit, and supposed to be inclined to a consumption; and it was by means of rigid temperance, which he observed during his whole life, that he maintained himself in a tolerable state of health. He has recorded (in Mr. Nichols's History of Leicestershire) his obligations to his uncle, Mr. George Tomlinson, of Hathern, who possessed some property in that village, and adorned an obscure station with virtue and science. "Those (says Dr. Pulteney) who remember and intimately knew the subject of this memoir, will not, it is believed, judge it otherwise than impartial,