-hills known as the South Downs start from the
bold promontory of Beachy Head, traverse the county of Sussex
from east to west, and pass through Hampshire into Surrey. The
North Downs extend from Godalming, by Godstone, into Kent, and
terminate in the line of cliffs which stretches from Dover to
Ramsgate. The Downs are clothed with short verdant turf; but the
layer of soil which rests upon the chalk is too thin to support
trees and shrubs. The hills have rounded summits, and their
smooth, undulated outlines are unbroken save by the sepulchral
monuments of the early inhabitants of the country. The coombes
and furrows, which ramify and extend into deep valleys, appear
like dried-up channels of streams and rivulets. From time
immemorial, immense flocks of sheep have been reared on these
downs. The herbage of these hills is remarkably nutritious; and
whilst the natural healthiness of the climate, consequent on the
dryness of the air and the moderate elevation of the land, is
eminently favourable to rearing a superior race of sheep, the
arable land in the immediate neighbourhood of the Downs affords
the means of a supply of other food, when the natural produce of
the hills fails. The mutton of the South-Down breed of sheep is
highly valued for its delicate flavour, and the wool for its
fineness; but the best specimens of this breed, when imported
from England into the West Indies, become miserably lean in the
course of a year or two, and their woolly fleece gives place to
a covering of short, crisp, brownish hair.

BROILED KIDNEYS (a Breakfast or Supper Dish).

724. INGREDIENTS.--Sheep kidneys, pepper and salt to taste.

_Mode_.--Ascertain that the kidneys are fresh, and cut them open very
evenly, lengthwise, down to the root, for should one half be thicker
than the other, one would be underdone whilst the other would be dried,
but do not separate them; skin them, and pass a skewer under the white
part of each half to keep them flat, and broil over a nice clear fire,
placing the inside downwards; turn them when done enough on one side,
and cook them on the other. Remove the skewers, place the kidneys on a
very hot dish, season with pepper and salt, and put a tiny piece of
butter in the middle of each; serve very hot and quickly, and send very
hot plates to table.

_Time_.--6 to 8 minutes.

_Average cost_, 1-1/2d. each.

_S