THE MIRROR
OF
LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION.
| Vol. 14. No. 390.] | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1829 | [PRICE 2d. |
CLIFTON.
Clifton is the Montpellier of England, and is associated withall that is delightful in nature: of this, the Engraving before usis a true picture, whether we contemplate the winding Avon; thesublime beauty of its rocks—
Clifton's airy rocks,
(as Mr. Bowles poetically calls them), the picturesque sceneryof the opposite shore; or the abodes of cottage comforts whichcluster into a rural village beside the cliff till the eye reachesa splendid range of crescents and terraces which art has reared onthe stupendous brow above.
Clifton is situated on the south and west of the cliff, or hill,(whence its name), one mile westward of the city of Bristol, overgreat part of which it commands a very pleasing prospect, as alsoof the ships that, on the flood and ebb tides, sail up and down theAvon. From the opposite shore the richly cultivated lands ofSomersetshire present themselves in a very beautiful landscape,rising gradually four or five miles from the verge of the river tothe top of Dundry Hill, whereon is a high tower, esteemed theProteus of the weather, as being commonly enveloped with mist, soas scarcely to be visible, against rain; but, on the contrary, ifit be seen clear and distinct in the morning, it denotes theapproach of a fine day.
The salubrious situation of Clifton has long since attracted thewealthy. Hence, the hill is nearly covered with superb buildings,(for which the freestone of the country affords peculiarfacilities), till the village has almost become an elegant city.The Downs are covered with verdure all the year, and the turfabounds with aromatic plants, growing wild, which are not to be metwith elsewhere in England. Here are also discernible ancientfortifications and intrenchments; and coins of the later Romanemperors have frequently been found about the camp; there are other[pg178] military works opposite, on the Somersetshire side ofthe Avon. Besides the above remains, on Clifton Downs, is an oldtower with a brick floor, but without any roof. (See theEngraving.) From three open spaces, formerly doors, areexquisite views: in front an extensive prospect of Gloucestershire;on the right, part of Clifton, and in the background Dundry Hill;and on the left, King's Road, with the ships at anchor, the BristolChannel, and the mountains of South Wales. At the end of the Downsstands the mansion of Sir William Draper, once so conspicuous inthe public mind from the severe chastisement he received fromJunius. To the left is an expensive monument erected by SirWilliam, who was colonel of the 79th regiment, to the memory of hissoldiers who fell in the East Indies, in 1768; and to the right isa pillared tribute to the patriotic Earl of Chatham, with a briefLatin inscription by Sir William Draper.
Our view of Clifton is from the Ferry, and is from an effectivelithograph, of very recent date.
Added to the charms of the romantic scenery of Clif