-and as some reasons may be expected for my thus openly stating a preference to the air of Southport, to that of other watering places, in this, and other diseases, I will give what to me appears a sufficient ground for that preference, founded as it is upon the experience of thirty-three years.

The coast at and near Southport has no substratum of clay, but is all sand to an indefinite depth, and is therefore remarkably absorbent, thereby preventing stagnation or any noxious exhalation. This is evident from the quickness with which rain disappears after falling even copiously, and though after long rain in winter, water lies in pools, it is as clear as chrystal, for there is nothing to become mud, a very thin sod only lying underneath it. It is to this cause alone that the writer attributes the extreme salubrity of the air which must necessarily be pure, clear and dry. Good water, also, is plentiful here at all times, and is free from the slightest degree of brackishness though on the edge of the sea. It is considered by some to be slightly diuretic which rather adds to its healthy quality, in fact, it is so filtered through the immense body of sand, that it cannot be otherwise than pure.

Now, though the sand may a little incommode the visitors in very dry or windy weather, it must be owned that to it, in connection with its near vicinity to an open western sea, which gives it the advantage of the soft breeze from thence, is mainly owing the uncommon salubrity of the place. The late eminent physician Dr. Brandreth of Liverpool, styled it "the Montpelier of England." Mr. Allanson also, a highly esteemed surgeon, formerly of the same town, gave it the highest praise, and during his life advised many to repair to Southport for the recovery of their health. The testimony of two such eminent men, who both wrote on the same subject, and who could not possibly have any other motives than the recovery of their patients, ought to weigh very considerably, with every body, in its favour.

To children, the objects of our unceasing care and affection, no place of the kind offers similar advantages—it is always clean, always safe, always healthy. Sand will not soil them in their gambols, or injure them in their falls.

A winter residence at Southport has also been found uncommonly efficacious, in many cases of late years, in the recovery of weakly children, in a degree far beyond what has been ever experienced at other similar places. The writer of this, out of tenderness to his children, and fearing the approach of the winter blast on their delicate frames, always had them home in winter. Upon their return, however, to a large town, they soon lost all they had gained, and became even worse ;-some did not live to revisit the place they had so much delighted in, but were cut off by consumption. At length he determined to try the effects of a winter, and staid there with one who had for many years been weakly.— The effect was astonishing, he recovered health, strength and vigour, and is at this time an active, hearty man. This induced him to recommend the same mode to others, and he has the satisfaction of knowing that whenever he prevailed, it was with uniform success. This fact is now become generally better known, yet by no means so much so as it ought to be, for the good of the community. It is with much pleasure we observe that several highly respectable schools are already commenced and in progress there.

Many parents may possibly exclaim at the idea of having their children near the sea in the depth of winter, not considering that they breathe a softer air there than in either Manchester or Liverpool, as may be easily proved by consulting a thermometer at either of the above places, and at Southport, every day in the year;-when, if a register were kept, the mildness of the temperature would be found much in favour of the latter place.

To enumerate the complaints, which may be remedied or benefited by the air of Southport, would be to make a catalogue of nearly all the diseases to which the Human frame is liable.

-In short, whatever disease indicates the necessity or expediency of a good dry air, is certain of being benefited by a residence here, and the longer that residence is continued, the better for the patient.-Liver complaints, stubborn as they are, are much mollified and relieved here, and the Goitier has been entirely removed in a young person by a winter's residence. Now as this complaint is known often to arise from drinking badly impregnated water, this speaks well for both the water and air of the place; both of which, from the causes above mentioned, viz. the presence of sea sand, broad, wide and deep, and the total absence of clay, or marl, which hold impurities and convey them to the taste and touch, must be of the purest quality-and the writer feels convinced that the strictest investigation as to the nature and causes of the water and air of Southport will bear him out in his remarks, which result not from any fanciful theory, but from continued observations during his occasional residence on this coast for more than thirty-three years."

Flowers.

"JAMES NEVILL."

It is impossible to walk out, in any direction, during the summer months, without being struck with the amazing number of beautiful plants in flower, some of which are found only near the sea shore. These are the marine plants, which cannot fail to attract peculiar notice, their foliage being so different from that of vegetables growing in more inland situations.

Firmly rooted in its sandy bed, the Star, or Sea-reed first presents itself, opposing its prickly pointed leaves to every step. The Rest-harrow next claims particular mention. Immense patches of this, with beautiful pink papilionaceous blossoms, spread in luxuriancy a velvet flowery carpet, and the picture is considerably heightened by the little yellow Stonecrop intermingling its brilliant bloom; whilst the SeaSpurge towers with its pea-green foliage and inflorescence above both the others. The Sea-Holly, is here and there

observable, emerging from the sand, and offering a contrast

Cranesbill, or Herb Robert,
The Sea-Kale is not found

to the creeping foliage of the which flourishes in abundance. here wild, but its absence is made up by the Sea-Rocket, which is rather plentiful. The Creeping Trefoil, grows in luxuriance, bespangled with the nodding Bell-flower and the blooming Scarlet Pimpernel. Its modest companion the little Bog Pimpernel, grows luxuriantly where it is moist. Amidst these the little Milkwort erects its head, interspersed here and there; whilst the Self-Heal is more frequently met with. The brilliant blooming Centaury unfolding its blossoms to the Sun, and closing them during his absence, rises with beauty, and adds a richness to the whole. Here also is found the Yellow Centaury with its delicate green stem, equally refusing to expand its blossom when the great orb of Heaven retires. But who can describe the exquisite delicacy of the Grass of Parnassus, with its modest white petal beautifully penciled with streaks of yellow. This grows luxuriantly. Houndstongue is found in abundance, its dark red flowers contrasting with the azure petals of the small Bugloss. In the ditches are the Great water Scorpion-grass, the Long-leaved Brooklime, and the savoury Water-cress. Here also we observe the Prickly Salt-wort, the Black Salt-wort, and the Spreading Halberd-leaved Orache. The beautifully flowering Buckbean, and the modest Brookweed, adorn the enclosed Rabbit warren. The largest specimens I ever saw of the common Mare's-tail, are here met with, accompanied by the gaudy

The Salsola Kali-Prickly Saltwort-which grows on the sea-coast is said to be endowed with the property of decomposing sea-salt, and that by some process of vegetation it separates the muriatic acid, and absorbs the soda. Hence it acquired the name of Saltwort. This plant is collected by the Spaniards with great care, and burnt for the manufacture of BARILLA, in which there is a considerable traffic. Most of the peasantry in the Shetland Isles, and the Highlands of Scotland, are supported by collecting sea-weeds, and burning them into KELP, a valuable article of commerce, very much used in this county, and in Scotland, in the manufacture of Crown, or Window-glass.

coloured Marsh Marigold and the dusky blooming Marsh Mouse-wort. The Marsh Milky Parsley is not common, but the Bur-reed is quite so. The beautiful Early purpled Orchis, towering Purple Loose-strife, the gaudy Cocks-comb, and Ragged Robin, adorn the banks of the ditches and meadows, whilst the petals of the Yellow Iris or Water Flower-de-luce, wave like banners above all of them. The Yellow Viscid Bartsia, claims particular notice as being more uncommon, and the destructive Henbane, is fortunately still more rare. The little Eyebright, is common here, the Bush Vetch, the Silky Sand Willow, and Prostrate Dwarf Willow still

more so.

"o'er

Such is SOUTHPORT. True, it does not possess hanging woods" or "shady groves," but, there is a sublimity in the wildness of its scenery, capable of exciting the strongest emotions. Nor, can I forget those I experienced, on witnessing the effect produced by the setting Sun. The glowing orb majestically descending to its watery bed, infused a warmth and splendour all around. Old ocean caught the resplendent beams and reflected them in an undulating golden line to our feet:

"Jam sol emoriens tremulo languescit in auro."

All above exhibited an amazing concave tinged with gold and crimson colouring, whilst shadowy discs fancifully danced in the expanded hemisphere. At length, the mildly glittering luminary, retiring by degrees from our sight, left us full of admiration.