AND OBJECTS OF INTEREST DESCRIBED, DURING A VISIT TO THE ISLE OF WIGHT. DESIGNED TO ASSIST AND ENCOURAGE YOUNG PERSONS IN FORMING BY MRS. LOUDON, AUTHOR OF "BOTANY FOR LADIES," "YEAR BOOK OF NATURAL HISTORY," ETC. WITH ILLUSTRATIONS. LONDON: GRANT AND GRIFFITH, SUCCESSORS TO JOHN HARRIS, CORNER OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD. M.DCCC.XLIV. MARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY EDWARD PERCIVAL WEHBI14 Ј LONDON: Printed by S. & J. BENTLEY, WILSON, and FLEY, Bangor House, Shoe Lane PREFACE. ON the 21st of August, 1843, Mr. Loudon, my little daughter Agnes, and myself, set out, from Bayswater, to make the tour through the Isle of Wight which is recorded in the following pages. The principal object I have had in view, in writing down all we saw and heard during this excursion, is, to show how much may be observed and learnt while travelling, even through a well-known country and under ordinary circumstances; as, though I have added some little to what actually occurred, and omitted the an noyance we twice suffered from rain, I have related nothing but what might happen to any travellers in the island. I think it of the utmost importance to cultivate habits of observation in childhood; as a great deal of the happiness of life depends upon having our attention excited by what passes around us. I remember, when I was a child, reading a tale called "Eyes and No Eyes," which made a deep impression on my mind; and which has been the means of procuring me many sources of enjoyment during my passage through life. That little tale related to two boys, both of whom had been allowed half a day's holiday. The first boy went out to take a walk, and he saw a variety of objects that interested him; and from which he afterwards derived considerable instruction, when he talked about them with his tutor. |