The Tamar, one of the most considerable rivers in the west of England, rises in a moor near Marvingtow, the most northern part of the county of Cornwall : It pursues nearly a southerly course, by Tamerton, to the vicinity of Launceston ; at a small distance from which, its current is increased by the small river Ottery. After their junction, it inclines to the east, till it unites with the Lyd and the Tavy. It now resumes its south direc tion, and, uniting with Lynher creek, and continually in creasing in importance as it winds along, it forms, be tween Plymouth Dock and Saltash, the spacious basin called Hamoaze, or Plymouth Harbour, which has been already described. Its course, though short, is in many parts very striking ; about Launceston, its banks are finely fringed with wood; while lower down it receives the character of grandeur, from the numerous large vessels with which its broad curving branches are crowded.
None of the rivers in the south of England so strong ly resemble the bold character of the rivers of the north of England and of Scotland, as the Dart. It rises in the mountainous district of Dartmoor, and first de scends southward, and then inclines considerably to the east before it leaves that part of the country. After wards its winding course is to the south-east, as it passes Totness, and falls into the sea between Dartmouth and Kingsweare. It is particularly distinguished for its ra pidity; and this character it retains even after it leaves those mountains which inclose its source. When it de scends into the rich plains of the southern part of De vonshire, its character is changed; and a little to the west of Ashburnham, it forms a charming valley, through which it flows in a placid stream. At Totness it is joined by the tide, when its character again changes; now exhibiting, in a striking union, its original boldness and its subsequent beauty, rolling, in a majestic stream, between hills covered with vegetation, woods, and vil lages, disclosing new beauties at every curve, and pre senting a grand object to the adjacent country, varied perpetually both in its form and attendant features. Nearer its mouth, the hills that inclose its channel be come more lofty, while the river, winding between their wooded and rocky bases, passes the hamlet of Kings weare on its eastern, and the irregular town of Dart mouth on its western bank.
The Exe calls for our notice, more on account of its beauties, than on account of the length of its course, or its importance. It rises in the hills of Exmoor, and at first inclines to the south-east; but afterwards entering a deep valley, it flows southward, with a little bending to the west, to Exeter. From this city, its course is
rather to the east of the South, as it forms a grand es tuary to Exmouth, where it meets the sea. The most striking circumstance attending the course of this river, is the sudden change of character which it undergoes, from a furious torrent to a placid rivulet, as it descends from its mountainous origin into verdant meadows. This striking change of feature takes place, when it forces itself a passage through the wild hills near Minehead, into a valley, whose sides are richly clothed with wood ; but the valley through which it flows does not become expanded till the Exe is joined by the Culm. From their junction, it flows through a district of un common richness and beauty.
None of the rivers of Dorsetshire present any cir cumstance which calls for notice: their course is not long, nor is the country through which they flow dis tinguished either for much beauty or fertility. We shall, therefore, pass on to the consideration of the Hamp shire and Wiltshire Avon. This river springs from three sources ; one near Marlborough, and the two others between Marlborough and the Devizes. After these branches unite, the Avon flows to the South, forming a valley between Marlborough Downs and Sa lisbury plain. It passes by .Amesbury, and under Old Sarum, to Salisbury. On one side of this city it is joined by the Willey, and on the other by the Bourne. After this junction, the Avon continues to flow in a southward direction, through a part of the New Forest, by Ringwood, till the Stour meets it at Christ Church, when it falls into the English Channel. By the aid of the tide, large ships go up to Christ Church ; and a few miles above this place the navigation by locks com mences, which continues to the vicinity of Salisbury. From this description of its course, it will be seen, that the country through which it flows is generally desti tute of beauty, and not remarkable for its fertility; but the Avon attracts our notice, from the wonderful rem nants of antiquity, to which, if we follow the course of its stream, we shall be conducted. Stonehenge, Ames bury, Harridon Hill, Gainsborough Castle, and Old Sarum, are among the most striking and celebrated of these remains. As this river, however, approaches the New Forest, it has claims on the admiration of the man of taste. The country now becomes delightfully wood ed, the river forming a vale, with the forest on one side, and various gentlemen's seats on the other; below Ring wood it loses this interesting character, and a sandy level succeeds, which accompanies it nearly to its mouth.