The scenery around is of the most delightful character, the sands or common have been successfully brought into cultivation, and where formerly but few buildings appeared numerous houses have been erected, which bespeak the efforts of the humble classes to attain respectability and comfort; while the tillage constantly going on gives great animation to the scene. The country around is everywhere well wooded to the north, and may with propriety be termed a panorama, reaching to the vicinity of Bath. From hence and on the downs report states that when the atmosphere is clear, and with the aid of good glasses, the Welsh mountains may be descried. A good eye will be able to discover Lansdown and the Beckford monument, Stourton Tower, and the spire of Salisbury Cathedral. The most favourable points of observation are the downs on the top of Lavington hill, Wroughton’s Folly, and Ledgehill, on the road to Bath and Devizes, there are a few spots possessing a romantic feature, exhibiting as they do high walls of strata surmounted with tall waving foliage. Here the lover and copyist of nature might revel in perfect delight, and gather many a sketch for his portfolio. About some 25 years ago the approaches were everywhere impeded by toll-gates, the heavy expenses thereby entailed upon the farmer and gentry led to vigorous efforts for their removal by liberal contributions to a fund for this purpose, they were bought up, and in one day no less than twelve of these impediments were destroyed. The event is annually commemorated by a public dinner at the chief inn and a bonfire in the evening. There are two or three clubs for the assistance of members in a time of sickness, to afford means of burial, and also to furnish clothing. SECTION III. Past religious state—Feeble instrumentality of its reformation—DAVID SAUNDERS, the pious Shepherd of Salisbury Plain—His early life—Correction of error in former narratives.