The Season at Torquay.

Torquay, « the Italy of England », as Ruskin justly calls it - for its climate is one of almost Italian softness - certainly has one of the most equable climes in England, and as Sir James Clarke writes, is almost entirely free from fogs. Nature and art have been most prodigal in their gifts, and the sloping hills are studded with charming villas, whose luxuriant gardens are filles with rare exotic plants, which flourished as in their native climes and soils.

The cheerful aspect of Torquay impresses the visitor at first sight, and has a most beneficial influence on the health and spirits. Its charming and diversified scenery, its cooling sea breezes, and vast amount of rich shading foliage, render it a very delightful summer resort. Tennyson, many years ago, designated it « The most lovely sea village in England » (the population is now nearly 30 000), and even so long ago as 1815, when Torquay was in its infancy, Napoleon Buonaparte, on arriving in this placid bay, enthusiastically exclaimed « What a beautiful country ! How much it resembles Porto Ferrajo in Elba ! ». It is the chosen health resort of Royalty. Guided by that memorable exclamation of his uncle, the late Emperor Louis Napoleon went there a few years ago for the winter. Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales derived much benefit from the health-restoring properties of the climate, during her long visit last spring.

Within the last few years a sum of nearly £200 000 has been expended to insure good water and perfect drainage. It is to its climatic advantages that Torquay owes its rapid rise. Dickens describes Torquay as being made up of Hastings, Tunbridge Wells, and Naples. In 1801 there were 838 inhabitant and 143 houses; in 1881, 24 760 inhabitant and 3576 houses. Fabulous as this advance seems, Torquay is still increasing. The far-famed pretty village of Cockington, whose lanes are rich with ferns and flowers, is rapidly becoming Torquay’s favourite suburb, and where six years ago there were half-a-dozen residences, there are now hundreds, which are bought or taken as soon as built by the lovers of pure country air and the open sea. The cool summers and mild winter are attributed to the equable temperature of the sea. In the winter months the mean temperature of Torquay is above 46 degrees, and in summer it is only 61 degrees. Cockington is open to the cooling breezes from the open sea and the invigorating mountain air off the Dartmoor hills. A beautiful hotel, « The Western », has been erected in the village on a charming spot close to the beach and the Torquay railway station, and amongst the latest visitors there may be mentioned the Princess Louise and Marquis of Lorne.