Many a long lingering year in LONELY ISLE, MINSTREL. Margate, at the northern extremity of the Isle of Thanet, and 16 miles from Canterbury; it is subject to the mayor of Dover, of which port it is a member. It used to be of little importance till the year 1724, when an act of parliament was obtained to rebuild the pier with stone; and the town itself underwent considerable improvement. Of late years it has been much frequented by the citizens of London, who flock hither in the summer season. Hoys convey these visitors to Margate in a few hours, though sometimes the voyage lasts for two or three days: Into these vehicles of conveyance they crowd persons of all descriptions; and Dr. Walcot (under the assumed name of Peter Pindar) has in a late publication played off his wit upon their peculiarities with his usual freedom. The citizens however are entitled to a large portion of recreation after their application to business in the close and heated recesses of an overgrown metropolis. Entertainments of various kinds are here provided for their gratification, particularly a theatre, a library, an assembly-room, a camera obscura of large size, &c. The bathing here is excellent, the shore being level, and covered with sand. The number of subscribers often amounts to one thousand, in a season. Diligences run every day to Canterbury to meet the coaches which come from London, and return with passengers to Margate the same evening. So safe is the voyage hither from the metropolis, that no hoy has been lost for these 150 years past. Dandelion, in the vicinity of this place, is a famous tea-house, with gardens, which are much frequented. The gathering up of shells, pebbles, sea-weeds, &c. along the shore, often amuses the company. Dr. Lettsom, in 1792, laid the foundation of a very useful institution, under the name of a General Sea-bathing Infirmary. The good effects of sea-bathing, in certain cases, have been well ascertained; it is also a most agreeable exercise to those who have a partiality for the water, especially in the summer season :— Oh! recreation exquisite to feel, The wholesome waters trickle from the head To feel them lick the hand, and laye the foot ! HURDIS. Mr. Hasted, in his History of Kent, remarks, that "the town and harbour of Margate are situated so directly open to the Northern Ocean, that a veffel taking her departure thence, and steering her course north half east, would hit no land till she came on the coast of Greenland, in the latitude of 75 degrees north, after having run 1380 miles !" Certain it is, that its situation is greatly exposed to the ocean; and, on a fair day, the various ships passing along with a gentle breeze, some at the utmost verge of the horizon, entertain the eye and gratify the imagination Kingsgate, on this coast, derives its name from the landing of Charles the second here, in his way from Dover to London. Here is the seat of the late Lord Holland, resembling an Italian villa; particularly that of Cicero's, near the Bay of Baie, in the Augustan age, when the polite arts were in the zenith of their glory. This is a very elegant place, and enriched by curiosities brought from the most distant parts of the world. There are also, in the adjoining grounds, buildings, with appropriate inscriptions, intended to represent the ruined edifices of antiquity. Still keeping along the coast, we reach the North Foreland, the extreme east point of England. It projects far into the sea, after the form of a bastion, on which a light-house exalts its head; whence patent lamps, with reflecting lenses impart a strong and brilliant light, for the guidance of ships traversing this part of the ocean! The light, attended by two men, who watch in turns, may be seen in clear weather more than ten leagues off; the whole building being white washed, is seen farther in the day, and becomes more illuminated throughout the night. Every British ship going round the Foreland pays two-pence, and every foreign one fourpence per ton for the support of this structure, raised to ensure their safety. It is under the regu→ lation of the Trinity House, Deptford. Such are the improvements of civilized society. Proceeding in the way to Ramsgate, on the left we perceive Broadstairs, a small neat place, in a retired situation. Here a number of vessels are fitted out for the North Sea, and Iceland codfishery. It has been lately visited by the more genteel classes of company, who wish to be withdrawn from the bustle in which Margate and Ramsgate are generally involved. Opposite to this place, about two leagues from the shore, and about ten miles in length, the Goodvin Sands stretch themselves always the terror, and not unfre quently the destruction of mariners! Here, in the great storm 1703, the Stirling Castle, Restoration, Northumberland, and Mary, with vice-admiral Beaumont, and 1100 seamen perished. The origin of these sands lies in great obscurity.. Ramsgate is situated about five miles from Margate, in the cove of a chalky cliff. Formerly an obscure town; it has been of late raised in its importance, by its trade to Russia, and the East country. Noble families have for some years past honoured it with their residence during the summer season. Chapel Row, Prospect Row, Sion-hill, and Albion Place, are extremely pleasant. It has good inns, an excellent toy-warehouse, and an extensive library. The bathing place is under the cliffs the bottom being chalk covered with sand. The piers, forming the new harbour, are objects well worthy attention. The eastern one extends itself near 800 feet into the ocean, built entirely of white Purbec stone! The western one is partly wood and partly stone; the bason is commodious; and the harbour forms an exellent refuge for ships exposed to the utmost danger in the Downs. The expence of building it was immense; but it is, undoubtedly, an object of national utility. Sandwich, the next town, is near a mile and a half from the sea, and is a place of great antiquity. It contains three parish churches, a grammarschool, three hospitals, and a town-hall, over which is a council chamber. It is incorporated by the name of the mayor, jurats, and commonalty. Lysons, in his Environs of London, says, that gardens, for raising vegetables for sale, were first cultivated about Sandwich. The soil about this part is very good, and, of course, the seeds raised in it are in much repute. The town is, for the most part, watered by a narrow stream, called the Delph, which runs through it. An elegant assem bly- -room has been lately built, and there are many wealthy inhabitants. William Boys, Esq. in the year 1792, published a curious account of Sandwich, embellished with several engravings. Quitting Sandwich, we soon come in view of Deal, extending itself close along the sea-shore. Its inhabitants, therefore, must be in the habit of hearing The billows break upon the sounding strand, DRYDEN. Deal, in the time of Leland was a fishing-town, but since that period has been greatly improved. It now consists of three narrow irregular streets; and its inhabitants are chiefly either in the sea faring line, or employed in offices under government. St. George's chapel of ease is both elegant and spacious -the cemetry also adjoining is ornamented by many neat tombs. The trade of the place arises from its connection with the Downs, which lie immediately opposite the town, where ships of war and merchandise ride, previous to their departure for the most distant regions of the world! To behold so many stately vessels at anchor forms a most interesting spectacle; the mind is thrown into a variety of pleasing speculations upon the maritime importance of our native country. Near the town stands a Telegraph, the first of the twelve that connect the Downs with the Admiralty-office, Westminster, the distance being 72 miles. The period of communication up to London, at an average, is ten minutes; but the atmosphere being at one time very clear, a message was sent up and an answer returned in fifteen minutes!! The telegraph is by no means a modern invention. Something of the kind is supposed to have been in use even so far back as the Trojan war; for a Greek play begins M |