From the east and westerly winds, the beautiful vale of Sidmouth is screened by lofty semi-circular ranges, crowned with foliage, through which grey rocks here and there protrude, and diversify their appearance. […]; and the south extremity of the deep depression with the town of Sidmouth, opens boldly on the ocean, between the headland rocks of Salcombe, and the Peak, which rise more than six hundred feet above the sea at low water. From each of the loftier points of the encircling contour of hills, the fine peculiarities of the vale, and its varied and numerous embellishments are discriminated with the most brilliant distinctness, and a picture more richly fraught with all that is beautiful and interesting, cannot be easily conceived.

[Text may be taken from a different source or edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]