A COAST PATH ROUND ENGLAND.
[To Vas Eames or nes A•ersomeros."]
Sna,—In your article of April 4th on a cliff path round England you sound a note of warning that the undertaking should not be too long delayed, and this is very applicable to Hengistbury, sometimes called Christchurch Head. By the courtesy of Sir George Meyrick, the public of Bourne- mouth and neighbourhood is allowed the enjoyMent Of the cliff path, which extends for two miles or more through his property to the extremity of the Head, from which fine views may be obtained of Bournemouth Bay, with Swanage to the west and the Needles with the southern coast of the Isle of Wight to the east; while, on the landward side, the eye passes over the estuary of the rivers Stour and Avon, with Christchurch Priory standing up before the parting of the waters, to Mudeford and Higholiff with the New Forest beyond, a most varied and extensive prospect and one hard to beat on the South Coast. The air is most invigorating, as has been discovered by the doctors, who now send their patients who require More bracing to Sonthbottrrte. There is grave danger of the path being closed, as syndicates have attempted from time to time to secure the headland. for golf links and building purposes; the latest having just failed- to carry oat its undertakings owing to the high price asked for the land and want of capital. Hengistbury is of great interest to the archaeologist, a stronghold on the headland is an ancient Roman camp, while the Head itself was a stronghold in Saxon times. Its history is now appearing in Mrs. Arthur Bell's limns Harbour to Harbour, with illustrations by Mr. Bell, R.L The Head is still the abode of wildfowl and other birds, and it was from here that Mr. Hart, the famous ornithologist of Christchurch, studied the habits of birds, and obtained so many of the specimens for his museum. I therefore beg to draw this interesting spot to your notice, as I have read with pleasure your advocacy for the keeping open and preservation of like open spaces from the bands of the destroyer. The National Trust has done mich good work. Can it not inquire into this problem
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