Sidmouth Devon (1825)

Daniell, William. A voyage round Great Britain, undertaken in the summer of the year 1813 and commencing from the Land's-End, Cornwall. London: Longman & Co and W. Daniell, 1825. Vol. VIII. p. 10.[…] on Thursday, Sept. 19th, the journey was continued westward along a very interesting range of coast to SIDMOUTH HARBOUR, represented in the next view. This watering-place, which has been much improved of late years, by the addition of many new and elegant residences, is much frequented by the inhabitants of Exeter, from which city it is distant only fifteen miles. It has no very eminent advantages for sea-bathing, but the air is reputed to be as mild and salubrious as that of Italy, and therefore favourable for invalids who are subject to disorders of the lungs. For the recreation of visitants, there are a ball-room at the principal inn, and a billiard-room on the beach; two circulating libraries, furnished with fresh novels for the season, as well as a daily supply of lighter fare for those who with Dr. Johnson are disposed to wonder how any man can exist without a newspaper; and a number of brilliant shops, possessing irresistible claims on the attention of such persons as may be curious to ascertain the extent to which human ingenuity can multiply the small sum of our necessities. Independently of these artificial attractions, Sidmouth possesses a great variety of those natural charms, without which a summer retreat of this kind is at best but endurable. The situation of the town is interesting, the country around it is abundantly clothed with trees of the finest growth, and presents, in diversified modes of composition, the three main elements of the picturesque-rock, wood, and water. From the two hills seen in the drawing, the one called Peak Hill, and the other High Peak, the view, looking down towards the town, is as rich as a scene of this kind can possibly be. The high cliffs, extending eastward and westward, are composed of sandstone tinged with red oxyde of iron, and partly calcareous: at their base extends a broad beach of pebbles, over which the waves of a heavy sea break very majestically. The finely wooded hills in the neighbourhood, so different from those open downs which, in some parts of the south coast, offer to the sea-bather only the contrast of "a dry desert with a wet one," enable him to vary his excursions daily with renewed interest, and present almost at every turn a change of scene. From the gratification afforded by these advantages, the only drawback that exists is scarcely worth mentioning: indeed the lover of nature ought to rejoice rather than grieve at finding that here, as in other maritime parts of the country, the Devonshire roads are sufficiently steep to ensure him the benefits of exercise, in addition to the pleasure of the prospect. From Sidmouth the journey was continued to Exmouth, and it must be confessed that the penance of travelling along these roads was rendered lightsome by the sight of the beautifully varied country through which they led.[Text may be taken from a different source or edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]

Aquatint

167x241mm

S40. DANIELL William (text by AYTON, Richard): A VOYAGE
ROUND GREAT BRITAIN UNDERTAKEN IN THE SUMMER OF THE YEAR 1813 AND COMMENCING FROM THE LAND'S END, CORNWALL.

As in year 1813