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 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 »~^» .-4*
 
 HISTORY OF PORTSMOUTH; 
 
 WITH 
 
 DELINEATIONS, 
 
 TOPOGRAPHICAL, HISTORICAL, AND DESCRIPTIVE, 
 
 OF THIS 
 
 ©or taut! ^r^cnal; 
 
 Being a Description in Verse of Ihe most remarkable Epochs in its History. 
 Ancient and Modern, Civil, Naval and Military— Us Public Edifices— The 
 Garrison, Dock- Yard, &c — The Towns of Portsea and Gosport, and the sur- 
 rounding Country— with every object Trorthy of observation, for its History, Anti- 
 quity, or beauty of situation. Interspersed with many Original Anecdotes, 
 Tales, Biographical Notes, and Characteristic niustrations, 
 
 c The Jnthorities from Dugdale, Dede. Whittaker, Leland, Pennant, Hume 
 Smollett, Mortimer, and others ; aided by a long residence in the Town. ' 
 
 By henry slight, 
 
 Member of ike Royal College of Surgeons in London, and Surgeon to the 
 Ladies' Benevolent Society, b^u 
 
 Thee, O my Country ! all uij soul reveres, 
 And admiration swells with ripening years. 
 
 PORTSMOUTH: 
 
 Printed by Hollingsworth & Price, Wtiite-Horse-Street : 
 
 SOLD BY S. MILLS, AND MOTTLEY AND HARRISON, PORTSMOUTH ; 
 
 T. WHITEWOOD, PORTSEA ; W. JOHNSON, GOSPORT ; 
 
 AND BY 
 
 SHERWOOD, NEELY, AIWD JONES, PATER-NOSTER-ROW, 
 
 LONDON. 
 
 1820. 
 
 f1
 
 PR 
 
 Betfication* 
 
 TO 
 
 MY FELLOW TOWNSMEN. 
 
 HUS spoke UpyoTicus, a Moth, 
 (I hope henceforth he'll spare the cloth), 
 " 'Tis not for mortal to command 
 " Tbe knife and pen with self-same hand. 
 Lives tliere no sportsman, to whose lot 
 Hath fall'n two birds at single shot ? 
 Lives there no Surgeon who can twist 
 With master skill the game of whist, 
 Yet can the fever keep at bay. 
 Bid the heart torrent softer play ? 
 Is there not one can sweep the lyre 
 And master still the typhus fire ? 
 Is there not one who loves the chase, 
 Yet bids diseases dire give place ? 
 Such may be found — nor distant far — 
 The public voice will prompt you where. 
 Since that I passed the College dire. 
 And Hall, which few of us admire, 
 I've conned Diplomas, acts, bye-laws, 
 And find in them no sweeping* clause. 
 By which poetic ardour reined, 
 Or Medicals from verse restrained^ 

 
 Then why inii?t my incondite lay 
 He forced apology to pay ? 
 Hecausc a critic soul miglit say, 
 " In ij^raver studies pass the day !" 
 If I, howe'er, defence must bring, 
 PresuniiniT thus to touch the string^, 
 I oflfer this — Each man his vein ; 
 All own the syren pleasure's reign. 
 Some love to wake the welkin round 
 With echoing horn's melodious sound, 
 In manly ardor join the chase, 
 House fox or hare from hiding place ; 
 Others to quaff the ruby bowl, 
 In rapturous joy and flow of soul ; 
 While some to hoard the costly gold 
 And gaze on treasured heaps untold. 
 'Twas mine to bid, in season drear, 
 The Muse severer studies cheer, 
 And boldly dare in harmless verse 
 My native country's charms rehearse ; 
 In distich, song, description clear. 
 Bid every varied scene appear. 
 The Ancient History I trace, 
 The glorious epochs of the place — 
 The Town — the Ramparts — lofty Fort- 
 The Dock— the Arsenal— the Port— 
 The solemn Church, the Castle strong. 
 Increase the burden of my song. 
 Should it be said — " Already we 
 Possess a Portsmouth History," 
 I answer, '' True — nor small the praise 
 Its author wears the well-earned ba}s 
 I'or .Antifjuarian Lore — but still 
 He left a niche 1 hope to liil :
 
 Untouched by him each modern charm, 
 The landscape bold, romantic, warm ; 
 And men there are who better love 
 Than ruined hall the shady grove — 
 Than dusty rolls, the verdant plain— 
 Than charters old, the foaming main. 
 Ouaht I not now to seek some name, 
 Illustrious in thy annals, Fame ! 
 Under whose fostering wing this sprite 
 Of sportive vein may brave the light — 
 Some Duke, some noble Earl, some Lord 
 (A lesser name won't aid afford). 
 Who boasts urbanity of mind, 
 To flattery's courtly tongue inclined, 
 Connexions spread o'er all the land, 
 That numerous copies may command ? 
 Such, had I been to search inclined, 
 'Twere not so difficult to find. 
 But, like the Swiss, I hate to roam— 
 I've ever found best friends at home. 
 Long exiled from my native place, 
 Lost of connexion every trace, 
 Returning young, no patron beam 
 Gladdened my launch on life's rude stream ; 
 Soon friendship's sun ray voyage cheered, 
 Men by each social joy endeared — 
 Men of strict honour — in each mind 
 Zeal, candour, judgment, science joined. 
 Such being my lot, thus conscience said, 
 " Where shall thy grateful vows be paid ? 
 " Where thou hast patrons found — 'tis due^ 
 " Beloved Countrj/men, to you 
 
 t'
 
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 IP^^B'STAs 
 
 OR. 
 
 Cf)e Else of ^ortsmoutf) : 
 
 A TALE, 
 
 IN FOUR CANTOS. 
 
 The Suhject tahtn from the Saxon Chronicles, united with 
 local Traditions and Antiquities. 
 
 If you will patiently dance in our round. 
 And see our midnight revels — Come with us. 
 
 Speak the big voice of War. 
 Beat all our drums, and sound our silver trumpets. 
 
 LEE. 
 
 Scene — The Solent Sea, and surrounding country. 
 Time—50Ut Year of the Christian Mra..
 
 Among the mauy romantic tales invented by 
 Godfrey of Monmouth and other ancient writers, res- 
 pecting the Aborigines of Britain, that of Albina bears 
 a distinguished place ; and thou^^h as totally unsupported 
 uy fact as the relatiou of ' Albion, great Neptune's Son,' 
 or Brute and his colony of Trojans; yet from its more 
 frequent mention, have I chosen Albina as the good 
 GEMUS of my Hero, and j^iven to ' airy nothing' the 
 honor of bestowing a name upon our country. — Should 
 there appear Chronological Errors in the Tale, I pray 
 Criticism to lay the charge at the right door. 
 
 //
 
 ^orta ; 
 
 OR, THE RISE OF PORTSMOUTH : 
 
 A TALE. 
 
 PROEM. 
 
 XF Ancient Record may the Muse engage : 
 
 From times remote our Legendary page. 
 
 When first the Saxon sought our fertile soil, 
 
 'Neath friendship's guise, its ancient wealth to spoil ; 
 
 When, by the moon-beam pale, tradition tells, 
 
 Sporteti o'er hill and dale the fairy elves ; 
 
 And oft, 'mid woody glens, on lonely night, 
 
 Beguiled the traveller with meteor light, 
 
 'Till superstition shed her horrors round, 
 
 And sunk him lifeless on the swampy ground. 
 
 The Ancient Saxon Chronicles supply 
 
 Themes for our yet but youthful minstrelsy. 
 
 Here the foundation of the tale was laid : 
 
 But roving Fancy, while around she strayed, 
 
 Essayed to gather with her utmost ekill 
 
 Poetic beauties each dark blank to fill. 
 
 If she hath cuU'd, in her assiduous care 
 
 To form a small bouquet, some flowrets fair ; 
 
 If she hath haply twined with primrose raikl 
 
 The opening rose-bud, and the hawthorn wild ; 
 
 If any pleasure she may chance impart. 
 
 To chance ascribe it, rather than to art. 
 
 While, as a father's breast, with anguish torn, 
 
 Committing to the world his eldest born,
 
 4 PORTJV/ 
 
 Prays a safe passage through this clieqiicr'd lif<\ 
 Each scene of treachery and guilty strife ; 
 With the like hope and fear my bosom wrung, 
 Commit I to tiie world my infant song. 
 
 <Canto tijc fit^u 
 
 *' Withdrawn the sun's effulgent blaze, 
 " Evening zephyr sportive plays ; 
 " Storm and tempest, soothed in sleep, 
 ** Calm and tranquil flows the deep ; 
 " Bright Luna quits her watery cave, 
 " With silver light adorns the wave ; 
 *' There's not a single cloud on high, 
 " To dim the splendour of the sky. 
 "Then haste ye. Spirits of the Seas! 
 *• Haste, upon the evening breeze : 
 " Wake, loudly wake th'harmonious pow'r- 
 " This is Albina's natal hour." 
 
 Thus raise the Choir the tuneful song, 
 While echoing rocks the strain prolong. 
 Through mystic cave, of heavenly mould, 
 In cadency the numbers roiled, 
 Where great Albina's Fairy Throne 
 With Nature's choicest treasniea shone. 
 
 She, lovely nymj)h ! Iierline coidd trace 
 From Dioc'esian's royal race; 
 Who Rome's Imperial sceptre sway'd ; 
 Whom Asia's swarthy tribes obeyed ;
 
 A TALE, O 
 
 But forced by cruelty, she cam^ -,^j,, y, ,j, ;>yisi^ 
 
 And gave our Isle her ?ocred name, i^^ snsoe riofiSl 
 
 Lonj; time upon the billows rude ji ^^^^ di'ilf 
 
 Her fragile bark in safety rode^f.^^^ ^^j ^^j | ,ifnrno') 
 
 While, wrap't in sleep, the Nereids borp 
 
 Her orphan form Jo Albion's shore. _^____ 
 
 Here rose in pomp her regal state : 
 
 Here elfin forms her orders wait. 
 
 Since to her ear the mystic art 
 
 Did Indian sage of old Tni part, 
 
 Each herl), each flower, the Fairy knew, 
 
 Which sparkles in the morning dew ; 
 
 And well could frame the potent charm, 
 
 Might aid distress, or guilt alarm. 
 
 Per grot, on pillars high uproar'd. 
 Of strange fantastic form appeared ; 
 Whose capitols in lustre shone, 
 With pearly boast of far Ceylon : 
 And emerald shaft, supported well 
 On clustered group of varied shell. 
 Above, the sparkling rocks l^etween, 
 In festoon hung the laver green. 
 Or from the mytilus so blue 
 In wide extended foliage grew ; 
 With deep-fringed wrack, from ocean'g bed. 
 Mid branching coral, white and red. 
 Here the white Nautilus appeared, 
 And star-fish to the rocks adhered ; n 
 
 While mosses of the richest hue 
 Around the pebbled marble grew. 
 But how shall mortal verse relate 
 The glories of her fairy state ! // 
 
 On every side blue mists appear, 
 Light as the summer gossamer.
 
 6 
 
 POKTA, 
 
 In distance sounds llie breathing flute. 
 Hark ! Nereids strike the trembling- lute. 
 Approaching near, the Chorus swells, 
 The Tritons sound their twisted shells ; 
 Still louder still the joyful sound, 
 As rocks and caves the shouts rebound. 
 Behold, the floating mists give way, 
 Like clouds before the God of Day. 
 A gorgeous splendour, dazzling, bright, 
 Pours through the grot celestial light : 
 Mermaids rich blazing torches bear. 
 Exhaling fragrance through the air. 
 Above the infant Zephyrs play, 
 And mid the silken banners stray. 
 On every side, in courtly train. 
 Each guardian of the azure main. 
 
 Albina on her throne was laid, 
 In robes of purest white arrayed. 
 Save where, across her full orb'd breast. 
 Was thrown a splendid sea green vest. 
 A coronet her forehead graced, 
 Amid the flowing ringlets placed. 
 Should I attempt her charms to painl, 
 At best, the likeness must be faint ; 
 'Tis left for him whom love inspires. 
 Whose mind, enwrapt with eager fires, 
 The shape, the charms, the matchless face 
 Of his loved mistress well can trace. 
 Across her lovely arm and hand 
 lleposed the silver gifted wand. 
 Of power to bid the tempest sweep, 
 Or calm the surface of the deep.
 
 
 A TALE. 
 
 Sudden the music ceased ; but echo still 
 In distance fading:, sounded shrill ; 
 Till sinking o'er the ocean far, 
 It died upon the listenino- ear. 
 Attention on each visage shines, 
 When thus the Goddess 
 
 " Hail! Spirits of these sacred isles, 
 " Beneath whose sway all nature smiles ! 
 " On this your sovereign's natal day, 
 " Three centuries have passed away, 
 " Since hoar Oceanus to our hand 
 
 Granted the charm- bespangled wand ; 
 
 And by my iErial Sprite I learn, 
 " Quitting the moon-beam in return 
 " With mandate from his coral bower, 
 " This night must end our sovereign power. 
 " But till Aurora's golden ray, 
 '< The land and seas our will obey. 
 " Yet here we'll hold our revels still 
 " Around the spot we love so well ; 
 "In mystic dance, by moon-shine light, 
 " Invade the solitude of night, 
 " And wandering hind shall wildly stare, 
 '' As sounds melodious strike hir, ear ; 
 " Or view amazed, at early dav/n, 
 " The ring our feet fantastic form. 
 " While the hot day in balmy sleep 
 " We'll pass in cave and grotto deep. 
 *' But now towards mortal sore oppress'd 
 " Our potent aid must be address'd. 
 ^' By fate decreed, yon Isle and Bay 
 " Must pass beneath his kingly sway : 
 " But, ere he gain the fertile soil, 
 " Destined to suffer giant toil.
 
 I'ORTA, 
 
 *' \V'ooLSNr,R," the cla.'nion diieand rude, 
 
 " Who holds oil yoiulcr rock abode, 
 
 '• Hath roused his fiends from caverns dark, 
 
 '• To whelm mid floods liie j>oldcn bark : 
 
 *' But let the roilin;;^ tempest rise, 
 
 " 'Twill much assist our cnterprize. 
 
 *' Tis but on one condition he 
 
 " Hath so long; braved his destiny ; 
 
 " Woe ! dire impendin;!; woe betide, 
 
 " If past the rock a vessel glide ; 
 
 '• In'^tant, the niNStic circle broke, 
 
 '• We'll hurl him from the beetling- rock ; 
 
 " Across his bulk a jvand-bank dash, 
 
 " Whose sides the foamini;- s^as shall lash; 
 
 " While of(, amid the teinpest's roar, 
 
 " Deep hollou' groans shall reach the shoi'e. 
 
 " Spitea now his summons hears. 
 
 " And from her dismal cave appears : 
 
 " Flodina bows to his command, 
 
 " Whose streams suhservient wash the strand 
 
 " Of yon romantic island green, 
 
 ^' Which owns \''cctina for its queen. 
 
 " Then hasten, hasten, Spirits good — 
 
 " Guide Porta mid the foaming flood; 
 
 " flang o'er his vessel from afar, 
 
 " In likeness to a silver star 1 
 
 " Already hear the tenijjest rise, 
 
 " And distant thunders shake the skies !" 
 
 'Tis said : — Again the cliorus raise 
 Albina's name, Albina's praise; 
 While, wrapt in clouds of pearly hue, 
 The fairy train ascending flew.
 
 A TALE. 
 
 9 
 
 Canto tljc d^ccottb. 
 
 The heavy clouds, with vengeance charged, 
 Slow from the horizon emerged. 
 A silence, solemn, deep, and dread, 
 Hung o'er the ocean's shuddering bed ; 
 Save when, portentous, from afar 
 The sea-fowl's scream assailed the ear, 
 Hastening to seek the sheltering land, 
 Instinctive led by Nature's hand. 
 Each trembling wave, mid gloom of night, 
 In lustre shed phosphoric light, 
 As slowly on the island shore 
 It^ rolled with long and hollow roar. 
 Now onward comes the tempest rude. 
 Before it swells th' impetuous flood ; 
 Boreas bids the north-wind sweep, 
 And lift the surface of the deep : 
 While Auster leads the lowering clouds, 
 And Natures face in darkness shrouds. 
 Sudden the strong electric flash : 
 Bursts the tremendous thunder crash 
 In awful grandeur ! Far around 
 Trembles the earth— the deep profound. 
 Amid the clouds the wild surf flies, 
 Wave above wave assail the skies; 
 The whitened surge, the billows dark, 
 Lash round great Porta's golden bark." 
 Framed is the vessel's stately form 
 Of pines, which long had braved the storuj. 
 On Scandinavian mountains high, ^^-^ 
 
 Whose summits cleave the icy sky- 
 In stern and awful majesty. 
 
 c
 
 10 PORTA, 
 
 Before, a bust of i^old was placed, 
 
 "Which tlie armM prow in splendour graced; 
 
 Alon^ her sides in sculpture sliinc 
 
 The wars of Odin the divine :'^ 
 
 Here his proud banners shadows cast, 
 
 Here leads he nations from the East,*^ 
 
 From distant India's fertile land, 
 
 O'er ni iiintain rude and barren sand ; 
 
 Here Wayniur stays the hero's course ; 
 
 There Odin mounts his fiery horse. 
 
 Before his mi^^ht the (liants fly, 
 
 At every blow what thousands die ! 
 
 Herbanter owns his godlike sway, 
 Whose visai^e shines like orb of day. 
 
 Tlirouijh all the North be spreads his fame; 
 
 Belupiier trembles at his name ; 
 
 Here stern Hellunda meets the eye, 
 
 Who daretl oppose the Deity, 
 
 Who, armed with all-consuming- flame, 
 
 Hurled on the Serpent endless shame. 
 
 On the next pannel, see arise 
 
 The hero's progress to the skies: 
 
 The ivory city of the blest. 
 
 Where virtue finds eternal rest : 
 
 While on th' enamelled stern appears, 
 
 Memorial of a lapse of years. 
 
 Great Scandinavia's Giant Wars. 
 
 Tremendous roll the thunders dire, 
 Blue lightnings wrap the skies in fire. 
 Far, far, amid the surges cast, 
 Appears the shivered, splintered mast. 
 Horrors assail on every side : 
 The vessel labours in the tide.
 
 A TALE. 11 
 
 The clouds, in strong attraction, rend ; 
 
 The boiling surges slow ascend, 
 
 In dreadful eddies circling fly 
 
 Like meteor pillar in the sky — 
 
 Onward it moves in giant state : 
 
 T!ie proud bark shudders at her fate. 
 
 When threatening cloud, by thunders rent, 
 
 Gives to the deluge torrent vent. 
 
 The tall spout bursts ; the billows' dash 
 
 Strike on the ship witli hideous crash. 
 
 High on the deck great Porta stands, 
 
 With steady- hand the helm commands ; 
 
 And calmy views the DoBmons sweep 
 
 With blazing torches o'er the deep, 
 
 To guide where Woolsner's beetling rock 
 
 Mid the tornado tempest shook. 
 
 The seamen tremble with affright; 
 
 Porta unmoved beholds the sight, 
 
 And cries " Good cheer, my valiant friends, 
 
 " Some favouring God our path attends : 
 
 " Long have I seen yon meteor star 
 
 " Resplendent beam amid the war." 
 
 Scarce had he spoken, when the storm 
 Attains its roughest, direst form : 
 On liquid rocks the vessel stands, 
 Or sinking strikes the lowest sands ; 
 While, by the mountain billows tost. 
 She flies impetuous towards tlie coast. 
 She strikes — she veers — she 'scapes the rock ! 
 The adamantine charm is broke ! 
 Behind the bark tlie rock descends : 
 Far to the South its form extends.
 
 J2 PORTA, 
 
 " She rights— she rights!" — the seamen cry : 
 
 ^Eiherial voices sweet reply — 
 
 " 'Tis o'er ! — Now, Woolsner ! feel, though late, 
 
 " The dreadful punishment of fate ! 
 
 " While Porla's sons shall climb the steep 
 
 " Of glory — while their banners sweep, 
 
 " Through distant age, the sparkling wave 
 
 " Which foams around thy prison cave ; 
 
 *' As floats their naval glory by, 
 
 " And this the watcliful pilot's cry — 
 
 *' ' JVoohner avoid V ; while every night 
 
 " O'er thee shall float the signal light ; 
 
 " So long shall groan thy rugged side, 
 
 " Torn by the southern tempest tide !" 
 
 Hushed is the storm, like passing dream. 
 The thunder crash, the lightning's gleam. 
 Contending waves and winds subside : 
 Tranquil the Solent waters glide. 
 The fleecy clouds of night unfold : 
 The moon again, in burnish'd gold, 
 Resplendent shines. Through spreading bay 
 The golden vessel plows her way. 
 The anchor thrown, the wave divides — 
 Securely fixed the vessel rides. 
 
 Upon the deck great Porta throws 
 His wearied linibs, and seeks repose; 
 Then, in the visions of his mind, 
 Aibina, from her car inclined, 
 While from her lips of coral hue 
 Flow words as sweet as morning dew : 
 
 " When morn dispels night's shadows dark, 
 *' Onward impel thy golden bark.
 
 A TAT.E, 
 
 <' Despair not ! for the Gods command : 
 " Soon shait thou gain the promised land, 
 " An island fair and fertile, where 
 *' They hid thee found a city fair, 
 " Which in the sj^lendid paj^e of fame 
 " Shail eterviize the founder's name : 
 *'• On it the guardian Gods shall pour 
 *' Riches and honour's bounteous store. 
 '• Stupendous battlements shall rise, 
 " And towering domes usurp the skies. 
 " Before her walls shall navies ride, 
 " At once her bulwark and her pride ; 
 " And to her warlike flag unfurled 
 " In awe shall bow th' admiring world. 
 " Then fear not ! but the Gods obey, 
 "^And follow where they point the way !" 
 
 Tis said. Light clouds her form enclose, 
 And slow to dulcet music rose. 
 Great Porta starts from troubled sleep. 
 And listens. Save the rolling deep. 
 No sound salutes his eager ear, 
 No fairy images appear. 
 His throbbing heart, his panting breast, 
 Forbid the hero longer rest. 
 By turns he ponders, wrapt in care; 
 Or views his sleeping children fair. 
 " Sleep on, dear innocents," he cried, 
 " Your father's comfort, hope, and pride. 
 " May the great Gods your day-spring bless 
 " Though future ills thy sire oppress: 
 " On me descend the impending woe, 
 i' If, O my children, spared to you !" 
 Devoutly thus the hero prayed, 
 When memory thus in whispers said— 
 
 13 
 
 O ^
 
 14 PCUTA, 
 
 " Why fcarest tlioii ? The Gods obey ! 
 " And Tollow where tliey point the way." 
 The omen eased his throbbinj; breast: 
 With inward prayer the gods he blest. 
 
 Now all the Ihir horizon gleams 
 With the new mominii's ruddy beams. 
 Young Lucifer, with heart elate, 
 Unbars flu- tlaiMing eastern gate; 
 Her deepeniuij; ray Aurora tlirows — 
 The sky in scarlet splendour glows; 
 While from her rosy lingers fair 
 The pearly dew-drop fills the air. 
 Bt lore her fast iricreasing light, 
 Like spectres fade the shades of night. 
 She, blushing in her state, proceeds, 
 And calls forth Phwbus' fiery steeds, 
 Who in the pride of day bring on 
 T'he gorgeous chariot of the sun. 
 .Smooth as is lake in woody dell, 
 The ocean's bosom fears to swell. 
 Through t!ie blue vapours floating round, 
 At intervals, is heard the sound 
 Of dipping paddle, sweet and slow, 
 Hy fisher in his rude canoe. 
 Tiie finny tribe in circles play. 
 Exulting in the genial ray : 
 Their sportive gambols plainly seen, 
 High leaping from the ocean green. 
 The sweeping sea-gull marks her prey : 
 1'l.e porpoise foams his rolling way. 
 High in mid air his song of praise 
 The matin lark is heard to raise.
 
 A TALE, 15 
 
 Great Porta jsfives the sis^n to weigh 
 The anchor's bulk, the sails display ; 
 Which gentle breezes soon expand, 
 And bear the vessel tov'rds the land. 
 Through the thin floating veil is seen. 
 At intervals, the Island green. 
 Far tovv'rds the south the mountains smile, 
 Which proudly crown the Milky Isle. 
 But as each cloud of silvery hue, 
 Updrawn like curtain, cleared the view, 
 Shone what might well the world defy, 
 With all its richest prospects vie. 
 Far, far around, the mountains rise 
 In towering grandeur to the skies. 
 Her^ fertile plains, luxuriant woods, 
 Shine on the margent of the floods ; 
 While rivers clear, tlirough landscape fair. 
 Their tribute to the ocean bear. 
 In wonder lost, the hero stood. 
 And steered the vessel o'er the flood ; 
 Then bade to hoary Ocean rise 
 The sacred vow and sacrifice. 
 This done, they reached the golden sand, 
 And joyous leaped on verdant land. 
 
 Canto t!)c €i)irt!» 
 
 Land of my Sires ! Enchanting Isle ! 
 Where Nature's richest beauties smile ! 
 With heart-felt pride, in praise of thee 
 I'll strike the lyre in extacy. 
 Though many a hill and vale between 
 Divide me from the much loved scene,
 
 10 I'OUTA, 
 
 Still memory delij>;lits to trace 
 Eac!i varied scene, each native «Trace : 
 The silver ocean 2:ently c^leaminff, 
 Tilt' moonliuht on its surface beaming-. 
 
 Land of my Childhood ! where is seen 
 The cheerful cot, 'mid bowers sfreen -, 
 Where honey-suckles love to twine 
 Their tendrils with the ga> woodliine : 
 Where in luxuriant beauty arrows 
 The cowslip fair, the mild primrose ; 
 Where o'er each vcM'dant hill and dale, 
 Each t;!ni>led copse, each forest vale, 
 Spread flowery treasures sweetly blowing, 
 A carpet sweet and gay bestowing! 
 
 Land of my Hope! where on the tide 
 The bulwarks of my country ride ; 
 Whence, prompt to join in thickest fight, 
 Her wooden boast, in giant might, 
 Liipeluous o'er the ocean rush, 
 Her foes presumptuous to crush ! 
 Long may th}' golden age endure — 
 Thy wealth increasing and secure, 
 In bounteous streams for ever flowing, 
 Nor storm, nor adverse fortune knowing! 
 
 With infant Son in either liand, 
 Now Porta heads his valiant band. 
 In armour cased, embossed w ith gold, 
 And jewel studded at each fold. 
 His burnished helmet, richly dight, 
 Eliulgout with reflected light.
 
 A TALE. 17 
 
 From shoulder, by rich diamond bound, 
 His robe descending swept the ground. 
 Embroided scarf his breast-plate graced, 
 By maiden kind and lovely placed, 
 When in proud tournament he strove 
 His faith by feats of arms to prove. 
 In feudal time the certain mark 
 Of noble birth, his falcon dark 
 On left arm, girt with golden ring, 
 Expands in hope her dusky wing ; 
 While o'er his thigh that sabre hung, 
 Which oft 'gainst hostile steel had rung. 
 
 Onward they bend their dubious way, 
 And reach the hills near set of day. 
 Oh^ what a lovely sight was there ! 
 On every side blue hills appear, 
 A spacious amphitheatre : 
 While in the vale, luxuriant spread 
 Forest and plain, and grove, and mead, 
 Alternate, through the varied space, 
 Far as the aching eye can trace ; 
 And, sparkling in the setting ray, 
 Meand'ring rivers glide their way. 
 
 *' Here," cried the noble chief, " 'tis raeet^ 
 " 'Till dawn of morning nature greet, 
 " We should repose in peace ; and here 
 " Our tall pavilion will we rear." 
 Then towards the region of the east 
 From sacred cup libations cast. 
 Horn which, in northern forest drear, 
 Adorned in pride the tall rein-deer. 
 Now is its brim, of ample round, 
 With gold and jewels studded round 5
 
 1ft PORTA, 
 
 While fmrly wrought on every part 
 Appears the sculptor's mimic art. 
 
 Scarce Imd the wonted vows been paid, 
 .And on thv tnrt" his comrades laid, 
 When sudden noises strike the ear. 
 If ark! they increase! they draw more near : 
 
 Strange warriors appear. 
 The warlike shouts of Britain sound ;® 
 .Arm'd chariots hide the trembling ground ; 
 And many a banner floats around 
 
 In gorgeous panoply. 
 
 Amazed tlie Saxon chieftain viewed the sight, 
 And roused his ardent comrades to the fight. 
 " To arms !" he criel, nnd waved his falchion high 
 " To arms ! to arms !" his eager frirnds reply. 
 Before his breast each threw his warlike shield, 
 And marked the Britons, rushing o'er the field. 
 Onwards impetuous rolls tlie tide of war, 
 While whistling arrows dim the vesper air: 
 They shout — they join — full many a hero bled-- 
 Heaped is the soil with mountains of the dead : 
 Britons, to guard fronj foes their native plain — 
 Saxons, to 'scape the dangers of the main. 
 On Porta's robe his elder offspring hung: 
 The younger round his knee aftVighted clung. 
 To save his children, all his nerve he plies, 
 And 'ncath each ponderous stroke a Briton dies, 
 Whose youthful leader, where aloft he stood 
 On scythed chariot, seemed some daring God. 
 His voice, his mein, each fainting heart inspire — 
 His waving sword resplendent beamed with fire, 
 While nodding plumes adorned his golden crest : 
 Of Tyrian purple was hi* flowing vest.
 
 A TALE. id 
 
 His full orbed shield above his head he reared. 
 
 And to the fi^iit his valiant comrades cheered. 
 
 Thrice did the languid Saxon corps give way, 
 
 And thrice retrieved the honor of the day. 
 
 Now rank to rank the eager hosts advance — 
 
 Now wield the sword — now hurl the ;.!ivering lance 
 
 The Briton's robe unbroached was thrown behind : 
 
 His golden tresses wantoned in the wind. 
 
 Onward he rushed in golden anus to shine, 
 
 And spread destruction through the Saxon line ; 
 
 'Till, his strong car entangled with the slain, 
 
 The milk-white steeds no longer heed the rein. 
 
 From Iiis high seat th' intrepid chief descends, 
 
 And joins on foot, and cheers his daring friends : 
 
 On Porta fixing stern his sparkling eye, 
 
 IJis Bosom pants the warrior's strength to try. 
 
 Now breast to breast the bloody swords they wield, 
 
 And furious blows ring on each tempered shield. 
 
 Lo ! Porta's shivering steel in atoms flies : 
 
 On his strong beechen lance the chief relies. 
 
 Away his shining blade the Briton throws, 
 
 Then high in air his dreadful club arose ; 
 
 Through whistling air it takes its threat'ning rounr], 
 
 And falling strikes Miegla to the ground. 
 
 In death's last agony the infant lies, 
 
 Convulsed his frame, half closed his glassy eyes. 
 
 O'er his pale corse frantic the father strode, 
 
 And bathed his limbs in streams of British blood ; 
 
 Cast one sad look upon his lifeless Son, 
 
 Exclaimed, " Thy race, fierce Briton now is run ! 
 
 " His murder'd shade shall guide a father's arm ; 
 
 *' Through all thy ranks spread terror and alarm :"' 
 
 Then rushing on, inflamed with dreadful ire — 
 
 'Tis Odin's self ! —'tis the immortal Sire !
 
 20 roRTA^ 
 
 The wearied Briton falls 'neath becchen lance ; 
 Bd'ore his swimining eve the objccti? dance ; 
 The iron holt- head deep within his brain, 
 iJc 'jroans, he struii;ules — stumbles o'er the plain ; 
 Thi quiverings limbs — the short, convulsive breath— 
 The opening mouth — proclaim the reign of death ! 
 Sudden the conflict ceased : but once again 
 Tlu' f3ritons, to revenge their leader slain, 
 Renewed the strife ; but horror and dismay 
 O'erwheimed each mind. Then closed the glorious 
 
 day: 
 Bright victory o'er the Saxon banners blazed, 
 And shouts of joy through all the host were raised, 
 
 Now the bright moon through heaven high 
 Moving in cloudless majesty. 
 O'er the wide field her lustre shed 
 On pallid face of mangled dead. 
 The prowling wolf with bowlings bay, 
 And vultures hasten to their prey : 
 When Porta's anxious stops inclined 
 Tht body of his son to find. 
 In)|)atient o'er the plain he strode, 
 Still slippery with clotted blood. 
 Sudden a glittering brooch he spies, 
 And at his feet the infant lies. 
 Frantic with grief, his child he prest 
 Close, closer to his aching breast, 
 The tent with hurried footsteps traced, 
 And on his couch the body placed. 
 Next morn, the corse in state was laid. 
 With offerings to his hallowed shade, 
 The altars' fired — the flames arise — 
 Jlis youthful spirit seeks the skies.
 
 A TALF. 21 
 
 Not SO the British chieftain : iii the womb 
 Of the green hiil, deep cut his hollow tomb, 
 In narrow trench, enclosed by ruder stone, 
 The noble dust of Arthur slept alone. 
 In other grave* commingled lie 
 Promiscuous friend and enemy. 
 Above the farth rose broad and high, 
 And, spared by time, still meets the eye. 
 
 Canto tt^t f ourtj* 
 
 Now shone in Cerdic's lofty hall 
 Th^ kingly feast and festival. 
 Full many a noble warrior, dight 
 In splendid robe and scarf so brighl, 
 And many a blushing lady, fair 
 As chaste Diana's self, were there ; 
 And far around in order stand 
 The vassals of the feudal land. 
 Then raised the song, the joyful choir 
 Of minstrel gay and troubadour. 
 Through fretted hall and gallery 
 Rolls on th' inspiring melody: 
 Hiffh dome and turret catch the sound, 
 And back the thrilling echoes bound ; 
 And every care of frame or soul 
 Drowned in the sparkling ruby bowl. 
 
 " Minstrel I Minstrel ! strike the string- 
 " 'Tis Cerdic reigns, the mighty king 
 " Of Wessex favoured soil.
 
 *>•> 
 
 " Each Saxon waiid'rpr he befriends, 
 " To every caro and want attends ; 
 " Here bids him rest from toil. 
 
 '• Now louder raise eacli joyful voice, 
 " Let tlu' uliole listening" world rejoice ; 
 
 " Be Cerdic's worth confest. 
 *• Now softer let each silver sound 
 '• The rapturous theme of love rebound, 
 
 " And melt the pensive breast. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 *' Then welcome, Chieftain, to our shore ! 
 " Tempt not the rollinij ocean more, 
 
 " But here in glory shine ; 
 " While soon some fair, some blushiny bride, 
 " To Cerdic's rojal race allied, 
 
 " Thy arms in rapture twine." 
 
 The music fades. From ivory throne, 
 That rich in gold and jewels shone, 
 Great Cerdic bids his guest relate 
 His travel, and his wanderings state. 
 From his high seat the hero rose, 
 And thus obedient spoke his woes. — 
 
 '' From Hacon's race I boast my royal line, 
 '• In straight succession from the Gods divine. 
 '• A noble tribe my princely rule obeyed ; 
 " In peace and mercy was my sceptre swayed. 
 " Then why, ye mighty powers, was 1 born ? 
 *' Thus forced, an outcast, on the world forlorn ! 
 " Long to my heart a lovely wife I pressed— 
 '• Two lovely babes cur mutual fondness blessed :
 
 A TALE. 23 
 
 " But the great Gods — sure, envious of our joj, 
 
 " Our love, our happiness without alloy — 
 
 " My wife, my Bertha, in one dismal day, 
 
 " Tf> her own kindred heaven tore away. 
 
 " Instant did giant superstition rise, 
 
 " In all its horror, to my father's eyes. 
 
 " 'J'hus madly did the aged monarch swear : 
 
 " AVould Odin deign his tottering life to spare, 
 
 ''• His sons, to solemn sacrifice decreed,o 
 
 " Before his flaming altars slain, should bleed. 
 
 " Before Hie now the bloody scene appears : 
 
 " My brother's dying groans still meet my ears. 
 
 *' Myself alone escaped the murderous band, 
 
 " And fled for safety to my native land. 
 
 '' Beloved country ! to my heart still dear ; 
 
 *' To whose sad memory must fall the tear ! 
 
 " My native portal, kindred, and kind friends — 
 
 " The greatest blessing which on man attends : 
 
 " All, all are gone — all faded, vanished — I 
 
 '• Alone must bear my load of misery ! 
 
 " O'er the wide main our fragile bark we plied: 
 
 *' Our hope washeav'n — the northern star our guide. 
 
 " Ofttimes in gloom of night, the northern war 
 
 " Would throuli the wide horizon gleam afar; 
 
 " Celestial warriors join in thickest fight,^ 
 
 " And spread o'er lower worlds terrific fright; 
 
 '*^ When, from their hurtling arrows, vivid rays 
 
 '' The aether wrapt in momentary blaze, 
 
 '• O'er the dark seas was shed a dismal night, 
 
 '• Save when some rapid meteor shed its light. 
 
 " Long had we borne unutterable woes, 
 
 " From human chances and Demoniac foes ; 
 
 " When o'er the main the glorious sun beams throww, 
 
 '• On loveliest Albion in the distance shone.
 
 LM 
 
 PORTA. 
 
 <• With c'A^ev oars wc rowed touards the land, 
 
 " And leap<'d in "gladness on the golden sand ; 
 
 '• But fate on Porta's lot in gloomy mood 
 
 " Shll hung; povlontous : streams of Saxon blood 
 
 *• Drenched tlie fair earth : my woes to suell, 
 
 " My son, my elder born, unhj^ppy fell." 
 
 Here high with anguish keen his bosom swell'd ; 
 
 Scarce manly j)ride the starting tear repell'd. 
 
 • But funeral rites his wandering shade have blest 
 ' In the ninth heaven he finds eternal rest. 
 
 ' Thu?, mighty sovereign, have I spoke my life ; 
 
 • My lengthened wanderings, and unhappy strife; 
 ' And now my own, my comrades' fate demand 
 
 ' To crave a boon from Cerdic's royal hand. 
 ' When first the distant sky-blue hills were seen, 
 ' Alternate rising from the heaving main, 
 ' In pious offering to our guardian fate, 
 
 • Cast we the portal of our palace gate.' 
 
 ' On the dark surge, before the golden head, 
 ' It proudly sailed ; we followed where it led, 
 '• 'Till on the Island beach it struck the ground, 
 ' And we by heaven's high will a refuge found. 
 
 • There, by permission, 'neath thy kingly sway, 
 ' We'll found a city to adorn the bay. 
 
 ' Let Portsmouth be the celebrated name, 
 '•• To spread o'er all the earth its founder's fame/' 
 
 >i .\ \tT!'.' 
 
 nia'H 'lUAiiA 
 
 i3 .3.1
 
 NOTE S. 
 
 ' JVoolsner, the daemon dire and rude. 
 
 I h,ive bare taken a poetic licence foi the origin of the 
 Woolsner saud-bank, which projects from the southern fxfre- 
 niity of Hayiing Island, a Ions: distance into the sea, which in 
 Btorniy weather breaks over it with a great noise. A Beacon 
 ship is moored at its southern extremity. 
 
 '' Lash round great Porto's gnlden bark. 
 
 The vessels of Romance, in general, far exceeded the one 
 which brought my hero. The reader shall judge from the fol- 
 lowing description, taken from Partenopex ds Blois. In 
 ' Richard Citux de Lion,' tlie messenger of Henry II. meets a 
 splendid vessel. 
 
 Quelle ne «awe they never more 
 For it was so gay before ; 
 Every nnil of gold jgraTe ; 
 Of j)ui8 gold Was her sclave. 
 Her maste was of ivory, 
 Of samite her sayle wythy. 
 
 Her ro|)es ■were of white sylke. 
 As whyte as ever was H7iy :nylke. 
 The nobie shypiie was wyihout 
 >Vith iloaths of golde spreilsibout ; 
 And her lofl, and her wyiuUace, 
 All of gold besi)angled was. 
 
 " The wars of Odin the divine. 
 
 The exploits of Odin form the chief feature in the Mythology 
 of the North: they are detailed at length in the Folaspu, or 
 sacred book — the prophecy of Fola. or Vi>la. a general name 
 for the northern women, resembling in many respects the Sybils 
 of the Classic age. The work consists of 300 lines ; describing 
 the Creation — the employment of the Fairies against Loke, the 
 Typhon of the North ; and concludes with the conflagration of 
 the universe. Thoughout may be traced a strong resemblance 
 to the mythology of Greece and Rome — the Giants being nearly 
 similar to the Typhon and Giants of Homer and Virgil. 
 
 •* Here leads he nations from the East. 
 
 Sir William Jones, in his Essays published in the Asiatic 
 Researches, has with great acuteness described the progress of 
 this northern adventurer. 
 
 * The warlike songs of Britain sound. 
 
 " Some of baliles detailed by the Welch Bards were 
 between Forth and the Britons. One of them is the battle of 
 Loiigbooth, in which Arthur was Comnfiander in chief: and u?
 
 '26 Noiiis. 
 
 Longljonth literally signifieB the haven of ships, aud was some 
 harbour (m the sondiern coa^t. we may CDnsider the j)oeni as 
 deicribiujj thecouflict at Portsmoulh. where Porth landed." 
 
 Turner^ t liiAory of i fit An-glo-Saxonf. 
 
 * In other grave. 
 
 In Ihe year 1816, Iho writer puhlished an Aecount of the 
 Tumulus on Ports loicn Hill; in which it was shewn to he of 
 Saxon origin. The discovery of the tumulus at the lime i^a\ e 
 rise to a literary warfare. The paniphlet contained an Examin- 
 ation of the various hypotheses : iliat of the author ic comprised m 
 the Third Canto of the foregoing Talc. 
 
 » His sons to solemn sacrifice decreed. 
 
 In MaUet''8 Northern Antiquities many such examples are 
 deduced. Thus the first king of Virmland was burnt, to stop a 
 dearth. In the History of Norway the Kings did not spare the 
 lives of their sons : since one was sacrificed to Odin, to obtain 
 a victory ; and Aune, King of Sweden, offered his nine sons, 
 to obtain a prnlongiitioo of his life. Sometimes the person was 
 devoted to the Karlh, or Gorga ; in which case he was thrown 
 into a well : if he sank, the sacriGce was coii:idered propitious. 
 The ceremony concloded wiih feasts and dancing, which in 
 process of tinie equalled the Bacchanalian dances of the Greeks, 
 and at length became so vile, that wise men refused to assist 
 at them. 
 
 '' Celestial warriors join in thickest fi^ht. 
 
 It i» the common opinion in the North of P^urope, and in 
 the Highlands of Scotland — that land of superc-tition anrf 
 romance, that the Aurora Boreatis is occasioned by the circum- 
 stance here alluded to. Many passages of Ot-sian are to this 
 edcct ; and Shnkspearr, in ' Julius Geesar,' exclaims— 
 
 " Fierce (iery warriors fifbt upon llie cloudt." 
 
 ' Cw^t we the portal of our palace gate. 
 
 In the Landnamn Rook, one of the earliest records of Iceland, 
 we find, that when Ingolf. a.d. :37'I. iirst emigrated from Norway 
 to that country, as he approached the phure, he threw into the 
 sea lh<" d'lor of his former habitation, and following its course, 
 fixed his aliode on that spot to which chance directed it, and 
 which the «uper»iiiion of the age believed to be appointed for 
 the place of liii future selllemeol.
 
 it'storical €pocf)6 
 
 OF 
 PORTSMOUTH AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. 
 
 appear divinelj' bright. 
 And proudly -^bine in their own native light-* 
 Raised of iheni»elves, their jji-nuiiie charms they boait, 
 And those wiio paint them truest, praise them most. 
 
 ADDISOX'. 
 
 When the Saxons in England held sovereign sway^ 
 The Danes paid them visits almost every day. 
 Till Ethelwulph, sick of their ravagi-^g trips, 
 Repulsed them at Portsmouth back into their ships. 
 
 Anno eight hundred, ninety seven or eight, 
 Here battled the squadrons of Alfred the Great : 
 The troublesome Danes met a total defeat — 
 The mert were all hanged, and burnt was the fleet. 
 
 In return for which deeds, in one thousand and one, 
 The Danes entered Hampshire, and victory won; 
 And for sixty-six years at intervals came, 
 Poor Portsmouth invqhing in slaughter and flame. 
 1066 Here Harold equipped him a fleet, to withstand 
 
 Norman Billy from setting his toot on the land : 
 But a fog favoured William — he passed the ships all, 
 And safe disembarked at Pevensey Hall. 
 1086 When Canute looked on England with envious eye, 
 " Come to England," cried William, " your prowess 
 
 I'll try." 
 Poor Canute at the challenge, however, grew pale ; 
 And for Caen sailed the fleet with a favoring gale. 
 
 Ere Edgar reigned, the Isle of w hich I sing 
 Was a demesne belonging to the King : 
 'Till by Elfrida all the lands were given 
 sJJo Winton Minster*, for a seat in heaven ; 
 
 * The Sec ©f Winchester still retains a large portion of it as Colicjiate 
 
 Land.
 
 ' ^S EPOCHS 
 
 She o'er her Lord and flushandf Ifatin^VNile :'— 
 We have tioiic likt- her in the modern school ! ! ! 
 
 1101 Here warlike Normandy's aspiring Duke 
 
 The bond tVaternal and his home forsook : 
 Af^ainst his brother Jed a rebel bund, 
 And spread confusion o'er th'affiighted land. 
 But soon the strife was happily appeased : 
 From civil warfare our First Henry eased ; 
 
 1123 Who, as in ancient Chronicles I seek, 
 
 I find here passed in pomp the Whitsun-Week. 
 
 1146 At thi>^ fair spot, Matilda's friends descend, 
 
 Afl^ainst usurpin<:^ Stephen to contend, 
 AVheii Discord, throui^h tlie western lands afar, 
 " Cried. Havoc ! and let slip the do^s of war." 
 Robert, proud Glo'ster's Duke, then held the port, 
 And, steady friend ! led on each strong cohort. 
 
 1182 When Philip of Flanders, 'gainst Philip of France, 
 
 Had thoughtlessly hurled a long tournament lance, ; 
 If H;jrry of England Avould umpire preside, 
 His verdict between them should lawful abide. 
 Second Harry, mistrustful, ere the wish he'd fulfil, 
 At Portsmouth best thought it to make Jiis last will. 
 
 11B9 King Henry deceased, his successor and heir, 
 
 The Lion-heart Richard upsprung from his lair, 
 And landing from Caen, to take him a crown, 
 Spent o^crnkardt and pollards large sums in the town ; 
 And when Norman subject, oft full of alarms, 
 Intreated him hasten, and check the French arms ; 
 IVom Portsmouth he sailed for his Aquitaine lands. 
 With a hundred large ahippes and numerous bands. 
 
 1-01 " Let every Earl and Baron bold 
 
 " In readiness his tenants hold, 
 " V/ith horse and arms : by Whitsuntide 
 • Repair to Portsmouth haven side •"
 
 EPOCHS 2d 
 
 Wrote tyrant John, " abroad with me, 
 " Our vassals quell beyond the sea." 
 Each Earl refused, and gave as cause 
 Th' oppressive feudal forest laws. 
 John finding threats of none avail, 
 With Isabel his Queen set sail. 
 121S"Come the three quarters of the world in arm?, 
 " And we will shock 'ein : nought shall make us rue, 
 " it Enij;land to herself c!o prove but true," 
 Vaunted the English Earls, with conscious pride, 
 And thus th'invading arms of France defied. 
 At Portsmouth meeting, ships and warlike host. 
 The British thousands lined the island coast; 
 'Till dastard John, sole coward of the land. 
 Gave up the kingly crown to foreign hand. 
 
 1229 Henbe our Third Harry, 'gainst the realm of Franco 
 Bade a tremendous armament advance ; 
 
 Till by the Bretagne's treacherous Duke deceived, 
 
 (Alas ! that traitors should be so believed !) 
 
 Was forced the finest army to disband 
 
 Which till this age had graced our native land. 
 
 Some say the King's own brain was his defeat. 
 
 Forgetting both provision and a fleet : 
 
 France must be reached by one — and men will eat. 
 
 1230 Unchecked bj troubles, oft with treasures vast, 
 1242 Henry and court the Solent waters past. 
 
 1253 A thousand transports* swelled tiie kin;i,ly train, 
 
 Like Birnan's moving forest shone the main. 
 1245 In this king's reign, tlie Cinque-Port pirates cainej 
 
 And Portsmouth oft involved in sheets of flame. 
 1295 To guard our isle from Gallic foes, 
 
 The Portsmouth squadron first arose : 
 Five goodly ships, well manned and rated. 
 What time is in the margin stated. 
 
 * Of the size of the vessels we may form some idea, from tLcir earn rij 
 
 on!) 15 ;nen each.
 
 3tO EPOeHS 
 
 J.^(X) Edward the First, a hunsrj wigli(, 
 
 Did thus to Hampshire's Sheriff write — 
 
 " Eiijht hundred sacks of wheat ^ve need : 
 " S(MkI them, I pray, with utmost speed, 
 *' To Portsmouth, winnowed well, and new ; 
 " Two hundred tons of cyder too. 
 " Bring a receipt on Lady-day : 
 " Our Chaniherlain the bill will pay.*' 
 I."j6 When Scottish David round the southern coaal, 
 With hostile keel the English ocean plowed, 
 Then first uprose Britannia's native boast, 
 
 Her wooden walls, her guardian navy proud — 
 Edward their founder; who, th' ensuing Lent, 
 Convened in town a Naval Parliament, 
 When this our native place one Member sent. 
 The gallant Navy raised his admiration — 
 *' Henceforth let Portsmouth be the Premier Station I 
 " For Guicnne we'll set sail :" — but the sly rogue, 
 Landing, stole all thy claret, Ville la Ilogue ! 
 1.^77 When France, in Richard's time, destroyed the town, 
 The pious King, well worthy of renown, 
 Forgave a heavy debt it owed the Crown ; 
 And also, to assist the vast repairs. 
 Excused the rent for ten ensuing years. 
 Scarce six were past, when proud she rose again, 
 Her vessels boldly entering the Seine; 
 And spile of batteries a num'rous line, 
 Drought off a glorious prize of choicest wine. 
 1.AS6 Here Second Richard's court its lustre shed, 
 
 While balmy breezes slept in summer bed ; 
 Detained thee, Lancaster,* thy yeomen bold, 
 'Jhr merry archers all, as sand untold. 
 
 * John of Gaunt, Dnke of Lancnitcr, fcailfd from thii p-irt t^ iih,aa army 
 to a«crt His right to" tbf Ciown ©f Ca!tilc.
 
 EPOCHS 31 
 
 1416 When Henry's fleet, with half expanded sail 
 And •Tolden banner, wooed the tardy gale, 
 At distance seen, opposing squadrons lay, 
 And strict blockade closed in the shuddering bay. 
 At length the western breeze each flag unfurled, 
 And meteor Henry awed the Gallic world. 
 
 ]445 Here Anjou Margaret, of warlike fame, 
 
 With courtly retinue in splendour came : 
 Both Church and State their choicest pomp displayed, 
 Rome's gorgeous panoply, and Court parade. 
 Imperial lustre beamed in all the scene : 
 Sixth Henry's tribute to his matchless Queen. 
 
 1475 Such splendour shone again, when, Edward, thou 
 
 Beheld thy cohorts thick in grand Review ; 
 When English warriors brave and ladies gay 
 Met on our Southern plain, in blythsome May. 
 
 1503 Seventh Henry laid foundations of the Docks, 
 
 And placed the ' Mi/ghtic Harri/'' on the stocks ; 
 Which finished, rode in splendour on the seae, 
 Her golden pennant floating on the breeze. 
 On her broad silken sails, of purest white, 
 Th' emblazoned arms of England met the sight. 
 Her massy bulk, by gilded sculpture prest, 
 The first of England's Navy stood confest. 
 
 Still France our port beheld with envious eye, 
 And long'd the valour of our fleets to try. 
 With this intent, in our Eighth Harry's reign, 
 Lo ! hostile barks usurp the Solent main. 
 Tow'rds famed St. Helen's Bay a course they bore. 
 Mocked heaven's high thunder with their cannon's 
 
 roar. 
 Our sturdy Monarch hastened to the coast, 
 To theer and animate \\\% loval host.
 
 32 iw»oc»is 
 
 The Enerlish fleet, led on by ijenerous Lisle, 
 
 Off Spithead ancliorM, to defend the Xsle ■■ 
 
 By strataf:;em to save this happy land, 
 
 And lead the foe amid the banks of sand. 
 
 Oft the French galleys to our fleet drew near : 
 
 As oft retreated, overawed by fear.:{: 
 
 Moderns will ask — Could Britons calmly view 
 
 A sii^ht like this, nor rush upon the foe ? 
 
 In truth they could : — their chief a gallant man, 
 
 But 'twas no Nelson then who led ihe van. 
 
 For tAvo successive days the ships en£^a2:ed, 
 
 Dread broadsides poured, then distant warfare waged ; 
 
 Till France, unable to sustain the fight, 
 
 V/reaked her dire vengeance on the Isle of Wight; 
 
 Then fled. ' Portsmouth is ours,' her Monarch cried : 
 
 The strange assertion was hy facts denied. 
 
 First Charles here landed, in return from Spiiin ; ,=(^,,3 
 And here his favorite Buckingham was slain ; ''"H 
 
 From Felton's furious dagger met his fate, ' t 
 
 A victim to revenge and deadly hate ; U 
 
 While the enthusiast to madness driven, 7^ 
 
 Proclaimed the act a vengeance due to heaven.^ c 
 
 Tiie Rebel Parliament of Charles, it pleased f 
 
 To order — ' Straight let Portsmouth town be seized 'T 
 " For our convenience." Goring, forced by fate 
 And stern necessity, unbarred the gate, 
 
 t In this TJJit Uie King; held his residence in Southsfa Castle. During , Qga i 
 the enjjageini-nl, (he Mary Rose, ouc of thi' largest l-.nglish vessels, com- , 
 ui.-.niled hy Sir George Carew, was lost, being overpowered by the weight ' 
 of her ordnance. 
 
 S The seen"- of this atrocious murder was, at the time, a large Ian, 
 railed the Spotted Dug. The premiseg are at present the residence of the 
 J{eT. George Ciiihbert, No. 10, in the High-Street. The Dulic was, 
 Slabbed over the shoulder by a knife ; and his only exclamation was.' The ■ 
 Villain lias killed me.* Jtelion, when taken into custody, .said * I know if 
 Jimt he is dead ; (or 1 had the force of forty men when I struck the blow.' 
 The assasiiu wai hurg on Southsea Common ; and some remains of kis 
 fcibbel were vi9iblr, not many years since. 
 
 bnAl-j-kk ilk baoj^ii
 
 EPOCHS 33 
 
 And the strong fortress, from that luckless hour^r. J ^ii i 
 
 Became subservient to Cromwell's power. 
 
 But when through troubled skies the welcome star '.' 
 
 Ofhappy Restoration beamed afar, 
 
 Like captive lioness, the loyal town 
 
 Panted to break the chain that held her down ; 
 
 And when our Second Charles, like mid-day sun, 
 
 Triumphant in his people's love came on. 
 
 Our sires the Royal Martyr's heir caress'd, 
 
 And tovv'rds his sacred throne with ardour pressed. 
 
 Here did the Lusitanian Princess land, 
 
 On England's Monarch to bestow her hand : 
 
 Like other maids, impatient to be married ; 
 
 Though three long days her royal suitor tarried. 
 
 This, say my readers fair, was not polite : 
 
 With shame I own it — but the truth must write. 
 
 1686 'Twas here, against the throne of Second James, 
 
 Rebellion kindled her long smothered flames. 
 Our ancient town first bared the lurid arm ; 
 Hence blazed afar the signal of alarm. 
 When generous chieftains lawless power defied, 
 And here in gloomy dungeons lay untried ; 
 Till patriot bands, in Freedom's glorious cause, 
 Restored the nation's rights, her sacred laws ; 
 The royal bigot fled his tottering throne — 
 Fill'd henceforth by the people's choice alone. 
 
 1689 Here William came, by gratitude inspired, 
 
 In knightly robe his gallant tar attiredt — 
 *' Herbert ! we^ll board Elizabeth, and dine, 
 *' Pour voire courage, be a Peerage thine !" 
 Again this sovereign saw, in ninety-two, 
 The Dutch and English fleet in grand review ; 
 
 + Admiral Herbert, promised by William to be created an Earl, for 
 intercepting a Frencli squadron carrying arms, &c. to James the 
 Second in Ireland. 
 
 F
 
 84 Epocjra 
 
 Di'^pen^od his favours round, and ' half seas o'er," 
 " Chert- Unnh* sera MilortL'^ the Monarcli swore ; 
 " l^nrdounez^ Messieurs — l)ut a king- must drink ; 
 " J'espere que vous we drunle pas me think." 
 
 Who hatli not heard how, oft in Western isle, 
 Sweeps the tornado tempest ! On it comes, 
 Nor monient'is warning. In tlie furious blast, 
 Castles and towns — trees, which have stood the brunt 
 Of lundred winters — prone upon the earth. 
 Thunder, and hail, and the blue lightning's glare, 
 Increase the horror : darkness terrific ! 
 Men, cattle, fowls, in one vast ruin hurled ! 
 O'er verdant plain, the bnrtfting billows spread 
 One vast expanse of water. The affrighted earth, 
 Quaking for terror, what the tempest spares 
 O'erthrows. Then are the new-formed shores 
 Strewed in an instant with a thousand wrecks, 
 i-r>" -^"^^ r?^sP'"o mariners. Such, Portsmouth, on thy coast 
 „n(i In the last century, twice, with giant might, 
 1750 Threatened destruction. t 
 
 1703 Hei'e Charles the Third, upon his voyage for Spain,. 
 
 Landing, with Queen Anne dined, then sailed again; 
 
 But adverse winds forbade the shin restore 
 
 Th' entrusted monarch to his native shore. 
 1712 Here Hanway, the Philanthropist, was born, 
 
 Wl'.ose acts the age he lived in well adorn ; 
 
 While commerce, spread by him, in kind return 
 
 Shed her best honours round his hallowed urn. 
 1756 Here Byng, the misjudged Admiral, was shot: 
 
 Memory turns pale and shudders at his lot. 
 
 * Adiuiial Sir Oharlcs Rook. 
 + In the first lempr.Mt lurt- >puken or', many houses were dcsfroyed, and 
 Jives lii>t; the Meiiica^.tlt; (ij^atc and yr.Huvru< tire-ship were also lost at 
 Spillwad. lu the sfconu sioiin the shock of an earthquake was felt: a 
 •iiiiilar shock was aiw> felt 16 years siucc.
 
 EPOCHS 35 
 
 1782 Brave Kempenfeldt and crew here found a grave 
 
 Beneath the calm translucid summer wave, 
 
 When by an accidf^nt unheard before 
 
 The Roual George went down to rise no more. 
 1795 Hore was the Bo?/ne, ill-fated, lost in flame, 
 
 Thovigh Phffinix-like another bears her name. 
 1773 Tiiird George, surnamed the Pious, «?ood and great, 
 
 Oft gladdened Portsmouth with his royal stale ; 
 
 Each worthy subject shared his kind regard, 
 
 Deliiihting ever merit to reward. * 
 1791 To raise the patriot in each princely breast. 
 
 The town again his regal presence blest : 
 
 Then at the gracious Monarch's sicie were seen 
 
 His royal oiispriug and illustrious Queen : 
 
 Affection, loyalty, went hand in hand, 
 
 And welcomed George, the Father of the Land ! 
 
 Why throbs each warlike heart — why dimmed each eye 
 
 With floning tear — the tear of extacy ? 
 
 Why humbly bends the Chief, untamed in war ? 
 
 A grateful King be^jiows the splendid star ; 
 
 •Stifled the voice of thanks — see conquering Howe, 
 
 Subdued by royal kindness, silent bow ! 
 I'll not attempt in sounding verse 
 Each expedition to rehearse : 
 What convoys sailed, what fleets equipped. 
 What troops, what ammunition shipped ; 
 Or, by our Howes and Nelsons led. 
 What fleets and squadrons thronged Spithead. 
 Suffice it, that with every sun 
 Thundered salute, or signal gun ; 
 
 * At the Royal Vii-it in 1773, the King bestoued the honor of knighf- 
 hood on the late Sir John Carter, father of our present Memoerof Par- 
 liament. He was long senior Aldei man, and wanj times .Mayor of tl;e 
 Borough; as well as a Masistrate and JJe])uty Lieutenant for the couniv. 
 The grateful memory of ti)is good ■man ny all tlas.-es of inhabitanis isa 
 higher tribute to iij= worth than woiilU be any encomium from my pen. 
 
 At the subsequent visit in 1794. his Majesty luesented a snperb sw.>rd 
 and medal to Lord Howe, onboard ills ship at Spithead, or. ocrasion 
 of the glo.'ious victory off Brest, on the Ist of June.
 
 36 EPO<iis 
 
 Till Peace came on, when, hideous tale ! 
 
 Spilhead is advertised for sale ; 
 
 Or nurchaiH-men a seveji ^-ears' lease may take: 
 
 Save us, Directors Indian, or v,e break ! 
 1814 Here Geor^^e the Fourtli, then R gent of the land. 
 Came with imperial pomp and prii-cp]y band : 
 When he with Prussia's King and Russia's Czar, 
 Beheld the famous imitative war. 
 Onward he co.nes, his thronging subjects press 
 Around his chariot, and his presence bless. 
 'Tis England's hope, the chief of Brunswick's line, 
 In whom the virtues of his father shine. 
 Hark ! from unnumbered multitudes arise 
 The rapturous sliout : it shakes the vaulted skies. 
 From tower and battlement, for ages mute, 
 Now thundering ordnance pour the loud salute. 
 Not greater concourse met in ancient Home 
 When god-like Caesar rode in triumph home. 
 Sound tiie loud trumpet : beat the furious drums ! 
 Behold Britannia's conquering hero§ comes — 
 'Tis Lusitania's mighty saviour, he, 
 The dreadful scourge of Gallic tyranny ! 
 Of Northern heroes see a glorious throng. 
 Illustrious names, to swell the minstrel's song: 
 Blucher and PJatoff, Oldenburgh the fair ; 
 Whose mingled praises rend the troubled air. 
 While on each setting day, the vivid fire 
 Of blazing torches bade the night retire ; 
 Till from the varied scenes the honoured race. 
 Kings, Lords, and Commons, all depart in peace : 
 The pagent ended, here our epochs cease. 
 
 ^ The Duke of Wellinglon arrivrd. on the second day of the Fete, 
 from hii> biilliatit campaign in Spain and the Soutii (-1 Franco, 
 
 Were I to attempt "to enumerate the various personjiges present ou 
 this occasion, it would he hut a rc-piint of the Court Calendar. During 
 this visit, the honor of knighthood wdi bcitowed on Henry White, Esq. 
 Mayor of the Borough.
 
 prospects* 
 
 The climate's delicate, the air most sweet, 
 
 Fertile ihe soil — the city much surpassing 
 
 The coiiiraon fame it bears. suakspearf. 
 
 Such is the patriot's boast, where'er we roam. 
 
 Our first, best country, ever is at home, goldsMITH. 
 
 Ere Albion first from ocean rose — 
 
 And when that happened heaven knows ; 
 
 (Though Sullivan:]: may date its birth, 
 
 When Noah's Deluge left the eart'.,) 
 
 From various incidents we imy co.iclude, 
 
 O'er this our native isie tjie w ateis flowed ; 
 
 Its low and flattened aspect, well inclined 
 
 To raise such supposition in the mind, 
 
 Viewing- with calm and philosophic eye 
 
 Th' adjacent shores, fiom Pcrlsdown's summit high. 
 
 Nay, the Historic Musf, with faithful hand, 
 
 Relates how it forsook the castle strand, § 
 
 When Nepture bade each listening Triton round 
 
 Rear the fair islands from the deep profound. 
 
 Sudden the blushing lands appeared confess'd, 
 
 Which thus the sea green God indulgent bless'd : 
 
 " To endless time be this a verdant spot, 
 
 " And this our Mandate for its envied lot : 
 
 " From northern blasts preserved by Portsdown's hight; 
 
 " From southern tempests by the Isle of Wight, 
 
 " Which, from the main land, let the swelling tide, 
 
 " Expanding tow'rds the west, with floods tiivide; 
 
 " Along whose margin fertile lands be spread, 
 
 " And eastward roll the azure ocean's bed. 
 
 " Hence shall Britannia's bulwarks spread her fame : 
 
 *' Known to all nations be the city's name. 
 
 " Hence will I send my sons," the monarch cried, 
 
 " Bid them, invincible, the billows ride 
 
 J See S¥lliym''Tie«>. of Nature, ^ PortchestctjCastle.
 
 38 PROSPECTS. 
 
 ** To each extended pole — 'TIs our decree, 
 " Britons alone shall rule the tribute sea." 
 In rich fertility, the isle might vie 
 With Crete, of ancient fame, or Sicily. 
 Here generous Ceres, from her <rolden horn, 
 Scatters abuuilant crops of yellow corn. 
 Here are Pomona's choicest j^ifts bestowed. 
 In luscious orchards, bendinij 'neath their load ; 
 While loveliest Flora through the smiling land 
 Sheds health and fragrance with unsparing hand. 
 Who can unmoved behold his country's pride, 
 The fleets of England, on our waters ride ; 
 The lofty battlemeiits' stupendous breadth — 
 Their giant strength — the implements of death. 
 Such as in Milton's hallowed page we find 
 The rebel angels 'gainst high heaven inclined ; 
 The spacious port, of wealth a boundless store ; 
 The vast and spreading docks, or busy shore ; 
 Nor feel a secret zeal his heart expand, 
 In exultation o'er a scene so grand ? 
 
 WriUcn in the Cupola on the Tower of iJt. Thomas's Church, a. d. 1S14. 
 
 [From this elevation a. Panoramic View is presented, equal to any in the 
 kingdom. The trouble of mounting 200 steps will be amply repaid, espe- 
 cially if the tide be high in the harbonr. A traveller from Italy witnessing 
 the prospect, a few years since, exclaimed in cxtacy— ' Venice! Ftnjcc / 
 this is my own Wen ire /'] 
 
 What beauties strike th'enraptured eye, 
 And fill the soul with extacy ! 
 The ample bay, the Vectian isle, 
 In rich luxuriant beauty smile :
 
 PROSPECTS. 39 
 
 Its lofty mountains, woodlands wide; 
 
 Villas, reflected in the tide, 
 
 While various shipping, placed betvveenj 
 
 Increase the grandeur of the scene. 
 
 Borne swiftly on by favoring gale, 
 
 At distance mark approaching sail. 
 
 First (Vi the w ave a speck appears ; 
 
 The lofty mast its summit rears ; 
 
 Till onward by the light winds press'd, 
 
 The stately vessel stands confess'd, 
 
 Reflecting back the glowing light, 
 
 From full bent canvass dazzlins" white • 
 
 Then sudden veering, to our view 
 
 How dark, how dusky is their hue ! 
 
 Her flag displayed, far echoing round 
 
 Rolls the saluting cannon's sound, 
 
 In honour due — while to the skies 
 White wreathing clouds of smoke arise. 
 Now to the port the ship draws near, 
 Hark 'tis the soul inspiring cheer 
 The seamen raise ! behold the crowd 
 On deck, on forecastle, on shroud, 
 While proudly o'er the foaming waves 
 Sounds, " Britons never shall be slaves !§" 
 
 Fit subject for the painter's hand, 
 Behold yon Castle on the strand — 
 (The modern fort adorns the place 
 A pile romantic wont to grace,) — 
 The lofty mill, the marshes damp, 
 The Common spread with warlike camp ; 
 
 ^ ^^hat sight can equal that of a first rate man-of-war entering the 
 Harbour? Those who have seen the spectacle can alone apprecialitl 
 SBrSTeart? "'"' " "^^ ^"* spirit of our national hJL felt ^'
 
 40 PROSPECTS. 
 
 Gardens, with hamlets plared betwpen, 
 And villas fair, 'mid bowprs orpceu ; 
 Each spacious town — each terraf'e proud — 
 Wide spreadinij street, and busy road ; 
 Rampart and »/aaV, I'astion strong ; 
 The elm-grove and the aic'i-way long ; 
 The line of forts, obscurely seen — 
 The verdant hills and islands green — 
 The Dock — its towers pxalted high, 
 And Portsea's Rainparts lying nigh ; 
 Whereon in beauteous order shine 
 The tall Herculean trees divine ; + 
 The Inner Port, which far recedes 
 Amidst the richly varied meads ; 
 The antique towers, in solemn mood, 
 Majestic on the margent flood ; 
 The plains of Hampshire stretching round. 
 By wood or darksome forest crown'd, 
 While Portsdown's lofty cloud-capped head, 
 With numerous fleecy flocks o'erspread, 
 In distance seen, of azure blue, 
 Compleats and bounds the matchless view. 
 
 + The Lines of Portsra are tliickly plained with Poplars, &c. 
 wliich from a distance have tlie appcanmce of a large Park. 
 
 Altlioiish the whole of liie Scenery dcscribt'd above, cannot be enjoyed 
 from a less elevated spot, the objects may be seen in detail with equal 
 pleasure. The view from the Plallonn is rarely equalled'; ever varyins;, 
 ever grand and dciigiitriil, wiicllier the sea be smooth, or tempestuous — by 
 day, or by night. Proceeding round the Ramparts, each bastion presents 
 the port and country in a new view. Southsea Castle is rich in beauty ; 
 beyond it, following I he shore, we lose sight of the (own, and see an 
 ex|)aB»e of water reaching to ihc horizon. From the high ground beyond 
 J'^stney Inrt, tiie Harbour of Langston opens upon us, bounded by Hay- 
 ling Iiland, and the Southdowns; its margin lined with towns and villages. 
 The Ramparts of Porlsoa, Gosport, Moukton Fort, &c. jiresent scenes 
 equally interesting. No visitor of these towns, however short his stay, 
 should depart wiiliout visiting the Platform, for a vi' w of the outer port; 
 then prtK ceding to ihe Point Beach, take a view of the flarbour, bounded 
 by immense docks and arsenals, and covered by the Bulwarks of Britain in 
 nil their magniticence. Cold indeed must be the heart nhicb can view 
 Ihesc Scenes with indifference.
 
 TH£ 
 
 Cotott of ^ortsmoutli. 
 
 Of 
 
 This ancient town. 
 How wanton sits the amidst nature's smiles! 
 
 the stoieliotise of the world, 
 Where sails unnumbered whiten all the stream. 
 
 TOUNC. 
 
 jj:3r Th€ References direct to Notes at the end of this S»eii«rt. 
 
 In olden time, two days were spent, 
 
 'Twixt Portsmouth and the Monument ; 
 
 When Flying: Diligences plied, 
 
 When men in Roundabouts would ride, 
 
 And, at the surly driver's will, 
 
 Get out and climb each tedious hill. 
 
 But since the rapid Freeling^'s age 
 
 How much improved the English Stage ! 
 
 Now in ten hours the London Post 
 
 Reaches from Lombard-Street our coast. 
 
 In seventeen hundred, seventy and one, 
 Our streets were neatly paved with Portland stone. 
 The British Senate bade the Avork commence; 
 But towns-folk grumbling- bore the vast expence.* 
 
 Our streets, laid out in parallel : 
 Their merits we proceed to tell. 
 
 First High-Streets broadest of the four, 
 Runs from the gateway to the shore, 
 Adorned with Market-house and Hall,'' 
 Which many pray may some day fall. 
 One Carpenter, " riche man of myght," 
 First bade the fabric spring to light, 

 
 -12 rowN OF 
 
 What time, ivs Lelande's works relate, 
 Our eighth Kin^; Henry ruled the state. 
 From hence the ".l"ve, hunii^ high in air, 
 Gives sii^nal of o' r annual Fair. 
 
 Here our Poi'-/i.Jmiral resides 
 In mansion ^\ !ucli the state provides; 
 
 Here too • ;e small, neat Theatre, 
 Where sixty winter evenings drear. 
 In tragic pomp, the Muse refined 
 Points moral lessons to the mind; 
 Or ' holds the mirror up' of life 
 In ' Townly' or the ' Jealous Wife.' 
 
 The Chapel neat,'^ attention claims, 
 Connected long with worthy names: 
 Here Brown long taught, with rapture fired, 
 For zeal with charity admired ; 
 Till one sad thought, like simoon wind, 
 With madness struck liis giant mind "^ ; 
 Here JFrenne, the Howard ot his day. 
 Whose kindness soothed the rugged way 
 Of captive throngs: his willing aid 
 A grateful nation's thanks repaid. 
 
 Here are our Inns of chief renown. 
 The George, the Fountain, and the Crown. 
 With Hotel Clarence^ where once stood 
 The White- Ilouse'^ siiong in gloomy mood : 
 But when some wag was heard declare 
 Its likeness to the August Heir 
 Of England's Tlirone, being next the Croxon, 
 The Corporation broker knocked it down. 
 Then rose a prison, vast and strong. 
 In Penny Street; from whence a throng 
 Of genuine patriots'" oft are sent 
 To the Antarctic Continent;
 
 PORTSMOUTH. 43 
 
 Here kept until the favoring gale 
 Bids the ill-freighted vessel sail. 
 
 Next turn we to St. Thomas-Street^ 
 Retired, elegant, and neat. 
 At either end green elms are seen, 
 Tall poplars deck the space between ; 
 Here our tall church, the heavens greeting ; 
 Post-Office, and the Baptist Meeting ; 
 Lieutenant-Governor's abode, 
 And Agent's House and garden rood. ^ 
 
 Next on the North a street appears — 
 The name of Warhlington it bears ; 
 Which, near the Land^port entrance placed. 
 Has long our ancient tovvi) disgraced. 
 Here stands in sombre chilling mood, 
 Of age and want the drear abode.^ 
 
 Hail, King-Street, where our /csrs to cheer, 
 Beef, biscuit, pork, and good strong beer. 
 Are piled in storehouse large and high. 
 Enough the cravings to supply 
 Of any man, or rich or needy, 
 Lay-Brother thin, or ' Justice Greedy !' '' 
 
 In Penny-Street, behold the school, 
 Now filled alone by desk and stool, 
 
 By Smith, M. D. endowed ;"' 
 And ancient Alms-house rising near, 
 By Burgess, name for ever dear. 
 
 On Widows nine bestowed ! 
 The vast Depot! the Court-House here; 
 The Factories for genuine beer 
 
 Of D , C , pass ; 
 
 And G 's well-built mansion high. 
 
 Whose stores, that might v/ith Barclay's vie, 
 
 Adorn St. Nicholas;
 
 44 TOWN OF 
 
 " Henry the Eighth, in warres with Fraunce, 
 
 <* Bale seven <;reat Brewini^ Stores advaunce, 
 
 *< With implements, to serve his shippes, 
 
 " Wnen they might take them warlike trippe«."* 
 
 But in late times the bands Marine 
 
 In martial pomp adorn the scene. 
 
 And oft, with hoavonly music's aid, 
 
 Invite us to the promenade. ^ 
 
 Near this, with all accommodation, 
 Befitting military station, 
 
 Stand Four-House Barracks — but for me, 
 
 I never yet found more than three. 
 
 Some other streets transversely run, 
 
 Or radiate, like the beaming sun, 
 
 Viz. — White-Horse, Lombard, good St. Mary' ; 
 
 Rows, Lanes, and Courts, some close, some airy. 
 In fair Green- /^ow'", see mild Religion's seat, 
 The Wesleyan Chapel, spacious, strong, and neat. 
 Near this the Portsmouth Institution stands, 
 Whose structure, as its object, praise demands 
 (Poor hoys and girls are here instructed well, 
 Upon the useful plan of Dr. Bell); 
 Surmounted by a spacious high-roofed hall, 
 Oft used for Publick Meeting, Concert, Ball. 
 
 Hark ! the soft flute salutes my ear, 
 
 The harp's wild notes, to minstrel dear. 
 
 The deep trombone, the heavenly violin, 
 
 While drum and trump at intervals join in. 
 
 See, in chill night, the assembled throng 
 
 In mazy windings sweep along; 
 And German Waltz, and new Quadrille of France, 
 Banish the good old English Country-Dance. 
 
 • See Lelandt's Tourc.
 
 PORTSMOUTH. 45 
 
 AN EPISODE. 
 
 'Tis an old saying — doubtless true — 
 
 I lejive it, Gentlemen to you — 
 
 How many lovely women we 
 
 May every day in Portsmouth see 1 
 
 And yet a snarling ancient qitean. 
 
 Made up of buckram, pride, and spleen, 
 
 Say«, '• For Old Maids, in all the nation 
 
 " Sure Portsmouth is the allott-^d station." 
 
 A slanderous libel e'en if true: 
 
 We'll try it ex officio. 
 
 Defe dant pleads — " Hear my defence 
 
 " I'll prove I speak not on pretence. 
 
 " Y >.rve heaux enough, and bellts more bright ; 
 
 " 13(.t vviiere's the joy for winter's night ? 
 
 " Tlie lovely girls at home must stay, 
 
 " Willi the old folks at Pope-Joan play, 
 
 " While the young Bloods, in ball-room prid«, 
 
 " Hasten to Horndean, Fareham, Ryde. 
 
 •• Thus have the maidens of the isle 
 
 " No chance to win by gracious smile : 
 
 '• The youthful swain, with ardour fired, 
 
 " No chance to meet the maid admired. 
 
 " Wedlock is ever near for man ; 
 
 '• But girls must marry when they can. 
 
 " How much would an Assembly aid 
 
 " Your peaceful town's expiring trade I 
 
 '• Conceive of lads and lasses bright, 
 
 " Preparing for the appointed night : — 
 
 " ' You want a hat and gloves ; and I 
 
 " < Silk stockings for the night must buy.' 
 
 " * I vow Fve soiled my satin shoe — 
 
 ?' ' New flowers i want— and so do you :
 
 46 TOWN OF 
 
 " * Sec tliut there be of tea no dearth, 
 " ' Nor spicy wines to raise our mirth.' 
 " ' Impossible ! to walk a mile ! 
 " ' We may as well go out in stile : 
 
 " ' Pray get from R n, or B it, 
 
 " ' Thtir largest coach — our friends will fill it !" 
 
 *' Say, tliat a Guinea be put down ; 
 
 " Is it not spent within the town ? 
 
 " Or in the true Hiint-arian strain, 
 
 *' Will it not all come round again ? 
 
 " Tlicn prithee, friends, but for the sake 
 
 " Of Portsmouth female charms at stake, 
 
 " Remove the slain ! Join townsmen all, 
 
 " Next winter, have a Green-Row Ball." 
 
 The Guard-house strong, the stately Bank, 
 The Mansion for Imperial rank, 
 
 Adorn the Grand Parade ; 
 Where oft in long extended line. 
 The warriors of Britain shine. 
 
 In martial pomp arrayed. 
 Here belles^ all dashing, gay, and fair, 
 And beaux so spruce and debonahe. 
 
 Their elegance display; 
 The latest fashion still the theme, 
 They float on pleasure's fairy stream, 
 
 And careless pass the day. 
 
 Before 'twas Wolsey's stern resolve 
 Each House Religious to dissolve, 
 The Palace of our Govenor, 
 A stately pile, rose near the shore: 
 But strange the changes it has seen — 
 First turned into a Magazine;
 
 PORTSMOUTH 4T 
 
 But fearing fire, thoug^h next the water, 
 'Tis now the Royal House of Slaughter. 
 Where towards the north its front uprears 
 The bust of Premier Charles appears, 
 In hollow niche, and circled round 
 With laureFd wreath, the Arms are found. 
 Instead of more enlarged description, 
 Suppose we give you the inscription : 
 
 " KING CHARLF.S TFIE FIRST," 
 
 "■ After his Travels through all France and Spain, and having passed 
 " many dangers, both by Sea and Land, he arrived here the 5th day 
 "of October, 1623." 
 
 (Clje -tBoViernment j^oujgfe* 
 
 In ancient time, when Petert held this See, 
 
 Here rose in Gothic state a Priory; 
 
 On which th' illustrious man, in pious mood, 
 
 Bestowed the hallowed title ^ JJoitse of God.^'' 
 
 Here Wickham's Brother held despotic reign 
 
 O'er lazy Monks and Nuns a numerous train, 
 
 Who, where St. Nicholas lay in pomp enshrined, 
 
 By day and night their holy knees inclined : 
 
 Rich incense blazed, and solemn masses rose, 
 
 T' insure the founder's soul a safe repose. 
 
 The pealing organ rolled its notes around. 
 
 And the full choir increased the awful sound; 
 
 While through the ' long-drawn aisle' and cloisters dim, 
 
 Rose the loud anthem or the vesper hymn. 
 
 Richard, the Portsmouth Cenceror, agreed 
 Three silver pennies every year to pay 
 
 For ' Suwyck Convent,' by enacted deed, 
 
 Land-rent to God's-house, on St. Michael's day. 
 
 f Peter de Rupibus, Bishop of Wincheiter.
 
 -IS TOWN OF 
 
 When stripped of power each Templar Knight, 
 
 The Portsmouth Convent took 
 Thy manors in the Isle of Wi^ht, 
 
 Illustrious Lord of Brooke ! 
 
 William of Wickham, in his wilt, 
 Thus bade Executor fulfil : 
 *• One pair of Vestments to the Priest, 
 " And golden cup for Eucharist." 
 
 When sturdy Eighth Harry filled up the wide throne, 
 He cried out in haste to proud WoNey alone, 
 " Domus DeV go seize, as High Lord of the Town ; 
 *' Away, tell the Prior : our decree — take it down. 
 " We at once put an end to his sojournment there, 
 " Since of marks he cant spend five hundred each year : 
 '• So haste, close the door — Be sure strongly lock it — 
 " And of cash the whole store, bring away in your 
 pocket." 
 
 Iconoclasts then sacked the place : 
 
 Since, ' Tempiis ednx^ dire 
 Has razed — and scarcely left a trace — 
 
 The cloister, hall, and spire. 
 Ball-room and court usurp the cell, 
 
 Where Holy Father shriven 
 In private held confessional. 
 
 And taught the way to heaven. 
 
 'Twas here the nuptial knot was tied 
 'Twixt Charles the Second and his bride, 
 The lovely Kate. In honey-moon 
 Thus wrote the King to Clarendon :
 
 PORTSMOUTH. 49 
 
 " Portsmouth, May 21, eight in the morning. 
 
 " Arrived here yesterday at noon ; 
 
 " "Went to my dear wife's room as soon 
 
 " As I had shifted. Not each grace 
 
 " Of fairest Venus in her face: 
 
 " But still her eyes I must admire — 
 
 " They're excellent, and full of fire. 
 
 " Her conversation easy, — wit, 
 
 " And voice, as might a Queen befit; 
 
 " And wonder would be raised in thee, 
 
 " Could you our good acquaintance see. 
 
 " Certain our humours well accord : 
 
 " She'll prove a lovely wife, my Lord ! 
 " With weighty matters so opprest, 
 " Seek from my Nobleman the rest. 
 ♦ « C. REX." 
 
 ^U fZt^oxm^'^ €"^11X1% 
 
 See yonder hallowed fane, the pious work 
 Of hands once famed, now dubious or forgot. 
 
 BLAIR. 
 
 'Twas not till Second Henry's day, 
 
 When Bcckct held despotic sway, 
 
 A Church was here, where priests might read, 
 
 Or teach our ancestors their Creed : 
 
 'Till Ritpibtis the pile began 
 
 (Memorial of the holy man) ; 
 
 When finished, to secure its fame. 
 
 He bade it ever bear the name 
 
 By which the Pope, kind-hearted soul, 
 
 Did Becket mid tlie Saints enroll. 
 
 H
 
 ^0 TOWN OF 
 
 The ancient structure rose sublime, 
 Admired, through lonj^ succeedin"- time 
 When o'er the centre of the cross 
 Rose the square tower, clothed in moss, 
 Up- borne by clustering pillars four, 
 Though two delight the eye no more — 
 Like monuments of classic pride, 
 O'erwhelmed in time's devouring tide, 
 When innovators doomed their fall, 
 Thinking the church by far too small 
 To hold the folk who came to pray — 
 How different our sectarian day ! 
 Then sunk the ancient nave and tower;" 
 And Stanj/fonf, with guardian power, 
 
 Framed and contrived the present pile 
 
 (His resting-place in Southern aisle) ; 
 Altered the Presbytery— and, it appears, 
 Bequeathed his whims to future heirs- 
 Sure never Church lack'd such repairs ! 
 Townsmen, who thought it incomplete, 
 Would oft in vestry wrangling meet, 
 'Till 'twas resolved, on tower high 
 A spreading dome should greet the eye ; 
 Above, to every varying gale, 
 A gilded vessel spread her sail ; 
 In upper lanthorn hang a bell, 
 Whose note approacliing fleets should tell, 
 (In modern times, in dead of ni'Hit, 
 It calls for aid, wheji fires affright ;) 
 While in the dome a peal should swing, 
 On every glad occasion ring- 
 Five, at request of gallant Rooke, 
 Pi ince George from Dover's Pharos took. 
 Presenting to the town, but these 
 -\ot brilliant toned enough to please,
 
 PORTSMOUTH. 51 
 
 Were then re-cast, three larger added — 
 The vote being in full vestry carried. 
 Which Brandon, fond of sacred rhymes ; 
 Confirmed with charming changing chimes. 
 
 Come, Contemplation ! thou, who lov'st to roam 
 'Mid hollow tombs, and where the funeral yew 
 Sheds o'er the mouldering ashes of the dead 
 A sad and solemn gloom : attend us now 
 Through the interior of the hallowed pile ! 
 Inspire with thoughts sublime. Pass we the gate, 
 To where, on lofty Doric pillars reared, 
 The vaulted roof re-echoes to the sound 
 Of the melodious organ's pealing note. 
 Touched by a master's hand. Now full and grand, 
 It fills with admiration every soul : 
 Now in a milder, softer strain, it breathes. 
 And in soft fading cadence dies away. 
 Lo! where the sacred altar of our faith. 
 The holy precepts of the Christian law, 
 And the emblazoned name of Israel's God, 
 Strike with a pleasing awe. The marble urn. 
 Emblazoned heraldry, and pompous stile 
 Of richest sculpture, bold entablature, 
 The lengthened epitaph, in golden verse. 
 Sacred to Villiers, Duke of Buckingham; 
 Whose actions in the council and the field, 
 And whose untimely end, the Historic Muse 
 Shall to the latest eve of time relate. 
 Here Kempthorn rests, who nobly served his King 
 With glory and applause. Here Brandon sleeps, 
 Of strictest honor, virtue, probity; 
 And here the Seaman's gratitude hath raised 
 The marble trophy to their leader brave.
 
 62 TOWN OF 
 
 The «^eiieious Tai/Icr. Here lies C/iarlcs Blount^ 
 
 A noble warrior and a gentleman: 
 
 His sculptured image seems indeed to breathe 
 
 Devoutest praises to the throne of grace. 
 
 Here Jt'illoifghb7/''s high tomb. But should I now 
 
 Recount each token of the illustrious dead, 
 
 'Twould volumes fill — a tribute justly paid. 
 
 Learn from the warrior's monument to serve 
 
 Thy King, thy Country, with the Lion's force; 
 
 And, from the epitaphs of holy men, 
 
 To emulate their great, their godlike acts. 
 
 So, when the trump of the Archangel sounds, 
 
 And summons each pale ghost from death's chill house, 
 
 Thou in the presence of thy Judge may stand 
 
 In firm collectiveness, and unappalled. 
 
 €j)e JDoint* 
 
 " Let MS to Comus' Court repair." 
 
 Hail ! place of noise, distraction, fun ! 
 
 Hail, scene of wide spread fame ! 
 To every nation fully knowu, 
 
 Which knows the English name ! 
 Here oft in midnight revelry. 
 
 The violin and song. 
 Conjoined with mirth and jollity, 
 
 Exhilarate the throng. 
 Here taverns numberless indeed 
 
 In long succession rise ; 
 And the gay shops of Israel's seed 
 
 Entice the seamen's eyes.
 
 PORTSMOUTH. 63 
 
 Here 'tis the Custoin-House, the Quay 
 
 Commodious, you may find ; 
 And use the Baths of limpid sea 
 
 If so you feel inclined ; 
 The great Round Tower and the Square, 
 
 With many an ancient street — 
 'Twould blushes raise in lady fair, 
 
 Should I their names repeat ; 
 The Baltic Wharf;— each ample store — 
 
 The winding- tranquil bay 
 C Praj/, Coclcney critic, are you sore ^) 
 
 Where merchant vessels lay. 
 Ofttimes the unwelcome waters rise — 
 
 The streets are all afloat ; 
 And where was late dry land, now plies 
 
 ^he waterman his boat. 
 Ofttimes the seaman, free of heart, 
 
 Some flattering- wench to please, 
 Is seen to play the Bang-up part, 
 
 And sport the one-horse chaise. 
 
 'Twas Second James who made complete 
 
 The archway, bridge, and moat, 
 Which from the town this noisy seat 
 
 Excludes completely out : 
 Corinthian pillars, soaring high. 
 
 With gorgeous capital. 
 Support the heavy balcony, 
 
 The spreading- dome and ball. 
 
 The Genius of the Storm, one night, 
 Here bade the tempest sweep. 
 
 And many houses, woeful sight ! 
 Hurl headlong in the deep.
 
 o4 
 
 TOWN OF 
 
 Sudden disturbed from nightly rest, 
 Circassian fair see flocking;, 
 
 To save the treasure each possest. 
 Placed snug in worsted stocking ! 
 
 THE EXPLOSION. 
 
 When loudly cried each Spanish Lord, 
 
 " Pray hasten embarkation : 
 " Britain! unsheath thy flaming sword, 
 
 " And save our sinking nation :" 
 When, spread along tlie crowded shore, 
 
 To gain a moment's rest, 
 The regiments lay, with plenteous store 
 
 In ammunition chest ; 
 'Twas here a maid of Erin's Isle, 
 
 Who well a pipe could quaff, 
 And either cast a heavenly smile. 
 
 Or join the boisterous laugh. 
 High on a cask for mischief ripe, 
 
 Majestic took her seat. 
 While oft the sparkles from her pipe 
 
 She scattered at her feet. 
 Sudden th' exploding thunder burst. 
 
 Destruction marked its way, 
 And far around the rolling smoke 
 
 Obscured the light of day. 
 Dismay in every face appeared— 
 
 Few knew from whence the sound ; 
 And Fear her dreadful form upreared 
 
 And shed her horrors round. 
 Many a wretched wife tliat day 
 
 Bewailed a husband lost ; 
 Whose mangled limbs disordered lay 
 Along the blood-stained coast.
 
 PORTSMOUTH. 55 
 
 This brings an adage to my mind, 
 Which somewhere 1 have read — 
 
 If mischief come, you'll surely find 
 A woman at the head. 
 
 THE LONG-BACKED HORSE. 
 
 A gallant Tar, a merry wight, 
 
 In jacket of true blue bedight. 
 
 With rows of buttons pearly white, 
 Appeared one morning at a stable door, 
 And 'woke Sir Ostler from a lengthen'd snore. 
 " I want a long-backed horse, to go—" to where ?" — 
 " Where do you think? why, zounds, to Portsdown Fair. 
 *' So bear a hand — I care not, horse or mare, 
 " So a long-back I have !" With cunning grin, 
 George to the stables led the sailor in ; 
 There shewed him horses, long, and short, and fat. 
 High, low, blood, boney, and all that ; 
 But none were long enough.--" Gods!" cried the groom, 
 " How long do you expect a horse ? a fathom ? 
 " But I remember, I've a Rosinante, 
 
 " Fathered by Longshanks on a high-blood mare, 
 " She'll suit you to a tittle — do ye see, 
 
 " She is long-backed enough, I'd freely swear." 
 " I swear she's not," Jack Tar impatient cried, 
 " I cannot suit you then," the groom replied; 
 " The mare is nimble, active, young, and strong : 
 " Wherefore dost want a back so very long ?" 
 " I'll tell ye, I've four shipmates, friend, who wait 
 " To ride behind me from the Landport Gate !" 
 
 I cannot warrant that this tale be true : 
 But as I had it, I relate to you.
 
 56 PORTSMOUlll. 
 
 THE 
 
 BATTLE OF POllTSMOUTH. 
 
 [At the close of the American War, the 77 th Regt. or Athol High- 
 landers, ttere ordered to embark here for the East Indies. But having 
 tnlittvd for service only during the war, they refused to go on board, and 
 surrounded and disarmed their Officers on the Grand Parade. The Main 
 Guard, consisting of a detachment of the 4lst, or Royal Invalids, 
 endeavoured to quell the tumult, but having no ammunition, were march- 
 ing off for a reinforcement, when an enraged Highlander fired, and killed 
 one of them, on the Queen'' t Bastion— the rest immediately ran off with 
 Jull speed, except thtir Officer, who being a cripple was taken prisoner, 
 and subjected to 7nuch ridicule by the victors. The affair u-as made a 
 subject of Parliamentary discussion, tuhich ended in the Regiment being 
 marched to Scotland, and disbanded."] 
 
 When the lons^ Yankee war had ceased, 
 
 A gallant Highland corps 
 Was ordered hither to embark 
 
 For Indians distant shore. 
 But of the valiant Scots, each man 
 
 Sighed for his native home, 
 To join again his ancient clan, 
 
 And o'er the mountains roam. 
 In fair Stoke's Bay the transports lay, 
 
 And boats were on the strand: 
 No soldier would the word ol)py, 
 
 Which ordered, " Leave the land !" 
 " We've served out King and Country well 
 
 " Full many a fiery day, 
 " And is it lawful now to sell, 
 
 " And send us far away ?" 
 His claymore broad each leader brave 
 
 Was instant forced to yield ; 
 Nay, threatened with a yawning grave, 
 
 Unless he left the field.
 
 PORTSMOUTH. 57 
 
 Old soldiers then opposed the squall 
 
 Which every townsman feared, 
 Till wljistling shot struck Toniuiy Prawl ; 
 
 When quick they disappeared. 
 Foolish it would have been to stay — 
 
 Their courage who can doubt ? 
 But shot and powder none had they — 
 
 What could be done without ? 
 Their leader bold was captive caught 
 
 For quarter forced to beg ; 
 In vain upon escape he thought, 
 
 For he'd a wooden leg. 
 I've heard the aged folk declare, 
 
 Nor doubt I what they say, 
 Those with long legs the happiest were 
 
 On that eventful day. 
 I've heard of one who fled so fast 
 
 (Sure running was no crime), 
 Into a builder's cellar cast, 
 
 Up to his neck in lime. 
 Full many other dire mishaps 
 
 To other folks befel ; 
 But it would tedious prove, perhaps, 
 
 The half were I to tell. 
 Suffice it, that through all the place 
 
 Confusion held her reign, 
 'Till the bram Scots were marched awa', 
 
 And peace appeared again.
 
 X>otc^. 
 
 HIGH-STREET. 
 
 Notr (a).— The Aci oi Parliament for Pavinp; the Town 
 \va« passed in \HV,], the work was completed in 1771, at an 
 oxpenceof £9,t)00. S«I)sequpnt Acts intrust the Commissioners 
 with Lighting and VVatvhini^ the town. To defray the charges 
 tliey are empowered to levy annually three ra\e%. of three pence 
 in the pound on the estimated roulal of houses and land:?. It is 
 to be hoped that ere long the improved Gas Light will be 
 introduced. Thnu>2;h the town boasts great antiquity, but few 
 of the Ancient IJuildings remain. Even in my time mo^t of the 
 low gable-roofed houses of the High-Street have given place to 
 the more elegant and convenient edifices of modern architecture. 
 The most ancient hou^^e? are tlio<e erected on the Collegiate- 
 grounds, namely, in Lombard-Street , St. Mary's, &c. 
 
 t 
 
 Nnte(b). — The Market House, surmounted by theOW Town 
 JIallyh placed, as in many ancient towns, in the middle of the 
 street, obscuring some of the best houses. The Hall was enlarged 
 and improved in 1796, in the Mayoralty of the late John 
 Godwin, Est], by the erection of Concil-Chambcr, supported by 
 eight elegant Corinthian pillars, forming a line portico, which in 
 any other situation would prove no small embellishment to the 
 town : at present it only serves to obstruct a street, but for this 
 interruption, as fine as any in the kingdom. I believe the gene- 
 ral sentiments of the town are expressed in the line to which the 
 Note bears reference. Since the erection of the New Sessions 
 Room, in Penny-Street, it is used, by permission of the Mayor 
 and Aldermen, for the Meetings of various Public Bodies, the 
 Canal and Water- Works Companies; the Portsmouth Musical 
 Society, &c.&c. 
 
 The Market Days are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; 
 uhen excellent supplies of every article may be obtained. 
 
 Nule (c).- The Unitarian (formerly styled Presbyterian) 
 CiiAPF.L, built A.D.I 720, when the Society removed from an 
 ancient erection in Penny-Street, on the site of which now stands 
 part of Mr, Carter's brewery. If was here that a Pablic Dispu- 
 tation was held on the subject of Haptism, by permission of the 
 <iovernment, and in the presence of ColonelJohn Gibson, I^ieut. 
 Governor, and Henry Seager, Esq. Mayor, in the year 1699; 
 the records of which, published separately by each party, are 
 still to be found in the libraries of the curious. 
 
 The Hcv. Simon Hrowne was Pastor of the Congregation, 
 flt the commencement of the last century. In Dr. Hasvkes-
 
 PORTSMOUTH. 59 
 
 worlirs Adventurer is an interesting account of this gentleman, 
 who, though eminent for learning and piety, laboured for years 
 under the delusion, that God had deprived him of his rational 
 soul; which however did not hinder hira from writing an able 
 " Defence of the Religion of Nature," dedicated to Queen 
 
 Caroline, He was succeeded by the Rev. Norman. 
 
 Dr. VVrenne, the next minister, received the thanks of 
 Congress for his humane attention to American prisoners of 
 war, at this port, during our unhappy contest with their country. 
 The Rev. Russell Scott has presided over the society with great 
 respectability for the last 33 years ; filling up, with his two 
 predecessors, the full space of a century. — A Library has recently 
 been established in the Vestry, by subscriptions of one penny 
 per week : it already comprises several hundred volumes in 
 divinity and general literature, and is rapidly increasing. 
 
 Note (fZ). — The old Gaol, called the While-House, on the 
 site of which now stands the Clarence Hotel. Under the cause- 
 way in front, is a very large well, the covering of vvhicii, a 
 few years since, foundered, to the imminent peril of the London 
 Mail Couch. — The New Gaol will be noticed under the head 
 of Penny-Street. 
 
 Note (e). " Of genuine patriots.'''' — The allusion i« to 
 
 a Prologue, spoken by the noted George Bdrrington, on opening 
 ;a Theatre in New South Wales— 
 
 " True PalrivtH we — ;/br, be it under stood, 
 
 •' ff'e left our country for our coiintry''s good.'' 
 
 ST. THOMAS'S'STREET. 
 
 Note C /^.— The Residences for the Lieut.-Governor and 
 the Agent- Victualler are suitable to the dignity and importance 
 of their stations. 
 
 The Post-0 FFrCE (under the direction of Mr. Welch;. — 
 It may be useful to strangers, to be informed, that Letters 
 for the London and Brighton Mails must be put in before 
 Seven o'clock in the Evening : those received by the same 
 conveyances are delivered at Nine in the Morning : — no bags 
 are sent en Saturday Evening, nor any received on Monday 
 
 Morning. There is also a Mail every day to Bristol, v/hich 
 
 conveys letters to all the Western Counties : the bags are closed 
 at Five in the Evening— delivery at Nine in the Morning: 
 Letters for the Isle of Wight (except Ryde) are sent by this 
 conveyan<:e. For public convenience there is a Post-Offite
 
 00 TOWN or 
 
 in Uniou-Sticet, Portsea ; whicli closes at Four for the Western, 
 auil at Six o'clock for the London xMails. 
 
 The Chapel of the General Baptists, was built in 1715, 
 the society having probably existed in this town from the dawn 
 of nonconformity. Its situation, on the site of the old chapel, 
 in a retired court, near the Post Office, points backward to the 
 time when such erections existed only by connivance of the 
 rulinjr powers. A convenient Baptistry was constructed in it, 
 about"^ the middle of the last century : previously Baptism by 
 Immersion was administered in a small piece of water in the 
 orchard in front of Eastney Farm, which was many years occu- 
 pied by Mr. Osmond, one of the ?ociety. Messsrs. Bowes, 
 SiuRcn, Austen, and Mills, have successively been Pastors: 
 the latter was succeeded in 1812 by Mr. Joseph Brent. 
 
 Note (o-). — VVakblinoton-Street is designated in old 
 records The Hoir-Market. At the upper part stands the Poor- 
 House, a large building, erected in the last century : it is to be 
 regretted that it is placed in so disagreeable a neighbourhood. 
 In most towns will be found some part where vice and wretch- 
 edness take up their abode : here, unfortunately, they meet 
 the traveller on his entrance. 
 
 Note{h). — The Stores of the Victualling Department 
 occupy both sides of Kivg-Slreet and part of St. Mary's. The 
 Establishment for baking Biscuit for the Navy, the Stores for all 
 kinds of provisions, as well as that on the Quay, and the Brew- 
 house and Cooperage at Weevil, are, for extent and arrangement, 
 commensurate to the great national object for which they were 
 constructed^ 
 
 The buildings behind the Agent's house were erected in the 
 beginning of tlie last century, as appears from the records; at 
 which time the locks for the doors were obliged to be obtained 
 from London, it being impossible to obtain such things in the 
 town. The wall round the Agent's house v\as built at the same 
 time. The immense Stores in King-Street have been built about 
 40 years; besides which, several Lave been of late erected on 
 ground rented from the Corporation, on the Quay. 
 
 PENNV-STREET. 
 
 Note(i). — The Free Gra.mjiar School. — In the year 
 \1'.VZ. Dr. Smith, a physician long resident in the town, be- 
 <iuraihed an Estate called East Standfii Farm, in the Isle of 
 Wight, in trust to the Dean and Chapter of Christ-Church,
 
 poiiTSMourii. (>l 
 
 Oxford, for the establishment of a Free Grammar School, in the 
 towD, and authorising them to pay salaries of £50 per annum to 
 a Master, and £30 to an Usher. In the year 1750, the rents 
 having accumulated to a sufficient sum, the Trustees purchased 
 the house in Penny-Street, for the Master to reside in rent-free, 
 and erected the school behind ; they have appointed the Masters 
 from time to lime, and within a few years raised the salaries to 
 £80 for the Master, and £60 the assistant : but, we under- 
 stand, no person has ever been gratuwnsly educated in pur- 
 suance of the founder's bequest.- The Farm is now held on 
 
 lease by the widow of the late Mr. Henry Roach, at the rent of 
 £200 per annum. 
 
 Tea years since, several public-spirited inhabitants instituted 
 a suit in Chancery to enforce a fulfilment of the Founder's in- 
 tent. The affair was referred to one of the Masters of the 
 Court. The Trustees contended that the Founder's intention 
 was merely to provide a School and Masters, but that, never- 
 theless, the scholars were to be instructed at their own expence. 
 The Court has lately decreed, that it is a Free Grammar School: 
 the only question now remaining to be decided, is as to the mode 
 of admitting scholars, their number, and on what plan they 
 shall be educated. 
 
 The Nkw Gaol is a fabric which does honour to the 
 Borough. It was commenced in 1805, in the Mayoralty of 
 Wm. Goldson, Esq. in pursuance of a presentment by the Grand 
 Jury on the inadequacy of the old building ; where prisoners of 
 every description formed one promiscucus throng ; and at each 
 quarter sessions, those for trial were led in fetters through the 
 public market to the Court. Here prisoners are properly classed, 
 and male and female kept separate. The good discipline, united 
 with humanity, maintained by Mr. Hunt, the gaoler, and his late 
 father, have obtained merited praise — Over the Gaol are the 
 commodious Sessiotis-Room, where the prisoners are brought up 
 a staircase immediately from their ceils into the body of the 
 Court : also a Council-Chamber, and offices for the Tow n- 
 Clerk, &c. &c. 
 
 In this street are also the spacious Stores of the Army 
 Commissariat, and of several private inhabitants. 
 
 Note ^/t). — The Marine Bauracks ("erected in 1613, for the 
 King's Cooperage and Brewery, since removed to Weevil).— 
 The Barracks have accommodations for 1,000 men, with their 
 officers. A School has been some years establ!,*hed, and actively 
 superintended by the Ladies of JMajor-General Williams's
 
 62 TOWN OF 
 
 family, for in«<triictii)g the children of soldiers ia useful loarniug 
 and iudu(itriou!i habits, which has well repaid their benevolent 
 exertions. 
 
 Note {I), — Behind St. Mary's-Slreet (anciently Colewort- 
 StreefJ stood an ancient Convent, dedicated to St. Mary. Some 
 remains of the building were since used as an Armory. Part of 
 the Garden is now used as a Burying-Ground, principally 
 for the Military ; Colewort Barracks, a noble structure, 
 are erecte<l on part of the gronnd. Adjoining are the Bar- 
 racks of the Royal Artillerij and the fFaggun Train, wilb 
 an extensive range of Stables. 
 
 Note (m). — The Chapel of the ' People culled Methodists'' 
 i« a spacious Building, erected in 1811 ; and affords sitting room 
 for 1000 persons. Connected with it is a Sunday School, which 
 at present afl'ords instruction to 400 children : the ladies have 
 also a commendable institution, called t4ie Female Friend 
 Society, to allbrd aid in cases of sickness and lying-in. The cost 
 of the land and building amounted to between seven and eight 
 thousand pounds. 
 
 At the Portsmouth Institution ^^00 Poor Boys and 
 Girls are educated in the principles of the Established Church. 
 It is supported liberally by Subscription, and has been produc- 
 tive of much good. Over the school is an elegant room, let 
 occasionally for assemblies, &c. the revenue so raised is applied 
 in aid of the Institution. During the Winter, subscription 
 Concerts are performed here, in the first slile of excellence, 
 under the direction of Messrs. Sibly. 
 
 <i5olsfrnmcnt^Cfou!efc» 
 
 Note (n). — The Govern. mknt-Housk, anciently a Priory 
 called Domits Dei, or God's Ilou c. The late General Sir 
 Wm. Pitt, when Governor of Porismoulh. 8[ ent a considerable 
 portion of his time here, and made great improvements in the 
 building — as did also his predecessor, the Earl of Pembroke. 
 Of late years, vtilh the exreptiou of the part appropriated to 
 the residence of the Town-Aiajor, it has been unoccupied. 
 His late Majesty here held his Court, on his several visits to 
 Portsmouth; as did his present Majesty, wl-.en we were honored 
 with his presence, in company with the allied Sovereigns, 
 JD 1811.
 
 PORTSMOUTH 63 
 
 The Chapel, now appropriaied to the use of the Garrison, 
 is almost the only vestige left of the ancient building. It has 
 
 of late been thoroughly repaired, and the ceiling heightened 
 
 The Chancel is built in the pointed Saxon stile, the grainings of 
 the roof springing from pilasters supported by very ponderous 
 mullions. The Altar Piece represents Moses and Aaron, in 
 their pontifical robes, presenting the Tables of the Law. This 
 was some few years since removed, under the idea that it con- 
 cealed a niche, containing the insignia of the ancient Roman 
 Altar. This was found not to be the case: but in a niche 
 on the left side (now concealed by the wainscoting) was disco- 
 vered the bason for the holy water, &c. The great window 
 above is supported by plain pillars, with rounded capitals. The 
 Governor's seat is adorned with a profusion of carving in wood; 
 as are also several of the pews. On a medaliiou in front appears 
 llie gill initial letters, A. R. Queen Anne bestowed the Com- 
 munion Plate. The nave of the chapel is supported by ten 
 octagonal pillars, from the capitals of which spring plain 
 pointed arches, dividing this part of the building into three 
 aisles, A. single rib springs from mullions between each arch; 
 some resembling roses ; and one of them is an exact resemblance 
 to a monk's head which is in the chancel of St. Thomas's 
 Church. The roof of this part of the Chapel has lately been 
 repaired : the ceiling raised three feet, and made flat. In the 
 centre was formerly a fine Escutcheon of the Royal Arms— it 
 has lately been removed into the Government-House. In this 
 Chapel are interred the remains of many distinguished Officers, 
 Naval and Military ; whose mural monuments are worthy of 
 notice; particularly those of the late Dr. Meik, Pysician to the 
 Garrison, and Major-Gen. Whetham, who died while Lieut.- 
 Goveroor of the Town ; Admiral Lord Hugh Seymour, General 
 Visiter, and several others. 
 
 Deed relating to the Hospital of Douns Dei, of Portsmouth. 
 
 " To all the Sons of Holy Mother Church, Master Alands de Stokes, 
 Deputy Archdeacon of Peter, Lord Bishop of Winchester, Greeting in the 
 Lord.— 
 
 " Be it known to all, that every controversy argued before any 
 Judges, between the Prior and Convent of Southwick on one part, and the 
 Master and Brothers of the Hospital of God's House of Portsmouth on the 
 other, concerning the jurisdiction of the Parish Church of Portsmouth, is 
 ainicably settled after this form before us : 
 
 " The said Prior and Convent agree, that in the aforesaid Hospital, 
 Divine Service may be celebrated, according to the right of their Parish 
 Church of Portsmouth, by two priests, as also by the Governor of the
 
 04 TOWN OF 
 
 Hospital, if be lip a (>ii<>K(; anJ ifany f(irf>i.!;n priest visiting llic same for 
 the purpo.<i> of mciii^ kinMn:in or relaliun, -Jiall wish, it shall b«- lawful 
 lor him III assist at the same; and they may have <ico 6e//s, oot exceeding 
 the \vei;clit of tlie bells of tlie Mother Church, which shall rint; at Matins, 
 and AliviJils, and Vfi-jters, and for the Dead. And after the bells of the 
 ne»v iMidiicr Chnreh have riirij;, tlie said IJroihers hball not receive (he Pn- 
 ri^hii>ner.s of J*urt5inoiilh to eonfe:!.viiJn, imr to communion of the body of 
 Chri>l, unless any siek jjerxin shall w i-'h and particularly ask cuufes- 
 siuii of any priest of the Hosi>ital (lite requisite consent of the parish priest 
 being i>btained, it shall not be denied him). They shall not receive any 
 fctranger to confession publicly in Lent, excej)t the brothers, sisters, family, 
 siick |)ersons at the time, and inmates. Nevertheless if any stranger sliail 
 seek advice from any i)riest of the Hospital, it shall be lawful to receive 
 him pri\ately. Moreover on Sundays, and on tlie ei^ht great festivals, 
 namely, Ihe liirth-ilaij of our Lord, Ihe Epiphany, ihe Purijication, the 
 ylssumplinii of the IJlessed Mary. Ihe Ascension of our Lord, the liirth-day 
 of the lileised Manj, and the Fcastt of yltl Snints, the Brothers of ihe 
 aforesaid Hospital shall not receive the Parishioners of Portsmouth. If, 
 however, it shall ha|)pen, that any of the aforesaid Parishioners shall 
 come to hear divine service on the aforesaid festivals, or on Sundays, at 
 Ihe aforesaid Hospital, they shall be admitted, and their oUerin^, if any 
 be brou:;!)!, slial! hr restored whole and entire to the Mother Churcli, under 
 the penalty hereunder exjnessed, unless the said Parishioners shall first 
 have made satisfaction to the aforesaid Mother Church. 
 
 '* Moreover it shall tiot be lawful for any one of the said Hospital to 
 enter ships, or give Renediction,or read the CjosijcI or beg alms after read- 
 ing it, the Gosj)el beinj; read and rites ])er formed by the Chaplain of the 
 Mother Ciiuieh. .Moreover tl;e afoiesaid Canons agree, that the H ispital 
 shall have a Cemetery for the Hrothers and also for the Sisters of the said 
 Hospital, and for families and poor persons and others dying in tiie said 
 Hospital : but we mean Brothers and Sisters after this reading: — iho.ie who 
 have put on the same habit, and have put it oil', or those who have be- 
 queathed their estates to the said Hospital. Nevertheless, if any stranger 
 shall chuse to be interred at the said hospital, it shall be lawful for them 
 lo receive lliem, provided the body shall be first carried to the Mother 
 Churrli. and mass celebrated there. And be it known, that it becomes the 
 Parishioners of Portsmouth lo leave their first legacy to Ihe Mother Cliureh, 
 and the Parish Priest should hold the Will of tlie Parishioners safe from 
 loss; not that the Mother Churcli will suller by this concession, tlie brothers 
 of Ihe said hospital shall pay to the Motlier Church every year forever twen- 
 ly shilling-; sterling, at the four quarters of the year, n.imely, five shillings at 
 the Feast of St. Michael, five shillings ;it the Circumcision of our Lord, at 
 Ihe Pamover five shillings, and at the Fead of St. John the Baptist five 
 shillings; .'ind for the greater security the said brothers have taken their 
 corporal oath% Ihe Evangelists being touched ; bound themselves 
 under a stipulated penalty, lo wit, forlv shillings to be jiaid to the Prior 
 and (.'onveni, if any crime be com^iiitted; but if after the sinning against 
 this Canon Law they shall not give satisfaction within eight days, the sin 
 romoiitled is acquiticd without contradiction to the said Prior and 
 Convent. 
 
 "An I that all these things may be uiderstood on the part of the Prior and 
 CoTivenI, this Deeii is executed in the first year after tlie decea e of Stephen 
 I.angion, Archbishop of Canterbury, and in teftinioHy of which the parlies 
 present Irive str<'ngtliiiied the Deed « iili Iheir seals; and we, Ihe Lord 
 Jiishnp of Winchestir being absfnl, by his aulhoiily, confinri and sign our 
 seal, together with the sigiK i of Master B. Archive of the same place.— 
 These being Ihe Wiine.-scs, Master A. de tblesburn, Master R. — Canon ;
 
 PORTSMOUTH. 65 
 
 Maiter J. WalingfnrJ, R. Deacoa of Winchester, W. Capel, Deacon, and 
 many otbers. 
 
 The Cemetery here mentioned is now that part of the Grand Paiade 
 ■which fronts the Building; in the forming of which and laying tiie foun- 
 dation of the new works, a few years since, a largo quantity of bones 
 were disturbed. The present house has attached to it some large gardens 
 and every requisite convenience, hot house, &c. lu one of the gardens is 
 a mulbpri-y tree split in a very remarkable manner. From an old copper- 
 plate view of Portsmouth, I find that the turret at the corner of the Go- 
 vernment House has not been altered for .it least 200 years, indeed from 
 its situation and appearance it seems probable that it formed part of the 
 Ancient Priory. 
 
 €fte Cljurclj* 
 
 Aofe (o) — The Church of St. Thomas is in the form of a 
 Latin Cross: the extreme length, 1 12 feet ; the Chancel in witith, 
 44 feet/ The nave and body are adorned with eight elegant Doric 
 pillars, supporting some beautiful arches ; the two connecting 
 the transepts beiug larger and higher than the others. The 
 roof is arched, and decorated with bold and elegant cornices. — 
 On the centre of the largest circles appear shields, one bearing 
 the date of the erection, 1698 ; the other the initials M. T. B. 
 probably those of the architects ; and on the one connecting the 
 chancel, the arms of the town of Portsmouth. The northern 
 transept retains traces of the ancient Saxon arches, both on the 
 walls and in the disposition of the windows •, it is also much 
 larger than the Southern ; and, both from the internal and exter- 
 nal part of the building, I think it probable that it was not dis- 
 turbed in the great alterations in 1692. The front is of great 
 antiquity, adorned with quatre-foils and coats of arms, or rather 
 shields. 
 
 With the exception of the flat ceiling, which from the stile 
 of the ornaments round the suspension hooks of the chande- 
 liers, I should think were added at the time of building the 
 body of the church, the chancel appears nearly in the same 
 state as when founded by Peter cle Rupibiis. It consists 
 of a large and two small aisles, which are divided by ten 
 clustered Saxon pillars, with corresponding pilasters in the 
 side walls, no two of which correspond; some being foliated, 
 some adorned with lozenges, some having square, others rounded
 
 i}6 TOWN OF 
 
 capitals. Two of the pillars on which the lower anciently rested 
 Htill riMiiMiii. anil allord heautifiil examples of the clustered stile. 
 Fron) the pillars spring the arches in the pointed form of architec- 
 ture, consisting of clustered ribs; while every second pillar is 
 connected by the rib of a large circular one. Between the last 
 ujentioned arches, project foliated corbels ; the centre one sup- 
 ported on two curious figures of monks'" heads, with cowls on, 
 and the hands elevated ; the countenance expressive of pain 
 from the superincumbent weight. From the corbels rise elegant 
 clustered pilasters with square capitals; and from the traces 
 still discernible in the walls, I have no doubt but the upper part 
 of tlic building was adorned with large circular arches, and that 
 the clustered pilasters served to support the groinings of the 
 ancient roof in the same stile as in the side aisles. 
 
 The windows in this part of the church and the great West 
 window are ornamented with pillars and pilasters corresponding 
 w ith those below ; and previous to the ceiling being made, there 
 was a circular, or what is termed a St. Catharine's window- 
 above. It is to be regretted that in the repairs of late years 
 attention had not been paid to the general stile which pervades, 
 instead of loading the shafts of the pillars with such heavy 
 masonry, which docs no credit to the eighteenth century. I 
 hope the hint will not be lost in any future repairs. 
 
 Of the Monumenfal Ornaments, the first which claims atten- 
 tion is that of the Duke of Buckingham, assassinated in this 
 town in the reign of Charles I. It consists of an urn, said to 
 contain his heart; surmounted by a Phoenix; below are two 
 ligures of marble as large as life ; on each side pyramids of 
 warlike implements; and above are the arms and coronet of the 
 house of IJuckingham, supported by angels. The epitaph below 
 describes the manner and time of his death. 
 
 On the left side of the above appears the monument of Sir C. 
 lilinil. cfimposcd of variegated marble, adorned with a profusion 
 of military emblems, sculptured in the most delicate manner. — 
 Above, appears the figure of the warrior, kneeling at an altar. — 
 I particularly recommend this to notice, the sculpture being 
 80 extremely delicate and beautiful ; not only that of the figure 
 itsflf, but also of the military emblems, ancient armour, Arc. 
 with which the sides of the monument are decorated. The 
 Kpilaph in old English is a lengthened detail of his life. 
 
 On the opp'sile side is the monument of Sir G. Kempthorn-, 
 and in the right and left aisles several monuments and tombs of
 
 PORTSMOUTH. 67 
 
 variegated marble, well worthy atteotion ; particularly that of 
 Sir H. fVillougkLy, adorned with some bold and excellent sculp- 
 ture of his armorial bearings. A number of fine mural monu- 
 ments are also placed above the capitals of the arches of 
 the centre. 
 
 The Organ, a remarkable fine instrument, was erected by 
 subscription in 1718. The Church is malted throughout, 
 w^armed wiih stoves, and, with the elegant arrangement of 
 the chandeliers, the reading-desk, &c. cannot fail of exciting 
 admiration. 
 
 la the register of this church is preserved the marriage entry 
 of Charles the Second, finely illuminated, as follows: 
 
 *' Our most Gracious Sovereign Lord Charles the Second, 
 " by the grace of God, King of Great Britain and Ireland., 
 " Defender of the Faith, 8(c. and the most illustrious Princess 
 " Donna Catarina, Infanta of Portugal, Daughter to the de- 
 " ceased Don Juan the Fourth, and sister to the present Don 
 " Alphonso, King of Portugal, were married at Portsmouth, 
 " upon Thursday, the two-and-twentieth day of May, in the 
 " year of our Lord God 1662, being in the fourteenth year of 
 "• His Majesty''s reign; by the Right Rev. Father in God^ 
 " Gilbert, Lord Bishop of London, Dean of His Majesty''s 
 •' Chapel Royal, in the presence of several of the Nobility of 
 " His Majesty's Dominions and of Portugal,"" 
 
 Many have been the benefactors to this church. We may 
 enumerate Thos. Eynolf, an inhabitant, who left a sum of money 
 for its reparation ; several of the Governors, and more particu- 
 larly King James II. who bequeathed a service of Communion 
 Plate, in the year 1687, amounting to one hundred and eighteen 
 ounces. 
 
 Previous to the erection of the Tower in 1 702, a narrow but- 
 tress at the corner of the southern transept, served for a Bellfry. 
 It was opened, a few years since, and was found to consist ot a 
 circular staircase, with two narrow passages to the summit. — 
 Since this examination it has been used as a Bone-house. The 
 Clock has been placed in the tower about 34 years ; previous to 
 its erection the windows of the bellfry were much larger than 
 at present. 
 
 The Church Yard, which contains many fine tombs, was 
 enclosed by brick walls in 1645, as is made evident from a
 
 t)H poirrsMonTii. 
 
 square stone Ijcaring that date, with the name of the architect, 
 Steven Wliellor, in He'.l Lion Laue. The Gates and brick 
 piers were erected in ITtiS. There is a fine row of elms on the 
 Northern side ; and formerly also on the Kastern ; till the Church- 
 wardens, some ten or twelve years ago, rather from whim than 
 any other cause, had them felled. My father has, however, 
 since caused another row to he planted, vrhich are thriving 
 rapidly. 
 
 At the extremity of the Chancel (which is the property of 
 the College of Winchester) still appears the mutilated remains 
 of the Cross. 
 
 In an engraving published by the Society of Antiquaries, from 
 the tapestry of Cowdry-House, the Church of St. Thomas is 
 represented with its square tower. It appears as a cluster of 
 monastic buildings, with turrets at the angles. I have no doubt 
 but that the turrets still existing at the southern transept are 
 those of the ancient building. 
 
 May be considered as an integral part of the town. It consists 
 of one large, and well-built street, called Broad-Street ; in which, 
 and in Bath-Square, are the offices and stores of the principal 
 Ship-Agents, Brokers, &c. and many excellent Inns and Taverns, 
 of which may be particularly noticed the Blue Pnsts^ adjoining 
 the well known Coach and Waggon Offices ; the Star and 
 Garter, close to the establishment of Messrs. Lindegren, Agents 
 to the East India Company ; and the Quebec Tavern, in the 
 Square, which is the chief rendezvous for the Isle of Wight and 
 Havre Packets. — There are also several streets of inferior note. 
 
 Here is situated the Custom-House, erected in 1785, a large 
 and commodious building, on the north side; it is under the 
 direction of the usual officers, and has attached to it several fast- 
 sailing vessels denominated by the Smugglers " the terror of the 
 English sea." 
 
 This part of the town is admirably situated for commerce, 
 being surrounded by the water ; to which most of the houses have 
 coinunication. The part where the merchant Vessels lay, is 
 termed The Camber, and has the advantage of an excellent Quay^ 
 communicating both with Portsmouth by the Quay Gates, and 
 with F*ortsea by a road passing along the edge of the Moat, by 
 the King's Mill and Guuwhart.
 
 •• This earth of majesty— this scat of Mars: 
 " This fortress, formed hy Nature for herself 
 " Against infection and the hand of War." 
 
 SHAKSPEARE. 
 
 " The land I ween, on the Est syde, 
 
 " Streaches a greate way in the tyde ; 
 
 " It rennith farther and 'tis beste 
 
 " Then lyest the tounne on the West ; 
 
 " Whyle at the Poynt lyes Portesmuth toun, 
 
 " And great round tourre of renown, 
 
 " Double in strenkith and quantite 
 
 " Then what on t'other syde doth lay ; 
 
 " Whyle stretchet from each the rayghty chayne 
 
 " Of yron cleaves the rolling mayne. 
 
 " Portesmuth is mured to give it strenkith, 
 
 "*From the Est tourre a forough length, 
 
 " With tymbre arm'd, a muddy waulle, 
 
 " Peaces of ordnance, great and small, 
 
 " Of yron formed and brass. We trace, 
 
 " Renning South-Est about a space, 
 
 " The Waulle and Diche ; then Est awhile 
 
 " It goes about the town a mile. 
 
 " The tymbre gate, at Northern end, 
 
 *' Diched hilles of erth and gunnes defende." 
 
 Such was the state when Lelande wrote 
 Of guardian rampart, gate, and moat. 
 
 Now round the town, in all the pomp of war, 
 The massy frowning battlements appear; 
 
 While the deep fosse, extending wide and far, 
 To a long tedious siege may boldly dare 
 
 Opposing armies. Still the ponderous chain 
 
 Stretches its links enonnous 'neath the main,
 
 70 FOUTIFH ATIONS 
 
 Across the haven ; where, to guard the port, 
 III awful grandeur, frowns the ancient Fort. 
 The Round Tower still the island shore commands — 
 (On Block-house fort the curtain battery stands) — 
 The water gate — the forts in lengthened line — 
 Thy arch-way, James ! — thy lofty turrets shine ! — 
 The landing-place — the magazine appear — 
 IMatforni and battery their bulwarks rear ; 
 Where the memorials of our fame are placed, 
 Th' admired cannon which V Imjjeteiix graced, 
 When, on famed First of June^ our valiant Howl 
 Taught the foul fiend of Anarchy to bow ; 
 Made the green seas incarnadine with blood, 
 And o'er the haughty foe in glory stood. 
 
 From hence a language pantomimic flows, 
 Whose sense each flag of various colour shows ; 
 The curious Se7naphore detains awhile, 
 And pleasing chamber might the time beguile. 
 
 Now towr'ds the East the battlements extend, 
 (Kdgcd with a shattered row of elms, which bend 
 Obedient to the stormy blast,) to where 
 The sacred flag of Union floats in air ; 
 The J lot-wall Battery — the ample Moat, 
 Where vessels oft, in Anna's reign, might float. 
 Beneath, in vaulted store, extending far. 
 Securely rest the implements of war. 
 
 Advancing tow'rds the North, we now draw near 
 Where the majestic elms their summits rear 
 In all the forest pride, removed away 
 Safe from the ocean's rude destructive spraj. 
 Here oft, in summer eve, the martial band 
 Swell the harmonious concert, at command ; 
 While from each deep recess, extending round, 
 Redoubling echoes swell the lofty sound.
 
 FORTIFICATIONS 71 
 
 Where onward the extending Ramparts spread, 
 The giant Gate-way rears its dome-crowned head 
 In strength immense — the Bridge ; on either side 
 The bands of warriors constantly abide, 
 To guard the first great entrance of the town. 
 Unbar the gate, and let the draw-bridge down. 
 
 Now Westward to the port our course we bend, 
 And at the busy Quay our journey end ; 
 Where the high arch in just proportion shines. 
 And crowns the circling walk, the spacious lines ; 
 While ancient walls along the haven side, 
 Of lofty height, defy the rolling tide. 
 
 During this pleasing walk, we've passed o'er ground 
 Whose length a mile and quarter will be found. 
 
 Their Mise and Progress. 
 
 Edward the Fourth, to guard the port. 
 Raised on each side a massy fort — 
 The Round-Tower on our island's sands ; 
 The other where the battery stands 
 At Blockhouse Fort. The former still 
 Graces the spot he chose so well. 
 Scarce was the goodly work begun, 
 When lo ! the Monarch's race was run. 
 Tyrannic Richard liked the place, 
 And caused the work advance apace ; 
 And Seventh Henry, mighty name ! 
 Great founder of our naval fame. 
 And his famed son, in wars with France, 
 Still farther bade the works advance. 
 Elizabeth, all gracious Queen, 
 Founded the battlements now seen,
 
 72 FORTIFICATIONS 
 
 And, first of England's royal race 
 In prudence, garrisoned the place. 
 From Second Charles, of witty note, 
 Arose the lower gate and moat, 
 The wide stretched lines, the lofty towers, 
 The bastions, ravelins, and spurs ; 
 And Second James increased the town, 
 First to rebel against his crown. 
 
 Third William sent a message down, 
 For monies to improve the town, 
 Which was by Parliament supplied. 
 And to improvements vast applied. 
 
 To guard the spacious Dock from foes 
 On the land-side, at length arose 
 The works which Portsea town inclose. 
 These finished, at immense expense. 
 Were thought to be complete defence : 
 'Till modern Engineers contended 
 The massy works should be extended. 
 I wish a small estate of mine 
 Had chanced to fall within the line. 
 
 The Chain anciently used to defend the Harbour's entrance< 
 still lies on the beach bolovv the Old Sally-port, lu an old 
 engraving of Portsmouth, in my possession, there appears to 
 have been a considerable embankment on the sea side of the 
 Round-Tower. 
 
 It has long been a matter of regret that some more appro- 
 priate situation cannot be found for the King's Slaughter-house. 
 This part of the garrison is undoubtedly the least defended. The 
 late General Fisher, whose improvements round these towns will 
 be long remembered with gratitude, had conceived a plan for 
 removing it to some part of the Point, near the Harbour side, 
 where there would be a strong current. Gould this be effected, a 
 Promenade might be ublained equal to any in the kingdom; the 
 strength of the fortress be materially increased by a contiauauce
 
 FORTIFICATIONS 73 
 
 of the Platform Battery ; and a landing place might be made, 
 ivorthy the iirst sea-port of the kingdom — on this last point we 
 have much to wish for. This part of the lines appears to have 
 been erected at the same time as the Point Gales ; on each side 
 of which appear ancient batteries, covering chambers, the 
 windows of which have been closed up. 
 
 On the PLATFOii.M Battery, which commands a magnificent 
 sea view, has lately been erecfed a Semaphvre^ being an im- 
 proved contrivance for making Telegraphic Signals. There is 
 also a tine Sun-Dial. The Signal-House on this Bastion was 
 erected in the reigu of Elizabeth, as appears from the date 1569, 
 in a uook by the flag-staff: adjoining is the State Chamber, on 
 a marble slab over the door of which appears this inscription, 
 " Caruius 11. an. reg. xxxiiii. A. D. 1682." The Chamber has 
 been lately used for a Naval and Military Reading-Room i 
 on its site anciently stood a semi-circular Tower, from the foot 
 of which to the situation of the Hot-wall Battery was an arm of 
 the sea, reaching up to the Government-House, and communi- 
 cating with the Moafs, which were thus filled on every flow of 
 the tide ; but by the erection of the new works, it has been in- 
 closed, add the sea shut out by a sluice.— In the situalion of 
 the Queen's Bastion was formerly a raveline, surmounted by a 
 turret correspondiug with that on the Ancient Platform. 
 
 In the colonadeof fine elms, which commence at Fourhouse 
 Bastion, and extend the whole length of the ramparts, a family 
 of rooks have lately taken their abode. On the soulhern side of 
 the Battery opposite King's Terrace, is inscribed in large letters 
 " fF. Legge, leTO," probably the date of the repairs in the reign 
 of Charles H. when £6,937 were granted by the Parliament for 
 iraprov|ng the works. William IJI. also made additions ; and 
 since ITTO, many others have been completed, at a vast expence. 
 Under the direction of the late Major-Gen. Usher, the works 
 were new fronted with stone for a considerable distance, and a 
 communication made between the Mill-dam and the Portsmouth 
 Moats, by means of a fosse by the side of the London Road. 
 The Moats are now under repair, by narrowing and deepening 
 the trenches : the wateis abound with eels, as they formerly did 
 with mullet. 
 
 Before the erection of the present Quay-Gate, about 60 
 years gince, the entrance on that tdde was through an opening in 
 the wall, 12 feet southward towards the Cage, traces of which 
 may be still discerned. Between the Quay and Point Gates, is 
 an ancient Bastion, with circular port-holes, commanding the 
 opening between the town and the Point. In front appears in 
 fine bold sculpture ' J.R. 1 687 ;' not having been disturbed in 
 the new arrangements. It is now used for an Ordnance Store,
 
 €l)c Corporation* 
 
 Mind where you tread. 
 For every step you take is on enchanted ground. 
 
 SHAKSi>E*RC> 
 
 The Poet Dante strives to shew, 
 That, in the Stygian realms below, 
 Those who in life, when troubles shake, 
 Their country's dearest rights at stake, 
 Calmly look on, or neuter stand. 
 While Party rears her potent wand, 
 Shall be despised, abused, abhorred, 
 And every vulgar ghost his Lord. 
 
 I little fear such hideous pest — 
 'Tis but a poet's threat at best. 
 My humble wish, through life to glide 
 On Friendship's calm, unruffled tide. 
 
 " 's a Tory," yet who can 
 
 Say the world knows a better man ? 
 
 's a steady Whig — but he 
 
 Is one of tried integrity. 
 
 On either hand, lo ! friendships beam! 
 
 This claims my honour, that esteem ; 
 
 And strife political would end 
 
 In alienation of each friend. 
 
 Uninfiiionced by Whig or Tory, 
 
 Histoiic facts compose my story.
 
 THE CORPORATION. 75 
 
 But this my ardent wish, I trust 
 Throbs in each British heart — it must — 
 The throne upheld by strongest tie, 
 Th' united people's amity ; 
 The Nobles each to honor true — 
 
 They'll find a model, G , in you ! 
 
 Our yeomen gen'rous, bold, and free. 
 Inclined to acts of charity ; 
 Our peasantry a hardy race, 
 Contented in their humble place ; 
 Rebellion — discord's fiery brand, 
 Ne'er gleaming o'er th' affrighted land ; 
 Plenty and peace, on every side, 
 In one continued, bounteous tide. 
 Then shall our native country rise 
 Like Phoenix from the sacrifice : 
 Britain, her foes to ruin hurled. 
 Again the envy of the world ! 
 
 'Twas first a Borough towii proclaimed 
 
 By Cceur de Lion Richard famed ; 
 
 Who also pleased our annual Fair 
 
 Upon St. Peter's day declare, 
 
 For fifteen days in every year. 
 
 But since sage men have changed the stile. 
 
 It happens later by a while ; 
 
 A weekly Market they might hold. 
 
 And oft at Quarter Sessions scold ; 
 
 Free from all postage, suits, and tallage, 
 
 From County Courts, also from stallage. 
 
 The vaccilating John thought fit 
 To change his predecessor's writ : — 
 " Let them enjoy the wholesome laws 
 " Of our dear Brother, save this clause —
 
 '(^ Tin: tOUHOKATIOV. 
 
 Jvicliaid himself each cause would try ; 
 Hi.t ue appoint a Deputy. 
 
 Henry the Third each act confirmed 
 To our " dear men of Portesmuth" termed j 
 And soon a Second Cliarter came, 
 Wlien '' probis^ raised the city's fame. 
 A Third inimitable act of grace 
 A guild of mercliants gave the place, 
 With privileges, bounteous store. 
 Ne'er held by our " good men" before ; 
 But growing in power overbold, 
 " That Justice here her Court might hold," 
 The yeomen prayed 'twould Henry please 
 Bid some wise Judge come hear the pleas. 
 " Agreed," the Monarch cried, " so they 
 " Yearly three casks of claret pay." 
 
 'Twas Edward, Scotland's deadly foe, 
 Who laid the gallant Wallace low. 
 First called two Members up to Town, 
 In Parliament to sit them down. 
 
 When Ned tl;c Third o'er English bands 
 Had ruled him fifteen years, 
 This town was seized into his hands, 
 
 For taxes long arrears. 
 Not answering to the legal writs, 
 
 The townsfolk kept aloof : 
 Poor souls, how scared their honest wits ! 
 
 How dreaded the reproof. 
 At length, by supplication moved, 
 
 And half a mark the fine, 
 " Be free again, my well-beloved — 
 
 " Witness this hand of mine."* 
 By letters patent, bearing date 
 Windsore, where dwelt the regal state,
 
 THE CORPORATION, 'f7 
 
 Edward the Second and the Third, 
 And Ned the Fourth, not much revered, 
 Richard the Second, treason's tool, 
 And Dick the Third, ambition's fool, 
 Confirmed each Charter, act and deed. 
 Which John or Richard had decreed. 
 When Edward the First appeared on the scene, 
 By Burgesses stern, in number thirteen, 
 
 And the Mayor, were the Members elected : 
 And how 'neath Sixth Edward did townsmen rejoice^ 
 When he, as electors, to them gave a voice. 
 And the men in this form were selected ! 
 Elizabeth, to add some weight 
 Against Nobility's estate, 
 Said — " Let the Body Corporate bear 
 " The title Burgesses and Mayor, 
 " And choose true men, devoid of !::uile, 
 " Our peace to keep within the isle," 
 First Charles, on reaching English ground, 
 Dispensed his favours freely round ; 
 Confirmed each privilege they held before, 
 Improved on some, and granted many more : 
 But, most unhappy for the town, he came. 
 And bade electors bear a difi'erent name — 
 Mayor, Burgess, Aldermen — Alas ! 
 Such royal mandate e'er should pass ! 
 In sixteen hundred, sixty-two, 
 Charles, to his own dear interest true, 
 Gave Gosport to their jurisdiction. 
 And scarlet robes, without restriction, 
 To Aldermen and gracious Mayor. 
 Relinquishing th' Augustal Fair, 
 Persuasion's baited hooks he cast 
 (The ratting Members turned at last.)
 
 78 THE rOKl'OR A rioN. 
 
 Obtained the Charter of the touii, 
 
 Framed one congenial to the crown ; 
 
 By which he might, whhjief rout. 
 
 Turn each unruly Member out. 
 
 Thus trembling stood the unstable pile, 
 
 Like favorite on princely smile ; 
 
 'Till Kingslej/, once again restored 
 
 First Cliarles's Act from Goigne's hoard. 
 
 By which to rule the sister towns, 
 
 Nor claim from Second Charles, save gow ns. 
 
 'Till the Convention Parliament^ 
 The Corporation Members sent ; 
 But then the Common Folk enacted 
 Their part — though it was soon retracted, 
 And Mayor and Aldermen again. 
 With Burgesses, select the men. 
 
 Had I the force of Pindar's pen. 
 To paint the foibles of great men, 
 Then might 1 shew how party rage 
 Disturbed the peace of later age ; 
 What traits of humour might 1 draw, 
 How hold up many a little flaw ; 
 How shew the garbled Corporation 
 A prey to lengthened litigation ; 
 How now the Opposition rose. 
 Then sunk beneath their stronger foes ; 
 How oft appeared Election Rout^ 
 And Qno toarranlns flew about ; 
 How, oft the Member took his seat, 
 And oft was driven to retreat ; 
 How, from St. Thomas tower high, 
 Was stretched the ardent watchful eye.
 
 tHE CORPORATION. 79 
 
 The earliest glimpse of him to get, 
 
 The bearer of the Court Gazette ; 
 
 But when 'twas opened, how dismay 
 
 O'erturned each project of the day ! 
 
 How tasselled Corporation Gown 
 
 Full ninety-five per cent, came down. 
 
 When he who filled the civic chair 
 
 Found he'd no longer business there. 
 
 Burgesses, Aldermen, en route. 
 
 Full sixty-three were tumbled out. 
 
 Now disappointment, fury fired, 
 
 And lawyers bold, with hope inspired — 
 
 " Your cause you'll gain — I'm positive 
 
 ^' The Judge for you must verdict give." 
 
 For once, the prophecy was true, 
 
 As the petitioners soon knew — 
 
 For shortly came official deed. 
 
 And twenty-nine were out decreed ; 
 
 Then did the almost civil war 
 
 Leave the fair Borough sans a Mayor, 
 
 For nine ensuing years— 'till death 
 
 Stopped the confusion with the breath 
 
 Of Linzee-Varloe— Tories hearty ; 
 
 And henceforth reigned the Country Party. '^ 
 
 To descant on more more modern times 
 Will never suit my cautious rhymes. 
 Would it be politic in me 
 To scan where others disagree ? 
 You'll find, if scenes like these you note, 
 He, who to-day would cut your throat, 
 To-morrow sings in other note. 
 Therefore will I, for friendship's sake, 
 Ne'er risk opinion on this stake. 
 
 * The Comtrji Party was the appellation nsed in those days io 
 drsignate the Whig Party j in opposition to the Ministerial, or Court 
 rart\j. '
 
 jfO" THE COKPO RATION. 
 
 CIJJRTEIi of King lUClIARD the lurd to the Burgli 
 
 of Portesmuth. 
 
 ICIIARD, by the Grace of God, Kinj; of Hn£;l;md, &c. &c. to the 
 Aich-IJishojis, <!v.c. &c and all the loviii;; s.til)jccts of all our territory, 
 
 Ukkkiim;. Know, flint wc letuiii in ow /mini <'Ur Iloio' of Porlesmulh, 
 
 U.1II1 all l/inl l/i'ertunlu aijpciliuiiet/i. and in it tee alabli^li. give, ami grant, a 
 J-'air. to enilurr once in every iiear, /'or /if lean dai/o, (to wit ) frciil the Feast of 
 St. I'etcr. IVe also f^ranl, t/iat till our louing snl'jcrt.i of En^'Uind, S\C. and of 
 all our territoriei, and of others, may come to the aforesaid I'air, and may go 
 and return tcell and in peace, and may have u' I the free customs and liberties 
 lohich they have at t'le Fairs of IK/h/om and lloyhmd, or am/ where ehe in our 
 territories. Moreover we ^rant our Burgesses in the said Borough shall have 
 in every week in I he year one Ith day (to ivit, Tiiursday ) for a Market, with 
 all the liberties and free aistoms which the cilizuis of ^Vinton or Oxford, or 
 others in our territory have, or ought to have Moreover we grant, that our 
 Town of Portesmuth, and all our Ifurges^es holding in and of it, shall be free 
 from Toll and Bridge Toll, and Stallage and Tallage, and from Connly Courts 
 and Hwdrcd Courh, and from Summonses and from Juries, and from Fines 
 for Blood, andfram Siclwita, and from Mulcts, and from the IVapentake 
 Court, and from Forest IVrit and Forest Guard, and from Regardership of 
 Foieat, and from all other Secular Exactions as well by Sta as by Land, 
 tiherever they shall come in all our territnries. Moreover we command and 
 firmly ordain, that the aforesaid Town of Portesmuth, and our Burgessts 
 holding in it, shall have and hold their Houses and Possessions icilh Market 
 Toll, and privilege to lake Bondmen, and liberty to try Thieves taken within 
 the iiocti,' and to take Thieves which have fled, bring them back, try and judge 
 them, and with ail the liberties and free customs again well in peace, freedom, 
 and quiet, us our citizens of fVinton, or Oxford, or others in our territory 
 have ; and hold their possessions and liberties more Jree, better, or quiet ; and 
 we forbid that they shall be impleaded concerning any tenure of the tuid town, 
 unless before us ; and ice forbid lesl any one disturb them. 
 
 (livei) under tiie liaiul of WiUiam Lopt^cham]), Bishop of T-ly, our Chancel- 
 lor, near l'ort?niouili, ou the second day of May, in the tiUli year of 
 our reiga, 
 
 These being Witnesses: — 
 
 William, Pi iest of St. iMary. Master Phus. Wiliinm (}p Sta^iKi. 
 William iMalluin. Ganiied, the son of Peter. Robert, the son of 
 lioger. 
 
 The Charter of King John is nearly iu the same words, 
 except towards the end, whicli runs thus — •' And we forbid that 
 they shall ho impleaded concerning any tenure of the said town, 
 unless btfore us or our Lord Chit f Justice. Given under the 
 liaiid of Simon, Archdeacon of Wells, near Melksham, the 25th 
 cay ofOctoher, in the second year of our reign." 
 
 The Charter of Ilenn/ III. in 1230, is like the others, 
 except using the term ' our ilin of Porttsmulh' instead of' Bur- 
 gesvts.' — His sccuud ChaiUi', iu 1255, ia merely a coufirmatioa
 
 COKPOKATION SI 
 
 of the first ; aud his third, iu 1256, grants to the ' honest men of 
 Portesmuth' a Gild of Merchants, with certain privileges as to 
 the arrest of themselves or Iheir goods, not enjoined before. 
 
 The Charters of Edward \\. in lI'ilH ; of Edward III, in 
 1359; of flic/^arrf II. in 1385; of £rfit't«rf IV. in I 463 ; of 
 Richard HI. in 1484 ; contain nothing particular, being merely 
 cnnfirmalions of former grants. Elizabeth, in 1600, after the 
 ujiual declaration and governed statement, thai the Borough was 
 by a Mayor, Bailiffs, Constables, &c. gave them a power of 
 deleting Justices of the Peace, and that the Corporation should 
 be stiled * Mayor and Burgesses,' 
 
 Charles I. after the usual stiles, &c. slates '• The Boro' of 
 Portesmuth, iu the County of Soutliampton, is an ancient Boro\ 
 and the Burgesses, Freemen, and inhabitants thereof, sometimes 
 called ' Honest Men of Portesmuth.'' soraelimes ' Men of Portes- 
 muth,' sometimes ' Burgesses of Portesmuth,' afterwards ' Mayor 
 and Burgesses of the Borough of Portesmuth,' shall henceforth 
 be known and called by the name of Mayor, Aldermen, and 
 Burgesses ; shall have a common Seal ((he same which is placed 
 at the head of this Section) ; shail make Bye-laws, impose Fines, 
 have power to create a Deputy Mayor; shall hold a Court of 
 Record every week (except the Festivals of Easter- Week, Whit- 
 suntide, and Christmas,) to be holden before the Mayor and 
 Recorder, and four Aldermen ; shall hold Couri-Leet, aud \ iew 
 of Frank Pledge, twice a year ; shall elect Justices of the Peace ; 
 shall have a Town Gaol and Town-Clerk, who is to be Clerk of 
 the Market ; shall choose two Serjeants at Mace ; the Mayor 
 shall have the goods and chattels of felons; to be free of toll ; 
 the inhabitants not to be summoned to Assizes at Winchester ; 
 shall have a Guild of Merchants : shall have a Fair at St. Peter's 
 Day, for fourteen days ; may weave Broad Cloth and Kerseys ; 
 may hold manors, messuages, and lands ; shall pay an annual 
 rent of £12, lOs. 6d. to the Court of Exchequer; shall enjoy 
 all the privileges of preceding Letters of Incorporation or 
 Charters." 
 
 This Charter continued in full furce till 1682, when the 
 Corporation surrendered it, and received the following from 
 Charles the Second : — "That the Borough of Portesmuth and 
 the Town of Gosport shall be a Free Borough, by the title of 
 Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the said Borough ; one of 
 the more honest and discreet Aldermen to be Mayor ; twelve of 
 the Burgesses to be elected Aldermen for life, besides the Mayor ; 
 
 M
 
 S2 CORl'ORATIOX 
 
 the Aldermpii to be (he Council for (he said Borough ; that ihe 
 Corpora(ion, or (he major part ol" (hem (of whom (he Mayor and 
 Recorder to be al\*'ays (wo), shall have full power (o make bye- 
 laws, and (o impose lines on all ilelin(juenls agaius( such laws; 
 may impose a line of £lO uu him wiio shall reluse (o uuderlake 
 the office of Mayor or Alderman ; (hat the Mayor, ia case of 
 absence or sickness, may appoint a Deputy; the Mayor to be 
 Clerk of llie Market; iLat (lie Mayor, &(:. A:c. may be removed 
 at (he will and pleasure (,f (he Crown ; (hat the Mayor and suc- 
 cessors may keep a Fair for every year for ever, for fourteen 
 days from the Feast of St. Peler : (hat (liey should relinquish a 
 Fair held on (he ls( of August; (hat the Corporation shall have 
 free passage from Portsmouth (o Gosport, or (o Ryde ; and shall 
 have the liberty of maintaining vessels to (ransport persons, 
 goods, or merchandize." -This Charter remained in force till 
 1688, when Colonel K\ng9,\e^ discovered that the Charter of 
 Charles 1. had not keen duly surrendered ; consequently the more 
 recent one became void. 
 
 In 1695, in consequence of a Pe(i(ion from Matthew 
 Aylmcr, against the return of Colonel John Ciibson (then Lieut.- 
 G'ovcriior of (he town), the House of Commons resolved, " That 
 the ri^ht of Election for Bur^resscs to i^ervc in Parliament for 
 this Borough, is in the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the 
 iaid Borough ONLY." 
 
 Daring the last century contests were frequent between th^ 
 (wo parties in the Corporaiicn — the one, under the patronage of 
 (he Earl of Sandwich, supporting the influence of (he Board of 
 Admiralty — the odier, of which Messrs. Carter and IVhite were 
 leaders, supporting (lie opposite interest. The several decisions 
 of (he House of Commons and (he Court of King's Hench gave 
 (he preponderance in turn (o each party : but the points at issue 
 were entirely matters of form in the election of the Mayors or 
 Representatives, and not at all involving (he extension of (he 
 elecdve franchise ; (he decision of (he House in 1695, and (he 
 subsequent law called (he Grenville Ad, having permanently 
 setded (l;at question. 
 
 In the present Session (1820) a petition was presented to 
 the House of Commons by Vice-Admiral 8/r Geo. Cockburn.K.c.B. 
 one of (he I>nrds of the AdmiraKy, against (he return of Admiral 
 John MarkLum, on the ground that certain Aldermen and Bur- 
 gesses had been improperly allowed to vote for him, they not 
 being resident within the Borough. After a patient investigation
 
 S5 CORPORATiOX 
 
 during five driys, Lord Clive. Chairman of the Comraitlee, made 
 their report to tiie House, declaring Admiral Markham to be 
 duly elected^ but that the Petition was neither frivolous nor 
 vexatious. — The Speaker's writ, in consequence of this decision, 
 has been received, as follows: — 
 
 " Lun(B 5 die Junii, 1820. 
 
 " "Y^HEREAS the Select Committee appointed to try the 
 merits of the Petition of Admiral Sir George CockLum, 
 complaining of an undue election and return for the Borough of 
 Portsmouth, have this day reported to the House of Commons, 
 that it appeareth to the said Commmiltee that the mnits of the 
 Petition did in part depend upon the Right of Election^ and 
 therefore the Committee requested the counsel on both sides to 
 deliver to the clerk of the Committee slatcments in writing of the 
 right of Election for them respectively jeontended. That in con- 
 sequence thereof the Counsel' for the Petitioner delivered in a 
 statement, as follows — ' That the Rijiht of Voting in the 
 Borough of Portsmouth, as contended for by the Petitioner, was 
 in the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the said Bcrough, 
 beipg resident within the said Borough, or the limits and liberties 
 thereof;' that the Counsel for the Silting Member delivered in a 
 statement, as follows — ' That the right of election of Burgesses 
 to serve in Parliament for the Borough of Portsmouth, is in the 
 Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses only.' That upon the state- 
 ment delivered in by the counsel of the said PetUiomr, the said 
 Committee have determined, that the Right of Election, as set 
 forth in the said statement, is NOT the Right of Election for the 
 Borough of Portsmouth, in the County of Southampton : and 
 that upon the statement delivered in by the counsel for the Sitting 
 Member, the said Committee have determiiied, that the right of 
 election, as set forth by the said statement is the Right of Elec- 
 tion for the said Borough of Portsmouth ; — 
 
 *• I do do hereby give you Notice, in pursuance of the direction 
 of an Act made in the 2Sth year of his late Majesty King George 
 the Third, entitled ' An Act for the further regulation of the 
 merits of controverted returns and elections of Members to serve 
 in Parliament.'' Given under my hand this 5th day of June. 
 
 " GEORGE MANNERS SUTTON/' 
 
 '* To the Returning.Officer of the Borough 
 of Portsmouth,'''*
 
 THR 
 
 Coton of ^ottsea* 
 
 M irninr portcm .... Maijalia quondam ; 
 Miratur porliis, strcpitunuiiic el strata vianiin. 
 
 ^neid. lib. i, 
 
 As the proud walls of Thebes renowned 
 Arose at heavenly music's sound, 
 When Amphion seized his golden lyre, 
 And swept the strings with magic fire ; 
 Or as the Eastern Genie's power 
 Called forth Aladdin's Hall and Tower ; 
 
 So, from the rude and sterile earth, 
 
 Sprung this fair city into birth.* 
 First Architecture came to grace 
 With piles magnificent the place ; 
 By her just rules rose mansions high 
 On every side extensively — 
 Tower and cupola — vast Hall — 
 Chapel, and Gate, and Rampart Wall. 
 
 Next Commerce rose — her orders spread 
 To each fair realm o'er ocean's bed. 
 With radiant smile 
 She bade explore 
 Each foreign shore, 
 Xo deck with choicest gems her favorite's head. 
 
 Then Industry and tasteful Arts abound. 
 And Plenty spread her copious stream around. 
 
 • The Town of Porlsea now covers what was, within the last century, 
 an extended was(e. and was till the passing of the Paving Act, 1792, gene- 
 rallv known hy thtr name of I'orhvuiulh Common. The lirst part built ivas 
 what are called * the New Buildings,' at the farther extremity, where was 
 formerly the entrance to the Dock-yard. During the American War the 
 town increased with wonderful rapidity, and now exceeds Portsmouth iii 
 «>xtentan(I population.
 
 PORTSEA. 85 
 
 To guard the spacious town from foes, 
 Encircling' ramparts soon arose. 
 
 Two giant Gates the lines adorn — 
 The ' Lion,'' and the ' Unicorn,^ — 
 See each by fairest sculpture graced, 
 High o'er the ponderous arch-way placed ! 
 Bridge, bastion, moat, and raveliue, 
 In strength and bsauty, deck the scene. t 
 
 As the fair town's importance grew, 
 'Twas paved throughout in ninety -two ; 
 And now appears our Sister-Town, 
 In wealth, in honor, and renown ; 
 In rank possessing equal station 
 Under the Borough Corporation. 
 
 In Queen-Street, see the busy throng, 
 Li<ie foaming torrent sweep along. 
 Where splendid shops and mart invite 
 The smaller streamlets to unite : 
 Well does the many-peopled tide 
 The North from Southern town divide. 
 
 On the North Side, two well built streets adorn 
 
 The lofty names o{ King and Unicorn ; 
 
 Two others near at hand their titles took 
 
 From brave Prince George, and Cumberland's great Duke, 
 
 + The Fortifications were begun in 1770, and present a line, for 
 strength and beauty, equal to any in the kins;dum. They are faced with 
 stone as high as the parapet ; the dikes are larjje and deep, and are con- 
 nected with the Portsmouth Works by a lake termed the M ill-Pond. With- 
 in the lines are several large open Parade Gruinds : one of Ihem was 
 lately occupied by temporary Barracks for 1200 men— which (excepting 
 the Military Hospital) have been pulled down, since the Peace, and the 
 ground cleared. 
 
 Farther north is the Laboratory, an extensive establishment in the 
 Ordnance Department, with Residences for the principal officers. — At the 
 other extremity, is the Royal Engineer's Office, with Stores adjoining, built 
 on ground made on the border of an arm of the sea, over the mouth of 
 which stands the King's Mill, erected by the Victualling Department, at an 
 ejrpcnce of :.? 7,000.
 
 86 TOWM OF 
 
 These, at right-angles, others intersect — 
 
 To name them all you cannot, sure, expect. 
 
 Take Daniel^ Xorl/i, and Cross Streets — C/iapel-Rovr — 
 
 Liove-hnne and Catherine's — then onward go 
 
 To the fair district we New Binldings call 
 
 (So did our grand-sires), under the Dock- Wall. 
 
 On the South Side, in equi-distant lines, 
 As in some park the rows of stately pines, 
 Hawke, Havmit^ Hanover, and Utiion Street, 
 St. James — and Bis/top's, which th' Old Rope-walk 
 
 meet : 
 In line with which is found the busy hive, 
 Where Israel's sons their various traffic drive, 
 And many a gazing- passenger is caught 
 With treasures rich as those from Egypt brought. 
 
 Passing the narrow street for Butchers famed, 
 We reach the neat and spacious area, named 
 From great St. Georo^e— behold his Chapel here !~- 
 And farther south, a section will appear, 
 Hight/iri/a//2-Street, which lanes and courts divide — 
 Its gardens skirted by the mill-stream tide. 
 Nor must we here omit the Portsea Ilard^ 
 A noble terrace, near to the Dock-Yard, 
 From whence the Port, where Britain's bulwarks lie, 
 And boats for ever passing, greet the eye. 
 Here loyalty, on high, in gothic shrine, 
 Has caused our late illustrious Queen to shine. 
 
 'Twas when the elder Ladies cried 
 *' To church we cannot go, 
 " Tlie day's so very wet — and ride 
 
 " We can't afford, you know ; — 
 •' To Kingston is a tedious mile, 
 
 *' So slopping too the way,
 
 PORTSEA, U7 
 
 '• That when we reach the middle aisle, 
 
 " No mood have we to pray," 
 Subscription first went briskly round. 
 
 Each suited to his means donation, 
 And Corporation gave the land 
 
 For Church to Champion of our nation,* 
 
 Ere long the holy Chapel of St. John ^ 
 Upreared in proud magnificence its bulk 
 Corinthian — the high soaring tower, 
 The noble cupola, and surmounting cross ; 
 And who its rich interior can view, 
 The massy column, the acanthus pure, 
 The bold entablature, the fretted roof, 
 The fflittering chandelier, the organ grand, 
 The marble altar of communion, 
 And the impressive lessons of our faith, 
 But awful thoughts must to his soul arise, 
 And rivet him in reverential awe? 
 
 Near this the Chapel of the Roman Faith^ 
 In plain and elegant simplicity. 
 
 • The Chapel of S/. George is a handsome edifice, built in the Coiin^ 
 thian stile, with a very lar»e Venetia^i window over the Communion Table. 
 The roof is supporled by fmir handsome columns. It contains a fine toned 
 Organ, and the accon.modatinns are very complete. The I{ev. It. H. 
 Cumyns has tilled the Curacy for many years past. The congregation is 
 both numerous and respeclalile. 
 
 X The Chape! of Sf. Jp/tn sittiate in Prince Giorge's Street, may be 
 reckoned one of the finest in the kingdom. It was consecrated by the 
 Bishop of Winchester, in 1789. Any per-on visiting Portsmouth should" 
 not fail of viewing it— d< scription cannot doit justice. The Altar is 
 placed in a semicircular recess, separated from the body of the Chapel by a 
 screen of fluted Corinthian pillars. The seats are all finished with maho- 
 gany. The magnificent Organ, under the scientific hand of Mr. E. Sibly, 
 adds sublimity t(» the whole. 
 
 Adjoining the Chapel is a suitable Residence for the Clergyman. The 
 Rev. Mr, Dusautoy has officiated here for some years past to a crowded 
 congregation.
 
 88 TOWN OF 
 
 Attention claims. Kerr Porlcr ! here thy skill 
 Has to dull canvas given form and life : 
 With out-stretclied hand, and eye devoutly raised, 
 Lo ! the Redeemer stills the boisterous waves, 
 And bids the roarins: tempest sink in sleep ! 
 
 To swell the catalogue of noble piles, 
 
 Add we the Hebrew Tabernacle — 
 
 St. Peter s Chapcl,f where the Holy Saint 
 
 Appears in rightful office — King-Street ! 
 
 Thy spacious temple !;}: — and the School \\ 
 
 By genuine phihinthropy upreared — 
 
 Such bid our nation, 'mid th' admiring world, 
 
 Stand forth — her glory, godlike Charity. 
 
 The spacious 3Iill, bounding the spreading lake. 
 With many a structure of high interest 
 For Military strength, for Naval pride. 
 Add lustre to the scene. 
 
 + St. Peler^s Chapel, a lar^e and neat build in:;, in Daniel'Street, vtas 
 purchased, a few \rars since, by the yVesleijan Mtthodi^ts, It was pre- 
 viously a Free Chapel, creeled by subscription for the use of an eccentric 
 Clergyman named I'cnninglon, who had attracted many followers, first by 
 preaching in the o|)en air, and afterwards in a licensed room. The forms 
 of the Church of England were adhered to, but the chapel was exempt 
 from F.piscopal jiiribdiction. 
 
 J The new Chapel of the Independents, in Kliii;-Street, is 93 feet long, 
 and 75 feet broad ; it will seat '2,500 hearers, and contain when crowded 
 3,000. The expense of its erection was between ten and £\ 1. 000. It wa* 
 opened for public worship, Sept. 8, 1813. The old Chapel in Orange- 
 Street, has been converted into Sunday School-Rooms, and 15 Alms Houses 
 for the Poor of ihc Congregation The present highly respectable Minister 
 is the Rev. John Grittin, to whom lam indebted for the above Information, 
 
 There are several other Dissenting Chapels-.— Two of the Particular 
 7?(ip/i\<4— (lie neat and spacious one in Meeting- 1 louse Allei/, of which the 
 Rev. I). Miall lias long been pastor ; and another in 1Vhile\-Rots:, under 
 the Rev. \\ . llauUins; with bo'h of which are connected Schools and 
 other benevolent institutions ; — that of ihe ^Inlinomians, \inAcr the Rev. I. 
 Carter, in Daniel Street ; and one of the Methodist New Connection, near 
 Mar I borough- Row, 
 
 II The Beneficial Society's Hall, in the Old Rope-Walk. The lower part 
 of the Building i.- ii'^ed for the education of a great number of boys, under 
 the patronage, ;.i.il ui the expence of the Society. Over this is a remark* 
 ably fine lofiy mom, used for the Annual Meeting of the Society, on the 
 first Monday in October, and foi Balls, ConccrU, Public Meetings, &c.
 
 €f)c SDocft, 
 
 To bear her formidable glory far, 
 
 Kehold her opulence of hoarded war. 
 
 See from her ports a thousand banners stream ! 
 
 On every coast her vengeful lightnings gleam ! 
 
 WARTON. 
 
 By a judicious arrangement of the Commisnoner, Sir Geo. Grey, Barf. 
 persons wishing to see the Yard, on ar)plying at the Gate, insert their names 
 in a Book, and are attended by a Warder through the principal works. Thus 
 more is seen in an hour''s waik, and more information gained by means of an 
 intelligent guide, than could otherwise be obtained, and the intrusion of impro- 
 per persons is prevented. It is advisable to be at the Gate before Nine in the 
 morning. 
 
 Should foreign nations wonder, 
 
 Whence England's mighty station ? 
 Examine our Docks, 
 Our ships on the stocks, 
 High theme for admiration: 
 Each pile, each building vast, 
 Each store and lofty tower. 
 
 War's implements tremendous, 
 Machinery stupendous — 
 Great source of naval power : 
 The varied heaps of treasure. 
 From distant nations drawn, 
 From mountain climes, 
 From teeming mines, 
 Dear England to adorn ! 
 For us bleak Scandinavia's 
 Piny woods their honors rear ; 
 Doomed in their pride 
 The waves to ride, 
 And England's meteor banner bear ; 
 To hurl forth Britain's thunder, 
 And spread o'er all the earth 
 The Port's proud fame. 
 Her deathless name, 
 Which gave our bulwarks birth. 
 
 6' 
 
 N
 
 THE DOCK. 90 
 
 Yes, Portsmouth ! thy bris^ht j;loiies 
 Shall never lade, Oh never! 
 
 Till o'er the world, 
 
 That veil is hurled, 
 Shall darken all for ever. 
 
 This Dock, the wonder now of all, 
 In Bess's reign was wondrous small. 
 
 In manuscripts I've read ; 
 It boasted then, as it would seem, 
 Of horses but a single team. 
 
 And labourers one hundred. 
 But when Jamaica to us bowed, 
 A single dry-dock was bestowed, 
 
 And fifty workmen added; 
 A mansion for Commissioner 
 The Government began to rear, 
 
 And soon the project carried. 
 If with this statement you'll compare 
 
 The present wond'rous place, 
 Then will the energy appear, 
 Which, in so short a space, 
 Could execute, improve, design. 
 
 So quick, so well, 
 More fabrics than this verse of mine 
 
 Hath power to tell. 
 So state we, in a general way, 
 In War, five thousand men each day 
 
 By labour live ; 
 But of each mighty work performed. 
 By what vast piles the Yard's adorned,t 
 A sketch I'll give. 
 
 + The entrance to the Dock- Yard is from The Common Hard, through 
 a largo handsome Gateway, with a P'oot Passage at the side, and handsome 
 Kcsldencc tor tlio Master Warder. Within, on the left, appears the long 
 range of JUasl-houset ; on the right the Basin for seasoning the timber.
 
 THE DOCK. 91 
 
 See, on the right, the palace proud,]: 
 Where England's Kings have held abode, 
 
 Thy mansion, honored **** ! 
 Yet here the wretched may attend. 
 Where Charity, the general friend, 
 Shines with her sweetest ray. 
 
 Near this the proud Academ?/% 
 Its spreading dome, its Orrery ! 
 With mingled feelings tost, we gaze, 
 And sigh, while flows the meed of praise 
 On Model (built with beauty rare — 
 Its silken rigging, sculpture fair,) 
 Of that most noble vessel, lost 
 On Aldernej's tremendous coast. 
 What numbers found a watery grave 
 Beneath the tempest troubled wave ! 
 Hark, 'tis the Minute Gun I hear! 
 The shriek of death — it wounds my ear — 
 She strikes — 'tis o'er ! and silence dread 
 Momentous rides o'er ocean's bed ! 
 
 Thus does the sculptured model here 
 From every Briton crave 
 
 The silent tribute of a tear 
 For those beneath the wave. 
 
 X The Old Commissioner's House was begun in 1664. The present 
 princely edifice was begun in 1773. Attached to it are a fine garden, 
 lawn, &c. where formerly stood the Dock Chapel. The building consists 
 of the centre, with a noble portico, and two wings— in that on the north are 
 the Official Offices. The apartments are elegant, and well disposed. 
 
 § The Royal Naval College, for educating Young Gentlemen for the 
 public service, under the direction of Capt. Loring, the Governor ; the 
 Kev. James Inraan, D.D. Professor, and able Assistants, Over the College 
 is an Observatory, in which is a beautiful model of H. M. S. Victory, built 
 at this yard, but unfortunately wrecked oft' the French coast on her first 
 voyage. A new Observatori) has lately been erected over the centre arch 
 of the West Store, which commands a view of the whole coast, from the 
 Needles to the shores of Sussex.
 
 92 THE DOCK. 
 
 But let us now the story vary, 
 
 And shew the Spouse of lovely Mary, 
 
 Illustrious man ! 
 By Norton placed, in loyal mood, 
 On marble base, in attitude 
 
 Caesarian. 
 
 The Inscription. 
 GULIELMO HI. OPTIMO REGE, MDCXCVUI. RICARUUS NORTON 
 
 HUMILIME DD. 
 
 [ This fine doubly gilt itatue was the gift of Colonel Richard Norton, 
 
 of Southvcick Park.'] 
 
 Full many a noble building we. 
 High on the margin of the sea. 
 
 In wonder wrapt behold. 
 Here Stores magnificent are found, 
 And, famed for glorious prospect round, 
 
 Th' Ohscrralort/ bold. 
 The busy Rope-house next we meet 
 (In length one thousand, ninety feet).* 
 Yonder the sons of Vulcan view, 
 And own the scene old Homer drewf — 
 The lire tremendous blazing round. 
 The ponderous hammers' stunning sound, 
 
 The glowing metals bright, 
 Which round the gloomy mansion fly, 
 Like meteors in the midnight sky, 
 
 And shed their vivid light : 
 
 * The Rope-JIouse is a woik of vast extent. Tlic formation of a 
 Cable tlirongh all its stages is lii^lily iiiterestinsr— tlie work, however, is so 
 laborious, that the men can continue it only a few hours in a day. Some of 
 the cables are so large as to require 80 men to work them, notwithstanding 
 the immense machinery. Three stories above, are occupied iu the manu- 
 facture of twine and cordage. 
 
 + The ytnchor-Sinilh's Shop. Some of the anchors made here weigh 
 from 40 to 80 cwt. Adjoiniui; is the Copper Fotindery. Nor far distant, 
 the Block Machinery, worked by an immense Steam Engine, invented 
 by Mr. IJrumll, an ingenious French Royalist, who for many years 
 conducted it: the number, precision, and beauiy of the operations performed. 
 M It were by magic, mark it the nc plus ultra of mechanical science and 
 ingenuity.
 
 THE DOCK. 93 
 
 The Copper Mills — each furnace vast, 
 Wherein the ductile ore is cast, 
 
 Like stream fast flowing ; 
 Contemplate every varying hue, 
 Now scarlet, yellow, green, now blue, 
 
 As firmer growing. 
 Now to the wond'rous Engine go — 
 See potent Steam its aid bestow. 
 
 To rend in twain. 
 And use and beauty's form impart, 
 To iron- wood, on which man's art 
 
 Oft tried in vain ! 
 The Chapel, by subscription raised \X 
 The Architectural College^W praised 
 
 For object as for plan ; 
 The Rigging-Stores — the Guarded Way — 
 And where the seaman claims his pay. 
 
 In passing must we scan ; 
 Six spacious Docks — and Basin wide. 
 In which our country's naval pride. 
 
 May ride at ease ; 
 And whence, if need to shew her power. 
 Fitted may be within an hour. 
 
 To plough the seas. 
 Oh ! who can tread this sacred soil, 
 Survey these fruits of mighty toil, 
 
 By patriot wisdom plan'd — 
 What varied skill each fabric wrought, 
 And to such high perfection brought 
 These safeguards of our land — 
 
 J The Chapel is a neat edifice, with seats appropriated the Officers of 
 the Yard and of the Ships in Ordinary, as well as the various tia-ses of 
 artisans. In the cupola is the beli which belonged to the unfortunate 
 Royal George, 
 
 II The College of Naval Architecture ; where young men receive a 
 mathematical education, to prepare the»T' for the scientific departments in 
 ship-building.
 
 94 THE DOCK, 
 
 Tauglit the rough knarled oak to bend, 
 To iMigland's pow'r its aid to lend, 
 
 Her conquering standard bear, 
 Proudly to stem the ocean wave, 
 The horrors of the tempest brave. 
 
 And thunder of the war : 
 Who can behold the daring prow, 
 While thousands breathe the heart-felt vow, 
 
 Dasli to the waves along, 
 Nor feel a Briton's conscious pride 
 With patriot joy his breast divide. 
 
 And prompt th' inspiring song ? 
 
 €ljc Conflagration^, 
 
 The record now to infamy we tnrnt 
 Behold, where Britain's naval treasures burn- 
 Portsmouth ! the billows which thy Harbour lave 
 Rellect fell fires in every circling wave: 
 Aitkin, like him who lired th' Kphcsian fane, 
 In felon reputation shall remain : 
 Nay the Muse fears of treason you'll attaint her, 
 That Rogue for only naming. Jack the Painter. 
 
 dibdin's History of England. 
 
 Loud howled Ihe Genius of the midnight storm , 
 Through heaven's high arch tremendous thunders roll 
 
 Darkness intense obscured fair Nature's form, 
 And secret fears ahirmed each guilty souh 
 
 Now the blue light'uing's momentary flash 
 
 Reveals the impending clouds, a heavy store- 
 Awful ! again the bursting thunder's crash, 
 And to the earth impetuous torreuts pour. 
 
 Mid the conflicting elements, aghast 
 
 Earth's trembling race in speechless horror lay : 
 When dreadful conflagration sudden cast 
 
 O'er night's tremendous face the light of day.
 
 THE DOCK. 95 
 
 Mark the flames tremendous beaming, 
 In the golden ocean gleaming ! 
 Mark the awful lurid sky ! 
 Listen to the piercing cry 
 By Britain's Genius, pale with horror, 
 
 From her celestial mansion sent. 
 Trembling to view her naval power 
 Fast sinking 'neath the element. 
 
 Jove heard the lovely nymph complaining ; 
 
 Mild pity touched the monarch's breast; 
 His potent arm, the foe restraining. 
 
 Bade her throbbing bosom rest. 
 
 While what, if chanced to other nation. 
 Had quite obscured their lesser fame, 
 
 Scarce felt, in our more happy station, 
 Cast but a shadow on our name ; 
 
 For scare had Phoebus' golden car 
 Twice circling led the varying year, 
 Ere from the shadow of its glory. 
 Like fabled bird of ancient story. 
 This sacred spot, great Neptune's own, 
 In all its wonted splendour shone! 
 
 By this catastrophe, on the 3d of July, 1760, two of the principal Storehouses, 
 and immense quantities of naval stores were consumed. 
 
 '"V>^\.y% 
 
 Scarce ten years had pass'd, ere the mandate of Fate 
 Raised the dread conflagration I mean to relate ; 
 
 (But first I must needs meud my pen, 
 Or I fear the narration might anger ingpire, 
 And my readers incensed wish the whole in the fire) — 
 
 Which so puzzled the power of men. 
 
 From the Poet's apartment — ^the garret, I mean — 
 This woeful mishap by a Poet was seen, 
 
 Who at day-break had leaped from his bed ; 
 And in writing an Opera, Tragedy, Play, 
 Or it might be a Farce, but which I can't say, 
 
 Thus early was puzzling his head.
 
 9C THE DOCK. 
 
 Quick into !iis pocket the manuscript Hew, 
 And open tlio uarrow-paned window lie threw — 
 
 You'd have guessed l)y his face heM no life : 
 " The Dock's all on fire," he pantingly cried, 
 While loud to each hoarse exclamation replied 
 
 The loud ilrum and the shrill piercing fife. 
 
 From every side the myriads flock, 
 
 " What's on fire ?'' says one. Says another " The Dock !'* 
 
 *' From whence its first rise, pray ?" " Who knows ?" 
 No answer was given— but this we suppose — 
 By the schemes of proud Bourbon or Spain it arose, 
 
 And was kindled by' treacherous foes. 
 
 From four various places, the fire so bright 
 Cast o'er the wide ocean a mantle of light ; 
 
 The wind roared with hideous sound. 
 Despair took possession of every breast : 
 la every visage pale fear stood confest — 
 
 When sudden the wind shifted round. 
 
 Now Hope from the firemen prodigies drew, 
 And paler at length the red fire grew. 
 
 Which 80 long with man's art had contended ; / 
 
 And long ere the sun had sunk in the west. 
 From danger and dread every heart was at rest. 
 
 And all fear, like my verses, had ended. 
 
 Thii occurred the 21th July, 1770. The pitch and tar stores were destroyed ; 
 but the damage nat soon repaired. 
 
 Say who, 'gainst Albion's sacred land 
 Gave hostile foes a willing hand. 
 Obedient to their stern command ? 
 
 Why truly. Jack the Painter! 
 
 Who viewed with gladdened heart and eyes 
 The awful flames he bade arise 
 Tremendous through the midnight skies? 
 
 Why truly, Jack the Painter! 
 
 By every loyal heart contemned, 
 Who was at Winchester condemned, 
 By rope and noose to find ar\ end ? 
 
 Why truly, Jack the Painter!
 
 GUN-WHARF. 97 
 
 Who (as in history I've read) 
 When 'mid the heaps of ruin Jed, 
 Proved a repentant renecade? 
 
 Why truly. Jack the Painter! 
 
 Who, by the weight of guilt oppressed. 
 His deeds at Plymouth-Dock confess'd, 
 And how he meant to fire the rest ? 
 
 Why truly, Jack the Painter! 
 
 Whose corpse, hy ponderous irons wrung, 
 High upon Blockhouse Beach was hung, 
 And long to every tempest swung ? 
 
 Why truly, Jack the Painter's ! 
 
 Whose bones, some years since taken down, 
 Were brought in curious bag to town, 
 And left in pledge for half-a-crown ? 
 
 Why truly. Jack the Painter's! 
 
 This infamotts trailor and incendiary executed his horrid scheme on the 1th 
 of September, 1776. lite Rope-house and Stores were completely destroyed. 
 
 €^e <25im^bj]Jarn 
 
 See those deep-throated engines, whose huge roar 
 Imbowels with outrageous noise (he air. 
 
 Chained thunderbolts and hail 
 Of iron globes. miltox. 
 
 TO HENRIQUEZ. 
 
 1 thought, ere sailed the western fleet 
 
 To send you off another sheet ; 
 
 But eastern gales so quickly bore 
 
 Thee, much loved friend, from England's shore, 
 
 That anxious as my wishes were, 
 
 They could not rule the sea and air. 
 
 But, as in torrid zone yoa rove, 
 
 At ease in some pimento grove, 
 
 Should you perchance this volume ope, 
 
 Then give to memory ample scope : 
 
 Think how, on friendship's hallowed stream, 
 
 Flowed our young days, in golden beam — 
 
 Then shall revive each much-loved scene, 
 
 Though roll the Atlantic waves between.
 
 98 GUN-WTIARF. 
 
 Past is the Dock, the nation's boast. 
 
 The jewel of our southern coast; 
 
 And now the G un-wharf s ample space 
 
 Detains, each stately pile to trace — 
 
 Stupendous buildings, which mifi^ht vie 
 
 With proudest boast of Italy! 
 
 For though no statue meets the eye — 
 
 Yet sacred to utility, 
 
 High walls and sculptured portals grand, 
 
 And domes and towers, on haven strand — 
 
 Large stores, where once the billows rude^ 
 
 And vessels, fraught with treasure, rode; 
 
 The iron bridge, revolving round. 
 
 Thrown o'er the foaming stream profound ; 
 
 The dreadful implements of war — 
 
 The mansions neat — the gay parterre — 
 
 And mighty stores for gun and ball 
 
 Compose this spacious Arsenal. 
 
 la Ihis eRlablishmenf, Vfliich rivals the celebrated Arsenal 
 of Venice^ are kept iu store immense quantities of guns, carriages, 
 <%c. and every species of ammunition both for Naval and Mili- 
 tary service. The Armoury, on the right of the entrance-gate, 
 contains small arms for 25,000 men, arranged in the neatest 
 or'ier. The new stores on the southern side, are built on made 
 firound taken in from an arm of the sea, which originally flowed 
 up to the wall between the King's Mill and the Quay : the 
 largest of these superb edifices is surmounted by a tower, con- 
 taining an excellent clock. The whole is inclosed by a wall, 
 reaching from the Town Quay to the Portsea Hard.
 
 ^pitljcati, etc. 
 
 Tlic gloty and pride ol our islr. 
 
 NATIONAL SONG. 
 
 Hail, mighty haven ! justly famed, 
 
 Land-locked and free from danger ; '' 
 By every gallant seaman named 
 
 His 3IaJ€stj/''s Bed-Chamher ! 
 St. Helen s, and the light-house high, 
 
 Are in the distance seen ; 
 And here the Motherbank, where lie * "^^ '^ 
 
 The ships in Quarantine. 
 Let famed Spithead, the Solent Sea, 
 
 Of England's fleets e'er be the station ; 
 And many a season may it be 
 
 Scene of our Sovereign's recreation. 
 Hence shall Britannia's bulwarks rush, 
 
 From hence her dreadful thunder hurled, 
 Each foe presumptuous to crush, 
 
 That dares disturb the peaceful world. 
 
 LOSS OF 
 
 II. M. S. ROYAL GEORGE. 
 
 The sun 'mid heaven's concave high 
 
 Shone in effulgent majesty ; 
 
 The silver wave, in eddying stream. 
 
 Reflected back the diamond beam : 
 
 In gallant trim the vessel lay, 
 
 The pride, the glory of the bay ; 
 
 She bore our Patriot Sovereign's name. 
 
 And oft had spread the nation's fame. 
 
 Five Bells the time — The Boatswain cries 
 
 "Careen the ship !" His Mate replies
 
 JOO spiriiLAi). 
 
 " All hands, caicoii the ship— j/ea-Iwa .'" 
 The whistle shrill resounds below. 
 With lij^htsoine heart, on deck appear 
 Full many a gallant mariner. 
 To heel the ship their strength they ply — 
 But hark ! — What means that piercing cry ? 
 Through open ports, with hideous roar, 
 The unsuspected waters pour ; 
 And sudden, 'neath the azure tide. 
 Sunk the great George, our Navy's pride. 
 Brave Kempenfeldt, and gallant crew ! 
 Wove be the cypress wreath for you — 
 Who, in life's prime — no signal giv'n, 
 Foiuid through the watery waste a path to heaven ! 
 
 This lameutable tircunislance happened Id August, IT82, 
 The ship was hove on one side for some necessary repairs ; when, 
 in consequence of a sudden squall, which shifted her ballast, the 
 lower gun-ports beiup; open, the water rushed iu, and she sunk 
 iu three minutes. To the kindness of Wr. Kingston I am 
 indebted for the following account of the state of the wreck in 
 1817, when he examined it in a Diving Bell: 
 
 "• Tht tcreck lays with her luad about IV. S. TV. The quarter deck, 
 forecastle, routidhouae, teilh the larboard topside as low down as the range of 
 the upper deck, are enlirdy gone. The oak-strakes, and jiiUlships of the flat 
 of the upper deck are much decayed by worms in several places, so ai to shew 
 the beams and framing bentath. The wliole of the fir appears as sound as when 
 first laid. The deck is much twisted from the ship's falling so muck fore and 
 aft. The wreck has a beautiful appearance when viewed about a fathom above 
 the deck, being covered with small weeds, interspersed ivilh shells, star-Jish and a 
 tpecies of polypus, lying on a thin, geasy, grey sediment. All below ike deck is 
 a perfect solid of fine black mud ; and when suspended over the lai board side she 
 appears a rude mass of limber, lying in all directions. The after part has 
 fallen in." 
 
 Mr K. is of opinion that it is impossible to remove her, eiiiicr altogether 
 or in detached parts. An attempt was made some years since by Mr. Tkacey 
 to r;iise her, by loading two ships with water, lashing them to the wreck by 
 rabies at low water : as tlie tide rose, the Vessels being lightened, it was 
 prebumrd that the wreck might be liiied. Tlie experiment failed : the 
 projector, huwc\er, Httributcd it to the wuiU of proper assistance.
 
 &P1THEAD. lOl 
 
 BURNING OF H. M. S. BOYNE, 
 
 On May Day, 1795. 
 
 Softly played the western breeze, 
 
 Calno (he azure waters flowed. 
 When the Boyne, ill-fated vessel, 
 
 Calmly at her mooriags rode. 
 
 Sudden, 'mid the fleet assembled 
 
 A golden meteor seemed to sweep, 
 Like orb of day ; and, fast increasing, 
 
 Spread terror o'er the crowded deep. 
 
 "• The Boyne'^ti on fire!*' with hoarse alarm, 
 
 From deck to deck the seamen hie ; 
 " Unfurl the mainsail — slip each cable — 
 
 " Quick from the threat'ning danger fly I 
 
 ^' Send out the long boat, gig, or pinnace — 
 
 '■• Hasten, Messmates, or too late — 
 " The tire increases from each port-hole — 
 * " Preserve her crew from ruthless fate I" 
 
 The signal's made—" Escape the danger : 
 " Let every vessel leave the hay I" 
 
 Each weighed the anchor, sought St. Helen's, 
 E'en the Old Billy ran away. 
 
 Now tow'rds her deep-laid magazine 
 
 By slow degrees the fire crept. 
 To where her stores, prepared for action. 
 
 And all-destructive nitre slept; 
 
 While ever and anon her cannon 
 
 On the proud castle frequent poured, 
 
 Till dread explosion, sudden bursting, 
 
 Like heaven's tremendous thunder roared. 
 
 On towering pillar slow ascending, 
 
 Behold her shattered timbers rise ; 
 From her deep keel, in dread commotion, 
 
 Th' affrighted ocean trembling flies ! 
 
 Now floating embers, livid fragments, 
 Spread terror o'er the laud and main, 
 
 Till the whole fabric was consumed ; 
 
 And peace once more resumed her reign. 
 
 The Boyne caught fire at Eleven o'clock in the morning, and blew up at 
 Five in the at'teinoon.— Many lives were lost, owing lo people in boat* 
 getting undei- the ship to strip off the copper, &c.
 
 THE 
 
 5i5lanU of poitsf a. 
 
 The -low .isct-iiding; hill — the lofty wood 
 
 'l'h:it maiiili's o'er its brow — the silver Hood, 
 
 Waiidtriiij; in mazes through tiie llowery mead, 
 
 While every object, every scene, excite 
 
 Fresh wonder in my soul, and fill me with delight. 
 
 Lisle's llhtory of I'oiscnrrti, 
 
 Such to the younj;; Porseniui shone the land 
 Of loveliest Albion, as fair Zephyr's wings 
 Bore him through regions of celestial blue : — 
 And such doth memory fondly love to trace 
 In scenes of my nativity. TInice happy soil ! 
 Where Art and Nature, with indulgent hand 
 Bestow their choicest blessings. Il^gcia fair, 
 First born of heaven, here hath fixed her throne ; 
 Here 3Iars hath stored his implements of war; 
 And here with joy the hoary Neptune claims 
 In undi:^puted right a second Athens, 
 His chosen protegee — and hence he sends 
 His dreadful luu'alds o'er the tribute main. 
 
 How fair and lovely shines each varied part ! 
 Here rise umbrageous woods — here golden fields 
 And bending orchards meet the eager gaze — 
 The gay parterre of some neat residence. 
 Where the worn mariner, from danger free, 
 Passes the sober evening of his life. 
 And with inspiring satisfaction tells 
 " The toils and perils of the vasty deep." 
 
 Pass we tlie giaeis, the extending fosse. 
 
 The spreading lake, and where in ancient time 
 
 Rose the small chapel to St. Magdalen ; * 
 
 * Some years since, remains of this building could be traced, it stood on 
 the London road, nearly opposite the house now occupied by J. Owen, tsfj.
 
 ISLAND OF 103 
 
 Onward the Modern Aqueduct appears t — 
 
 The Free-School too — the Barrack's ample stores]: — 
 
 The Hospital Marine, with gardens large — 
 
 And where the basin of the new Canal 
 
 Shall wind its course circuitous along. 
 
 The crowded suburbs, where, but few years since, 
 
 In verdant fields the lowing cattle grazed, 
 
 And Ceres shed her bounty : now far and wide 
 
 The peopled maze is spread, increasing still. 
 
 Or let us follow the sequester'd walk 
 
 Through Statnshaze's verdant meadoAvs — passing first 
 
 The Parish Poor-house : then view the winding lake, 
 
 Branching its M^aters, till in distance lost, 
 
 And on its bank the Fort of Tipner strong, 
 
 And ammunition stores. 
 
 Kingston ! thy Church, 
 Raised when First Edward filled the English throne, 
 And its vast cemet'ry, attention claim ; ^ 
 Fratton I thy calm reire^i?,- - Biickland ! thy charms — ■• 
 And where in ancient time the briny stream 
 Flowed to the centre of the verdant isle. || 
 New rising streets, like Cretan Labyrinth, 
 Stretch far around the Cross and Creacent Road. 
 
 + The Porlsea Island Water-Works. The water is collected from 
 several fine springs, raised by steam into a lofty reservoir, and thence con- 
 veyed by pipes through the whole district, and to the tops of the loftiest 
 houses. 
 
 Near this is the Lancasterian School for Boys and Girls, without distinc- 
 tion as to the religious persuasion of their parents, tconoray and good 
 discipline are united in this useful institution. 
 
 J Barracks of the Royal Sappers and Miners; near wiiicli is (he hand^ 
 some residence of the Commanding Royal Engineer— and in an adjoining 
 street, the Royal Marine Infirmary. — [n this quarter the noble t itrance to 
 the Town of Portsea, recently much improved, will command particular 
 notice. 
 
 § The C/iurch-Yard at Kingston is one of the largest in the kingdom — 
 at the Eastern side is a Monument to the memory of the suflerers in the 
 Royal George. 
 
 IJ Formerly a small inlet from the Harbour, a continuation of the 
 Mill-Creek, extended as far as I-afce-I/OTe, which hence derived its name. 
 Part of the channel still exists behind the Marine Infirmary.
 
 104 PORTSEA* 
 
 Of Stobin^ton* the ancient record speaks. 
 Its large domains — and still its stately pile 
 May observation, admiration, claim ; 
 And farther north behold the sculptured stone, 
 Hijrh mark and boundary to the mas:istrate. 
 
 [^ ntat Stone Pillar, bij the Loudon liuad, marks the Northern Boundary of 
 
 the BoroH^^h of Portsmouth. It bears this Insrriplion — 
 
 BURGF DE PORTESMUTH LIBERTATUM LIMES MDCCXCIX. REY. 
 
 G. CUTHBERT PRJiTORE.] 
 
 • Stobington was formerly attached to the Hospital of God's iroiisc— 
 The Manors of Kingston, Buckland, and Jppleotead, having escheated to 
 the Crown in the reign of Kins; Join, were given to the Corporation. They 
 were then in the possession of llic De Ports, a familj of some distiactioa 
 in our Hampshire Annals. 
 
 Gatcomhe we ponder on thy vistas green, 
 
 Where hoar tradition speaks of Holy Pile 
 
 'Mid spacious forest of majestic oak, 
 
 Unnoticed in tlie history of the Isle : 
 
 Howe'er well suited to the minstrel's lay, 
 
 We disregard it. Yet must the Muse 
 
 Here pay her homage to thy worth 
 
 Illustrious Curtis ! who in ardent fight 
 
 Long time maintained the glory of our name, 
 
 And ever did his duty, fiis fame shall live, 
 
 Emblazoned 'mid the heroes of our Isle, 
 
 Coupled with Howe and glorious First of June ; 
 
 And since it is a custom here in England, 
 
 " Less honored in the breach than the observance," 
 
 To paint the incidents of great mens' lives, 
 
 Their traits of humour and urbanity. 
 
 The Muse, well pleased, will profit by the rule, 
 
 And claims a candid hearing to her tale. 
 
 X Galcombe-House, the seat of the late Admiral Sir Roger Cortis, Barf, 
 than whom no one ever filled a more useful and honorable station in the 
 service of his country. Zeal, intelligence, intrepidity, perseverance, and 
 urbanity, distinguished his public career. In private life he was an example 
 of the English Gentleman.— Sir Ltrcius CtJRXis, Barf, a Post-Captain -in the 
 Navy, and an active Magistrate for the County, has succeeded to the estate 
 and honours of his lamented father.
 
 POKTSEA. 105 
 
 The Mail Coach Adcentnre. 
 
 Of the late Admiral, whose mirth 
 WoiiJd oft to humorous strokes give birth ; 
 
 VVho proved himseii' an equal ardent lovef 
 Of glory's banquet as the flow of soul; 
 A droll adventure, 'mid a pund'rous roll 
 
 or dusty papers, did I chance discover. 
 Of a stage coach — an Indian sailor. 
 
 Who, travelling to Portsmouth in the dark. 
 
 Mistook the gallant Admiral for some spark, 
 Some city banker's clerk, or perhaps a tailor : 
 And when to Petersficid advancino near. 
 
 Drew from hi? great-coat pocket bread and cheese, 
 And thus demanded, " Will your Cilship please 
 
 " To cheer your spirits with a seaman's fare?" 
 
 " With all my heart !" and, longing for a joke, 
 
 Sir Knight resolved the traveller lo smoke. 
 And thus accosted—'* My most worthy friend ! 
 
 *' It certainly has often puzzled me 
 
 *' To think how sailors can their ships command 
 
 •' By night ! D'ye tie them to a post or tree — 
 " For in the dark you clearh/ cannot see ?" 
 '* Why what a land-locked lubber ycu must be ! 
 
 " Tie to a tree?— Egad, that's mighty fine, 
 
 " 'Twill serve to laugh at w heu the mess 1 join — 
 " And you, my boy, should we in Portsmouth meet, 
 " Shall see a ship, the tightest in the fleet !" 
 
 Next day, on Portsmouth Beach, the tar so bold 
 Our Kuight observed, adorned in blue and gold ; 
 
 But ere from his surprize he could recover, 
 
 Or to superior officer uncover. 
 Sir Roger said — '• Don't fear, although you see 
 " Your lubber and your Admiral in me! 
 
 " This morning you'd the joke at my expense — 
 
 " Nay, do not now apologies commence — 
 " But whea our good King's health youv'e drank, 
 " Hoist the broad sail, 
 " And Tore the gale, 
 " Hasten to gain the distant Motherhank ! 
 *' And ever bear in mind this droll narration : 
 
 *' Ne'er by false colours be allured ; 
 
 " And ere you board be well assured 
 " Both of a vessel's trim, her rate, and nation."
 
 106 ISLAND OF 
 
 And now continue we our circling- path 
 
 O'er lawn of Ililsea, rich in rural scenea ; 
 
 Pass tlie large Barrack (Cumberland's great Duke 
 
 Th' illustrious founder). Tlie high rampart walls, 
 
 The deep sunk moat, the strong and guarded gate, 
 
 The bridge full arching o'er the parting flood, 
 
 In majesty appear. Return we now 
 
 By Copnor^s plains, which in the olden time 
 
 Served swell the revenue of Domus Dei; 
 
 Through Tangier,''* noted for its works of salt, 
 
 From earliest records known, with pile monastic — 
 
 And the calm lake for finny treasures famed. 
 
 Bavins ! thy Farm. Removed from noisy strife, 
 
 See Milloii's shores and rural scenes, where blends 
 
 With wild and decorative scenery, the rich 
 
 And cultured soil. yVgain the long Canal 
 
 Crosses our path, as o'er the marshes damp 
 
 It winds its way. The Eastern Haven far 
 
 Extends its waters to the distant hills, 
 
 And bounds in awful pride fair Hal/land's Isle, 
 
 Cumlierlanti fort* 
 
 When exiled Stuart sought our isle, 
 And Waverly was gained by guile ; 
 When Scotland's hardy mountain clans 
 Won the bright day at Preston Pans, 
 While claymore bright and English steel, 
 For George — for Stuart — ring and reel ; 
 When on Culloden's dreadful plain 
 High rose the heaps of mangled slain, 
 
 • Tht Great Sjlterss, nnw in possession of Messrs. Sharp and 
 GUnddiin^, n very ancient estahHshmtnt, of tchich mention is made in 
 ' Duomsda-j P^oh.' The Dutiei arising to Government fi om if exceed in 
 mmount all olhsr Ereise Duties paid in the Itland. 

 
 I'ORISEA. 107 
 
 When, Cumberland ! thy giant might 
 Maintained thy Royal Father's right, 
 Drove from the land each bigot slave 
 In terror o'er the foaming wave, 
 And taught, that England's people free 
 Will ne'er submit to slavery — 
 'Twas gratitude to thee would found 
 The Fort, our isle to guard and boundif — 
 Though poor the tribute it can give 
 To one, wliose name shall ever live 
 While valor is to England dear. 
 And Liberty her sons shall cheer. 
 
 Now we again our pleasing way pursue 
 Upon the highest portion of the isle. 
 To where the solitary fortress stands 
 Far on the margin of th' expansive deep : 
 And farther south, its fellow on the sand, 
 Ijashed by the foaming waves, which daily bring 
 Destruction in their traiu^. 
 
 Again FU raise my varying verse. 
 And themes of other times rehearse — 
 Sing the majestic castle proud, 
 Which long defied the ocean flood, 
 Till Time, destroyer fell of all. 
 Sapped each high parapet and wall. 
 Yet, like a passing summer dream, 
 Fond Memory recalls the scene, 
 
 :f Cumberland Fort was commenced by the late Lord Ty rawly. It 
 has lately been completed iu the most perfect modern style ; will mount 
 100 pieces of cannon, and contain 4,000 troop . 
 
 (j Eastney and Lumps Forts havesnffered greatly from encroachment by 
 ♦he wa. Persons are yet living who remember a furze common bflow th« 
 Fort*.
 
 108 ISLAND OF 
 
 When 'mid the mouldei ing pile I strayed,^ 
 And long its ancient pride surveyed, 
 The circling waves, in eddies stra>'ing, 
 Around each jutting buttress playing. 
 
 Some few years since, the optic nerve 
 Of Antiquarian might observe, 
 Amid the castle's dignity. 
 The works of triple majesty : 
 But all of late has disappeared ; 
 And, from the cumbrous ruins reared, 
 The towering bastion's might and pride 
 In giant strength defies the tide.t 
 
 The ancient fabric first was founded 
 1539 By Henry, famed for pomp unbounded, 
 
 Great cause of monkish fears : 
 Th'external part by Charles, when he 
 Had ruled o'er chartered England free, 
 
 Thirty and eight long years : 
 Which last I learned from sculptured stone, 
 Whereon the royal bearings shone, 
 And, rescued from the general fate, 
 Still serves to grace the entrance gate ; 
 
 •' Cjrolvs JI, Hex, ytnnu Rcgni xxxviii. J, D. mdclxxxiii." 
 
 And last, the chiefs of that great race. 
 Which now the throne of England grace, 
 Adorned and beautified the place. 
 
 + It is rpcordcd that I'dwahd VI. passed a ni';ht here, during 
 Ills tour, ill Ijoii. Augustus, 1759, i^rcat pari of the interior ^^as destroy- 
 ed by an explosion of the Magazine, occasioned by some spariis from the 
 Hairack-rooiK fallina; inio it — Seventeen |)ersons were killed by this acci- 
 dent. In 178'-?, a Dc^pnly-Ciovemor formed )iart of ils establishment, with 
 asaliiry of ;t'96 5s. per aniinin : whereas in the reis^n of Klizabeth the 
 following wab the rate of pay — Cajitain, 2.n. a day ; Under Captain, Is. Irf. 
 Porter. HJ.; Second Porter. 6d.; Master Gunner, 8d. ; Gunners and Sol- 
 . dijjri, 6J. The Fortress has been lately rebuilt on the model of Fort 
 Ci)mberland.
 
 FOBTSEA. 4^ 
 
 s;- - 
 
 For Charles, as Clarendon has told, 
 Long did Ihis ancient fortress hold ; 
 But the succeeding verse shall tell 
 To Cromwell how at length it fell. 
 
 A Captain bold, named Chalonrr, 
 Here held his sireightened quarters: 
 
 Right fond was he of home-brewed beer, 
 And comfortable waters. 
 
 From Portsmouth journeying one night, 
 
 By deep potatious shaken, 
 By iieud, with golden tokens bright, 
 
 The Captain was overtaken. 
 
 *Twas on September midnight drear, 
 And far around were beaming 
 
 The bivouac fires, and many a spear 
 In the red light was gleaming. 
 
 Before them lay the common wild, 
 i The moon was slowly sinking ; 
 No genial star in heaven smiled — 
 
 The Captain's thoughts were — drinking. 
 
 Before his dim and wandering eye, 
 Such tutting forms were dancing, 
 
 Unable made him to descry 
 He was with foe advancing. 
 
 In silence dread long time they went — 
 
 And gloomy hesitation ; 
 'Till, with the Captain's free consent, 
 
 They joined in conversation. 
 
 By slow degrees and artful round 
 
 Sir Fiend changed relation, 
 ■Till unsuspected moment four d— 
 
 The Siege their joint narration. 
 
 By eloquence and bribery 
 
 The Captain's honor shaken, 
 In dead of night by euemy, 
 
 The fortress strong was taken. 
 
 Hence by the margin of the sea we pass, 
 Whose waters, sparkling as the diamond beam, 
 Lave the smooth polished shingle. Here the bath
 
 110 ISLAND OF PORTSEA. 
 
 Invites to phinije into the swelling waves, 
 
 And Avitli extended sinews buflet them. 
 
 Then flaslies manly vigour on the cheek — 
 
 'J'he enervated nerve resumes its tone, 
 
 The streams of life in juster circles play, 
 
 And man in renovated health appears. + 
 
 Now, quitting- the fair sl.ore — see villas gay, 
 
 Increasing" towns and lofty terraces, ;]: 
 
 J.andporl, and Bellevue, Hampshire^ and The King'Sy 
 
 Where shines on high the bold colossal form 
 
 or George the Good. Nor must we here forget 
 
 The destined site, wliere soon in gothic pomp 
 
 Shall rise the holy temple o^ Si. Paul^% 
 
 Its stately form with gothic turrets crowned. 
 
 Such are the scenes which to the attentive eye 
 Our native Isle in glowing tints presents. 
 
 + S<-ulh>ea Beach possesses adviintages for Sea B.iihing, not surpassed by 
 nny sinuiiion on the Souiheni Coasl of Knglaiid — the iDachines arc !!;.iod— 
 the guides experienced — the beach is tine smooth gravel, mixed wilii sand, 
 and from its easy slojx', a descent of a few yards places, the valeturiinaiian, 
 ai ans hour of the day, in the midst of the fresii and clear ocean tide. On 
 the shore is a neat liailiinn-ilouse, where subscribers are furnished with 
 Newspapers, Magazines, &c. and various refreshments may be procured. 
 
 I Within a few years an extensive and beautiful suburb has been raised 
 in the neij^hbourliood of the Si.uthern shore, — the centre and more compact 
 bection is called the Towv .)f C'ruxton, and was fomided by 'J'hi:in(ii 
 Croxl'in, of Ciux'un, Esq. who purchased a large field adjoining the glacis, 
 and laid it out in regular streets. In front is Kin g^s Terrace, an elegant 
 and uniform range; in a niclie over the centre is a siatue of George III. in 
 his Coronation Robes, finely execnied by Mr, Hcllyer, of (I. M. Dock- 
 Yard, erected in commemoration of the Jubilee, when his late Majesty 
 ei.iered the 50lh year of his reitcn : — 
 
 The Inscription. 
 
 " GEuRGIO in. AXNOS QUlNQllAGINTA REGNANTI HARUM JEDWfH 
 
 CONDiroRES HANC STATUAM P.SL'KRR, 1809." 
 
 The rionsps here, as well as in the adjoining Terraces are in great request 
 by the Nobility, Gentry, and the numerous fa^hionabies who \isit us in the 
 Bathing Season. 
 
 ^ A New Church has been commenced (under the provisions of the late 
 Act of I'arliameui) on an eligible piece of ground, the gift of Mr. Ilewett. 
 of Landpuit Ttrrace, at the back of his Residence. It is to be a handsome 
 gothic siiuciure, of Hail. Stone, witii four turrets carried to an elevation of, ,,, 
 16 fcft above the roof. The seats in the body will be let — the galleries! 
 will be entirely free ; together afibrding room for 2,000 persons. It' & to, 
 Vtar the name of SI. Paul't.
 
 (t50i^port» 
 
 The lovely sister of the matchless three. 
 
 " 'Tis a fine daj ! In yon trim wherry, 
 
 " The fare's but small — let's cross the ferry, 
 
 " And view the spacious well-built town, 
 
 *' For inland traffic of renown." 
 
 " Canst tell from whence its name it drew ?" 
 
 " From the gorze shrub which round it grew,"|j 
 
 Merrily, merrily, bounds the bark — 
 
 " Your coats on fire, my dashing spark !" 
 
 "Impossible! it cannot be." 
 
 " By heaven it is, Sir — in the sea !" 
 
 The stranger's cheek a deep blush m ore ; 
 
 The boatman rested on his oar : 
 
 Ana, might I read his fine dark eye, 
 
 For moment fixed intentiveij. 
 
 The innate pleasure I could trace 
 
 Kindle each feature of his face ; 
 
 Sarcastic smile ! his wit so dry 
 
 Hath galled the landman's vanity. 
 
 But now again the oar he plies — 
 
 In circling stream the water flies ; 
 
 By many a gallant ship we sail, 
 
 And Stephen's ancient Castle hail. 
 
 Then safely landed on the beach. 
 
 The new-raised Market-House we reach ; 
 
 And passing this, behold each Street, 
 
 Commodious, broad, well paved, and neat — 
 
 II in the rei;jn of Henry VIII. Gofport was merely a village, inha- 
 bited by fishermen. In the reign of Queen Aimc it was regularly iortilied,i 
 The Ancient Castle on the siiore was then called Charles's Fort, and con- 
 sisted of a Blockhouse, surrouiidt'd by a square balteiy. Boro' Castle i-^ a 
 ruined pile on a small island m the Harbour, supposed to have been built in 
 the reign of Stephen— it is now used as a burial-place for convicts. The 
 old Market-House stood ia the centre of the iJigh-Stieet.
 
 112 GOJiPORT. 
 
 Here North and South with JJigh-Street vie,, x 
 And many Cross Streets we descry, - 
 
 The Square, Cold JI arbour ^ lying nigh, 
 Famed for its proud yJcadern?/.* 
 What other buildings have we here ? 
 Inns, Chapels,^ Barracks, Theatre ; 
 The town with battlements surrounded 
 Where'er by ocean 'tis not bounded. 
 
 Oue Fielding, who by writing gained more glory 
 Than hopes your humble servant, tells a story 
 Of Gosport blacksmith, a most lucky elf, 
 Who gained by Lottery Ticket plenteous pelf. 
 And wishing as a learned man to shine. 
 Thought his new gilded shelves with books to line ; 
 But paying to the binding most regard. 
 Ordered each learned subject by the yard. 
 Six yards of Poetry — of Logic three — 
 Physic and Law, one nail's enough for uie. 
 
 Far to the right, at Weovil\ we 
 May view the Naval Brewery, 
 Where once a spacious mansion stood, 
 With pleasure ground and garden rood ; 
 But government well liked the lands, 
 And bought them off the owner's hands ; 
 Sunk the vast Basin, Buildings raised, 
 And brewed the beer by &eamen praised. 
 
 • The jicachrmj of Dr. BvRSEr and Sons, an old and respectabU 
 Establishmetit. 
 
 ^ The Parish Church of Jlverstoke being; distant more than a mile from 
 the town, there is a large Chapel of Kase and Ceaictery in the southern 
 quarter. Its interior is nc;,t, and divided into three aisles. The Organ was 
 formerly the properly of tlic Duke of Cliaudos.— In Histi-Street is an ele* 
 j^ant Chapel of the Jndepet dmts, of which the Itev. Dr. 1'ogue has long 
 been Minister, and one of the Wesleyan Methodists, recently built. Here 
 are also several large JJien erics and the large Iron Foui.dery of Mr. 
 Jeljicoe. 
 
 + The Brewery, !kr. at Weovil, is very extensive. The ground wai 
 formerly the property of Capt. Fljers, by whom it was sold lo the Couat^a^ 
 ©fClancarfy.
 
 GOSPORT. 
 
 n;l 
 
 Frow the high ramparts, robed in greets ?i-B 
 
 The port and Vectian Isle are seen ; -^^'-^ 
 
 The branching lake, retired vale, ^^^ 
 
 Extending plain, or sloping dale. "^'^ 
 
 
 Nor as 'mid nature's sweets we rove, 
 
 Must we forget the admired Grove :* 
 
 Ne'er shone a spot with lovelier smile, -t^w^ 
 
 In Tempe's vale — Calypso's Isle. 
 
 Here wanton ivy loves to twine 
 
 Its tendrils with the curling vine; 
 
 Pomona loads the bending trees, 
 
 And balmy odours scent thebreeze ; 
 
 While, as of Ormuz Persians sing, 
 
 'Tis ' diamond set in golden ring.' ; 
 
 Crossing the lake at Priddys Green, 
 Behold the strong arched magazine. 
 Tow'rds I/ardwaj/ now our course we bend, ^ 
 The margin of the lake ascend, ^ 
 
 And Brockhurst gain, ., 
 
 A rural hamlet. Far around 
 Luxuriant landscape scenes abound, 
 
 A rich champaign ; 
 And passing hence, some half-a-mile. 
 The modern Military Pile 
 
 Attracts the eye ; 
 And Forton's Keep, a dread abode, 
 Where, 'neath misfortune's heavy load, ^ 
 
 „ Ambition's slaves, for despot's crime, 
 Were captive kept in warlike time. 
 Now let us stray by Berrt/'s shades, .^i 
 
 Its wood-bine walks, its peaceful glades, ^^^J^ 
 
 * The Grove, the residence of T. Strachan, E?q. Certainly, oae of the 
 most encbaniina places within 20 miles of Portsmouth. v .;. -c- 
 
 Q 
 
 v,ii? id'/ 
 
 •.■t:\Ji
 
 114 GOSPORr, 
 
 Tlirono;li Alversloke,* its verdant sweets, 
 
 Its cheerrui village, calm retreats ; 
 
 Observe its Church, and on our way 
 
 The curious Landmark for the bay, 
 a ill- Kicker: still 
 
 On the far beach the spot espy 
 
 Where rose its flinty fellow high, 
 The Kicker-Gill. 
 
 Along the level sands we stray, 
 
 The merchant's rendezvous, Stake's Bay ,• 
 
 'Till Moncklon's Fort, w ith bulwarks proud^ 
 
 Tremendous braves the eddying flood. 
 
 Then, like to Babylon in strength 
 
 Gigantic, and a mile in length. 
 The granite wall. 
 
 To Blockhouse Fort extends between, 
 
 While on the rising ground is seen 
 THE HOSPITAL. 
 Let India boast her caravanseras, 
 Of hoar antiquity — rich princely works 
 For wandering Pilgrim, fainting traveller ; 
 Boast Greece and Italy their classic fanes, 
 Their marble cglumns, and their towers fair ; 
 But where shines ought, more noble or more grand 
 In genuine kindness, angel charity. 
 Than Ilaslafs sumptuous pile.f To thee, 
 Illustrious Sandwich ! whose humanity 
 Snatched from the deadly fang the sinking man, 
 
 * The Church of ^llurrstoke is a veneraVile building, situated in a lar{;e 
 Chnrclt-Yard, ])l;mt<ri with elm trees. There are a number ffcnteel houses 
 in its neiglibourhnod — ainonu which are Hiiry-lioiise Asylum for the Insane 
 —also a respectable Seminary, conducted by Mr. Vealc. 
 
 + The llo^pilul is built on n piece of fjrDund. fornnerly called Ifaslar 
 Farm. It is a nia;nificenl qu.idrangular buildin":, 1,6C0 feet in length, with 
 fine piazzas, having a small Chapel and every requisit e office attached 
 The grounds arc a mile in circumference, and inclosed by a high wall.
 
 GOSPORT. 11*5 
 
 To give him back to happiness and joy, 
 
 The Muse must pay the tribute of her praise. 
 
 Lonpj as our fleets shall rule the tribute main, 
 
 And distant nations tremble at our power, 
 
 So long thy name shall be by Britain blessed, 
 
 Thy naval ministry immortalized — 
 
 Thy envied title still — The Sailor's Friend ! 
 
 On the rich pediment behold 
 
 The arms of England's monarchy, 
 The various sculptures w^hich unfold 
 
 The pomp of naval dignity. 
 
 First, Navigation^ boldly shining, 
 
 Her arms on blazoned Prow redining; 
 
 While bending low with gesture sweet — 
 
 A wounded Sailor at her feet — 
 
 She bathes his wounds in charity, 
 
 With care Samaritan attends 
 
 His every want, each woe befriends. 
 
 High in raid-air tlie Northern star, 
 
 Sure guide to aucit nt mariner ; 
 
 On the fore-grouuJ the compass wheel, 
 
 The mystic polar-pointing steel; 
 
 And at the angle, low rechned. 
 
 The Guardian of the Western wind ; 
 
 While stern of ship— rich pearly ore — 
 
 And shells complete th' entablatura. 
 
 Next Commerce, with unsparing hand, 
 Sheds plenty oeV the smiling land ; 
 \ad fruits and never failing flowers 
 From golden Cornu-copia showers— 
 On Bales of Merchandize her seat. 
 The world's vast treasure at her feet. 
 
 Near this a ship-wrecked Sailor stands, 
 In route despair on barren sands ; 
 To whose distress and prospects drear 
 A friendly Bird doth minister; 
 While Boreas bids the tempest roar. 
 And shells and coral crown the shore.
 
 Cfje Cotir. 
 
 With heart at ease, unshackled mind, 
 
 To Nature's varied scenes inclined, 
 
 A youthful niinslrel left his home, 
 
 Through HampshireV southern shores to roam ; 
 
 With ardent zeal and eager fire, 
 
 Glean subjects for his tuneful lyre. 
 
 First themes historic rouse his soul — 
 
 The chords to tales romantic roll 
 
 Of ruined castle, tottering wall, 
 
 Of pile monastic, gothic hall ; 
 
 And now the praise of ancient name, 
 
 Illustrious in the page of Fame 
 
 For gallant action, holy love, 
 
 Invite his youthful skill to prove. 
 
 Now nature's matchless beauties shew, 
 
 In mantling forest, mountain brow, 
 
 The peacefull village, verdant plain. 
 
 The pebbled beach, or stormy main; 
 
 The mansions of the lordly great, 
 
 The humble shaded villa neat ; 
 
 And what tradition dark shall tell 
 
 Of each, his willing lyre shall swell. 
 
 When sunk behind the northern star 
 
 The seven-horsed Waggoner his car, 
 
 And Phcebus in the glowing east 
 
 His earliest w aving fires cast, 
 
 The minstrel sought the dewy road, 
 
 And towards the west his course pursued. 
 
 Through Fareham* first his journey bends 
 
 To where the winding lake ascends ~ 
 
 • FareAnw is a pojiiiloiis and rrspcf iabic t>)«ii. It U mentioned in 
 Donmsdai) Honk as liavinjr Iji-^n I'xporcd to llie inciiri>ion;- of tlie Danes. At 
 pre'-pnt it h the re?id< nee of inanv of the Jsohilily and GLUlry : it ha* a 
 weekly corn n)arkct, and one fortnightly for cattle. — By the side of an arm 
 of the sea, which passes the town, is the noblf mansion of Cams, tbe teat of 
 J. Delme, Kiq
 
 THE TOUR. IIT 
 
 Farehani — which tilled name bestows, 
 
 And whepce large stream of commerce flows. 
 
 Ofttimes a backward glance was cast 
 
 On, Cams ! thv groves and bowers past, 
 
 Whose nodding elms and turrets beam, 
 
 Reflected in the winding stream. 
 
 By Fontly's biijzing fires his road, 
 
 And many a Squire's calm abode; 
 
 Through Cafesftid, on the verdant sweep, 
 
 Descending towards the valley deap ; 
 
 'Till, low witliin the watery glade, 
 
 Crowned. by the mantling forest's shade, 
 
 Fair Titchfidd's rural mansions lie 
 
 In loveliest simplicity. 
 
 With ivy crowned, the mouldering aisle, 
 
 Of^ once illustrious gothic pile, 
 
 The hall, the tower, soaring high, 
 
 And frowning still in majesty ; 
 
 While, 'mid the cumbrous butments prest, 
 
 The martin forms her hanging nest. 
 
 And noisy daw-sole tenants they. 
 
 Where once rose joy and wassailry ; 
 
 Or trace we back the record page 
 
 To Reverend ^Peter's holy age. 
 
 Here rose a pile, religion's seat, 
 
 To the fair Virgin dedicate, 
 
 Whose canons pure strict hours led, 
 
 And wandering traveller was fed. 
 
 And might not, in this solemn place, 
 
 Some tale romantic find a place ? — 
 
 t Peter de RupUms founded the Abbey, in 1231, for PremonMrMension 
 Canons It was Vented by Henry ViU. to his fav.mte Secie'.^, 
 
 ^249 16 1. Tua Claapel is in ruins : the gateway and stables a.e Xhe 
 m-.ly parts standing. It is now in possession ot the Ueline fam.ly. _
 
 118 THE TOUR. 
 
 Of virgin novice, tender, fair — 
 
 And generous Knight, kind, debonatre ; 
 
 The Abbess stern, whose fiery eye 
 
 Shot flashes forth of blackest dye ; 
 
 Of bursting tempest, lightning's glare ; 
 
 Of lady fainting near for fear, 
 
 While o'er the vale and, far below. 
 
 The solemn woodlands, deep and slow 
 
 The echoes of the midnight bell 
 
 Were heard in awful pause to swell ? 
 
 The dreary mansions of the dead, 
 
 By hope inspiring genius led, 
 
 The novice passed, reached postern gate. 
 
 Where swiftest coursers lay in wait. 
 
 And, clasped in faithful lover's arms, 
 
 Found recompense for past alarms. 
 
 Now truths of later times inspire ; 
 To facts historic flows the lyre. 
 When Hemry seized with greedy hand 
 Monastic revenues and land. 
 To Wroithesly, Minister of State, 
 A present came tliis tine estate. 
 Here was a splendid mansion raised, 
 For hospitality much praised : 
 The ruins now demand a sigh. 
 For fate of pomp and dignity. 
 When England 'neath rebellion bled, 
 Hither her wretched Monarch fled, 
 With anguish keen to Hampton cried. 
 While hope her friendly aid denied — 
 " The chief of Stuart's race demands 
 " Protection at a subject's hands, 
 " From those who, with presumptuous strife, ^ ^^^^ 
 " Would strike with bloody hands his life."
 
 THE TOUR. 116 
 
 " Thou hast it: and may palsy shake 
 " This arm, if I my King- forsake." 
 And now through many a shady way 
 And fertile plain the journey lay, 
 Where scenes of richest hue were seen. 
 The cultured lands, the thicket gay, 
 Wild rose and woodbine round each spray, 
 And the thrush, with cheerful song, 
 Bade echo sweet his notes prolong ; 
 The peasant cottage, farm-house neat, 
 The bounteous store of new reaped wheat ; 
 While pleasant came the hollow sound 
 Of the flail, in steady round. 
 For moment gazed the fiery steed, 
 Then snorting, swept the verdant mead ; 
 While the flock its fear confest, 
 Fled the path of stranger guest, 
 Who sought the birth-place of a name 
 For god-like acts of godlike fame. 
 
 WICKHAM. 
 Hail, loveliest village ! consecrated earth, 
 Which gave the all-illustrious Prelate birth, 
 From whose munificence the poor were blest, 
 And care and hunger fled the sore opprest! : 
 William of Wickbam I thy unfading name 
 Sheds on thy native village deathless fame, , 
 A wide domain, which once obeyed the will 
 Of sons of Uvedal % or Earl Carlisle. 
 
 5 Nicholas Uvedal was the patron of William of Wickham, The 
 Church here is a neat structure of Anglo-Norman architecture, at the west- 
 ern entrance. Wickham Corner, in which the celebrated Dr. Warton 
 passed the evening of his life, is situated at the eastern extremity of the 
 village.
 
 120 THE TOUit 
 
 Wide o'er siiiroundiniij hills aud vallies fair 
 Nature her sweets hath shed with bounteous care, 
 Luxuriant parks with lofty mansions vie, 
 And scenes romantic greet the minstrel's eye, 
 Sucli as might fire a Lorraine's flowing mind, 
 Bid him fit subject for his canvas find, 
 Or teach the meditative mind to soar 
 Tow'rds themes immortal, and the Pow'r adoi'e, 
 Who caused such beauties by a single word — 
 And through his works be Nature's God adored. 
 
 Hail, Souihic'tck ! famed for ancient shrine, 
 Most costly, to St. Augustine 
 Raised by Plantage.vlt, who loved 
 The minstrel, and his lay approved ! 
 Thee will I sing. Hail, sacred place ! 
 In pensive sadness will I trace 
 The glories of thy earlier fame 
 (Ere Henrv sapped thy splendid name), 
 When hospitality shone forth 
 Tow'rds friendless or neglected worth. 
 Yet shall thy solemn chapel still 
 Detain the traveller's step awhile, 
 Along thy lofty aisle to stray. 
 The works of piety survey, 
 The light fantastic tracery. 
 The high-wrought Gothic Imag'ry, 
 The rich groined roof with spandrils grac'd, 
 In the mid orbs rich mouldings placed ; 
 The trefoil ornament displayed; 
 Around the soaring mullions strayed; 
 The transomed windows — chancel gloom, 
 , To meditate on costly tomb.
 
 THE TOtR. \2i 
 
 Vain pomp ! and serves alone to shew, 
 
 *- '* Can pride and power fall so low ?" 
 
 E'en this the truth on sculpture traced, 
 
 Amid the ionij dark verdure placed, 
 
 Almost by mildew damp effaced. ^ 
 
 When round the gallant Edward's throne 
 
 In arms the British Princes shone, 
 
 Humphrey of Stafford, lordly peer, 
 
 Was proud thy titled name to bear — 
 
 Name famous too for tragic fire 
 
 When classic themes the bard inspire. 
 
 Here Norton framed each magic scene, 
 
 And roused the soul by glory's theme. 
 
 On the proud offspring of whose Muse 
 
 Garth this enconium bestows : 
 
 •' And Britain, since ' Pausauias' was writ, 
 " Knows Spartan virtue and Athenian wit.'* 
 
 While Southern, cherishing the infant dear, 
 
 The father filled with anxious hope and fear, 
 
 How throbbed each fluttering pulse ! what deadly hue 
 
 Oft blanched his face, as on the vesper drew ! 
 
 What solemn awe his trembling frame o'ercast. 
 
 As rolled in lofty strain the trumpet blast ! 
 
 In wild hysteric fright his senses fade, 
 
 As rose the curtain on the attic parade, 
 
 And while in solemn pomp the tale proceeds, 
 
 While woe alarms us, and while pity bleeds, 
 
 (j The Priory of Black Canons was originally established at Portcbefter 
 by Henry I. and afterwards removed to Southwick. Its privile4.-ei -Aere 
 extensive. The Canons procured, in 1285, the grant of a Fair and Warlcetr 
 they also enjoyed free warren in 1321. At the dissolution the annual 
 revenue was ii314 7 10. The site and demesnes were then granted to J. 
 White, Esq. and from hitn descended, throuojh the Norlons, to tlie present 
 proprietor, Thomas Thistlethwavte, Esq. The Cha|)el of the^ Pri';ry is 
 highly interesting ; adorned with fourteen beautiful golhic windpws en 
 each side ; the stone pulpit is singular, and the cells of the CatJOns stiU 
 exist. The tomb of J. White is most profusely ornamented.
 
 I,^ THE TOUR. 
 
 Extatic raptures agitate his soul, 
 As from unnumbered tongues applauses roll, 
 While thronging friends salute with general praise, 
 And crown the author with dramatic bays ; 
 Who oft himself would tread the admired stage^ 
 Command each feeling with a mimic rage, 
 Catch the poetic thought, a nation's ire, 
 And well supported was the Spanish Friar. 
 
 The mil of Richard Norton. 
 
 I, Norton the Orrat,* soon the viclirn of Fate, 
 
 On my dcaih-bed declare — King George the sole heir 
 
 To my Puinlings so rare — aod many ihere are ; 
 
 To my plate, a large hoard, in iron chest stored ; 
 
 To my land-hohlings all, which are not very small. 
 
 Some six thousand yearly — I love it right dearly ; 
 
 Till ihe world have an end, the poor shall befriend. 
 
 Let Ihe Parliament free my Executcrs be; 
 
 But if they refuse — which they may. if they choose — 
 
 The Prelates I. marry, into action v. ill carry. 
 
 This, the last Will and Deed, by me, Norton, decreedj 
 
 la llie reign of Redemption, Seventeen Thirty-two 
 
 From December fXemplico of short days a few. 
 
 [The Will, of wbich the ah'we i« ilie siibslance, was set anide, on the 
 
 plea uf lii>aiiit>'.] 
 
 Here our Sixth Henuy royal Maugaret led 
 To grace his royal throne and nuptial bed; 
 Who her true character made England feel, 
 " Lion of Naples, girt in English steel !" 
 Here Charles resided, when his tardy fleet ^ 
 
 Prepared the force of hauuhty France to meet ; ' 
 And here the dreadful tidings were received, *'" 
 
 How ruffian hand caused mighty Villiers bleed. ^ 
 n^o wrapt in holy thought the Monarch prayed, 
 No outward sign of horror was pourtrayed ; 
 
 ,, * The family of the Norlons wa« of grt-al note in the country. Thry 
 fffqueiuly repriv i;"tj ihis Couaty ia Parliament, aud were iiicriflij a* ^^ 
 iaiiy 4> Uio leigB of LJwuj-d I. .,,
 
 THE TOUR. 123 
 
 With reverence bowed him at the altar low, 
 And calm submitted to the chastening blow ; 
 But when the service ended, sought relief 
 In silent sorrow — sacred floods of grief; 
 With poignant woe bewailed his favorite lost, 
 And fled in horror from the blood-stained coast. 
 
 The Ancient Priory of late 
 Hath bowed it to i-elentless fate, 
 And, Thisllethzoaj/te ! thy mansion new 
 Majestic meets the minstrel's view. 
 The verdant park, the spreading lake, 
 The sombre wood, the shady brake, 
 His warmest admiration raise. 
 And claim the tribute of his praise. 
 
 A column tower on th' adjacent height, 
 
 With varied sculpture graced, of purest white, 
 
 Sacred to hini who, on the tribute main. 
 
 Taught every foe to own Britannia's reign ;$ 
 
 Chained Valor ever to his gilded prow. 
 
 And rushed like eagle on the awe-struck foe ; 
 
 At Aboukir, and on old Nilus' stream, 
 
 Caused the red meteors of destruction gleam, 
 
 When Bronte owned him for her princely lord, 
 
 And e'en the sons of Mahomet adored ; 
 
 Who mocked the deep-toned thunder of the war, 
 
 When thy dark surges trembled, Trafalgar ! 
 
 Whose actions bowing Gallia long bemoaned, 
 
 And at whose fall th' aff'righted ocean groaned, 
 
 While Victory, hovering round, with outstretched arm, 
 
 Crowned him with laurel mid the war's alarm, ./. _ 
 
 t. The MoiiumenJ t<> Admiral Lbrd Nelson; pl.icecf in a ftne situation, at 
 «h^West end of Portsdown, commandiiig mnw^t exifnsive .-itid Ixauiiful 
 -"iew, and serving as a mark to ships cnteriii?j-^vy- St.' Ht»chV<""' 'fi^ 
 Needles, was erected by a !>ubs,eription of two days pay by the fleet, after 
 t^e Battle of Trafalgar.
 
 124 THE TOUR. 
 
 And Fame's loud trumpet, thunderiiii;- through the sky 
 Proclaimed her Nelson's worth should never die. 
 
 PORTCHESTER. 
 
 Of lofty tower, dunj^eon deep, 
 
 Of moat, of barbican, and keep; 
 
 Of massy portal, ponderous bar, 
 
 Hath oft rolled back the tide of war, 
 
 Of lengthened corridor, vast hall, 
 
 Platform, and lofty rampart wall. 
 
 From which fair maid (for aught 1 know) 
 
 Held parley with her knight below, 
 
 While the bright moon, in midnight sky, 
 
 Shed a rich veil, of yellow dje — 
 
 And far within, in kingly state, 
 
 The stern and hausfhtv Baron sate. 
 
 Such feats in ages long since past have been, 
 
 Alas ! how altered is the present scene ! 
 Now a more solemn theme find place : 
 
 Its ancient history we trace. 
 'Tis written — by lh€ Ancient Britons famed 
 The infant city was Caer Peris named, 
 After the Prince whose pride ordained its birth 
 (What time proud Rome oppress'd the teeming earth) 
 Who, strongly here intrenched, defied the ire 
 His crimes excited in his aged sire. 
 When to his southern throne he dared qspire, 
 And, hurried on by mad ambition's tide, 
 Joined to his other titles Fratricide : 
 For when from Belgian shores a warlike band, 
 Led on by gallant Ferrex, leaped to land. 
 Inflamed by loyal zeal impetuous rush 
 To aid their monarch, and rebellion crubh. 
 Unfurl their glittering banners to the sun, 
 And shout aloud •' Great Sisil ! and Lead on,'*
 
 THE TOUR. 126 
 
 Amid the thronging group, a ruffian blow ' A 
 
 Dismissed a Brother to the shades below. 
 
 We learn from the " Antiquities" o? Grose^ 
 From Beline's son the ancient city rose, 
 His name Gurgunthus — since the hero's day, 
 Above two thousand years have rolled away. 
 Its fame, its ancient grandeur are fosgot — 
 A scattered village now adorns tlie spot, 
 And few the traces of its olden pride, 
 Save the strong fortress on the southern side — 
 Around whose ponderous walls, in rude array, 
 The once high parapets dismantled lay ; 
 The Keep, the Inu'-r Gate, alone are found, 
 Where the portcullis fell with thundering sound, 
 Of the once eigliteen towers strelched around. 
 
 The village Church, with ivy overgrown, 
 Romantic stands 'luid heaps of ruined stone, 
 Whose narrow Saxon windows high 
 Bespeak its high antiquity ; 
 While in the chancel wall finds room 
 The tablet to the knightly groom. + 
 
 'Twas here the Emperor Vespasian came, 
 To spread the glory of the Roman name. 
 When Victory, like the dazzling eagle, stood 
 Perched on his banner on the margent flood. 
 
 A Forest anciently stood near, ,^ 
 
 Destined the city's name to bear ; - - 
 
 Where many an ardent cavalier t^ 
 
 Roused the wild stag with fleetest hound,j,^j 
 And sweetly on attentive ear f| j 
 
 Poured the slow horn its mellow sound. , ^'^ 
 
 t Sir Thomas Cornwallis. Knt. Groom Porter lo Queen Elizabeth. a«'i 
 James the First, who died in 1618. The Harleian Mi.ceilany, No. ioii, 
 tODtains many curious particulars relating to this Building. A.
 
 128 THE TOUR 
 
 To Margaret, pride of our First Edward's heart, 
 The whole was given — hor dower's major part — 
 Then valued, as by records may be seen, 
 Yearly at sterling pounds about eighteen. 
 
 'Twas here our great Elizabeth was pleased 
 To pass her time, from regal matters eased, + 
 
 The minstrel's way continues still 
 
 To gain the foot of Portsdown Hill. 
 
 How high its soaring summits rise, 
 
 Cleaving the blue azure skies I 
 
 And now he mounts the highest brow, 
 
 And scans the landscape fair below. 
 
 At once his wondering eye surveys 
 
 Ocean and islands, towns and bays — 
 
 The spire of 'Chester, beaming white 
 
 In Phoebus's ray, attracts his sight ; 
 
 The hills of Sussex, and the coast, 
 
 'Till in the fair horizon lost — 
 
 The spreading main — Britannia's pride, 
 
 Where her strong bulwarks safely ride — 
 
 The Island Wight, in distance seen — 
 
 The Solent strait — the town between — 
 
 The villages beneath his feet, 
 
 The church of Farlin^ton so neai ; 
 
 The reservoir, an ample store. 
 
 From whence such crystal torrents pour ;| 
 
 "r It was afterwards rej)air<rd in the reign of Queen An;;*. ' ' 
 
 t TlJe Farlingu.u Water Works— ibe water is collected from spring* ■ 
 ■ar (he shore, and raisied by steam pumps to a large reservoir , dug JB.^JieiiCl 
 
 n«ar 
 
 tide of Poribdown, and thenr« conveyed to Portsmouih in iron pipes, a 
 otstaDCc of seven miles.
 
 THE TOUR, 127 
 
 The shades of Cosham, and Paulsgrove, 
 And TVj/mering, which well I love ; 
 The Norman pile its summit rears — 
 The wide extending- land appears, 
 The waves of Hampton and the Wood 
 Stained with the ardent Rurus' blood ; 
 The Needle mountains, dimly seen, 
 Rising from the ocean green ; 
 Or farther West the aching eye 
 The shores of Dorset may espy ; 
 Or inland turn our ardent gaze, 
 To where the flocks unnumbered graze ; 
 To where the bones of warriors brave 
 Lie, friend and foe, in one deep grave, 
 While o'er the spot the giddy throng 
 Oft sweep the noisy Fair along. 
 Nor till of late, perchance, might know 
 Of mortal remnants deep below. 
 See the row of darksome pines, 
 Round whose stem no shrub entwines, 
 Presenting thus a grateful shade, 7 
 
 Where oft my boyish footsteps strayed. 
 To view the Well,§ whose awful space 
 Pierces to the mountain base : 
 Down the flaming brand descends — ^^ 
 
 Echo in thunder loud ascends, 
 'Till still it sinks, the hollow sound- 
 How awful, dreadful the profound !— 
 It strikes — the waters gleam — again 
 Darkness immense assumes her reign. ' 
 
 See the spreading rich domain 
 Of fruitful Ceres' golden reign— - «b^ sI * 
 
 ^ Atthebnck of the George Ian, a« the top of Port8dp«^VV|,i^i,^, 
 
 SOO faet ia deptJi. -- -o^ ^.g abi'J
 
 128 THE TOUR. 
 
 Hamlets, where the busy svvnin. 
 
 Free from sordid care of p;ain, 
 
 Heaven's blcssini^ for his lot, 
 
 Bids contentment cheer his cot ; 
 
 Verdant meadows, sombre v.oods, 
 
 Parks luxuriant, silver floods, 
 
 'Till the distant mountains bound 
 
 The matchless panoramic round. 
 In the valley low are seen, 
 RisinjT from the woody glen, 
 ITidlci/ ! thy embowered shades, 
 Lengthened groves, and sweeping glades j 
 Running-Walk, a dubious path. 
 Oft the source of hoisterous laugh, 
 When the village damsel gay, 
 Glowing in her best array, 
 Boldly dares the slippery way ; 
 Thy Mansion — Cliurch, 'ncath solemn yew, 
 Sudden rising to the view, 
 While, amid the woodlands far. 
 Princely seats their summits rear ; — 
 
 Purbrook, to whose balmy air, 
 Hasten fell disease and care — 
 Where towering pines and larches rear 
 And sturdy oak, to England dear, 
 And stately beach exalts its head 
 O'er lawn and flowery garden bed; 
 Where the flaming peacock gay 
 Spreads his splendour to the day; 
 And, amid the sedgy reeds, 
 The stately swan her offspring leads i 
 On the rising fertile lands 
 Magnificent the Mansion stands.
 
 THE TOUR. 129 
 
 In the tailzied coppice sweet, 
 Morcland ! thy sequestered seat — 
 Balmy odours fill the breeze, 
 Honey-suckles twine the trees; 
 While, at eve, in meadow green, 
 The timorous hare is ofttimes seen, 
 And the nimble rabbits bound 
 Headlong- to the caverned ground ; 
 The stately pheasant flies dismayed. 
 As stranger footsteps dare invade 
 The close preserve's enibowering shade. 
 
 THE FOREST OF BERE. 
 
 Thy spreading Forest, Bere ! thy green retreat. 
 
 At once the Squire's ami the Gypsey's seat, 
 
 Invite my lay. Be present, nut-brown Maids, 
 
 With donkey, fire, and tent, mid lengthened shades '. 
 
 Thy friendly aid, O guardian sprite, pray bring, 
 
 Who first induced me Portsmouth themes to ging. 
 
 The gloomy Forest, vanished now ere long, 
 
 May live in poesy, and look green in song. 
 
 Like Eden glorious, and alike in fame. 
 
 Would some one sing thee with a generous flame. 
 
 Yet even I will raise the unhonored lay. 
 
 Thy vista colonades, thy lawns display ; 
 
 Now cultured plains and golden harvests shine. 
 
 Where wont the oak and elm their boughs entwine, 
 
 While the sad Dryads mourn each fading grove, 
 
 £ach scene of holy piety or love. 
 
 But grieve not. Spirits of the Hallowed Shades ! 
 
 Your nurtured care, your once majestic glades. 
 
 By Nereids guarded, range the ocean o'er. 
 
 And spread your Britain's fame from shore to shore. 
 
 Such w ere the thoughts which, at each well known spot. 
 Remembrance painted to the minstrel's mind — 
 Extatic pleasure rose — he loved to find 
 The grouping pines, the solemn yew tree, still 
 Their shadows casting o'er the bubbling rill 
 
 Meandering round the lovely Woodbine Cot, 
 
 s
 
 130 THE TOUR. 
 
 Horndcan and Finchdcan. your ^oquester'tl wayr, 
 And jrrovc of elms, crowninj^ thti lofty sweep, 
 And the proud mansion in the valley deep, 
 Where echo, in redoubling- chorus, SAvells 
 The adventurous voice — with rapture dwells 
 The minstrel's steps, your matchless scenes to prai'-e. 
 
 Next Rowland's Castle,^ loveliest village dear, 
 Romantic seated in umbrageous wood. 
 Where oft the village sire proclaims how stood 
 In olden time the castle's gloomy tower, 
 Scene of dark magic — of gigantic power ! 
 While shake his pallid auditors with fear, 
 
 Ofttimes across the plain in rustic pride. 
 Blithe lads and lasses seek the busy fair, 
 Display their best array with nicest care; 
 While from some crowded booth the boisterous song 
 Of some athletic ploughman cheers the throng, 
 And care and harpy thought are laid aside ; 
 
 While near, in attic elegance, are seen, 
 Stanstead! thy proud saloons and marble halls, 
 The sculptured portico, emblazoned walls. 
 The walks deliglitful, where rich shrubs expand. 
 The exotic beauties of far eastern land, 
 
 And the stag wantons in thy alleys green. 
 
 Next Emsworth., thriving village, greets the bard, 
 Where river, mingling with the ocean tide, 
 The plains of Sussex and dear Hants divide. 
 
 t 
 
 * Near Rewlana s Coftte is Sfanat^ad^ the seat of the Rev. Lewis Way, 
 where the owner has lately "lecLed a tir.c Chapol, on tiic fouudation of one 
 destroyed in the time of Crouiwe!).. Farther to the north is the seat of the 
 Rev, .r«rv,. ,(- Clarke Jervoisc, most roiiiaiKii-ally situated in a deep 
 valley, an);.i avenues of beech tree?, which alFord a fine echo.
 
 THE TOUR. 131 
 
 Here neatness reigns, and ample wealth repays 
 Th 'industrious labour of the merchant's days, 
 When commerce brings him home with just reward, i 
 
 And here the ample bedf? attention claim, 
 Not of sweet roses, but what might assuage 
 The Epicurean taste e'en of the age 
 When Rome, unshackled of the rigid law, 
 Her dainty Nobles luxuries would draw 
 From distant Britain, of Ot/sterian fame. 
 
 When Boreas, rudest God ! with icy breatli 
 Had girt in gelid bonds the farthest north, 
 A swan, the loveliest of its kind came forth 
 Towards milder climes ; upon whose downy breast 
 In purest gold shone Denmark's royal crest ; 
 And here in luckless hour met its death. 
 
 Next, Warblington! thy turrets meet his sight, 
 Raised, as our legendary tales declare. 
 When Kings in fairest Albion many were ; 
 And by the haughty Cromwell were struck down 
 When he held all things kingly save the crown, 
 And shook its gothic pride in bloody fight. || 
 
 But in the history of our native land 
 High rank the honors of thy princely fame ! 
 Hence Lords most noble drew their titled name, 
 
 + Emswortli is an elegant and populous village, washed by an arm of 
 the sea, famous for it'; beds of fine oysters. Here is a neat modern built 
 Chapel of Ease. The commodious Bathing-House and machines attract 
 many visitors. 
 
 II Warblington was anciently the seat of the Be Warblingtons, v. 
 family of distiuction in this part of the country for several centuries. — 
 The gate-way and tower of the ancient building now alone remain, and 
 present a picturesque memorial of its ancient grandeur. In the Church are 
 several stone coffins, two of which being ornamented in a peculiar manner, 
 are supposed to be those of the two maiden sisters who founded the 
 church : they were opened, and found to coclaiu female skeletons, with the 
 teeth sound and hair undecayed— each coliin was formed of a bingk- stone, 
 with receptacles for tlie limbs and head. The chaucel pavement iscuriuub. 
 Near it is the seat of W. Pad wick, Esq.
 
 132 THE TOUU. 
 
 And at the splendid court of Edward dight, 
 Oft trace we Warblinp-ton's illustrious Knight, 
 In offices of state and high command. 
 
 Here 'twas, in most magnificent abode. 
 Held, in Eliza's glorious reign elate. 
 The Earls of Salisbury their pomp and state, 
 And the Queen's God-son, who, in sportive jest. 
 Exclaimed, " Methinks Fve Cottoned well the xixsty^ 
 When on his head she placed the mitre proud. 
 
 The moss-clad tower romantic now alone 
 Of ancient splendour the surviving trace ; 
 Entangled copses occupy the space, 
 And the wild pigeon rears her infant brooil 
 Where, in Eighth Henry's reign, baronial stood 
 The stately hail, or costly banquet shone. 
 
 Some furlongs distant, raised by sister twins, 
 As legends would dictate, the varying pile 
 Of parish Church ; along whose northern aisle 
 Low Gothic pillars, sculptured hutments rear ; 
 While on the south rich ornaments appear, 
 And Saracenic arch with arch entwines. 
 
 From the emblazoned window streaming round, 
 The high-wrought shrine and holy altar dear. 
 Judge we the private oratory here 
 Of Founder Lord, whose costly tomb once graced 
 With marble statue, now by time defaced 
 Or rude frivolity, 'neath splendid arch is found. 
 
 \i\ awful gust the wintery tempest roared. 
 Scarce through dim clouds shone Phcebus' pallid ray, 
 When first I visited thy barren way, 
 Ilajjland! for salt and orchards long since famed. 
 Where, with what gout is scarcely to be named, 
 I viewed the surloin smoking crown the board :
 
 THE TOUR. 133 
 
 And having sated appetite most keen, 
 Onward inclined our walk, the Church to view, 
 Its curious structure, and the soleinn yew 
 Casting its shade o'er porch and awful grave 
 Of the Puiight Templar, God's defender brave, 
 With proud insignia of his order seen.t 
 
 Here having tarried contemplative long, 
 Sought he the spot, where, in monastic age, 
 The Priory rose, which Dugdale's learned page 
 To later times transmits. Then passing o'er 
 The slippery ford — Hail, Ilavant ! hail, once more,§ 
 Great Ahna Mater of thy otFspring's song ! 
 
 Through Bedhamplon the circling pathway tends, % 
 By the rich villa, 'neath the mountain's brow, 
 Whence, Farlington ! thy lucid torrents pour. 
 Bursts on our view, Langston ! thy haven vast ; 
 Drayton ! thy mansion neat. The villa past. 
 At CosharrCs verdant sweep the journey ends. 
 
 f IJayland^oT Ilayling Island, consists mosiJy of arable land, but bas 
 been noted from time immemorial for salt. One saltern is recorded in 
 Doomsday Book as paying 6s. 8d. Fisheries are also mentioned to have 
 existed. The Manor was first ^iven to Winchester College, but afterwards 
 granted to a Priory ; on this being alienated, (he Island was given to the 
 Cartbusian Priory at Sheen. It was last given to the G)llege of Arundel, 
 and afterwards to the Duke of Norfolk. 
 
 \ Havant is an old and respectable town. The Market was granted by 
 King John, at the request of the Monks of Winchester, to whom the Manor 
 was granted by Ethelred. The Church is dedicated to St. Faith, and is in 
 form of a cross, w ith a tower rising from the intersection. The architecture 
 is Saxon. In the south transept are remains of stone seats. Not far dis- 
 tant is Leigh, the seat of Wm. Garrett, Esq. at present the residence of Sir 
 George Staunton, Bart. 
 
 J Bedhampton is a neat village ; under the brow of the hill is Belmont 
 the elegant seat of Lady Provost. Above, on the hill, is a cuaious modern 
 antique called The Folly. The Farlington Water Works next present 
 themselves ; then Draytun the neat residence of Moses Greethani, Esq. 
 with a fine Garden; and at Cosham the stat of Wni. Padwick, Esq,
 
 3ilppcntiix% 
 
 THE POST-OFFICES. 
 
 That of Portsmouth has been particularly noticed ia the Notes 
 to the Town of Portsmouth (page 59). 
 
 At Gosport the Office is in High-Street — the bags are closed ut 
 live o'Cloek iu the evening. Delivery in the morning at 
 ten. 
 
 THE BANKS. 
 
 The Ports mouth, Portsea, and Hampshire Bmik, of Messrs- 
 Grants, Hickley, & Co. recently removed to the premises 
 tliey purchased of the Assignees of Godwin, Minchin, «Sf Co. in 
 High-Street, ecraer of the Grand Parade. Triey have also a 
 liranch Bank in Hanover-Street, Portsea. Their Agents in 
 London are Messrs. Ladbroke & Co. — This is the only eslal*- 
 lisliment within twelve miles from which local notes are issued. 
 
 Messrs. Burbey & Loe, Penny-Street — Agents in London, 
 Messrs. Fry and Chapman. 
 
 PUBLIC STAGES. 
 
 London Mail, every Evening at i past seven, from the 
 George Inn, Hi;^h-Street, to the Angel Inn, St. Clement's. 
 
 Bath and Bristol Mail, every Evening at five, from the 
 same Inn. 
 
 Chichester and Brighton Mail, every Morning at eight, from 
 the Blue Posts Inn, on. the Point, and Fountain, High Street. 
 
 Morning Coaches to London. 
 
 TUe Hero, at eight, from the Blue Posts, on the Point, and 
 Fountain, High-Street, to the Spread Eagle, Gracechurch-Street, 
 and Golden Cross, Charing-Cross. 
 
 The Regulator, at ^ past eight, from ihe George Hotel, High- 
 Street, through Putney, to the White Horse Cellar, Piccadilly , 
 and Sussex Hotel, Fieet-Slreet,
 
 135 
 
 The llocket, at nine, from Ihe Office, No. 54, HighStreet, 
 to the Belle Sauvage, Ludgato-Hill. 
 
 Evenirto- Coaches to London. 
 
 The Wellington, at seven, from the George Hotel, High- 
 Street, to the Spread Eagle, Gracechurch-Street. 
 
 The Nelson, at seven, from the Blue Posts, on the Point, 
 to the Spread Eagle, Gracechurch-Street. 
 
 Exeter and Plymouth Coach, Tuesday, Thursday, and Satur- 
 day, at. nine in the Morning, from the George Hotel, High- 
 Street, and returns the alternate Evenings. 
 
 The Union Chichester Coach, at four in the afternoon, from 
 the Quebec Tavern, on the Point; George Hotel, High-Street ; 
 and Globe Tavern, Oyster-Street, Portsmouth. 
 
 Waggons to London. 
 
 Clark & Stanbury's, from the Blue Posts Inn, on the 
 Point, to the Ship Ian, Borough. 
 
 Pescoit's Waggons, from 46, Broad-Street, Point; and 112, 
 Queen-Street, Portsea ; to the' Bell Inn, Wood-Street, Cheap- 
 side, and Ship Ion, Borough. 
 
 Edmund Sayers's, from the Globe Inn, Oyster-Street, to the 
 Saracen's Head, Friday-Street. 
 
 Salisbury, Bath and Bristol, and Chichester Waggons, 
 from the Globe Inn, Oyster-Street, every week. 
 
 Public Stages fro77i Gosport. 
 
 A Coach to London, every Morning at 8 o'clock, from the 
 India Arms. 
 
 A Coach to Southampton, Tuesday, and Saturday, at four 
 in the Afternoon. 
 
 A Coach to Winchester, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 
 at eleven ia the Mornicg, from the Star Inn,
 
 136 
 PACKETS. 
 
 To HaVRK, from the Quoher- Tavern, on tho Point, twice a 
 week. 
 
 To Guernsey, &c. from ihe Kiogn Head, Hroail -Street, every 
 Wednesday. 
 
 To Plymouth, three limes a week, from the Neptune and 
 Martfi, Broad-Street, 
 
 To Poole, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, from the Roe- 
 buck, Broad-Street. 
 
 To Lymington, three times a week, from the Thatched 
 House, Broad-Street. 
 
 To Southampton, from the White Hart, Broad-Street, three 
 times a week, 
 
 To Co WES, from the King's Head, Broad-Street, every day, 
 as the tide may suit. 
 
 To RvDE, every morning, at seven and nine o'clock ; at 
 three in the afternoon ,• and at a'lx and seven in the evening, 
 from the Quebec Tavern, Bath-Square, and Cornish Arms, 
 Broad-Street. 
 
 A Boat at nine in the morning and three in the afternoon, to 
 Wootten-Bridge. 
 
 Boats to PoRiCHKSTRR and FjiREriAM twice a day. from the 
 Hard, Porjsea. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 Hollingsworth A Price, Printers, Whitc-Horsc-Strcet, Portsmouth.
 
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 5^53 A metrical his- 
 
 Sl5ni tory of Ports - 
 
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 Hll«p.™. 227 2075