BOOK III.

THE

HE VICINITY of Scarborough is agreeably diversified with hills and dales, exhibiting a variety of romantic prospects. To the north, vast tracts of elevated Moors raise their bleak and barren summits, forming a striking contrast with the more agreeable scenes of the cultivated country westward. To the south, the Wold-hills present an extensive line of boundary. The land is divided into small inclosures, with a greater proportion of pasturage than tillage, and the soil is much varied. It abounds with limestone, some thin strata of coal, and clay sufficient for the manufactory of bricks; but it is extremely naked of wood, and the few trees which are seen are scattered in the hedgerows. A considerable portion of the division situated in the vale at the foot of the Wolds, extending along the rivers Hartford and Derwent from Filey to Malton, is flat,

* Great improvements have lately been made in the vicinity, by the inclosure of Seamer-Moor, Falsgrave-Moor, and Weapon-ness. These lands, which were formerly waste and unproductive, are now in a good state of cultivation.

and, previously to the late extensive drainage, was frequently flooded by these waters, The Derwent *, which has it's source in the moors between Scarborough and Whitby, about two miles north-west of the half-way house, meanders southward by Hackness, to Ayton, and thence flowing westward with an almost imperceptible current to Malton, where it is made navigable, at length forms a junction with the Ouse near Barmby. The Hartford rises near Filey, and passing westward along the vale, unites it's stream with the Derwent near Willerby.

The Country in the neighbourhood of Scarborough is but little known to the transient visitors in the Spawseason; and some have been led to suppose, that there is no variety of agreeable Rides to induce excursions. But this is a mistaken opinion, proceeding from the want of proper information. The Rides are pleasant and various, and those who have ascended the summit of Weapon-ness or Mount Oliver, since the late inclosure in 1797, will not think that in grandeur of prospect it can easily be exceeded. The roads are judiciously laid out, and intersect each other in the most convenient manner. The ascents are gradual, seldom exceeding a rise of seven feet in a hundred, so that in a few minutes the traveller is conveyed by a good road, thirty feet wide, to a delightful terrace elevated six hundred feet above the level of the sea. Hence there is a view of the Ocean (bounded only by the horizon), the Coast, the Castle-hill, the Town, the Harbour, and extensive Piers. To the westward, the Vale of Pickering, and a vast extent of country, in all it's charming diversity of landscape, exhibit scenes of a very picturesque nature. As a Ride it possesses every thing desirable; and

This river forms, with a very slight exception, the northern boundary of the East-Riding of York.

the coolness and freshness of the air, at such an elevation, give a sense of lightness and comfort not easily described. From this eminence,

WALSGRAVE, OR FALSGRAVE*,

one mile west of Scarborough, is prominently conspicuous. This village is certainly of great antiquity, and, previously to the conquest (1066), was part of the demesne of Tosti Count of Northumberland. It's soke or jurisdiction was then very extensive t. In the 40th year of Henry III., it was disafforested, and fully annexed to the liberties of Scarborough. An adjacent Common or Moor, belonging to it, was inclosed in the year 1774; and a fine stream of water‡ has recently been conveyed to the town from a neighbouring spring. The village has a decent appearance, and has received several improvements by the judicious application of a small revenue,

In the parish of Scarborough.

See extract from Doomsday-Book, pp. 31-3?.

The water is conveyed in the channels of hollowed stones, which have been lined with tarras, to prevent the growth of weeds.

§ Mr. John Peirson, a resident of Walsgrave, suggested the plan of conveying the water, and some other useful improvements.

1

SECTION I.

FILEY, FLAMBOROUGH, &c.

FILEY,

a small fishing-town, eight miles south of Scarborough, stands boldly elevated upon the banks and nearly in the centre of a beautiful and spacious bay, where might be formed an excellent harbour. It is singularly placed in both the North and East-Ridings of Yorkshire, the church being in the former, and the town in the latter district. The bay is terminated on the South by the promontory of Flamborough-head, and on the North by an extraordinary ridge or mole of rocks called Filey-bridge*, which projects a quarter of a mile into the sea, and contributes greatly to the protection of the bay in tempestuous weather. At high water the rocks are overflowed; but when the tide is low, they may be traversed to their extremity, and afford thence noble views of Flamborough-head and Scarborough-castle. The shore is circular, and the sands, to the extent of nearly three miles, are esteemed the finest on this part of the coast. The Cliffs to the eastward are lofty, and curiously indented, resembling the spires of a cathedral; but to the westward they decline considerably in elevation, until they join those at Speeton, where they rise precipitously, and exhibit their chalky masses in many singular shapes as far as Flamborough-head.

*Bearing from Flamborough-head N.N.W., distance eight miles.