Torquay is one of the prettiest seaside places in England.  From the water we observed the houses on the hill-sides, with beautiful villas scattered about in all directions amid groves of green trees.  The shore along the north side of the bay is indented by numerous little bays called coves; the water is deep and clear, so that they are much frequented by bathers.  One is appropriated to ladies, another to gentlemen.  At the end of the last century Torquay consisted only of a few fishermen's cottages scattered about the beach.