a very costly and magnificent manner, most elaborately painted and gilt, and with statuary marble chimney pieces. Having, however, been suffered to go to decay, it underwent a few years since a complete repair, when it was divested of all its ornaments and beauty, and finished more plainly and substantially.

By the kindness of the Duke of Richmond, Cairney Seat is placed at the disposal of the public, and throughout the summer it is much resorted to by the inhabitants of Chichester in pleasure parties. Attendance is provided; and the precaution of securing a ticket for the day, which may be obtained of the Steward at Goodwood, will always provide against disappointment.

Under the portico at the entrance to the banqueting room was the horoscope, or configuration of the Planets at the birth of the second Duke of Richmond on the 18th May, 1701.

Within the shrubbery is a shell grotto of exquisite workmanship, which owes its origin to the taste and perseverance of Sarah, second Duchess of Richmond and her daughters. It is paved with black and white marble, and horses' teeth. Its length, including an alcove is fifteen feet, six inches, and the breadth ten feet, six inches. Its height from the floor to the crown of the arch which forms the ceiling is upwards of eleven feet.

The greatest care and order have been displayed in the disposition of the numerous varieties of shells into com

partments and devices; in the recess are niches fitted with mirrors, over and around which are vases and cornucopias of flowers, all of shell work. The wood-work of one portion of the arch has unfortunately fallen, leaving a blank space, which much deteriorates from its general effect.

THE SHELL HOUSE.

Did some enchanter wave his potent wand,

This beauteous grot to rear by magic spell?

Or hath some wonder-working fairy band

The fabric raised where fitly they might dwell?

Alas! the silent workings of decay,

Too visible in all around, proclaim

The work of human hands long pass'd away:
But by this fair creation known to fame.
Here day by day the Noble Fair Ones plied

And saw their work to full perfection grow
With gladden'd eyes---and haply never sighed

To think that Time so soon might overthrow
Their well-wrought task---but Wisdom truly cries;
"They build too low who build beneath the skies."

CHARLES Crocker.

ST. ROCHE'S HILL,

Trundle or Encampment-Barrows-Tumuli-British Villages.

From the contemplation of these scenes, embellished by all the skill and resources of men in the highest state of civilization, we turn to a subject no less replete with interest-their state when tenanted by the early inhabitants of this Island in ages, long gone bye.

The indifferent observer might wander over these extensive Downs, nor meet with any object, which would attract his slightest notice: but to the enquiring mind, there is not an inequality on the surface-there is not a hollow, or an elevation which breaks its even roundness-nay, not even a mole-hill, but may convey unquestionable proof of the existence of a numerous people whose habits and condition, the evidence afforded in these earth-works, assists very materially to illustrate.*

* In traversing these extensive Downs, our attention is continually arrested by the works of the ancient Britons, strong fortresses, circles,