particular description of the shrine, because it was frequented previous to the reformation by thousands of pilgrims from every part of the kingdom! This Thomas Becket was archbishop of Canterbury in the reign of Henry the 2d, and by his in solent behaviour to that monarch, precipitated his own destruction. He was after various broils and intrigues seized in the cathedral, and tumbled headlong from an eminence, so that his brains were dashed out on the pavement! They show you the fatal spot in the present day; and an old man pointing to the identical part where he fell, assured me that there was a stain which time had not obliterated. In later times among other luminaries of the church, there have been two archbishops of Canterbury, of a very different complexion. The one was Laud a man of talents and an encourager of learning; but violently attached to his own principles, and a bitter persecutor of those who differed from him. He had the chief hand in those impolitic measures of Charles the first, which brought both him and his master to the scaffold. Among the unfortunate persons, whom he persecuted, and in whose sufferings he barbarously rejoiced, was the father of archbishop Leighton, whose ears were cut off, his nose slit, and other cruelties practised upon him, that he lingered out the remainder of life in pain and misery! When his piteous tale was laid before Parliament, it drew tears from the eyes of the members, and excited profound commiseration. Persecution is the most odious of all vices, it renders those who practise it a disgrace to the times in which they live, and their memories are held in execration by posterity! The other archbishop of Canterbury to whom I allude is, the intelligent and amiable John Tillotson, who died 1692, universally lamented. He was the first Pre late who was elevated to the Primacy after the revolution, and of course was exposed to the resentment of all those persons who were attached to the cause of the abdicated monarch. His conduct however was that of the Saviour, when be was reviled, be reviled not again. After his death was found a large bundle of papers in his study, mostly anonymous letters that had been sent him, full of abuse and calumny; the only notice he had taken of them, was, tying them together and writing upon them-Father forgive them, they know not what they do! His sermons are excellent, and have been universally admired. King William upon his decease was pleased to say, and it was a noble tribute of respect to his memory." I never knew an honester man, and I never had a better friend!" Tillotson, Burnet, and other distinguished members of the church of England, together with several divines among the dissenters, deserve great praise for their steady opposition to Popery in the reign of James the second of bigotted memory. The romish church indeed, was in this country shaken to the foundation by Henry the 8th, who with all his vices rendered an essential service to his subjects, by the dissolution of a bondage which had for ages fettered the consciences, and brutalized the hearts of mankind: That Gothic church by superstition reared, VALPY. The diocese of Canterbury contains 257 parishes, besides chapels in Kent. and 100 more in other dioceses. These latter are called Peculiars, because whenever the archbishop has manors or advowsons, those places are deemed in the diocese of Canterbury. The see is supposed to produce about 10,000l. per annum. The archbishop is primate of all England, and the first peer of the realm, having precedence of all Dukes not of the blood royal, and all the officers of state. He is stiled his Grace, and writes himself Divina Providentia, by Divine Providence, whereas other bishops only stile themselves Divina Permissione, by Divine Permision. At coronations he places the crown on the king's head, and wherever the court may be held, his Majesties are the proper domestic parishioners of the archbishop of Canterbury. The see has yielded to the church, 18 saints, to the church of Rome, 9 cardinals, to the civil 'state of England, 12 lord chancellors, 4 lord treasurers, and one lord chief justice, besides 9 chancellors to the university of Oxford! The present metropolitan Dr. John Moore was raised to this elevated station in the year 1784, and has conducted himself with great moderation. In every department of life the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit forms the loveliest decoration of christianity. Leaving the city of Canterbury, and pursuing the road to Margate, we observe on the left, Barton Mills at a pleasant distance from the road, and on the right we are surprised by a stately range of barracks, where a great number of troops are stationed. One evening being at a little distance from these barracks, and in company with a young lady of an excellent musical ear, I well recollect our turning round suddenly, and being delighted with the tones of the martial trumpet, wafted through the air, and heightened by the stillness of closing day! The road to Margate passes through the village of Sturry, two miles distant from Canterbury. Here under the hospitable roof of a much respected Friend, I took up my abode during my stay in this part of the country. The river Stour running close by the house, has at this place flung over it a neat stone bridge of three arches, though rather high in its elevation. Opposite the mansion and across the public road stands a water-mill for the grinding of corn, which by the noisy circulation of its wheels, reminds the passing traveller, bent on pleasure, not to forget the benefits resulting from the unwearied operations of industry. Just beyond this spot at the distance of a few yards, the parish church lifts its tapering spire, having its interior decorated with " many a holy text," and the whole structure is encircled by a cemetry where Each, in his narrow cell for ever laid, The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep! The mill, the church, the bridge, and the transparent stream seen from the parlour window of my friend, have a pleasing effect. They form a perfect picture, and add no small degree of beauty to the surrounding scenery! At the habitation of my friend I met with four excellent engravings taken from TITIAN, which from the nature of their subjects, and the elegance of their execution attracted my attention. They were entitled the Triumph of Time, the Triumph of Christianity, the Triumph of Fame, and the Triumph of Death. Each was accompanied by an interesting explication. In such paintings the power of the pencil may be pronounced particularly impressive! Not only were the groups of the figures, but even the separate countenances replete with expression. The Fine Arts shed a more fascinating influence when we perceive them consecrated to our moral improvement. Bidding adieu to Sturry, we leave on the right the ancient town of Fordwich, a member of the port and town of Sandwich, enjoying the privi leges of a cinque port, and giving the title of Viscount to the family of Cowper. It is incorporated by the name of the mayor, jurats, and commonal. ty of Fordwich. The trout caught at this place are well worthy notice. Walton in his Complete Angler, particularly mentions them, a work published so far back as the reign of Charles the first. "There is also in Kent (says he) near to Canter. bury, a trout called there a Fordidge trout, a trout that bears the name of the town where it is usually caught, that is accounted the rarest of fish; many of them near the bigness of a salmon, but known by their different colour, and in their best season they cut very white." I transcribe this account, for it is curious to see the opinion of an eminent Angler respecting them in those days. I have eaten of them at the house of my friend, who amuses himself often by catching them with a net, and have found them delicious. What they live upon in fresh water is still a mystery. I have been present at the opening of them, but upon inspecting the stomach no vestige of food could be dis cerned ! At Sarr another member of the port of Sandwich, we enter the Isle of Thanet, containing 41 square miles, and 27,000 acres of land. It produces a great quantity of corn, and is in a high state of cultivation. The name Thanet, signifying fire, was given it by the SAXONS, because it for inerly abounded with beacons for the purpose of watching the common enemy. It is said that the blessings of knowledge first visited this part of our island. The state of the natives before this period must have been wretched, for what is life without the conveniencies and comforts of civilization? Wonderful have been the effects of its introduction into Britain. Our present state contrasted with the condition of our forefathers, inspires the lovliset gratitude: |