Holiday Haunts.—Torquay.

quite in keeping with the loveliness of the surrounding scenery , whilst the cadences of soft , unseen music beat in sympathy with the gurgling of the waves ai they plash geutly on the rocks just underneath your feet , aa you stand upon the balcony and gaze upon the bewitchingly beautiful scene before you . To draw comparisons

between the cuisine at the " Imperial" and our more familiar Holborn Restaurant , or any of the great feeding-places of the metropolis , would be absurd . It is sufficient to note that , whilst the staff under the constant personal superintendence of Bro . and Mrs . Hussey are selected from amongst the pick of their respective

professions , not the minutest detail is allowed to escape observation which can in any way conduce to the comfort and enjoyment of those who select the " Imperial" as their place of sojourning . With a full knowlege of the completeness of the arrangements in that establishment , combined with reasonable tariff , we are enabled confidently to

recommend auy of our friends who purpose having a look at the most beautiful of English watering-places to spend a portion of their time , at least , at the "Imperial . " With these reflections , and under the soothing influences of an excellent dinner , and a bottle of good wine , we wandered away down

the hill to the pier-head , where enthusiastic anglers were busy with rod and line , trying perseveringly , and not without success , to hook Email whiting and pollack , a fry of which we were assured are very " sweet" eating . The Pier is not much of a promenade , and is seldom used as a fashionable walk ; the only time at which it is

populous being when the resident inhabitants leave church or chapel on Sunday evenings , and seek appetite for supper by a stroll along the sea wall . Splendidly-appointed yachts ride at their moorings within the harbour , their owners , no doubt , paying " calls" upon

aristocratic acquaintances , or lounging at the Club , or indulging in smart , physical exercises at the Racquet Court . There was a gentle ripple on the water , and beneath the fanning breeze pleasureboats slanted gracefully as they plashed merrily over the wavelets , with a " feather" at their bows . At the extreme end of the Pier

was a steam launoh , piping op for passengers ; and , tempted by the glorious weather and prospects of a pleasant trip , we embarked on board this trim-built wherry for Paignton , lying snugly at the foot of a range of hills on the other side of the Bay . As the " Queen of Watering-places" receded in the distance—like as one looking

through a telescope reversed—the picture suggested a parterre of white forget-me-nots embedded in a setting of deep green moss , the villas rearing above each other in tiers , each in its own luxuriant shrubbery . In a quarter of an hour or so the two and a-half miles voyage which intersects the lovely Bay is over , and we heave

gently alongside the promenade pier which , with its handsome pavilion , stands out some 750 feet from one of the finest aud most extensive esplanades in the kingdom . The growth of Paignton , and its increasing popularity as a sea-side resort , are astonishing to those who knew it a quarter of a century ago . There is no marked

improvement in the " town" itself , albeit they Bay there is a " tidy little bit o' trade " done by the old-fashioned and steady-going shopkeepers , many of whose family names have been handed down for generations . But iu the outskirts a perfect transformation scene has taken place . The Green , erstwhile an unkempt and shaggy piece of waste , fring .

mg the marshes and the osier beds between the town and the sea , has been converted from a howling wilderness into a select and dignified park , whilst the fame of Paignton Sands as a safe bathing , place , and the salubrity of the climate of the neighbourhood , are spoken of far and wide .

The Green , which has been placed under the control of the Local Board in trust for ever as a recreation ground , is faced by an esplanade , presenting a boldness and extent of marine frontage which may well excite the envy of rival sea-side resorts . Around it have sprung up , with almost mushroom-like rapidity , handsome villas and

terraces of houses , which tell of a growing popular favour in behalf of Paignton as a place of residence ; whilst on the hillsides and nearer the town building operations are in full swing , testifying to the gradual development of what is to become one of the most favourite spots along the whole line of the British coast .

What a breadth and beauty of natural loveliness stretches out beneath the gaze as we sit under the shadow of the Pavilion , whence comes music stealing the whole day long . Throwing its arms wide apart on either side is the lovely Bay , and along the horizon formed by the English Channel big ships travel over the trackless pathway

of the sea , bound for distant shores , or returning laden with the products of sunny isles and warmer climes . At the southern extremity of the Bay stand the frowning cliffs of Berry Head , onceaccording to the chroniclers—a Roman camp , and more recently a garrison , when Devonshire folk were in a chronic state of panic lest

" Old Boney should come with his legions and pay them an unpleasant visit . Nestling in an adjacent gorge are the town and harbour of Brixham , half-hidden by a forest of tawny sails ; but in an hour or so , if the wind freshens , thoso hardy trawlers will be far away in the offing , adding to the general aspect of gaiety afloat .

Carrying the range of your binocular round the arc , you see the frequent indentations of the coast , where at low tide there are clear shallow pools lined with sea messes and lichens of red and russet and green , and here the visitor with leisure on his hands can find ample store for his aquaria amongst the anemones aud

the "flowers of the sea" with which these shores abound . Broadsands and Goodrington are suggestive of leisure and recreation for the inhabitants of the outlying districts , whose undulating heights beyond are mapped out in i . atches of wheat aud barley fast ripeuitig unto harvest . In the soft li ^ ht tho heaving uplands afford a rich

gradation of colour as the fleecy clouds roll by and throw their moving shadows upon hill and dale ; while here nnd there the browsing cattle add to a pastoral scene that is typical of Duvon . Completing the arc , the eye wanders along the sandstone cliifs , which

lend a peculiar charm to this parr , of the country , and between whose rough-hewn headlands hide pretty coves , tho haunts of the tourist and the painter ; beyond these rise the villa-bespangle . l heights of Cockington , fast blossoming into residental life , stretching

Holiday Haunts.—Torquay.

away to where the towers and spires of St . Mary Church and Babbacombe point their " silent fingera " heavenward . Taking in at a glance the terraced cliffs of the villa-rosetted Waldon , Braddons , Warberry , and Vane hills , we trace along the limestone orags that yawn away to Hope ' s Nose point , with the Thatcher and Orestone

rocks oat to sea . Inshore the fishermen are busy with their drift nets and seines , whilst pleasure yachts and boats Bcud over the sur . face of the Bay like butterflies amongst the flowers . The ripple of

laughter and the merry conversation of those on board areeohoed b y the oircling gulls overhead , and the other " wild sea birds that follow through the air ; " and all around speaks of happy and contented leisure .

Every watering-place has its special feature , and Paignton has its own , too . Here you will find no rollicking horseplay and boisterous fun such as you may have been accustomed to on Ramsgate Sanda , or at Margate ; the welkin is not made to ring with the hoarse clamour of "day trippers" who flock to the marine promenades

which oan be reached by the " speoiala " down from London or the Midlands . Paignton prefers to be select , dignified , and discreet ; and yet there are uot wanting abundant means of enjoyment . Concerts and organ recitals are given daily in the Pavilion , and are well attended . In place of the peripatetic minstrelsy , the shrimp

teas , and high jinks which form the staple amusement on most promenade piers , everything here is quiet and refined . Children of tender years , and those of " larger growth , " gyrate with glee on roller skates along the smooth floor of tho pier , as a variation to the pleasures which are in plenty upon the Sands ; whilst staid and

soberminded folk look with subdued pleasure on the innocent mirth of the younger and more agile . Even the dances on the Pier are conducted with the utmost decorum—not to say gravity . I have seen the lad 8 and lasses at Cleethorpas , Bridlington , and elsewhere hugging each other cheek by jowl as they whirled frantically in the valse and

polka to the strain of bands whose quality paled beneath the vigour and quantity of the music supplied ; but here they dance with due regard to etiquette and the most profound observance of respeotability . Thus from morn till night the round of gaiety and animation on the Pier is snstained , forming one great factor in its well-earned title

as a place to spend a happy day . " And what shall be said of the Sands , whose tawny breast is laid bare for a full mile on either side ? Simply that they are unap . proachable by any that the sea-side tourist has seen before . Let us stroll along the northern arm of the Sands and watoh the hardy

fishermen hauling in their seine . Slow , heavy , toilsome work it is , and the harvest not too plentiful after many hours spent upon the sea . The calm , still water is at length ruffled by the plash of the finny prisoners within the net , and the "bit o * veesh" is speedily converted into cash at the hands of the hawkers . A striking object

of interest in this ramble is the oriental-looking building whose grounds abut on tho Sands , and is known as Redoliffe Tower . Passengers by the launches inquire curiously as to this picturesque structure , with its round battlemented tower and dome-tipped wings , and liken it to palaces that figure in the illustrations to books on

Asiatic or Indian travel . From a distance , the sea wall which forms the boundary of the lawn gives the impression of a fortress , bristling with mimic gnns ; and altogether the pile forms a handsome and interesting ornament to this part of the coast line . Returning to the sea-wall , and facing in a westerly direction , we

see the many characteristic features of a life of leisure at the seaside . The sun shines down from a blue unclouded sky , and the Bay is bathed in a flood of glorious light . But , there is a freshness and crispness iu the temperature here , when stirred by the breezes from the sea , which make Paignton the envy of many other

wateringplaces . Here on the ruddy sands , whose brow is decked with myriads of shells , wo sue every attitude of agreeable idleness and holiday enjoyment . The youngsters dig all day , and perform astounding feats of engineering skill with their tiny spades , in the construction of mimic forts and miniature castles , paddling knee deep in tho cool waves that

lave the shores , returning at eventide to enjoy their well-earned night ' s repose , and to recapitulate in dreams the pleasantries of the paradise they have found at Paignton . We will return too , not because the scene is tiring , but because the twilight deepens and the lamps are being lit along the Esplanade . We prefer to walk home , and I

challeuge any one to give a more charming three-mile ramble than that betweeu Paignton and Torquay . I know of no prettier sight than that of Torquay from the roadway as you mount the brow of the hill by Livermead , passing Corbyn ' s Head . The aspect of the town , with gloaming lights along the harbour and the Strand , amongst the

villas on the slopes , glinting in the deepening twilight , like jewels in Aladdin's cave , is strikiugly beautiful . There is much that 1 must leave unsaid , on account of space at disposal , but I may conclade

by saying he must bo a man hard to please who is not more than charmed with the exquisite variety of scenery and the abundant means for recreation and enjoyment that are to be found in a visit to picturesque Paignton .

From London To Margate.

FROM LONDON TO MARGATE .

( COMMUNICATED ) . 1 RINDING I wanted a change of air and a brief respite from business routine , I had not much hesitation in selecting Margate as a locale where health is to be benefitted and the physical powers recruited . Accordingly , wo made up a little party , and found ourselves at Fonehurch-.: rreet Station at a quarter past ten o ' clock

Three-quarters of an hour later we were stepping gaily on to the deck of tho old-favourite Margate steamer , at Tilbury , The Eagle , commauled by Bro . VV . Cotton . It was uot many minutes before we heard

his stentorian voice proclaim " Go a-head , " a welcome sound to all who were bound for a few clays' relaxation and enjoyment . I recognised in onr gallant Captain the whilom popular commander of the Yarmouth boat , The Albion , also belonging to the Steam Navigation