Penarth Chronicle and District Advertiser

Marine Excursions. No. :3.-LYNMOIJTTI AND LYNTON. Some people are ever ready to find fault. The weatber is too hot or too cold; there is either too much rain or not rain enough. There was a time when people complained that the facilities for travel- ling were not adequate to meet the necessities of the public, but now the complaint is that on account of so many excursions by land and sea, people generally j are given over to pleasure. One writer has said 11 so much pleasure is ruining our young men and women, and in years to come, when they know more of the realities of life, when trials and afflictions overtake them, they will become paupers, and the more thrifty will have to keep them." This is a black picture, but the prediction, I feel sure, will never be realised. There can be no doubt that sea trips are health-giving and sufficiently invigorating to ward off attacks of sickness from which many of us, were we not so privileged, may be called upon to suffer. However, I am not goings to discuss the question further, but give a few particulars respecting a trip it was my privilege to take a few days ago. xhe sun had been shining brightly during the early hours of the morning, but as the time drew on for the Scotia to present herself at our Pier, the clouds gatnered, and looked rather threateningly upon us. A few minutes behind time we had embarked, and on 0 looking roune for a chair or stool I thought I might almost as well look for a needle in a hay rick. °At length I sighted one, which had evidently been hid; I drew it forth into the light of day, and the friend who accompamed me was seated. But one seat did not satisfy two persons. Soon after a gentleman who had been seated with his wife, near where I was standing, stood up and walked away. I laid hold of the stool, but his faithful spouse also laid her hand upon it, saying it was engaged. I was not, how- ever, to be refused, so I replied, When the gentle man requires it I will give it up." In a short. time I saw the good man had returned, and was standing by the partner of his joys and sorrows, whilst she was pointing to me and to the seat Yes, I said, "I have it, but I will give it up when you want it." Pie did not ask for it, and I did not relinquish my hold. Possession,' it is said is nine points of the law." I had, then, the nine points, and I cared very little about the other one. Whilst all this had b?en going on. the boat had also been going on, and was facing Barry. My com- panion for the day now pulled out an opera glass. Of course it was a real beauty. By its aid one could see to the bottom of the .sea, had the water been shallow and clear enough. In a previous article I noted the places of interest on the way to Ilfracombe, so that my readers will csuppos that the steamer has come to a stand still" at Lynmouth. There are nearly a hundred passen- gers to disembark. The small boats come one by one alongside, and we get into them. Huge waves toss them about almost as though they were corks. Some of the passengers are alarmed, and one or two become almost as white as sheets- One poor woman vows to her husband that he shall never get her in one of these boats again, and the boatmen appear amused as they pull for the shore. After a few minutes we are once more on terra firma. Our time will be short so we have to make all the hasre we can. We proceed at once to the Lyn- dale Hotel for Luncheon, and trom thence make our way to Glen Lyn. This, until ^recently, was the seat of the lale W. K. Riddell, Esq. 5 and is open to the public daily. The grounds are remarkable for rich foliage, abun- dance of wild flowers, and the fairy-like cascades of the "W est Lyn rivulet. These make up a continuity of charming pictures that alone would justify Gains- borough s description of Lynmouth as "the most delightful place for a landscape painter this country can boast. Romantic nooks and enticing pathways zil y abound, and the "Horse Shoe," "Seven Falls," Faiiy Glen," and Top Waterfall," are spots which will awaken the enthusiasm of the most stolid visitor. We climb to the top of one of the banks thinking to have a quiet rest and read I draw from my pocket a copy of the "South Wales Daily Nevvs." and! glance at a few of the headings of the different pars, but I can do no more. At length I drop the paper and give myself up entirely to viewing the wonderful works of nature with which we are surrounded. No tongue can tell, nor pen describe, nor artist picture the beauties of the place. As I look at those falls, I think of the poem, « The Cataract of Ladore," and I am lost in wonder and admiration And then to make the picture more enchanting, there is to be seen here and there, loving couples, some tripping lightly •Ion* Wo OP three walking steadily with their arms eDCirchng each other, whilst SOtne are occupying the quiet nooks which abound in this glen. W cannot hear the soft love-words uttered, they are doubtless too sacred for the public ear, but we cnn hear the rippling laughter of children as thev play with the rushing torrent, and run along by its side. It all helps to fill one's cup to overflowing, and to ask the question, Who can deny the existence of a loving God. a Supreme Power ?'' But there are other places of interest to be visited. Equally fascinating and enjoyable, they say, is the exploration of the East Lyn, where also A wild stream, with hehdlong shock Comes brawling down its bed of rock, To mingle with the main." 2n But time will not allow us to visit it We make our way to the Rock Railway) which was projected by Mr Geo. Newnes, of Tit-Bits fame. By means of this railway we are taken to Lynton, and again we feast upon sights which draw forth the exclamation How good God is! Our time has gone. In less than another half-hour our boat is due. We descend again by means of the Rock Railway, and at once make for the boats which are to convey us to our steamer. We pass through the old tower which was erected by General Rawdon, and which is supposed to be a copy of the one on the Rhine. Whilst we are standing waiting patiently our turn, we learn from a gentleman present that he has made geology his study, and he has no hesitation in saying that the stones on which we are standing are hard to the feet. We now get in the small boats, and the men pull for dear life. The waves roll high, and I notice that certain lovers have their arms round each other, as though determined, if the worst comes to the worst, to perish together. Again the good woman, who in the morning had bestowed her blessing on her husband for inducing her to risk her life in such a small boat. is frightened almost out of her wits but all's well that ends well. We get safely on board, then the patient husband says, Now we are on land again, I'll get you a cup of tea." This, I suppose, was a kind of peace offering. The gallant Scotia is now riding o'er the waves. We have a very pleasant trip home, and not unmind- ful of the blessings we have enjoyod during the day, we arrive at Penarth. where are crowds of excursion- ists waiting the boat for the channel cruise.