'^l^ i;^ssi ji^i^ii >^|Av;3i!^ I JO /- . J ^ r / ^'mA.^....y. -v^^^/^ ^ ^<^ 2§ e^^ ^Hr.-^'' oulim erpressli) for tins CwUuh. ^ - -- (}v///'/ys////'/ ///I Jf/z/ri/jal j \ ^ C'ltu-i ^ cl^mini?.; IJitMtr Xi'iMftrB^^ Durh IJanV.. HOSPITALS. CHl'BCHES,€ASTELlATEB&-MO:?«'AS.TIC KFINS, Accomptui-i^d bu CAfl THE PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OP A SERIES OF VIEWS, FROM ORIGINAL DRAWINGS, HISTORICAL, TOPOGRAPHICAL, CRITICAL, AND BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, BY THOMAS ALLEN, AUTHOR OF THE HISTORIES OF LONDON, YORKSHIRE, SCRBEY, St'SSEX, 8 SI HELl -UlLt. CONTENTS, Page Aldington Castle 72 Asliford SO Ayleslbrd Bridge and Church 49 the Fryars at 110 Barfreston Cliurch 27 Bedgebury 11 Belvidere G Biackbeath, New Church at 7 Broadstuirs 51 Canterbury, from Harble Down 1 Cathedral 3-2 Cathedral 114 Cathedral, St. Ethelberfs Tower, and St. Augustine's Monasterv 76 Clirist Church Gate 108 Charing Church 88 Chatham Docks 97 Chevening Place 62 Chiselhurst Church 89 Church Street, St. Paul's Church, &c., Canterbury . . 90 Cobham Hall 77 Court-a-Street, Chapel at 88 Cowling Castle 54 Dane John Hill, Canterbury 4 Dartford, on a Market Day 70 from the Grounds of P. Landel, Esq 79 Deal Castle 100 Dover Castle 2 Quay at 28 ' Snargate Street 40 Page Dover Pier and Harbour 52 Parade and Cajsar's Tower at 61 Eastwell Park 73 Elthani Palace 7 Bridgp 10 Erith Cluircli 45 Fairlawn 41 Favershani 04 Market Place 42 Church 45 Finchcocks in Goudhurst 10 Folkstonc 5S Frognall 75 Gravesend 98 Ditto 113 Greenwich Hospital 3 Hackington Church 82 Hadlow Castle 11 Hales Place 68 Hailing Palace 45 Heme Bay 17 Hever Castle 91 Hytlie Church 18 Barracks and Town of 104 King's Gate 70 Kit's Cot y House 15 Knowle Park 63 Leeds Castle 81 Licensed Victualler's Asylum 67 Lim])ne Castle > 83 r]0149Cl CONTENTS. Paurlai,' ' ^ Bfw.'.b'orouolt 2 Blarkhe^iUi 23 JkirnrfUM. East -10 Mcainjatr ' 3 Biimilffi X- Jirftcirnham 24 BarnrfUfd. Mf jf 41 BriiU/e k' iHham 4 Codafuatfi 2it Blnrkiioume 42 for/'ii/u SJJartAtfl S:mimbiflti>n 26 liniwhtim . iiittler BUan 43 Hntn/iam/oni G iiyrfe f- LmiLfM 27 CaUhili 44 Enstri/ 7 HiLTitv 28 t'/uirtS: Umnhridqt 45 K>iu/liain/ord 8 Somrif/rn 29 f'ranbriiokt ' 46 jy/j/nri 9 WfMaiiam&EdmBiidpc '^ ffJhorouph -17 R/u/.*loH' Lathe o/'Avlesfoi-d. 'SI Fmrrjln'ini 48 h'fs///iitf iO Jtrr/iffiA^v&Jforjr/imndM "Xi Marden 49 H'Ai'f'sfabU U (^alhnm &-t'tlUngham Vt Milton 50 ^Vinqhiim p Enahornr 51 Hohenden Lathpo/'Shcpway 14 Z.y-A/,W.r^Ai//T/,' 59 /».«(-■»/ 60 Stoutuift 61 .VOrrr ■ 62 ror/A 10 HASTtNOS EXPLANATION. Market Towns tviih fhe Distance from JdaRTFOKD London in measnreil MUea.ajt - \ ^^ Churches and fhaptU • Turnfiike Raadj ==5^*ii, 2rayiqahlt tiuiah — — ^.— ^ Aiv/-.t - --=. ^. ZX/- fu/urrj on llir Turripikr Hvaib thew tht dixtimrf in meusiin-il MUr-s hftMi-m the Towns. W 6 7 8 9 10 U 12 Milei 1" 5 10 londo^.Tubli.irh^d I ;. l't>-/ue . 26. Ivt, lane.. J833 . i^lctttte5(jtie i5eautu$ OF GREAT BRITAIN KENT. — ■■ O famous KENT, What county hath this Isle, that can compare with thee? That hath within thyself as much as thou canst wish; Thy rabbits, venison, fruits, thy sorts of fowl and fish ; As what with strength comports, thy hay, thy corn, thy wood. Not anything doth want, that anywhere is good. Drayton. CANTERBURY, FROM HARBLE DOWN. The ancient and celebrated city of Canterbury is seated in a pleasant valley, surrounded with gently rising hills, from which flow several fine springs of water. The city is also roraanticaU)' Avatered by the Stour, which divides itself into several meandering streams, and forms islands of diflfereut sizes, on one of which the western part of Canterbury is situated. This place is supposed to have been a town of importance, long before the Roman invasion. 1'he Roman name, Durovernum, being clearly latinized from the British prefix Dwr, water, though antiquaries much difier as to the remainder of the compound. Its present name is derived fi-om the Saxon Cant-ivara-byrg, the Kentish men's city. During the residence of Ethelbert, king of Kent, the memorable arrival of St. Augustine took place, in 596; an event which, through the influence of his queen. Bertha, was rapidly followed by the conversion of the court and his people to Christianity; and the foundation of the archiepisco- pal see of Canterbury. "Few towns in England," says Gilpin, "boast so much of their anti- quities. In memory of its military prowess, little remains but a few old gates, the fragments of a wall, and the ruins of a castle which consists only of a heavy square tower. But its religious antiquities are both more numerous, and more curious." Besides the cathedral, which will be noticed hereafter, there is a fine embattled gate-house at the west end of the 1. B 2 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. city, remains of St. Augustine's Abbey, many churches, and a few picturesque mansions. The government of this city is vested in a mayor, twelve aldermen, and common-councilmen. The population of this city amounts to nearly 20,000 persons. DOVER CASTLE. This venerable fabric stands on the summit of a stupendous cliff, north of the town and harbour of Dover. The rock whereon this fortress is reared, presents, towards the sea, a per- pendicular precipice, 320 feet high, from the beach to its summit. The foundation of this castle has been erroneously attributed to Julius Caesar; there is little doubt, however, but that it was originally a hill fortress of the Britons in remote antiquity; and the supposition of its having been fortitied by Arviragus, on refusing to pay the tribute to Csesar, is by no means impro- bable. It is supposed that the octagonal building west of the church was intended for a Roman pharos and watcli-tower, which antiquaries have conjectured was the work of Agricola. Since the original erection of this tower, the ground has been elevated several feet; the form without is an octagon, but its internal appearance presents a square; the tliickness of the base of the wall is ten feet. On the eastern side is an arched door-way, and on the interior of the other three sides were Roman arches and narrow spaces for windows. Whether this tower was ever used by the Romans as a place of defence, it is now difficult to determine ; but that the Normans applied it to such purpose, is beyond all doubt. This tower was cased over, most probably in the reign of Henry the Fifth; at which period sir Robert Erpingham wi0r^ constable, whose arms appear upon a stone on the north side. This castle, in its present state, consists of every species of fortification the art of war can contrive, to render it impregnable. Tho buildings occupy nearly the whole summit of tho eminence; bounding the south-eastern side of a deep valley, in which stands the town of Dover. The fortress may be described as consisting of two courts, defended by deep and broad dry ditches, from which, by subterraneous passages, there are communications with the inner towers. The lower court is environed by an irregular wall, except towards the sea; which wall is desig- nated "the curtain," being flanked, at unequal distances, by turrets of different shapes and ages. The noble keep, or palace tower, stands near the centre of the upper court, and is said to have been rebuilt by Henry the Second. There are galleries in the walls, with loop- holes, to annoy besiegers; the second floor being intended for the use of the garrison, and that on the ground for stores. In the north angle of this keep is said to exist a well, now arched over, which Harold, prior to his gaining the throne, promised, on oath, to yield up, with the castle, to William, duke of Normandy. Like other royal castles, that of Dover was formerly extra-judicial; but several of the ancient franchises being either lost or fallen into disuse, the civil power has, for some years TC:?. C.il.ST]L3'. 5: stos:; THE COUNTY OF KENT. s baeli, been exercised within its limits, independent of any control from the lord warden. The duke of Wellington is constable, and lord warden, but never makes any other use of his residence in the castle, than as regards his official capacity. GREENWICH HOSPITAL. This magnificent structure, principally built of Portland stone, is composed of four distinct quadrangular piles of building, each bearing the name of the respective prince during whose reign it was built. Tlie fafade towards the Thames comprises two stone buildings, behind which, in the centre, is the Ranger's mansion. The north and south fronts present a twofold pavilion, connected above by a continued attic order, surmounted by a balustrade, having an open portal below. The centre of each pavilion has a pediment, supported by four corinthian columns, and at the sides rise double pilasters of the same order. Statues of Mars and Fame are sculptured in the tympanum of the eastern pediment, which bears the name of Charles, and the eastern front corresponding with the west of that called Anne, is rusticated, with a tetrastyle portico of the corinthian order in the middle. The names of William and Mary designate the two southern ranges, and present a general similarity of architecture, though partially differing in their ornaments. A handsome colon- nade is attached to the interior of each range, Ijeiug supported by duplicated columns and pilasters of the doric order, extending throe hundred and fortv-seven feet, having at the end a return pavilion, seventy feet long, while the southern extremit}' of each colonnade is sur- mounted by a turreted dome, one hundred and twenty feet high. King William's building, situated on the west, was erected by sir C. Wren and sir .1. Vanbrugh. In one of the pediments is an emblematical representation of the death of Nelson. Tiie painted hall in this part of the building was executed by sir James Thornhill; it is one hundred and six feet long, fifty-six wide, and fifty high. Tlie walls are ornamented «itli pilasters skilfully painted in imitation of fluting, and with a choice collection of pictures, first placed here in 1824. They consist chiefly of representations of sea-fights and portraits of naval officers. Here are also statues of Nelson, Howe, Duncan, and Vincent. The centre of the ceiling represents V\'iliiam and Mary, surrounded by the cardinal virtues, the four seasons, and the signs of the zodiac: the whole supported by eight gigantic figures. At one end of the ceiling is seen the Blenheim man-of-war, with a figure of Victory, and another of London, accompanied by various rivers, and the arts and sciences; and, at the other end, a galley with Spanish trophies, as well as portraits of Tycho Brahe, C()]>ernirus, and Flamstead. From this splendid apartment another fliglit of steps leads to the upper hall, the sides of which are adorned with paintings of the landing of William the Tiiird, the landing of George the First, and family of the latter monarch. Queen Mary's building contains the chapel, which is certainly one of the most beautifid 4 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. and elegant specimens of Grecian architecture in the kingdom; it is one hundred and eleven feet long, and fifty-two broad, and is capable of accommodating one thousand pensioners, nurses, and boys, besides the governor, and other officers of the establishment. Over the communion table is a hue painting by West, of the preservation of St. Paul from shipwreck, and above it are statues of two angels, by Bacon. The principal events in the life of our Saviour are depicted in chiaro-oscuro round the chapel, and the vestibule is adorned with statues of Faith, Hope, Meekness, and Charity, from designs by West. DANEJOHN, OR DUNGEON HILL. This mound is one of the most remarkable spots appertaining to the ancient city of Canterbury. The Dungeon, or Danejohn Field, for it is known by both those appellations, is situated contiguous to the site of the Old Riding Gate, but within the walls of the city, at the south-eastern corner, and on the west side, near to the ditch and wall of the castle bayle. In ancient records, the name is variously written, as Dangon, Daungeon, and Dungen ; all these designations, however, being of the same import. It is a large artificial mound, of a circular form, which was formerly environed by a deep ditch; and is much higher than the wall ever was, previous to dilapidation; so that, from the summit of the same, you command a view of the whole city beneath, as well as the sTirrounding country. On the outward or opposite side of the wall, which is only separated by the city moat and a lofty wall, is .another artificial mound, much smaller in circumference, and not more than half the height of that under consideration, esteemed of such consequence, that the adjoining manor was thence designated the Dungemi. The origin of this name is conjectured to have arisen from its having been the Danes^ work, and thence denominated Dangeon, Daungeon, for Danion, or Danes' Hill, having been either constructed by those barbarians against the city, or raised by its inhabitants to oppose them. When the spirit for improvement began to manifest itself, in 1790, Dungeon Hill and Field were laid out in walks, and planted with trees, for the use and amusement of the population of Canterbury ; the expense of which was defrayed by the late James Simmons, esq., an alderman of the city, to whom the field and mound were granted by the corporation for this purpose. PENSHURST PLACE. This celebuated mansion was anciently the seat of the Pencestres or Perichesters, wno nettled in England after the Conquest, and among whom was sir Stephen de Penchester, lord warden of the cinque ports, and constable of Dover castle, who flourished in the DrswiiVrGeo.SlMpbcrd . Jf E W ^ '?.' V" PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. BELVIDERE. About a mile fi'om the Thames, and nearly the same distance from Erith and Lesnes Abbey, stands the beautiful and picturesque mansion of Belvidere, late the residence of sir Sampson Gideon, afterwards lord Eardley. The pleasure-grounds attached to this mansion, though not very extensive, are pleasingly diversified, and wooded in the most luxuriant man- ner, while a flourishing plantation extends itself on either side. The first villa, erected on this site by George Hayley, esq., was sold by the proprietor to Calvert, lord Baltimore, who dying in 1751, the devisee of that nobleman disposed of the estate to Sampson Gideon, esq., whose son, in 1759, was created a baronet, and in June, 1790, advanced by patent to the Irish peerage, by the title of lord Eardley. The great improvements commenced by the father of his lordship, were completed by this nobleman, who, about forty years ago, re-erected and considerably enlarged the building, wliich now presents a very noble mansion, situated on a bold eminence, that descends in a rapid sweep to the north, commanding most extensive prospects of the meandering Thames, and the opposite scenery of the county of Essex. There is, indeed, a liveliness connected with the adjacent prospect, that renders this villa a most en- chanting habitation ; originating in the incessant traffic carried on upon the river ; so that no vessel passing or re-passing escapes the inmates of Belvidere, when the broad sails, gliding on the surface of the limpid waters, convey an unusual animation to the rich verdure and shadowy woodland landscape. The apartments of this structure are large, commodious, and fitted up in tlie most tasteful manner, rendering the tout enseinble of Belvidere one of the most desirable seats in the vicimige of the metropoUs. The mansion and estate are now the property of lord Saye and Sele, wlio possesses them in right of his lady, the daughter of the late lord Eardley. STONE CASTLE. This edifice, situated in the parish of Stone, between Gravesend and Dartford, displays, at the eastern extremity, a square tower ; being now the only portion of the residence which bears the appearance of a castellated dwelling. In the reign of Edward the Third, however, a castle existed at this place, founded by the ancient family of the Northwoods, as their armo- rial bearings, formerly existing in the old stone-work, now fallen to decay, implied. In the D23W& "by Possell M®K,TH TIEW ®F MMLiYIBlE^ar^:^ jk SAR. ERETH . THE SEAT ^ : BiUUied 182S, -t Dn^rared I77 Ifottram. iEM©. Drawn "by XM.B8ynes. Zngraved by W.Wailcns. KENT. Published 18351>y Gco.Vlrtue.Ze.&jy Lane. JEIUTJSIAM FAILACCJE . KENT. I uhtt^.li^ J i6 ii.hy Geo .Virtue, 26 Iv\ ' THE COUNTY OF KENT. 7 twentieth of the above reign, John de Northwood paid respective aid for this manor and castle, where Edward the black prince received the order of knighthood. " And although," says Philipott, " it now lye wrapped up in its own ruines, yet the shell or skeleton of it, within which sir Richard Wiltshire laid the foundation of that fabric now extant, represents to the eye some symptoms of its former strength and magnificence." From the Northwoods, Stone Castle passed by sale to the Butivants, corruptly called Boni- vant, and from the latter family it devolved to the Cholmleys. We next find the Chapmans held this estate, when Elizabeth, widow of one of that family, having re-married John Pres- ton, esq., the latter, in her right, held this property. Towards the close of the reign of Henry the Eighth, Thomas Chapman, son of the above-mentioned Elizabeth, left this castle and estate to Anne, his sole heir, who, having espoused Mr. William Carew, the inheritance devolved to that family. The church or chapel of Stone has long been desecrated ; the foun- dations of which are still apparent on the side of the field north of the high London road, between Judde and Beacon Hills. In the walls, numerous Roman bricks were found inter- mingled with the flints ; the whole structure was, to all appearance, thirty-two feet long, and the chancel twenty-four, being in breadth about twelve feet. From the remnant of a portion of the wall, the tower most probably rose between the church and the chancel. NEW CHURCH AT BLACKHEATH. This pleasing specimen of early English architecture was erected in 1828. It consists of a nave and aisles, chancel and tower at the west end, with a light but not inelegant spire. The interior is fitted up with much taste, and on the whole is an ornament to the suburban village of Blackheath. ELTHAM PALACE. Eltham lies southward of Woolwich, on the opposite side of the high London road, deriving its name from the two Saxon words, eald and ham, signifying the old to\vn or habi- tation, and Is about two miles across either way, the town of Eltham standing in the centre. It is a pleasant, well-built town, and its proximity to the metropolis, and healthy and rural situation, render it the resort of merchants and people of fortune. In the twelfth of Edward the First, John de Vesci had the grant of a market, to be held on 8 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. a Tuesday, weekly, within his manor of Ellliam, and an annual fair, on the feast of the Hoi)' Trinity. Henry the Sixth granted a ronfinnation of that market to his tenants in Elthara, and one fair, to be held yearly. The market has been long since discontinued. This venerable palace was, during many centuries, a favourite and constant retreat of the monarchs of England, which in all probability arose from its contiguity to London, the mag- nificence of its original structure, and the salubrity of the air, and pleasant appearance of the surrounding comitry. During the Saxon heptnrch)-, Elthara manor was vested in the crown ; and in the reign of Edward the confessor, from the records of Doomsday Book, we find it was held of that prince by an individual of the name of Alwolde. With many other estates in the county of Kent, Eltham was granted by William the conqueror to Odo, Bishop of Baieux, that monarch's half-brother, who had followed the fortunes of his victorious relative. Subsequently, William Rufiis having confiscated the possessions of that ecclesiastic, the manor was divided ; one portion being retained by the king, and the residue presented to t\v Magnavilles, a noble family of high antiquity. On the accession of king Edward the First, the moiety vested in the crown was by that prince made over to John de Vesci, a very potent baron, who, by exchange, afterwards procured from Walter de MagnavUle, the residue of the manor. William de Vesci, the son of John, having a natural son, also named W^illiam, he devised to him the whole manor, together with the major part of his patrimonial estates; but havuig appointed Anthony Bee, bishop of Durham, famed in history for his warlike as well as ecclesiastical acquirements, a trustee to the will, that proud churchman shamefully betrayed the confidence reposed in him, and made himself master of the domain of Eltham. The bishop, from the accounts handed down, expended very large sums on the edttices, and died there in the year 1311. The younger William de Vesci having engaged in the Scotish wai-, was killed at the battle of Strivelin, upon which his estates, whereof the manor of Eltham was regarded as part, fell to Sir Gilbert de Aton, as the right heir. This sir Gilbert granted Eltham to Geoffrey Scrope, of Masham, who, in 1318, had the same confirmed to him by the crown, when he shortly after, as it is said, gave the manor to Isabel, queen of Edward the Second, since which time various persons have possessed Eltham by gi'ants for certain terms of years. The precise period of the original foundation of the palace is not ascertained by historians, but there appears every reason for believing that it must have been anterior to the year 1270, as we find Henry the Third there celebrated the great public festival of Christmas with his queen, and a numerous retinue of courtiers. The weak and ill-fated Edward the Second made Eltham his frequent residence, and in 1315, Isabel his queen was delivered of a son in this palace, who, on that account, bore the surname of John of Eltham, earl of Cornwall. Edward the Third, in his fourth year, summoned a parliament to meet at Eltham. Adjoin- ing to several of the ancient palaces of the kings of England was a large room or hall, for the accommodation of such an assembly, as well as other large meetings and festivities, which was sometimes called the parliament chamber ; in other royal mansions the hall served for such purposes, of which last description was Westminster Hall, and that of the palace at Eltham, wherein most probably these parliaments were held ; the latter is still standing, being a noble THE COUNTY OF KENT. 9 and spacious building of pure stone, well adapted for the purpose of holding so large a meeting. It is now converted into a barn, commonly called King John's barn, and stands on the site of the old palace. And the same monarch, in his tliirty-eighth year, intending to give a princely reception to King John of France, who had been his prisoner in England, and then came over as a visitor, received him at Eltham, where he entertained that prince with great magnificence. Richard the Second, Henry the Fourth, and Henry the Sixth made this mansion their prin- cipal residence, keeping the festival of Christmas, and regaling with much splendour and feasting. Ed\vard the Fourth repaired this palace, with much cost, and inclosed Home park, so called from its being the site of the manor of Home, anciently the king's demesne, as appears by the grant of Edward the Third, in his twenty-first year, to all his tenants to be toll-free, throughout England. Bridget, the king's fourth daughter, was born at Eltham, in the twen- tieth year of liis reign, and the following day baptized by the bishop of Chichester ; she after- wards became a nun, at Dartford, in this county. Henry the Seventh built a handsome front to this palace, towards the moat, and usually resided here ; it also appears, from a record in the Office of Arms, that he generally dined in the great hall of the palace. Henry the Eighth neglected this mansion, and built much at Greenwich, though he occasionally resided at Eltham, particularly in his seventh year, when keeping his Whitsuntide at this royal residence, he created sir Edward Stanley, bart., lord Monteagle, for his services performed against the Scots at Flodden Field. From a survey taken by the state, after the death of Charles the First, in 1648, it appeared that the capital house, built with brick, stone, and timber, called Eltham House, consisted of a fair chapel, a great hall, thirty-six rooms and offices below stairs, with two large cellars. Above stairs in lodgings, called the king's side, were seventeen lodging-rooms ; on the queen"s side, twelve chambers ; and on the prince's side, nine lodging-rooms ; in all thirty-eight, with various other necessary apartments and closets. Thirty-five bayes of buildings round the court-yard, which contained one acre of ground, the said bayes of buddings consisting of seventy-eight rooms, used as offices. The whole, it appeared, were much out of repair, and the materials valued at £753, exclusive of the charge of taking it do\vn. The great park contained five hundred and ninety-six acres, the deer were all destroyed, and the park dilapi- dated by the soldiery and common people ; the trees, besides those marked out for the use of the navj', being one thousand and sixty in number, very old and decayed. From the above document it appeared that the middle park, adjoining the other, and next to Mottlngham, contained three hundred and thirty-three acres ; that the lodge, belonging to the same, lay in the middle, but that the park was dismantled like the former. The trees were three hundred and twenty-four in number, besides those marked out for the navy, which were one thousand; that the parcel of impaled ground, called Home, otherwise Lee Park, in Eltham and (Lee, contained three himdred and thirty-six acres ; that the demesne lands, with the parks, &c. above-mentioned, contained one thousand six hundred and fifty-two acres, the total value of which was £860. 19s. 2d. the improvements of the same, £202. 6s. 7d. ; and that the sum of 40s. was always payable to the vicar, for or in lieu of tithes of hay. After that survey, the manor and its appurtenances were sold to different persons^ 3. D 10 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. who retained them till the restoration of Charles II. in 1660, when the inheritance again re- turned to the crown. Sir John Shaw was at that period in possession of the manor of Eltham and its apptirte- nances, when Charles the Second, in consideration of his eminent services, granted him a long term in the estate, the same being renewed from time to time ; after which, that family con- stantly resided at the great manor lodge, which stands in the grand park, adjoining the town of Eltham. The lodge was fitted up and much improved, when it became the residence of sir John Gregory Shaw, baronet, great great grandson of the before-mentioned sir John ; it was subsequently the residence of Mr. Serjeant Best. There is a yearly fee-farm rent paid for the great park to the crown, amounting to £153. 3s. 4d. Nothing can be more striking than the changes to which Eltham Palace has been subjected; having served as the residence of potentates, the birth-place of monarchs, the scene of princely carousals, and, lastly, doomed to become a farm; in consequence of which the once magnificent hall, destined to witness the assembUng of parliaments, and the revelry of the great, in all the pomp of feudal grandeur, has been converted to the homely uses of threshing and housing grain. The hall, whereof our plate is a faithfid delineation, presents a splendid vestige of early architecture, and measures one hundred feet in length, fifty-six in breadth, and sixty in height. The lofty windows, which are now fiUed up with brick-work, must, in their days of splen- dour, have presented an elegant appearance. The roofing, of massive timber, is most curiously sculptured after the manner of that in Westminster Hall, presenting costly ornaments, with pendants very highly -wi-ought. To this princely residence were formerly appended no less than three parks, comprising twelve hundred acres well stocked with deer, and such game as afforded pastime for the princely occupants of its beautiful domain. FINCHCOCKS, IN GOUDHURST. This place, of some note in the parish of Goudhurst, is situated about a mile and a half from the town, and the same distance from Lamberhurst, (contiguous to the route between those places) and eight miles from Tunbridge Wells. The original structure that anciently stood here, was held by a family of the same name, in the fortieth year of king Henry the Third ; it does not, however, appear upon record that any member of that race rendered himself conspicuous in deeds of arms, or by having filled an eminent office in the state The present structure was raised by Edward Bathurst, esq. and completed, at a very heavy expense, in the year 1725. The front presents a handsome pile of brick buildings, the whole displaying a very noble facjade, the walls being of particular thickness, to command durability, and the cellarings imusually extensive. The interior of the mansion is commodious, the suite of apartments being large and lofty, and the whole fitted up and furnished in a manner suited Ril)lished.l830 Isy G."V5irtue . 26 Ivy Lans . Cri-*T. cy.V.'. H SSAID) lUCEBW (DAS TTILI^ , ■rK£ SEAT Of A.a.I*!AY. London. Published >./ ■c^wittVDu. (H. •>. ivjuer ji.ACKHf.ATH IKEWT THE COUNTY OF KENT. H to the extent of the premises. The surrounding pleasure grounds are laid out with taste, and the whole luxuriantly wooded. This seat was purchased by the late Robert Springett, esq. who greatly improved the premises and estate, having spared no expense in prosecuting the labour; the whole of which, on his demise, passed by will to his eldest son, Richard Springett, esq. the present occupant of Finchcocks. BEDGEBURY. The seat anciently standing here was of considerable eminence, and surrounded by much woodland. In remote antiquity, this mansion gave residence and surname to its possessors, one of whom, John de Bedgebury, about the period of Edward the Second, demised lands here to William de Comeden, of Comeden House, in the vicinity. His descendant John, in 1424, was Interred in the church of Bedgebuiy, when his sister Agnes became his heir, who entitled her husband, John Colepeper, to the mansion, wltli the manors of Bedgebury and Ford. In the line of the Colepepers this property descended to Thomas Colepeper, who pro- cured the disgavelment of his lands under Edward the Sixth, at the close of wliich. reign he served the office of sheriff for the county of Kent. His son Anthony, also of Bedgebury, was knighted by queen Elizabeth, who, in her progress through the county, in 1573, honoured the then seat with her presence ; and, in his " Remains," Camden states that, to tlie honour of that renowned family, there were twelve knights and baronets living of the famous house of the Colepepers at the same period. Under queen Elizabeth a very extensive park existed here, of which there are no longer any remains. J. Cartier, esq. who resided at Bedgebury during his shrievalty, in 1789, made con- siderable improvements on the estate. The present seat, inhabited I)y Francis Law, esq., is a very commodious structure for the residence of an opulent family; the grounds are tastefully laid out, the whole well wooded, and the situation as desirable as any site to be found in the adjoining district HADLOW CASTLE. This capacious building certainly might, from its architectural design and general appear- ance, be more appropriately called an a1)bey or monastery, than a castle. It stands near the high road leading from Maidstone to Tunl)ridge, being ten miles from the former, and four from the latter town. The principal architect employed in elevating this vast pile was 12 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. J. Dugdale, esq. to whose taste ia the gothic style every credit is due, the present dwelling displaying a residence of that description as picturesque as any that can be found throughout the county of Kent. The interior of Hadlow Castle accords in decorations with the exterior appearance, and, from its extent, affords the most ample accommodations for the affluent pro- prietor. The grounds are well laid out in shrubberies, and display aU the decorative taste so essential in the embellishment of a gentleman's seat, the whole evincing that no expense has been spared to render the spot as pleasing to the eye, as it must be fascinating to the inhabitant. MORDEN COLLEGE. This edifice adjoins Blackheath, a little to the east of sir Gregory Turner's late park, having received its appellation fi'om the munificent founder, sir John Morden, of Wrickles- marsh, a Turkey merchant, who accumulated an immense fortune at Aleppo. Many years prior to his demise, he erected this edifice in the form of a college, not far from the mansion he inhabited, intending the institution for the support of poor, honest, decayed merchants, there having previously existed no establishment of a similar description. This college, fi-ont its situation and ample endowments, may now rank as one of the most comfortable retreats for the aged and the unfortunate, that is presented by any charity in the United Kingdom. The structure consists of a large brick edifice, having two smaller wings, strengthened at tho corners with stone, there being an inward square surrounded by piazzas, with a chapel and burial-ground contiguous, for the members of the college. According to the tenor of his will, tlie founder was interred in a vault in this chapel, beneath the altar. Sir John Morden died in 1708, and by his testamentary paper, under date 1702, and a codicil subsequently added, endowed this institution, after the decease of his widow, with ample real, copyhold, and pei-sonal estates, of the annual value of £1300. The founder had installed in this college, during his life, twelve decayed merchants ; but after his decease, lady Morden, finding that the portion willed to her by her deceased husband was inadequate for her support, was under the necessity of reducing the number of inmates to four. After her ladyship's death, which occurred in 1721, the entire property having devolved to the college, the number of persons admitted was again increased, and there have, in consequence, been at times no fewer than thirty poor gentlemen dependant on this establishment ; and as the num- ber is not limited, the intention is to extend the charity in proportion to the proceeds from the estate, the building being calculated to receive forty inmates with comfort. By his will, sir John Morden appointed lady Morden his executrix, constituting three others, Turkey merchants, trustees for the management of this property, to whom was dele- gated the entire care of the same, and who were to visit the college as they might see occa- sion. The original trustees, on the demise of any of their coadjutors, were delegated to JbKliak=ajjpril, 183S. ly Geo3!5rttie Z&.'bryJ.aac. JAprn.1i!35 ws. I^avcdby aAdioru. THE COUNTY OF KENT. 13 nominate and appoint successors, to the number of seven, all to be Turkey merchants ; and in the event of failure in the Turkey company, the election was to be made from the East India company, the founder having been himself a member of that society. Seven Turkey mer- chants had in consccjuencc the entire direction of Morden College, and the nomination of those claimants admitted within its precincts. Each pensioner is allowed £20 per annum ; and, in the first instance, every inmate was habited in a gown bearing the badge of the founder, which costume has long been discon- tinued. The members dine in common, each having a convenient apartment, with cellaring, &c. The treasurer, chaplain, and pensioners, are necessitated to reside witliin the college, nor can any one be admitted, imless furnished mth a certificate purporting that the bearer has attained the age of fifty. An Act passed in 1771, to put an end to the disputes that had existed between the king and the trustees of this charity, respectuig the property of Maidenstone Hill, in Greenwich, claimed by the latter, but surrendered to the crown, as belonging of right to the royal manor of Greenwich. In the Act alluded to, is inserted a clause, whereby an increase of salary was awarded to the treasurer and chaplain, not exceeding fifty pounds per annum, and the allow- ance to each poor merchant not to be above forty pounds a year ; although the founder, by his will, had limited the treasurer's stipend to forty, the chaplain's to thirty, and that of every pensioner to twenty pounds, which latter sum, in his codicil, was reduced to fifteen pounds per annum. By the will of sir Gregory Page, who died in 1779, he gave £300 towards the reparations and ornamenting of Morden Chapel. THE NORTH FORELAND. This well-known point of land, generally supposed to be the Cantium alluded to by Ptolemy, is about a mile and a half north-east of the church of Saint Peter's, in the isle of Tlianet. In appearance it strongly resembles a bastion projecting into the ocean ; and in consequence of its being more elevated than the adjoining coast, the spot was deemed well situated for the erection of a light-house, to ensure the safety of mariners in general, and, in particular, to warn them from coming in contact with the Goodwin sands, so fraught with danger. This structure, of wliich the annexed engraving is a faithful representation, was built about the year 1683, and displays a strong octagonal edifice, 63 feet in height, composed for the most part of squared flints. Tlie building underwent complete repair in 1793, when it received the two additional stories in brick-work at present surmounting it. The lights, which are particularly brilliant, and perceptible at an immense distance out at sea, receive the aid of patent reflectors, liaving powerful lenses of twenty inches diameter. Every British ship sailing round this point pays two-pence per ton upon her lading, and every foreign one, four-pence. The view from the summit presents a beautiful panorama of the ocean and the isle of Tlianeu i. E U PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. ROCHESTER CASTLE. The venerable remains of the once majestic castle of Rochester, towering above the Medway, present an object at once grand and picturesque to the eye of the traveller. Few- situations could be better adapted for defence, than the rising ground whereon this fortress is founded ; the site being defended by the river from any attack on the western side, while its south-cast and northern angles were surrounded by a very broad and deep moat, well supplied with water from the Medway. The exterior fortifications, forming a parallelogram three hundred feet long, were rendered secure by a regular succession of round and square turrets, those still remaining being fast falling to decay. The keep of the fortress is situated at the south-eastern angle of the area, constituting the master-tower of the edifice, and exhi- bits a magnificent specimen of Norman castellation. Some writers have conjectured that William the conqueror erected here a new citadel, while others are of opinion, he only enlarged and added fresh fortifications to the structure as it stood in the time of the Saxons. The latter supposition, however, admits of doubt ; as it could not have been very strong, since, when possessed by Odo, bishop of Bayeux, and his adherents, who revolted under William Rufus, the castle was speedily captured. It appears also probable that the latter monarch did not conceive it such a defensible hold as had been imagined by his father, and in consequence resolved upon re-constructing it. Gundulph, bishop of Rochester, erected the keep under the auspices of the king, in confirmation of which, it has uniformly been named after him. It seems that there existed a passage through a smaller tower, to arrive at the keep, after mounting a flight of steps, carried partly round two of the fronts of the castle, and defended on the first landing-place by a very strong arch, beneath which was appended a massive iron gate and a drawbridge. In order to enter the vestibule of the small tower, it was also requisite to pass a strong gate, guarded by a portcullis, while, at the portal of the principal tower, there was another gate and a portcullis. The grand turret, at the base, measures seventy feet, the walls being, generally speaking, twelve feet in thickness ; the apartments in the keep, from the bottom to the top, are all separated by partition walls, in each of which arches are formed, whereby a comnmnication was kept up from one chamber to another. In the centre of the keep there is also a well, the diameter of which is two feet nine inches. On the northern side of the keep there is a descent by steps into a vault, constructed under the entrance of the tower, which melancholy spot was appro- priated for the use of a prison or dungeon. At the north-east angle is a winding staircase from the bottom to the summit, which ascent is by no means difficult at the present day, not- withstanding the decayed condition of the steps ; and at the south-east angle there is also a second staircase, which equally winds to the top of the tower, and communicates with every chamber it contains. In the basement apartments no windows are perforated, and the few Drx.-.-n "by G.Sheslxri ESTTS €. Shi^iiieni Eiioj-.TiTLVlbv T, 0«m»r, THE COUNTY OF KENT. 21 nearly dry, as far out as the extremitv c 3u;p"hcra EEIST. Ea^Hvsd'hy J Ko^en Q tj Otjv :^L.i^_. „ THE COUNTY OF KENT. 25 although the greater part of those estates was soon after disposed of to different persons, yet the manor, and the most considerable portion of the site and its demesnes, continued in the cro^vn till the reign of Charles the First, who, in his fifth year, granted them to sir Dudley Diggs, of Chilham Castle, by whose will they devolved to his son, John Diggs, esq. who conveyed them to sir George Sonds, afterwards created earl of Faversham. On the demise of the latter, they descended to his daughter Catherine, married to Lewis, lord Rockingham, afterwards earl of Rockingham ; whose eldest son, George, lord Sondes, dying in his father's life-time, they passed, on the death of his grandfather, to the right honourable Lewis, earl of Rocking- ham, and on his death, which happened soon after, the right honourable lord Sondes be- came the possessor of this property. Faversham has been favoured by various kings with seventeen charters, confirming ancient privileges, or granting new ones; that under which it is now governed having been accorded by Henry the Eighth. The local jurisdiction is vested in twelve jurats, one of whom is mayor, twenty-four commoners, a steward, a town-clerk, and other officers. WESTENHANGER HOUSE, NEAK HYTHE. The parish of Westenhanger is united to that of Stowting, and situated in the Hundred of Street. The major part of this district is low and unpleasant, at a little distance below the down hills. The greater part consisting of pasturage is very wet, and contiguous to the hill the soil is poor, but lower down becomes richer, having excellent fertile meadows. The high road along the Stone Street way from Canterbury, over Hampton Hill, conducts through this parish towards New Inn Green, whence it proceeds straight forwards to Lymiie, the Partus Lemanis of the Romans, and to the right and left to the towns of Ashford and Hythe. This district is watered by the stream which rises above Postling Church, being that branch fjf the river called Old Stour, that meanders thence in this direction, having been augmented by the waters of numerous tributary streamlets, when from the north-west it crosses the high road westward, below Stanford Street, towards Ashford. The bridge over tlie river at this spot having been broken down in the seventh of Edward the First, the jury decided that all reparations necessary should be completed at the sole charge of Nicholas de Criol, and not by the populace of tiie adjacent hundreds. At no great distance westward from the bridge in question, stand the remains of the ancient mansion of Westenhanger, presenting a sombre ap- pearance, in a low, unpleasant, and swampy situation, surrounded by a flat country, with pas- ture lands in front. Westenhanger House, on the authority of tradition, was a royal palace in the reign of Henry the Second ; a mutilated statue, displaying one hand grasping a sceptre, having been 7. H 26 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. found among' the ruins, was supposed to have represented the monarch in question. Part of tlie ancient building- was also denominated Rosamond's Tower, from the celebrated beauty of that name, who is reported to have inhabited Westenhanger Palace, previous to her removal to Woodstock. A chamber, denominated Rosamond's Prison or Gallery, formerly existed here, an hundred and sLxty feet in length, said to have been destroyed in tlie course of those alterations which at different periods have nearly removed all traces of its pristine splendour. The old house, which was moated round, had anciently a drawbridge, a gatehouse, and a portal, of which the arch was lofty and strong, springing from polygonal pillars, and secured by a portcullis. The outer walls were high, and strengthened with towers, some square, others circular, the whole being embattled. Over the door was a carved figure of St. George on liorseback, and under it four shields, one bearing the arms of England, and another a key and crown, supported by angels. A flight of steps led to the chapel, erected by Sir Edward Poynings in the reign of Henry the Eighth, and vaulted with stone. The great hall was fifty feet long, having a gallery at one end, and at the other cloisters which communicated with the chapel and principal apart- ments, of which there are reported to have been no less than an hundred and twenty-six, with the old story of as many windows as there are days in a year. In the year 1701, more than three parts of this venerable pile were pulled down, for the sake of the materials, which, when disposed of, produced a thousand pounds sterling. All now remaining of this onoe-magnificent structure, and its extensive out-buildings, are the walls, and two towers on the north and east sides, which being undermined by lapse of years, are precipitated in huge masses into the adjoining moat. The under part of the grand entrance is yet remaining, the arch over the same having been taken down to admit the entrance of loaded waggons, bearing hay or wheat from the fields in harvest time : innumerable fragments of carved stone are also scattered about in every direc- tion, exhibiting an awful and melancholy spectacle of mouldering grandeur. The whole edifice was built of quarry stone, said to liave been dug up in the adjoining manor of Otterpoole, in Lymne ; those portions ornamented by rich sculpture having been conveyed from Caen, in Normandy, to decorate the edifice. The park once belonging to this mansion extended over the east and south parts of the parish, rather upon a rising ground, formerly comprehending the entire parochial district of Ostenhanger ; at the southern boundary of which is New Inn Green, so denominated from a new inn erected there in the time of Henry the Eighth, con- tiguous to which is a small hamlet, built on the road leading from Hythe to Ashford. Near the western boundary of this district is a small green, surrounded by dwellings, called Gib- bin's Brook, situated in the borough of Gimminge, such being its proper appellation, the whole occupying a very wet and swampy country. COUNTY OF KENT. 27 BARFRESTON CHURCH. This flibric, vulgarly denominated Barston, is particularly noticed by the admirers of antiquity, as presenting an undoubted specimen of Anglo-Saxon architecture : though, from the exuberance of the ornaments, and the peculiarities wherewith tliev abound, as well as the forms of several of its arches, the building may with greater probability be classed .•unong those of our Norman edifices raised at the period immediately antecedent to the general adop- tion of the pointed style. The church is dedicated to St. Mary, and contains only a nave and a chancel communicating with each other by a semi-circular arch, springing from wreathed columns very richly sculptured. The length of the interior Is forty-three feet, four inches ; the width of the nave, sixteen feet, eight inches; and that of the chancel, thirteen feet, six inches; and the walls are about two feet nine inches in thickness. In that eastward are three narrow lancet windows, with a circular one above, divided into eight compartments, by a stone fram- ing that forms a smaller circle in the centre, having the termination of each ray on the outer side sculptured with a regal head : the whole window is environed by a large border, decorated with human heads, birds, foliage, &c. while near the sides and over it are small niches, exhibiting remains of ditlerent figures. Immediately beneath this window runs a fringe, enriched with billet moulding, and a series of heads of very grotesque and varied characters, terminating at either extremity by an animal in a projecting bracket. Still lower are tiie lancet windows, ranging in alternate succession, with four recesses of similar forms, but rather wider, the whole having plain mouldings. These rest upon a c]ie%Ton or zigzag beading, whence the wall projects obliquely for a short space, and is supported by two large semi-circular arches, built In the lower part, which, from this mode of construction, assumes the appearance of three square piers. The north and south sides are in many respects similar, the latter however being most pro- fusely decorated. In the chancel, between two trefoil-headed windows, is a semi-circular arched recess, which, from the remains, appears to have once exhibited a specimen of very rich sculpture, but is now too much mutilated to allow the subject to be traced. Tlie heads below the cornice, which, with the beading, is continued from the east end, are executed in a style of equal boldness and singularity, the characters being also greatly varied. Over a door- way, that conducted into the chancel, now stopped up, is a recessed arch, surmounted bv a wavy moulding; and beneath, a cro^vnied head, projecting from the key-stone, with other heads and ornaments at the sides. The south, or principal entrance opening into the nave, is most richly ornamented with figmres ; but a great portion is now obscured from the view by a brick porch, so Injudlflouslv constructed as to abut immediately against the sculpture. It consists of a triple arch, with a variety of mouldings, partly rising from the wall, or springing from circular columns; the space over the door- way includes a representation, to all appear- 28 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. ance, of God the Father, within an oval recess, environed by angels and other figures : over this is a semi-eircular range of grotesque and ludicrous forms, both human and animal. Above, on the outer face of the arch, is another range, comprising fourteen subjects ; every stone forin- inc the arch being sculptured with a difterent figure, and every figure, like those of the inner range, contained within a circular border of foliage. Nearly opposite to the north is another entrance, exhibiting some rich and curious sculptures. The west end, when compared with the other sides, is but plain ; the roofing is modern, and plastered within ; that of the chancel being obviously less elevated than when in its original state. THE MOTE, NEAR MAIDSTONE, A SEAT OF THE EARL OF ROMNEY. About one mile eastward from the town of Maidstone, stood the ancient seat called the ]\Iote, encircled by a spacious and richly-wooded park. It was formerly castellated, and, under Henry the Third, constituted part of the possessions of the famous family of the Ley- bnrnes. In the fifty-first of the above reign, Roger de Leyborne obtained the grant of ;i market, to be iield weekly at this place, on a Tuesday, and an annual fair for three days, at the festival of the Holy Cross. The ancient residence, above alluded to, was pulled down some years back, by Lord Rom- nev, who rebuilt, at no great distance, the structure forming the subject of our plate. Tlie faltric is very eligibly situated, and the interior is fitted up with much taste and elegance. Some of the apartments contain valuable paintings. The park is most exuberantly adorned by the foliage of venerable oaks of the largest growth, and the whole commands a pleasing and extensive view of the surrounding country. THE QUAY AT DOVER. This part of the town of Dover, contemplated from the sea, affords a very pleasing and busy scene; while the lofly cliff, rising in the rear, forms a bold and rugged back-ground. One of the most prominent objects is the celebrated hotel kept by Mr. Wriglit, so universally known for its sumptuous interior decorations, and the superior style in wliich travellers are uniformly accommodated. So early as the reign of Henry the Seventh, Dover harbour attracted the serious attention of government, when vast sums were expended for its improvement. It was, however, ascer- ■ ■^- jj Geo Sbcpiicrd THE SE&T OF I.OR"D r THE" couinr of -luc 26Jifylane. Drtmn trr ■'■to Sbrt-**rd sj^wwi \r Ct: THE COUNTY OF KENT. 29 tained that all which had hecn eftected would not answer the end proposed, withoiit the erec- tion of a pier to seaward ; and in consequence the same was raised in the following reig'ii of Henry the Eighth, consisting of two rows of main posts and great piles, let into holes that were perforated in the rock beneath ; others, being shod with iron, were driven into the main chalk, and fastened together with iron l)ands and bolts. The bottom was laid with vast blocks of stone, and the whole filled up with chalk, beach stones, &c. Previous to the reign of Eliza- beth, this noble work had fallen to decay, and the harbour was again nearly choked up. An Act was in consequence passed for giving, towards the repairing of the harbour, a certain ton- nage for every vessel above twenty tons burden passing by, which then netted £1000 annually. After a variety of trials, a commodious and safe harbour was at length formed, with a pier, and different walls and sluices. During the whole reign of Elizabeth, the improvements of Dover harbour continued ; but its subsequent preservation was insured by the charter of incorporation granted by James the First, whereby eleven commissioners were incorporated, by the title of "warden and assistants of the port and harbour of Dover." The above instrument also directs that the lord warden of the Cinque Ports, the lieutenant of Dover Castle, and the mayor of the town for the time being, shall act as the principals. The above monarch also granted to them his waste ground or beach, commonly called the pier or harbour ground, as it lay without Southgate or Snargate, the rents of which are, at the present day, of considerable yearly value. Under the superintendance of the corporation, the works and improvements of the harbour have been carried on, and acts of parliament obtained in every succeeding reign, to confer greater force to their proceedings. In the course of the eighteenth century, several jetties were erected eastward, to prevent the encroachments of the sea ; and altliough the strong south-west winds, so frequent at Dover, throw up large quantities of beach at the mouth of the harbour, the sluices have been constructed in such a manner that, with the aid of tlie back-water, they often clear it in one tide. This harbour is, however, still capable of great improvement • and if we consider the important benefits it is capable of producing in times of hostility with the northern powers, when numerous ships of war are stationed in the Downs, it seems surprising that this haven has not been so improved as to render it a station calculated to receive some part of the royal navy of Great Britain. 8. 30 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. THE NEW BATHS, MARGATE. As it is not our intention, under the present head, to enter into an historical account of tliis place, we shall confine ourselves to wiiat relates to the facilities afforded here for sea-hatliing. The apartments appropriated for that purpose are situated at the extremity of the High-street, near tlie harbour; being very commodiously fitted up for hot and cold salt water batlis. There are appendant to each a considerable number of machines, driven by proper guides, per- fectly conversant with the coast; and the beach being a fine level sand, no accident can occur to those who prefer them to the enclosed baths. The terms of bathing are, for a warm bath, 3«. 6d., for a cold bath. Is. 6d., the guide included ; but if without a guide, Is. only ; the charge being less when two or more persons bathe together. At the Baths there are commodious apartments, wherehi the company assemble, preparatory to the same being in readiness to receive them. As there is an uninterrupted influx of the sea to this part of the coast, and the beach, as previously observed, being sandy, without any intermixtirre of woods or oozy ground, it might be presumed that the water would be remarkably limpid ; notwithstanding this, however, its appearance is unpleasant to the eye, as the action of the waves upon the chalk cliffs has the effect of rendering it generally turbid ; although, when at rest, it speedUy acquires transparency. Independent of the Baths, several new streets have been erected ; the lodging and board- ing-houses being numerous, and in many instances very convenient. However, so great is the increasing notoriety of this spot, that accommodations are still frequently wanted for the reception of visitants having numerous domestics. MALLING ABBEY. The remains of this interesting monastic pile are situated at tiie east end of the toAvn, the approach to which is by a venerable old gateway; and notwithstanding the major portion of the structure was pulled down, and anotlier building erected by the Honywoods, many fine ancient vestiges still remain, being used as offices at the present period. From the foundations discovered in levelling the ground for the modern erection, it was obvious that the Abbey consisted of two quadrangles, with cloisters, and a spacious hall, the church having had another tower of similar dimensions to that still standing. Tiie cemetery Drawn by &■ Gasnneau Engraved "by H. AJlard. SMA'' AIRE'S CMFF, mOYWi Fliblishedliy Get Engra/ed bv H Atllani I'l^l^iArc: THE COUNTY OF KENT. 31 seems to have occupied the south-side of the church, as great quantities of human hones were found in excavating in that direction, as well as two stone coffins, containing skeletons. They bore no inscriptions, but were ornamented by a cross and a quatrefoil, pierced at the upper end ; several rings and other trinkets, together with old coins, have also been brought to light at various periods, while clearing away the rubbish. In tlie meadows above the gardens, large excavations are still apparent, which formerly constituted the fish-ponds of this establishment. The precincts of the Abbey are washed by a stream of excellent water, that rises in the liamlet of St. Leonard, whence it flows by the house, then along the gardens, and after passing through the wall, where it forms a cascade, the current traverses the road. This monastery was founded by Guudulph, bishop of Rochester, in the fourth year of the reign of William Rufus, and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was endowed by the founder with the manor and church of Mailing, and some other possessions. This donation was confirmed by the king, and several of his successors ; viz. Henry I., Stephen, Henry II., and Edward III., and by many of the archbishops of Canterbury, particularly Richard, who likewise confirmed to the nuns there, " Mallinge's Parva," with the market of the said village, the church of St. Leonard with its appurtenances, the church of St. Mary in Mailing, &c. In 1190, both the town and nunnery were consumed by fire, but the monastery appears to have been speedily rebuilt. It was siu'rendered into the king's hands, together with its possessions, by the abbess and convent, on October the twenty-ninth, in the thirtieth year of the reign of Henry VIII. (1583), at which time it was valued at £245 : 10 : 2. The site was granted to archbishop Cranmer, in exchange for various possessions belonging to his see in Kent and Surrey. SHAKSPEARE'S CLIFF, DOVEK. No spot is more pregnant with national interest, as regards the history of England, than the town of Dover and its vicinity. WTien directing oui- regard to the coast, we naturally recur to the landing of Caesar, and the struggles of our untutored progenitors to beat back the well- regulated legions of that fortunate conqueror. As we survey the towering steep, our eye becomes riveted on the massive castellated pile which has, for so many centuries, braved the wmtry blasts, and seems to frown defiance on the battling surge beneath. It is then we call to mind the reign of the despotic Norman conqueror, who, ^vith a view to ensure the obe- dience of a dissatisfied nation, made that fortress his grand bulwark; esteeming Dover Castle 32 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. tlie master-key of England. Blending- historic reality with poetic fiction, the mind in succes- sion reverts to the chronicle history of Lear and his daughters, with the aftectionate care of the virtuous Edgar towards his blind and wandering parent, so pathetically depicted by Avon's bard. This train of reflection naturally prompts the contemplative observer to direct his steps southward; in which direction the bold projecting eminence is seen, that stands immor- taUsed for ever by the matchless and magic pen of Shakspeare, when he makes Edgar thus emphatically address his suffering and heart-broken father— — Here's the place :— stand still — How fearful And dizzy 'tis, to cast one's eyes so low ! The crows and choughs, that wing the midway air. Show scarce so gross as beetles : half way down Hangs one that gathers samphire : — dreadful trade! Methinks, he seems no bigger than his head : The fishermen, that walk upon the beach, Appear like mice; and yon tall anchoring bark, Diminish'd to her cock; her cock, a buoy Almost too small for sight : the murmuring surge. That on the unnuniber'd idle pebbles chafes. Cannot be heard so high; — I'll look no more; Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight Topple down headlong. CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL. The magnificence of this renowned structure, and the particular neatness with which every part of the building and area is preserved, afford a lively gratification to the admirers of archi- tectural splendour. The chief approach to the cathedral is from the main street, inider a highly-ornamented gateway, decorated by niches, statues, and a profusion of carved work and shields of arms, bearing date 15 IT. Hence the opening view of the church, with its lofty tower, delicately-ornamented pinnacles, and stately buttresses, affords a very impressive conp (Tceil. At the entrance from the west end, the height of the nave, its pillars, and the just propor- tions of the arches, its peculiar neatness, and the singular grandeur of the ascent to the choir, produce an imposing effect, while the sepulchral monuments around inspire the most solemn reflections. Tlie choir is 180 feet in length, the ornaments appropriate — every thing noble, and nothing gaudy ; the prebendal stalls and archiepiscopal throne being chastely magnificent. The exterior view of this pile, of which hereafter we shall give an elaborate description, ren- ders any detailed account here superfluous. Its magnificence must rivet the regard even of those observers whose minds are not tinctured by a long-cherished veneration for the gothic or English style of architecture. The proportions of this building are admirably kept up, and Urawa V^ H.GuTinexu.. IK'S PIE.EOIS.'S'. IfEAIR ®®^I KENT. >? -) 1.&O9. Published lS35.bf C-eo.'\Srtne.26,lKyIanc. i ::^rajcj by i KEHT. TilUjIicd laSi.ly Gco.Virlnc.Z6. hj Lmc. THE COUNTY OF KENT. 33 tlie grand masses beautifully relieved by intermediate ornaments of lesser bulk, the tout ensem- ble presenting a fa9ade imposingly magnificent. If to these considerations be added the multi- farious incidents connected with historic records of the remotest periods of antiquity, it would hi difficidt to point out, in this, or any other European country, an object fraught with higher interest and importance than the cathedral church of Canterbury. ST. MARTIN'S PRIORY, NEAR DOVER. As early as the time when the Romans were in possession of Britain, there existed a church or chapel within the walls of Dover Castle, which was resorted to by those persons among that people who professed Christianity. In the edifice in question, Eadbald, son and successor of king Elhelbert, who, during the reign of his father, had been entrusted with the government of that fortress, established a college, composed of six secular canons and a provost, their dwellings being erected contiguous to the same. In that situation they remained until 691, when Widred, king of Kent, finding the building an incumbrance to the castle, removed the canons to the church of St. INIartin, in Dover, which he had caused to be erected for their reception. They thus continued until the Norman conquest; from which period nothing material is recorded in history respecting this Priory, until the reign of Henry the First, who, being present at the dedication of the new cathedral church at Canterbury, granted to archbishop Corboil this collegiate church of St. Martin, placing therein regidar canons of the order of St. Augustine. In consequence of thai grant, the primate, having discovered the canons to have been guilty of gross irregidarities, dismissed such of the fraternity as then remained ; and to prevent those scandalous proceedings in future, began the foundation of a new church, the ensuing year, without the walls of the town, thence denominated " 77ie Neiv Work" which was dedicated to St. Mary and St. Martin. That prelate dying before the completion of his undertaking, his successor, Theobald, finished the same; but, in lieu of regular canons, established therein a society of Benedictine monks, A. D. 1130, being the sixth year of king Stephen's reign. After that period, Henry the Second, Henry the Third, and Edward the Second, confirmed this church to the archiepiscopal see in perpetual alms. At the final suppression of all reli- gious institutions under Henry the Eighth, this establishment, with all its lands, revenues, and possessions, was surrendered to the crown, at which period the income was estimated at £170 : 14 : \\\ clear, or £232 : 1 : b\ gross annual income. After the suppression, Henry the Eighth, among other premises, granted the site of this Prijry, ivith all the lands, &c. appertaining thereto, to archbishop Cranmer, subject, how- 9. K 3t PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. ever, to sundry exceptions and disbursements ; and in that see it has continued vested to tho present time. The remains of the Priory are now converted into a farm-house, with a barn, and various other outbuildings, the ruins being much blended with the same. Exclusive of the exterior walls, the remains are very extensive, presenting, among other striking features, a gateway, represented in the annexed view; a noble apartment, probably the refectory in ancient times, being upwards of one hundred feet long, now appropriated to the uses of a barn; a consider- able portion of the church, with two arches ; added to which there are scattered about many other interesting remnants of pointed architecture, the uses of which, or for what purposes designed, cannot now be ascertained. TUNBRIDGE CASTLE. This fortress stood close to the river Medway, at the south-west corner of the town, from which it derived its name, presenting a venerable and conspicuous pile for a considerable dis- tance around it, though, at the present time, little more remains than the inner gateway, a fabric flanked by two large circular towers of great thickness and strength. Part of the out- ward walls are also standing, and within the same the lofty mound of the keep or dungeon, the whole affording incontestable e: idence that when in its perfect state, it was a building of con- siderable strength and consequence, the walls having formerly enclosed six acres of ground. The fortifications, to all appearance, consisted of the two large circular towers, seventy feet in diameter, communicating with each other by a massive wall, sixty feet in height, from east to west, connected with the great keep on the summit of the mount, the base of which occupied the circle of an acre, having had a covered way thence to the principal gate of tiie castle, where there was another covered way over the chapel to the south-east tower. The domestic apartments of the governor were in the area, parallel to the south wall, overlooking the river, and uniting the two towers at the exti'Hjmities, as previously observed. Three moats formerly encircled this fortress, the innermost of which was supplied by means of a new stream dug for that purpose, now constituting the principal one of the Medway, over which was a stone bridge, connected by a broad wall to the south-eastern round tower, a large sheet of water being kept in the moat between the gateway and the barbican, or watch tower. The other two moats enclosed the town of Tunbridge as it then existed, the outer moat hav- ing had a drawbridge over it at the north end of the town. These moats were capable of being filled or emptied at pleasure, by means of a large wear or bank, that extended for the space of two miles towards Lyghe. This structure was erected in the reign of William Rufus, having been the scene of a variety of striking events recorded in history, the whole being now fitted up and modernised fjt^-avw; brv .r>-= Cicfborn THE NEW (dRIURCH AT RAMS ©ATE. PuHislice 18 TME HEW (CHUM,Ce AT MA1R.GATE. FROM AUSTINS ROW E£WT. fubKslud 1829 br C«>.\bti:c. 26 ititanii. THE COUNTY OF KENT. 35 as a residence for the proprietor of a neighbouring estate, retaining nothing particularly striking, except the round towers on either side the grand entrance, and a portion of the exterior walls. THE NEW CHURCH, RAMSGATE. The erection of this edifice was commenced in the month of June, 1825, and consecrated during the October of 1827, by the late Charles Manners Sutton, lord archbishop of Canter- bury, accompanied by that munificent patron of the arts, the right Rev. Hugh Percy, bishop of Carlisle, &c. The expense incurred in the building of this church was defrayed by pubhc subscriptions ; the interior containing seats for two thousand persons, whereof fifteen hundred are free. This handsome structure comprises a nave and aisles, a chancel, and a tower at the west-end, with a light octagonal lantern. The style of architecture adopted is the enriched EngUsh, and the architect has constructed a very elegant edifice. The whole is composed of Ipswich bricks, ornamented by Bath-stone, presenting a tolerable specimen of modern Gothic architecture. The designs and plans for this building were furnished by H. C. Kendall, esq. aroliitect, and the builders were Messrs. Grundy and Craven, and Mr. D. B. Jarman, who deserve every praise for the masterly manner in which the whole is executed. The dimensions of the edifice are as follow : Length inside -...--..-...- 100 feet Breadth ditto 60 Height of the centre aisle -- 36 Ditto tower 90| Ditto lantern 46 It is computed that the sum disbursed in the completion of this church amounted to twenty-five thousand poimds. TRINITY CHURCH, MARGATE. This modern structure was erected under the authority of his Majesty's commissioners, the first stone having been laid on the 28th of September, 1825, by the late archbishop of Canterbury, and the building consecrated by his Grace, the present primate, on the 4th of •Tune, 1829, supported by the authorities of the town, and a vast assemblage of individuals, among whom were many of the leadintr personages of the coimtv. 3fi PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. The style of architecture selected is pure gothic, of the period of Henry the Third ; the structure, composed of brick faced with Bath-stone, is divided into a lofty nave and two side aisles, the ceilings of which are very elaborately groined. A recess terminates the eastern extremity, for the reception of the altar, over which is a vaulted arch, covered by tracery ; and a correspondent recess at the west end is occupied by the organ. The east window is thirty-two feet six inches high, and fourteen feet six inches wide, being filled in with the most costly masonry, and glazed with stained glass. The screen in front of the organ, representing a shrine, is decorated by stone buttresses, pinnacles, pierced arches, &c., while the organ, ^vith the screen in front, forms part of the architecture of the building. The side-windows are filled with stained glass, which, as well as the eastern window, was executed by Mr. Collins, of the Strand; the armorial bearings of the two archbishops, .bishop Percy, sir H. Hawlej', Mr. Hawes the accountant-general, and the principal resident gentry in the vicinage, being very richly blazoned ; the whole of which were furnished by private subscription. The dimensions of this beautiful edifice are as follow — Feet. Height of the nave - 67 Height of the side aisles 56 Length inside 120 Width inside 66 Exterior length 144 Exterior width 71 Height of the tower from the pavement 135 The exterior of the fabric is decorated by buttresses, pinnacles, &c. both to the nave, side aisles, and tower ; and, from its commanding situation, this chin-ch is visible to a considerable distance, being the last object discernible at sea on the English coast, long after the land itself has faded from the sight. The cost of this undertaking, when the whole is liquidated, will have amounted to upwards of £26,000, whereof £18,000 were given by the church commissioners, £6,000 were from private subscriptions, £2,000 furnished by the Margate Pier and Harbour Company, while other sums were collected by the parish rates. The church contains two thousand sittings, of which eight hundred are distributed in pews, and twelve hundred in free seats ; the latter being fitted up in every respect similar to those pews appropriated for the accommodation and comfort of the visitors. It is but justice to add, that the liberality of the inhabitants and frequenters of this favoured watering-place was never more amply displayed than in the completion of this edifice. The splendid organ, which cost £750, was the gift of the late James Taddy, Esq. of Hartsdown* the unique and sumptuous altar-plate was presented by James Taddy, of the Dane, at an expen- diture of £350; and the magnificent Genoa velvet covering to the communion-table, together with the fittings for the pulpit, desk, and altar, were the gifts of Mrs. Taddy, of Hartsdown, which, with private donations, made a total from one family of £1500. Mr. Tomlin, of BEanjitbr^ G^-Shepliprd. En^sTwi "bv" S Jd^cty. HIGH STREET. MAKDSTONE. KENT. A IIMIK£T DAY. PlibHihKL 1832. by G«o.Virttte, 2fi.fvy I.ane lJra^^■Il Dj Srnnm^ra SNA!R©AT1E STHEET, THE COUNTY OF KENT. 37 Northdown, presented the church books, with the exception of a very handsome prayer-book, furnished by Mrs. Hammond. Among the various subscriptions, about thirty amounted to no less than £100 and upwards each. We cannot omit to add, that Messrs. Wliitfi, Jenkins, and Mercer, the gentlemen who contracted for completing the works, fulfilled their task in a manner redounding highly to their credit, as most experienced masters of their business. HIGH STREET, MAIDSTONE. If the improvements that have taken place in the metropolis of England, during the last quarter of a century, render nugatory all comparison with alterations previously effected, the leading authorities of minor towns have not been backward in emidatlng the praiseworthy example set by the metropolitan city of this vast empire. Among the latter, no place affords a more striking example than Maidstone, which we shall now proceed to depict in Its existing state. High Street (delineated in the accompanying plate) Is spacious, and presents on the ri^ht a noble specimen of architecture ; the roof, supported by magnificent columns of the Ionic order, resting on arches, the under part being the corn-market, while adjoining are elegant and spacious apartments, occupied as offices for the Fire and Life Assurance Companies. The entrance is by a grand conducting arch, to the New Mitre Tavern, a commodious inn for men of busmess, &c. The room over the corn-market, which is spacious, being an appen- dage to the tavern in question. The new market is contiguous, and consists of an arrangement of stalls, appropriated for the occupation of Its various frequenters. The shambles, that stood at the end of Middle Row, so long an unsightly pile, are removed, thus admitting more light to the buildings oppo- site, on either side. A little below was the butter-market, recently removed, as also a box that contained the welgh-bridge apparatus, now placed within the adjoining conduit; thus rendering the street more commodious. On the right, at the lower end, next the river, is Fair Meadow, which has, within the last four years, been Mac-adamlsed ; at which period a row of stately elms was felled, and strong railings put up, to which the horses are attached : so that, by the removal of the trees, additional light has been thrown upon the houses adjacent. Before the last-mentioned improvements, the stalls were up High Street, whereas the busi- ness of the fair is now confined within the meadow. At the foot of the bridge is a newly-erected stone building, for the confinement of vagrants, and such as are guilty of petty oflences, until they are committed to the Mayor's Prison, which is behind the workhouse, in Knight Rider Street ; and on the west borough side of the bridge are several neat, new-built residences. The Tunbrldge road, turning to the left from the bridge, has been much improved, and its course directed more to the right ; so that, from a narrow circuitous lane, It has become 10. L 38 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. ;i spacious and commodious road. Tliis terminates at the Bower, on entering which, is a liaudsome dwelling, with suitable appurtenances, commanding a delightful view over the town and adjacent country. On the London Road, about three hundred yards from the foot of the bridge, are many new and elegant houses, called Rocky Hill, which adorn the entrance to the town ; there is also a new, but small and neat building over the spring that supplies the town with water by means of the conduits. Week Street has been recently much improved by several handsome houses being raised, some of which have commodious shops, while those of antique date have been modernised. At the end of the street is the New Inn, near the site of which was formerly a ruinous pile of mean tenements, with an iU-fenced garden-ground, the whole now opened, and Mac- adamised. Opposite is Parliament Street, at the bottom of which are about forty new-built cottages ; and a little farther on, "Well Row, consisting of about twenty residences. In the direction of Rochester, on the right, are twenty larger dwellings, all built within a few years. 'Opposite the barracks, are the new county assembly-rooms, a chaste plain building of bricks, which uniformly attracts the traveller's attention. This part of the town has been particularly altered in appearance within the last twenty years. The new Sessions House, contiguous, is a noble pile, and the new County Prison, in the background, though conveying melancholy ideas, gives an awful cast to the scenery. On the left, stands the Independent chapel, erected in 1822, which displays a plain mass of architec- ture, calculated to contain about eight hundred persons. Faith Street, leading to the river, has Avithin these few years been greatly improved, particularly towards the end, and a stone wall built on the right, ten or twelve feet high, very convenient to the houses on that side. The wharf has also been raised, which is defended by a rampart of stone, affording great facility in lading and unlading the barges freighted with corn, coals, and timber. On the right, by the river side, higher up, appear several neat houses and cottages, at the end of which is another wharf, particularly convenient for the trade of the tovni. Stone Street presents nothing new, worthy of notice, except that its entrance from the Weald of Kent, which, some years past, was narrow and incommodious, has been rendered spacious and free from all obstructions, by taking down two houses, whereby the road was much widened. On the right are several new streets, called George, Brunswick, and Orchard streets, cousistino- of about three hundred houses, and a good inn, all erected within the last nine years. Mote Road turns out of the middle of Stone Street, wherein, on the left, stands Providence Chapel, for the use of the high Calvinists, lately enlarged and new fronted, which will contain about three hundred persons. A little farther on, sixty new buildings have been raised; the ground they occupy being denominated Doctor's Field. Romney Place, leading out of Stone Street, contains twenty dwellings, inhabited by private families; the entrance to which is through handsome iron gates. Paradise Row consists of houses on a large scale, with front garden courts, there being seven rows. Opposite Mote Riiad is Knight Rider Street, running towards the old church, and on the east side the Niitional THE COUNTY OF KENT. B9 Scliool, conducted on Bell's system; while eontig-uous, is a new burial-ground, fenced in, and entered by iron gates. • King Street was formerly so narrow at its entrance, that waggons laden with hay and straw could scarcely pass. The first improvement effected here was rounding the angle on the right, and more recently, the projecting houses were taken down. Higher up, is the Baptist Chapel, a neat fabric, erected in 1821, capable of containing about four hundred individuals. On the same side of the street, is Ebenezer Passage, and fifty cottages, including those in the passage ; added to which, there are four good houses, called Ebenezer Place, the whole built within the last eight years. On the site of the old gaol seven good houses are erected, with commodious shops ; and, at the top of the street, where formerly stood several mean cottages, is a spacious road leading to Ashford ; into which, on the right, just out of the town, is a new cut formed from Mote Road, very convenient for the inhabitants of that part of Maidstone. At the entrance of the main road, on the left, is Clarendon Place, and a little farther on, some substantial houses, upon a larger scale, with others very neat and elegant. Immediately at the upper end of the street is a new road, turned upon a sharp angle, leading to Sitting- bourne; and at its entrance are some elegant double-built houses, for the occupation of two families each, with several neat cottages, all commanding an open and extensive view of the adjacent country, and the Moat. In the centre of this street is a spacious opening, leading directly to the new church, an nnornamented and substantial pile of architecture, surmounted by a spire, with a gUt cast-iron cross on the summit. Tliis liullding is formed to contain about two thousand persons. The pulpit and desk are placed after the modem taste, detached from each other the disfcmcc of the width of the middle aisle, being equal in height, while in the gallery opposite is a fine- toned organ. Union Sti-eet is wide, and contains several well-built houses, one side having been recently erected. This street opens out of Week Street, and conducts to the Sittingbourne road, before mentioned. Tlie new Methodist Chapel stands about the middle of the street, having been built in 1823. It is large and commodious, calculated to contain a congregation of fourteen hundred persons, and seats for eleven hundred. There is a handsome organ placed behind the pulpit. At the upper part of the street are twenty new-built cottages, and opposite the Union Flag, whence the street derives its name, is Cary Street, containing twenty houses on either side, at the top of which is School Street, consisting of twenty houses, with detached sheds for various purposes ; while at one corner is the British school, containing three hundred cliiV dren, with a house for the master and his family adjoining. The above leads into "N^^Iieeler Street, which runs out of the upper part of Union Street. Higher up, is the Friends' Meeting- house, calculated to accommodate two hundred persons of that persuasion. It is a sequestered spot, concealed from public view by a wall and a few trees, and in every respect consonant with the peaceful disposition of its frequenters. This street conducts to Penenden Heath, noted for executions and elections, whereon 40 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. stands the Shire House, a pitiful building, having more the appearance of a shed, than being used for the purposes to wliich it is appropriated. About the middle of tlus street is Holland Terrace, near which are some cottages called' vVell Row ; and at the bottom of the road, round the northern angle of the gaol wall, about fifty more cottages, lately buUt. A little below Holland Terrace is Lucern Street, contain- ing fifteen cottages ; and opposite the British school is Brewer Street, running into Week Street, which forms a cross-road, wherein are fifteen or sixteen neat cottages, lying in a con- venient direction to the new streets above described ; and from the upper part are about thirty cottages, forming a new street towards the gaol. Very considerable improvement lias been made in the toAvn, owing to its being lighted by gas, which renders the High Street very elegant at night, the lamps bemg affixed to iron pillars. SNARGATE STEEET, DOVER. We have, on previous occasions, in the progress of the present work, had occasion to give such ample descriptions of the town of Dover and its stupendous castle, that in the present instance we shall not long occupy the reader's attention. Snargate Street, delineated in the accompanying plate, is wide and well built, and presents a singular appearance, from the towering white cliffs that skirt the backs of the houses on the land side. The dwellings in this part of tlie town are much frequented by those visitors who continue for a period at this port, for the purpose of enjoying sea-bathing; and when speaking of Dover in its existing state, it is but justice to remark, that in consequence of its south-eastern aspect, it has to boast every appropriate requisite in a sea-port, without being subject to tliose excessive bleak winds to which many other watering-places are exposed. THE WILDERNESS. This seat, the residence of earl Camden, was formerly called Stidulfe's Place, to which belonged a manor of the same name, whereof part of the demesne lands lay in this parish, and are still known by the name of Hoath Farm, or Stedhalls. Tliis place afforded both residence and surname to the ancient family of the Stidulfes, which possessed it, and bore for arms, argent on a chief, sable, two wolves' heads couped, of the first ; which shield was likewise borne by those of this name in Surrey, descended from the race of Kent. Robert de Stidulfe is mentioned in ancient deeds to have held this and other lands in Seale, EAT OF VATl THE COUNTY OF KENT. 41 and in the thirty-sixth of Edward the Tliird, Reginald Stidulfe, of Stidulfe, accounted with Thomas Champneis, for land held of this manor of Hall, one of which family married the daughter of Bedsell, in Tudley, under Edward the Fourth, and his grand-daughter Agnes carried that estate and much land in this parish and East Peckham, to Richard "Vane, or Fane, ancestor of the earls of Westmoreland. The estate afterwards passed to the name of Quintin, who changed it to that of Oliver, when he sold the property to Richard Tybold. Stephen Tybold dying in 1619, l«ft two daughters, Catherine and Margaret, when this manor was allotted to the former, one of whose descendants, in the reign of Charles the Second, sold the estate, with Stidulfe's Place, to sir Charles Bickerstaffe, who resided here, and changed the name to that of Wilderness, by which it has ever since been called ; he also enclosed the grounds about the house to form a park. He died in 1704, when this manor and seat was sold to Jolm Pratt, esq., who died in 1724, leaving one son, Charles, created earl of Camden, when he was succeeded in this estate by his eldest son. It then descended in that famOy down to the honourable John Jefferies, earl of Camden, who, in 1797, possessed this seat, which continues vested in that noble line. This seat is justly celebrated for its pictiu-esque site, and the beauty of the surrounding grounds, which present the most luxuriant appearance. The interior of the mansion is taste- fiilly fitted up, and contains every accommodation requisite for its munificent and noble owner. FAIRLAWN, KENT. At no great distance southward from Plaxtool Street, stands the parish of Fairlawn, the mansion rising at the extremity of the district, and a portion of the out-buildings in that of Shipborne. This tract was formerly designated a manor, but it has long since forfeited that appellation, having anciently been the property of the family of the Bavents, of which line it was subsequently held by the knightly and ancient race of the Colepepers. Walter Colepeper died possessing this property, in the first year of king Edward the Third, holding the same in frank-fee of Roger de Bavent. In the line of the Colepepers it remained untU the latter end of the reign of Henry the Fourth, when the estate was alienated to one Chowne, whose descendant, John Chowne, was a resident at Fairlawn, in the reign of king Henry the Eightli, having borne, for his armorial coat, sable three stag's attires, in pale argent. His descendants continued to occupy the mansion at Fairlawn, until sir George Chowne, desirous of circum- scribing his possessions within the confines of the county of Sussex, alienated the seat to sir Henry Vane, the elder ; after which, the mansion continued the family-seat of his descend- ants, down to William viscount Vane, on whose demise, in 1789, he by his testament gave this property to David Papillon, esq., of Acrise. One wing of the structure of Fairlawn was, in 1739, destroyed by fire, and then newly erected ; but, shortly previous to its completion, in 1742, fell a prey to a second conflagration, when it was finally raised as it now appears, by lord Vane. 11. M 42 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. This residence, well deserving' the title it bears, occupies a beautiful site, commanding' an extensive view of woodland and champaign scenery. Tlie dwelling is commodious, and elegantly fitted up, and the decorated gi'ounds whereby it is environed, aflFord all the requisites '"or pleasure and household accommodation. FAVERSHAM CHURCH. This edifice, standing eastward of the town, was dedicated to the Assumption of our Lady of Faversham, and is built in the form of a cross, being composed of flints with quoins of ashlar stone. Until the year 1755, at which period it was taken down, it had a large square castel- lated tower in the centre, and there remains another low turret at the north side of the west fi-ont, whereon is erected a frame of timber, covered with shingles. As far back as the reign of Henry the Eighth, there appears to have been no steeple to this edifice, as, in 1464, Edward Thomasson of Faversham gave £60 towards the erection of a new one, and at a later period James Lawson, esq., who died in 1794, dcvdsed by will £1000 for a similar purpose ; with which sums, and £500 furnished by the corporation, a steeple was raised seventy-three feet above the tower, having pinnacles at either comer, similar to those of St. Duustan's in the east. Behind the tower, within the outward walls, is a strong-timbered chamber, formerly called " the tresory," wherein, prior to the Reformation, were kept the goods and ornaments of the church, and over it the sexton's chamber. On the southern side of the west front is a room, formerly open to the church, in which tuition was given in reading and writing ; and imder a neat chapel, with stone arches, supported by three pillars in the middle.' Over the south porch is another stone chamber, the windows being grated by strong u-on bars. This edifice seems to have been built as early as the reign of Edward the First, or the commencement of that of his successor, Edward the Second, a silver penny of one of those monarchs having been discovered under the base of one of the piers that served to support the centre tower. Ij In 1754, the body of the church and the roof, being deemed in a dangerous state, were pulled down, at an expenditure of £2300 ; subsequent to which, the organ was set up, which cost £400, nearly £200 having been further disbursed in ornamenting and improving the grand chancel. The whole now presents as elegant and spacious an interior as any church in the county, being amply suificient for the reception of the parishioners of the place. It measures from east to west, including the chancel, one hundred and sixty feet ; the width of the body, sixty-five feet ; the length of the aisles, from north to south, one hundred and twenty-four feet; and the width, forty-sLx feet. Prior to the Reformation, independent of the high altar in the great chancel, there existed two chapels dedicated to the Holy Trinity, and St. Thomas, with many other altars in the aisles and chancels. Brawn by T M Bovqec KEKT. PliblislieiJpril2B32'bjGeo."WTtQe.26.Ivylane- TFA-vTFr,msTPrAm, PnihsbedJ^jril.1832 by Geo Virtue, 26. Ivy !.»»€•. THE COUNTY OF KENT. 43 The vicarage of Faversham is valued, in the king's books, at £38 : 18 : 3, the yeany tenths being £2 : 13 : 9; and in 1578, tiie number of communicants amounted to 845. In 1640, the value was £140 per annum; and in 1732, Easter offerings included, the estimate was the same, and the communicants 150O FAVERSHAM MARKET PLACE. A MARKET-HOUSE was first built here, in the year 1594. The present edifice is of modern construction, supported by pillars, being forty-four feet long, near twenty broad, and paved beneath. The market-days are Wednesdays and Saturdays. The only manufactory carried on in this town is the making of gunpowder, the works for which are very extensive. The quantity of that article annually produced, is computed to amount to between twelve and thii-teen thousand barrels. These works were private pro- perty till about the year 1760, when they were purchased by government, and are under the supermtendence of a branch of the ordnance established here. The principal officers are a store-keeper, a clerk of the cheque, and a master fire-worker, who have all commodious houses. In 1767, a stove with twenty-five barrels of gimpowder blew up, which did con- siderable damage to the town ; but the most dreadful explosion took place on the 17th of April, 1781, when the coming-mill and dusting-house belonging to the royal works were torn to atoms by the blowing up of about seven thousand pounds weight of powder, whereby the workmen lost their lives. The noise was heard at twenty miles distance, and all the surrounding buildings, in Faversham and the adjoining village of Davington, were wholly or in part unroofed, the ceilings and cliimneys tlu-own down, the window-frames forced out, the glass broken, and in many houses the furniture destroyed. i A sum of money was granted by parliament, for the relief of the sufferers ; and, under the provision of an act passed for the greater safety of the powder works, the stoves were removed into the marsh, at a considerable distance below the town. i The oyster fishery of Faversham is of great consequence, and forms the principal source of its trade. The dredgers, or oyster-fishers, are under the jurisdiction and protection of the lord of the manor, who appoints a steward, which officer holds two admiralty courts annually, where all matters relating to the good government of the society are transacted. No person IS admitted as a free dredger, unless he has served an apprentiship of seven years to a freeman, and is a married man. In times of peace, great quantities of Faversham oysters are exportetl to Holland. 44 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES Of. GREAT BRITAIN. SHEERNESS, FROM THE PIER. Sheerness was once esteemed a member of the parish of Minster, but has long been created a ville of itself, and entirely separated as to civil jurisdiction, but in an ecclesiastical light it continues part of the same. This portion of the isle, in the reign of Charles the First, presented one watery swamp, on the point of which, after the restoration, was mounted a small fort of twelve guns, to defend the passage of the Medway. After the Dutch war that followed, Sheerness was regarded as a spot highly advantageous tor the security of the British navy, and became a royal fort, when great improvements were made fi-om time to time, and, in 1782, an Act was passed for the more effectual security of this important spot. The great scarcity of fresh water had always been most sensibly felt by the inhabitants of this town, which induced government, in 1782, to endeavour to procure supplies of that necessary element, by sinking a well ; in which attempt it was not disappointed ; for when the workmen, under the direction of sir T. H. Page, of the corps of engineers, had dug to the depth of three hundred and twenty-eight feet, the auger dropped, and the water rushed up and rose within sixty-three feet of the top of the well. This well continues to supply the population of Sheerness and the ordnance and barrack department. The old ships of war stationed here were formerly termed break-waters, owing to their breaking the violence of the tides; the hulls of which are occupied by sixty or seventy families, brick chimneys being raised from the lower gun-decks, which give to the whole the appearance of a floating town. To enter upon a detailed account of the existing dock-yard, would extend our matter beyond tlie limits proposed, and to insert a curtailed description of one of the greatest works ever projected and accomplished, would be unjust; we shall, therefore, refer the reader to Ireland's History of Kent, which contains ample details of this colossal undertaking. According to the census of 1831, Sheerness and Minster contained 7983 inhabitants. SHEERNESS, WITH THE FOUNTAIN INN, &C. The subject of our plate is the landing-place close to the dock-yard of Sheerness, with the Fountain Tavern ; and, on the opposite side, a delineation of the chapel resorted to by those of 1ra.vii.'t^ T.'i.C.'Ba.ynss FIVE MILES SOtfTK OF RO F-iblislied Ap-iX 1832.T:y G'Sfirtu.c.ZG.Tvy Lane- I>r«vmt>y J-Fus5#U Ukueicivwd by U jUl^ni .18 IS. n T m (& EC tu M. a-; u , KENT. MILES NORTH -Wi: THE COUNTY OF KENT. 45 the Wesleyan persuasion. A person is stationed here, who receives one penny from strangers that land or take boat to go on board any of the ships laying off the dock-yard. There are few buildings deserdng notice, either from extent or architectural beauty. Many of the streets are narrow and confined, and, like all sea-ports, are very often in a dirty and unhealthy state. ■ HALLING PALACE. i The parish of Hailing lies eastward of Luddesdon ; and in the Domesday Record, and other ancient documents, it is written Hallinges ; and in the Saxon, Haling ; meaning the low meadow, or pasture. Tlie site of the ancient episcopal palace in this parish was the gift of Egbert, king of Kent. It does not appear to have long remained in the possession of the see, being wrested from it during the confusion of the Danish wars in this kingdom. William the Conqueror re-granted it to Odo, bishop of Bayeux, but archbishop Laufranc recovered the manor, among others, at the solemn assembly held at Penenden Heath, in 1076; after wliich he restored it to bishop Gundulph and the church of Rochester. Soon after, the pleasant situation of Hailing induced the bishop of Rochester to build an episcopal palace there, for himself and his successors, which had become so ruinous when bishop Glanvylle came to the see in 1185, that he re- built it in a more commodious manner. Bishop Hamo de Hethe, in 1322, resided the whole siunmer at HaUing, during which he repaired the ruined buildings of his palace. The palace stood at a small distance from the church, contiguous to the banks of the river Medway; in 1715, a great portion of the ruins was still remaining, comprising the chapel, hall, and a noble gateway, whereon appeared the armorial bearings of the see of Rochester ; in which state the structure continued till within half a century back, when the principal part of those stately ruins were levelled, for the sake of the materials. In 1720, a niche was still to be seen over the exterior of the principal portal, wherein was the figure of Hamo de Hethe, bishop of Rochester, arrayed in liis episcopal robes, being about two feet in height, and very beautifully executed. Soon after the above period. It was blown down in a \-iolent gale of wind, hut escaped damage, by falling on the grass ; and was subsequently presented to Dr. Atterbury, bishop of Rochester. The manor of Hailing, as well as the site of the palace, still continue part of the possessions of tlie bishopric of Rochester. 12. N 46 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIXx. ERITH CHURCH. The village of Erith is delightfiilly situated on the banks of the Thames, lying open to the upper part of Long Reach ; at which place the East ludiamen, in their passage up the river, discharge a portion of their cargoes, which tends to the benefit of this place. The village consists of one principal street, leading to the water-side, and another branching off westv/ard, in the direction of the church. This structure, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, is of grfet antiquity, and contains a nave, a chancel, a chapel to the south, together with an aisle, having a low tower and a spire at the western extremity. Within this structure are many monu- ments, particulax-ly one on the south side, being a noble altar-tomb of white marble, in memory of Elizabeth, countess of Shrewsbury, daughter and heiress of sir Richard Walden; whereon are represented her effigies, at full length, in her robes. On the sides of the tomb are sculptured the armorial bearings, with a variety of quarterings, the whole having been formerly coloured, which is now defaced, as well as the inscription preserved in Weever's Funeral Monuments. She died in the tenth year of the reign of queen Elizabeth, A. D. 1568. Tlie spire of this church is noticed in the following picturesque manner by Bloomfield, in his " V/ild Flowers :" O'er eastward uplands gay or rude, Along to Eritli's ivied spire ; I start with strengtii and hope renew'd, And cherish life's rekindling fire. Now measure vales with straining eyes. Now trace the church-yard's humble names. Or climb brown heaths abrupt that rise. And overlook the winding Thames ! Erith Chm'ch, in the reign of king John, was appointed by that monarch, and Richard, earl of Clare, as the place of assembly for the commissioners to settle a peace between the barons and the king. According to Lambard, this village was incorporated in ancient times ; at present, inde- pendently of the 'profits arising from the traffic occasioned by the East India ships, partly discharging their cargoes here, as previously mentioned, a considerable trade is carried on in corn and wood, vast quantities being shipped from the wharfs at this place. -^!i'.cyH Mlflrt^ TBaynea ijii^'rared bv'JlAdlard.. ■,.8iiC(0)lfi<. IgiCTOCX- wir>N ,A K N T. Publialicd ]83S,^ C«o^^aaj0,?.6. bty J.sne. THE COUNTY OF KENT. 65 rounded arches, square or circiJar pillars, chevron mouldings, and plain walls devoid of but- tresses ; while the latter displays pointed arches, slender and clustered pillars, higlily-orna- mented windows, with nndlions or tracery-work, and buttresses in great profusion. Thus we find the tower of this church plain, the western entrance having -a pointed arcli and Norman jr.ouldings ; that to the north, presenting the pure Norman circular arch, ornamented ; ilie arches in the nave are pointed, with square pillars ; the passage into the chancel is beneath three circular arches, supported by round pillars. No portion of the existing church at Reculvers claims higher antiquity than the Norman conquest, and it is probable that it was the work of one period, and erected within a century of the lauding of the Conqueror. The interior of Reculver Church consists of a nave, two side aisles, and a chancel, but tliere is no transept or cross aisle. When viewed from the west entrance, or the stone gallerv con- necting the two towers, its appearance is interesting, though boasting but few architectural embellishments ; the square pillars, of which there are four on either side, produce a massy coup (Taeil, and are relieved by the arches, which are light and pointed. The entrance to the chancel, as previously observed, is under three arches, supported by circular columns, more slender, from their height, than is usiud. At either extremity of the side aisles was originally a chapel or chantry; but those structures, from what cause does not appear, have been closed up. That to the south probably contains the sepulchre of king Ethelbert; for Weever states that he there saw a monument of very antique form, surmounted by two spires, wlierein, as tradition reports, the corpse of that monarch was inhumed. QUEENBOROUGH, ISLE OF SHEPPEY. This is a borough town, anciently called Cyningbtirgh, and belonged to the Saxon kings, who had a castle here, close to the entrance of the Swale, afterwards denominated the castle of Sheppey. On the site of that structure, Edward III. erected a larger edifice, and called this place Queenljorough, in honour of Philippa, his consort. The biulding of this castle was commenced about the year 1361, and finished six vears afterwards, being intended for tlie purpose of defending the realm, and as a refuge for the inhabitants of the island. This fabric was completed under the inspection of William of Wickham, the king's arclii- tect, afterwards bishop of Winchester, who acquitted himself with his usual skill and aliility. Upon the completion of the fortress, the above monarch visited the edifice, and remained tliere some davs, during wliich period he made this place a free borough; and by charter, in ISfiG, created it a corporation, constituting the townsmen, burgesses; and investing them with power to choose annually a mayor, and two liailifls, ^vho should proffer their oaths of alle- giance before the constable of the castle, and be justices within the lib«rties of the corporation, 17. s 66 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. exclusive of all others. They were also endowed with cognizance of pleas, liberty of two markets weekly, on ^Mondays and Thursdays, and two annual fairs, one on the Eve of Our Lady, and the other on the Feast of St. James, both being benefited with freedom of tholle, and many other privileges tending to augment the number of its inhabitants. Richard II. in liis eighth year, granted to Robert de Vere, earl of Oxford, all rights and franchises of the castle of Queenborough, during the life of the said carl. Richard III., Henry VIII., and Elizabeth, repaired and beautified this castle. Johnson, in his Descriptio Itinenis, speaking of the building, particularly mentions a dining-room, as being very spacious and elegant, round wliich the arms of nearly all the nobility and gentry in the connty were arranged, with those of Elizabeth in the centre. In 1650, after the death of Charles I., this castle was surveyed by order of parliament, and found to be altogether useless, both from its situation as well as construction, having been built for the warfare of bows and arrows. The commissioners appointed for the survey re- jorted that it consisted of twelve rooms in the range of buildings below stairs, and about brty rooms from the first story upwards, those being circidar and composed of stone, with si.\ towers and oftices, the roof covered with lead. Within the circumference of the castle was one small round court, paved ; and in the centre, one large well ; while outside the castle was a great court, both of which were environed by large stone walls, entirely moated ; the whole containing upwards of three acres of land. According to the report of those commissioners, it was worth about £1792, exclusive of the charge for pulling it down, and it was sold to Mr, John Wilkinson, who removed the materials. The well continues to be used, and, till 1818, was the only means whereby the inliabitants could obtain water ; but at that period, on adopting the boring system, good water was procured in other parts of the borough. The constaljles of the castle were generally men of considerable rank and influence ; John of Gaunt having held this office in the 50th of Edward III. In the reign of Elizabeth, the annual fee of the keeper of this castle was £29 : 2 : 6. Although ranking a borough as early as the reign of Edward III. this town did not return members to the legislature until the 13th of Elizabeth, A. D. 1571, at which time there were only twenty-three inhabited houses. The principal source of employment for the inhabitants is the oyster fishery, established for centuries, which had always been free to every burgess of the borough until 1820. This fishery was governed by the burgesses, assembled in courts-leet, from the earliest period down to 1728. At the above period, the seven henchmen, or corporation officers, usurped the power of governing the fisheries, without the intervention of the courts-leet, and numerous entries are to be found in the records of the corporation, whereby it may be plainly inferred that, previously, the fishery had been wholly under the direction of those courts, as the leet jury, till the time thus specified, had the sole management of the opening and shutting of the fishery, as well as the quantities to be taken. The corporation officers in 1820, not satisfied with the usurpation of their predecessors in 1 728, used their utmost endeavours to reduce every freeman to the level of their servants. They claimed a right to control the fishery, and passed a bye-law, prohibiting any freeman, either by himself, apprentice, eldest son, or servant, ILKSIEUSjEIO) T2EX17Al.ILEmS ASYILTDM, KENT BOAD , NEAR iCaJDON. PuHiihea Oct'' 1830. ty C5eo.'V5rtue.2e Ivy line. jai:A:L,]Es ipilace, xsfiSAm (CASfTEiEBniRir, i30."by-Gco. V THE COUNTY OF KENT. ai from fishing ov dredging- witliin the fisheries of the said borough. A freeman, named Edward Skey, umvillii^g to lose the inheritance of his fathers, determined to continue liis usual avoca- tion of fishing ; upon which the corporation, in 1827, brought an action against him, and after tliree days' trial the jury returned a verdict that the bye-law was unreasonable. The corpora- tion officers, however, subsequently got the freemen to sign a paper, acknowledging the im- propriety of their conduct for the last seven years, and promising to conform to their bye-law made on the 20th of June, 1820. In 1831, the number of inhabitants in Queenborough was 786. MINSTER, ISLE OF SHEPPEY. The principal parish in tlie Isle of Siieppey is Minster, lying on elevated ground, near the centre of the north side of the same. This district derives its name from a monastery founded here at a very remote period, Minstre signifying, in the Saxon, a monastery or religions institution. The village occupies high ground, having its church and the ruins of tlie monastery close on the northern side ; of the latter, however, very few vestiges are now remaining. Edwai'd the Third, in his 17th year, granted a fair to be held here on Palm Monday, which is still continued for the sale of toys, &c. The church, dedicated to St. Mary and St. Sexburg, consists of two aisles and two chan- cels, the steeple being at the western extremity, presenting a large square tower, surmounted by a turret. In the north chancel, is the tomb of sir Thomas Cheney, knight of the garter ; on the north side, the figure of a man in armour ; and in the high chancel, an ancient tomb, bearing a man armed at all points, lying cross-legged. To the right, is a horse's head, carved in alabaster, concerning which an idle tale is current. At the upper end of the north aisle is a small stone, to all appearance of considerable antiquity, whereon is carved a cros!! hottany. In 1489, there existed a chapel dedichted to St. John, situated within the cemetery of Minster. LICENSED VICTUALLERS' ASYLUM. This charity, redounding highly to the credit of its founders, was instituted on the 22d of February, 1827. It is situated on the right-hand-side of the high road leading to Deptford, presenting a very handsome frontage, with a colonnade in the centre, and is at present occu pied by forty-three indigent victuallers' families ; but when the structure is completed, will 68 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES 01- GREAT BRITAIN. present two handsome additional wing's, the whole calculated to accommodate a hundred and one families. The architect was Henry Rose, esq., of Guildford-strcet, in the Borough. The original contract having been £8180, and the spot whereon the structure stands, with the surrounding pleasure ground, (the whole being freehold) having cost £600. As the nature of this establishment is explained in an address to a pamphlet printed by the governors and committee of this laudable undertaking, we have sidtjoined the same. " Amongst the numerous charitable institutions for which this country is distinguished. The Friendly Society of Licensed Victuallers holds a deservedly eminent situation, not onlv for the fostering care and anxious solicitude it manifests in protecting and providing for the children of deceased and distressed members, but as well for the assistance and relief it affords to members and their families who fall into distress, and for the permanent provision it makes for those who, advanced in age and under infirmity, are rendered incapable of providing for themselves. " Notwithstanding this excellent society has been many years established, and its benefits widely diffused, so great is the extent of human misery exhibited in the numerous claims upon its bounties, that it becanie a paramount duty to provide an Asylum, where aged and infirm Licensed Victuallers, when reduced from a state of comfort to misery and want, may be enabled to pass the evening of life in humble but respectable retirement, cheered by the consoling reflection of being rescued from the miseries of a parish poor-house — that sole asylum afforded by the laws of England to general indigence. " To effect this desirable object, the formation of the Licensed Victuallers' Asylum arose, and though the present state of the funds enables the governors to provide a residence only for its inmates, yet as It is Imagined that the sympathies of every Licensed Victualler, and those connected with his business, will become the advocates of such an institution, the governors confidently expect to be able to ameliorate the condition of those who are com- pelled to avail themselves of the bounty of the Institution, by providing them with comforts essential to the complete enjoyment of such a siuiation." HALES PLACE. This mansion stands in the parish of St. Stephen's, otherwise Hacklngton, in the hundred of Westgate, near Canterbury. The gardens, park, and scite of Hales Place, occupy the rise of the hill, and from the terrace is a most beautiful view of the metropolitan city of Kent, with the venerable cathedral and surrounding picturesque country. On the spot occupied by the residence in question, originally stood a structure, called the Place House, the property of sir John Man wood, gentleman of the privy-chamber to James the First, and lieutenant- governor of Dover castle. He, in 1637, alienated the house and estate to colonel Thomas mm<&'^jLAm. is®ciks ®m )RuysirA.it.}L, common, ^rs am. twmiess.itbcis wisilils. KEWT. Publishei! i^aSSSSrSSiiS^^teS wiAnsKiE'ir imAY. ' r..Virhn?. y26.Ivv lane. THE COUNTY OF KENT. 69 Colepeper, afterwards knighted, who resided here, and died, holding the property, in 1643, when he was buried in the church of St. Steplien. His only son, Thomas Colepeper, esq., in 1675, sold the property to E. Hales, esq., eldest son of sir Edward Hales, hart., of Tiinstall, who resided at the Place House, and in 1768, procured the king's licence to form a park, as the ancient one had for some time previous been disparked ; who, having been first knighted by James the Second, afterwards succeeded his father in the baronetcy. Since that period the estate devolved to his great grandson, sir Edward Hales, bart., who many years back pulled down the ancient Place House, and erected for his residence the present edifice, a small distance northward; the mansion being'in every respect worthy of the family to whom the estate descended. ROCKS ON RUSTALL COMMON, NEAR TUNBRIDGE WELLS. The delights of Tunbridge Wells, as a place of fashionable resort, are universally allowed ; and it in particular possesses this fascination, as regards the beau monde, that, imless a visitant be intimately known to some of its fashionable frequenters, all attempts at association become impracticable. Tunbridge is, on this account, particularly select ; wherefore the casual passenger, having visited what is worthy inspection in the vicinity, is, generally speaking, happy to shift his quarters, for the purpose of courting an intercourse with less fastidious company. In short, the frequenters of this place are perfectly well known to one another ; so that, when congregated at Tunbridge, it is, as it were, only a removal from the squares, and ilieir vicinage west of London, to the spot in question, and a consequent removal of inatinees and soirees to a distance of thirty miles from the metropoHs. The peculiar feature of Tunbridge consists in its striking irregularities, presenting sudden acclivities, and descents equally rapid ; features prominently observable in whatsoever direction the visitant repairs. Sometimes, overhanging crags of rock; at others, grey or red sandy stone masses protrude themselves, which, interspersed by brushwood, or the clinging ivy, present a rugged scenery, well calculated to occupy the pencU of a Salvator Rosa. Of the numerous rides in the neighbourhood, so universally frequented, none is attended with more food for the admirer of the picturesque, than a visit to Rustall Common, where every charm this district has to boast, is to be found in profusion, as well as the greatest variety of feature. To enter into any elaborate detail of such a succession of rocky scenerj', would only lead to repetitions ; to be duly appreciated, therefore, the spot must be visited. We cannot dismiss the subject of our present engraving, without directing the reader's attention to the central rock, which 18. T 70 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. conveys to the mind a very striking idea of tlie Egyptian sphyux, supposing that remnant of high antiquity was, by time, divested of the traces it bears of the human countenance. Whether the form here displayed be the mere result of nature, or that, under the Druids, or even their predecessors, any scidptui-e once graced this singularly formed block, we leave to the consideration of persons better versed than ourselves in the records of ages, now swept away by the ingulfing tide of time. D A R T F O R D, ON A MAKKET-DAY. The principal street of Dartford is of a commodious width ; but the chief importance of the place, besides its powder trade, depends on its situation as a post-town upon the great road to Chatham and Dover. The market, abundantly supplied with every article of provision, is held on Saturdays; of which busy scene our plate presents a faitliful delineation. The various mills established on the banks of the Darent, contiguous to Dartford, have greatly contributed to its present flourishing condition. The paper-mill, originally erected by sir John Spielman, occupied the site of the existing gunpowder- mills ; near which is a paper-mill, on the spot where stood another for slitting bars of iron into rods ; supposed to have been the first of the kind estab- lished in this island. The mills above adverted to, afford employment to a large portion of the inhabitants of this flourishing town. The church is a spacious structure, containing a nave, chancel, and aisles, with a neat tower at the west end. In the chancel is a monument to sir John Spielman, a German, and an improver of the manufacture of paper, who died here, in 1607. KING'S GATE, ISLE OF THANET. The above name is derived from a narrow passage, or gate, cut through the chalk cliffs, to the sea-beach, for the convenience of the fishery carried on in the neighbourhood. This gate is situated in a little >'alley contigr.ous to the northern shore, and the structure formerly bore 1 UK COLNTY OF KKNT. Tl the iiiuiio of Hiu-tlioluiiunv'ii (Jalo; wliiili (ivnomiiuitiuii url^'iiialiHl, nccoriliiit; tu a traditiun liaiidtHl down uinuii^ iho iiiluiliilaiitH, i'roiii itt \u%v\nff Itwii coiiiplcU-d upuii Uii- t<>iiUvul of tluil Saint. Tho pri-Miit iinino of Kinjj'n tial«« wa« dcrivrd from tin; luntlini; of kinj; (liarU* tin- Second, and his brotlit-r J.uiu-s duke of York, at tliw »pot, on tlii-ir way from London to Dovit; to which event iiiay aluu ho aitcrihvd thi- fcdhwin); dintich, coni|>oi>cd |jy ono Mr. Toddy, of JoMo, proprietor of the land whcn-on tin- (pilc Ktuod: — " Olim Porta /ui I'alromi HitrlKolomtti, Sune, Heffii Jmtu, Regut finrta roror. Ilic tiictHilrrunl Car. II, U. Et Ja : dujc Khor ; 30 Junii, lOSS." which inny be thus translated — " / OHft by Si. liarlkntitmru tcai rtaim'il, Uul now, 10 bills thi kinj, am King'i gate nam' J. King Ckarlei II. andjamti, dnkt of York, landtd hrrr, June 30, 1093." Un the cast«ru aide of this portal, opposite the »viu appears, in amii-nt cliarattiT-^. tlii'-<- words : — oU t)lfso ISaviU'ltiirs «JNnse, by that truly maguilicent lutblenvin, lord Holland, and left \>\ him, l<>t;i-lhfr miiIi .lil his estatcn in Thanet, to the modem Demosthenes: ihey were long ago disp«tM^I of lo Mr. Powell, but the mansion having been wdd by Mr. Il«d»ert*, that i;enlleman'« heir, lo Mo«»r». .•spotliswood and (iifford. this once noble building luis been lately much redui^l in sile; the beautilul flint work luis been stripped from the out*ide of it, and three M>|»rate house* rii« 72 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. from the remains, which are however shehered by the noble portico in front of them, Tlie ceiling of the great saloon was painted by Mr. Hakewell, jun. of Soho-squa.re ; the beautiful columns of scagliola, in imitation of porpbjTy, were executed by Messrs. Bartoll and Richter^ of Great Newport-street, London, who have since distinguished themselves by raising those of the Pantheon, in Oxford-street. The garden is very neat, and stored with the choicest exotics. ALLINGTON CASTLE, KEAU TUNBRIDGE. Allington was ot some note in the time of the Saxons, and this castle was razed to the ground by the Danes, when they ravaged those districts ; but after the Conquest was rebuilt by earl Warren, from whom it devolved to the lord Fitz Hughes. From his daughter and heiress, it came to sir Giles Allington, from whom both the edifice and the parish derived their names. Philipot, however, from Darell and Mr. Marsh, state that the castle was erected by William de Columlianls, or Colurabers, about the time of king Stephen. It appears from the Tower Records, that in the eighth year of Henry the Third, there was an exact survey taken of all the castles throughout England, when the names of those were retained who ranked as governors or proprietors of the same ; at which period one of this family was found to be possessor of the castle, and lord of the manor annexed to the same. A1>out the close of th.at reign, Alliugton castle fell into the possession of sir Stephen de Penchester, who had it by purchase from one Osbert, as appears from the Tower Records; sir Stephen was subsequently lord warden of the Cinque Ports, and espoused Margaret, daughter of the famous Hubert de Burgh, earl of Kent. If this fabric was ever designed to serve as a place of strength after the Conquest, it must have been such in the days of Stephen, or thereabouts ; and, in all probability, was, after that period, razed and dismantled. It appears, according to Philipot, by the patent rolls, in the ninth of kind Edward the First, that a hcence was granted' fo him, to erect a castle there, as well as fortify and embattle the same ; which, when so completed, he denominated Allington Penchester : he also raised a fine turret, and called the same Solomon's Tower. From that monarch a charter was alike accorded him of free warren, the grant of a market on Tuesdays, and a three days' fair oii the festival of Saint Lawrence. From the above personage, who died without male issue, the castle fell, through one of his daughters, into the possession of Stephen de Cobham ; in which eminent family it continued for many descents. At the commencement of the reign of Edward the Fourth, we find this estate in the hands of the Brent family; in whose tenure it did not, however, long remain; being sold to sir Henry Wyatt, privy counsellor to that prince. Through the treason of his unfortunate grandson, sir Thomas Wyatt, it became I>r.1■^T. t-y Ue\i MK^rL-r.rrd WmiLI^ FAM.K. K.EMT. THE SEAT OF LORD "WITC "6-^ '^■' V ■' ■■ t. Drawn by &w. Shepherd . £s^r*rd>l Ty S^PjrfiV F )l^i ® © H A. ir.j . KENT. •Ilr T-'.-.KT 01" VI.-COITKT SttlXT.v 11 IK COUNTY OF KKNT. -j forfeitwl to Iho crown, in tlu- H.-.-oiiii year of Mary'n ri-i^n., «li.ii «.r 'nion.iu i...t l.i. lif,. on Iho «caflold. Uy Kli/^l.i-tli, tliu caxtlu and iniuior uon- jjranttHl lo Jol.n A.ll.'V, .-^i.,' nia«ter ot tlu- jewel ..ftic.- ; wliono i«>n, nir John A«Uuy, dying wiUiout Lmu.-, thi- i^UI.. de^tended to »ir Ja.oli A.tl.-y, who wn«, hy kinj; Charle. the Kir»t, at Oxford, cnjated |..{d Aiitley. KASTWKLI. I'AKK, THE SKAT or TIIK I. Mi I in » I Mil ILSI. A. This park ih mtuatod nouth-wptit from the river W'ye, uiid prcucntii all those fasciiiation* whidi arc to he found on inspoi-tinir the ninnerous pl(>jranl nohh>nien and (^entleinpn'M reaU, wherewith this piituresquo county ahounds in every direction. Tiie widely-extended iwrk di-iplavH a rich variety of the most beautiful and interesting; scenery, cunihinin^ woods and lawns with rural habitations interspersed by unexpected eminences, comnuindin^r the mo»t diversitied and extensive prospert.s to the i.^le of Sheppey, as well as to the ocean in the vicinity of Hythe. The church stands in the valley, at a short distance, presenting a venerable and antique appearance; whence, by a fjentle ascent, we approach F-xstwell House, traversing the luxu* riant j>ark, which is amply stocked with deer. In different divisions of the (rrounds clumps of majestic forest trees appear ; while among them, one venenible oak, of extraordinary height and circumference, particularly arrests the gaze, being reputed tlic largest tree of thai desd with H monarch, whose vices wbeiluT justly imputed to him or not, (for historians are bv no means decided upon that point, particularly since the publication of the Lite lord Orford's " Historic Doubts") bave rendered him uHl«> li.xt, iiml Uir kiiij; killi-ul liiiiiM>ir Iroiii all NUDpicinn of Ix-iiijj koii to a kiii(j, uiid that in- iiii^;lil have iiuaiiii to livi- j.v hu lioiict labour, lu> |ilat'o|irciitir<' with a hrickUyer. " From niiothiT Htntt'iiii'iit, liis iiaviiii.' fiilcri'd into tin- liuitiiii>ii fatal to the fortimi-H of Uiduird tlif 'lliird, tin- youth, whoHo luirrution wc Imve piven, wm haiitonin^ towards London, hut in hiii |»iiii»;i(.'r throufjh Loirtfiter, being attrnrted by the nmeinbla^^o of a croud foilowiuf; a hurx-, whereon was carried the lifeless roqwo of u warrior, lie p.iHucd neariT, ami on exiuiiination found it to be the dead bo«ly of hi* father. He then purNued hi* way lo town, and, from a natural Uuite for architecture, was jjaziiip with interest on the pro|»-r«"M of nomo workmen cmployest part of the fabric is of Kentish rap-stone, and coinput*^! to have stocnl four centuries, llie ea»tern front open* towards a spacious lawn, beinp chequered by clumps of trees, affording beautifiil prospects nf the snrroundiup country. Tlie church standing in the vicinity is a very ancient pile, adjoining tlie r\jral village ot ("hislehurst, one of the chancels belonging exclusively to I'rogiial. It contains various mement4is of the dead, the \s, iintl riKl.iwctl i( )«illi a (arin, (railed ('oinlir, in llii- pari-h (if I.Miiiu-, ) mil ot ihc products of u liirli ilic ma-lrr r\vii, at till' disiTflioii of triisti-vs. It is inclaiicholy to rrrollrct that liarvi-y, ufttT huviiif; in >r- taliscil his name hy tlif most important disrovi-ry that i-vit Krarcd th*- sricnn- of ini-dirinr, and a loni; lilV passi-d in acts ot' l»iMii'vy poison. Folkstiine Cliurih was first built by Ni;;el de MuiMMlle, Lord of the Tom ti, about the \enr ll"f7; but ha\inu under<;on( various alterations, and at leni^th become dilapidated, in the month of December, 170.'), the west end was blown down liy a violent tempest. It was afterwards rebuilt, but curtailed; and is at |)resent insulticient for the use of the inhabitants, whose numberH hnve con- liiderably increiused during the last century. It is remarked that, iiotw-ithstandinarioiis and /caloiis c (Torn made l)y dilVerent sectaries, at various times, such is the peculiar temper of the pertheless obsi-rve, that this indifference does not prori-ed iVoiii any disrejjard tor relijjion, or indecorous behaviour towarils those who h:ive attempted their coiivfisioii. No relijjious feuds, therefore, prevail at F'cdkstone ; no disputes cngeniler ani- ' niosities, or inflame the prejudices of the weak or the /.ealous: the inhabitants are even proverbially fritmllij ; and if little jiolished, perhaps the more sincere. Kulk>tone confers the title of \'iscount 011 the eldest iion of the Karl of Radnor, \«ho is po»> •cssorof the manor, and a considerable estate in the vicinity. Formerly, a park and mansion -houite were attached to this honour ; but the vjic of both is now unknown. In the early periods of his- tory, this town was much more considerable than at present, havin:; been lu'stowed upon the see of Canlerbtirv, bv Kiny; AllieNtan. A castle is said to have be<-n built here, loii'j before lliat peri«Ml, by a son of Kini; Kthellierl, in the sixth century, which was undermined ami sunk by the encroach- ments of the sea. Such also has been the fate of several church*^; I^dand havini; particularised t«o, which he describes as beins; in a ruinoas coiiflition in his own time. In I;f7>». the iinitiHl form of the French and Scots attacked and si't fire to Folkstone; and in the reign of Kliirabeth, it con- tained onlv one hundred and twenty houses, the residenc<"s chietly of (ishermi-n, who had amon|; them twenty -fi\e vessels. Since that period, lioweriT, the number of hous<>« has been increaM'd to more than fne hundred, and the inhabitants aucmented to four thousand. The streets, allhoui;h narrow and irregular, have been considerablv improved of late years, and trade has greatly in- creased. The support of the natives depends priiicipallv upon the success of the fi«herv, which i» carried on with great activity: the London markets, as well as thf>se of Canterburv , and many other places, receiving a constant supply, e*peciall\ of whilinir«, herrings, •kale, and mackerel, from this Port. The busy scene w hich present* itself upon the landing of the boats, and the ragernefli manifested both liy buyers and sellers.as well as the expedition with which their cargoes aredi^poMrd t)f, however lar^e, is highly interesting, oven to those who arc mere dpcclalori of (bis daily bustle, -tf. 7S PICTURESQUE BEfVUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. The harbour of Folkstone is defended by a small fort, with a furnace for heating red-hot balls, on the south-eastern point of the eminence whereon the Church is situated, and near the site of the ancient monastery. There are also Martello towers on the verge of the coast eastward, which contribute to tlie security of this place. In 1S08, tlie foundation of a spacious pier was laid by Thomas Baker, Esq. mayor; the work, constructed of stones of many tons weight, and of prodigious dimensions, being carried out to the extent of one thousand five hundred feet. Yet, notwithstanding the strength of the masonry, ex- perience has already convinced the projectors of this laudable undertaking, that it is incapable of resisting the tremendous violence of the south-western gales, when the surf is dashed with such impetuosity, that portions of the wall have been forced from their connexion, and breaches made in a work that appeared calculated to defy all the ravages of time. The nursery which the fisheries afford for seamen, is a political benefit of such importance, that, independent of its commercial effects, it merits the most attentive regard of Government: and the men of Folkstone have even superior claims, as many of the most skilful pilots in his Majesty's service have been supplied from this little Port, none being more competent to assist in navigating our fleets through the most dangerous and difficult channels. A custom formerly prevailed among the fishermen, of selecting from every boat, upon its return from fishing, eight of the largest and best whitings, and selling them apart, in order to raise a fund for the celebration of a feast or rejoicing upon Christmas-eve. This was called a Rumbald, and although the practice has been long discontinued, many of the inhabitants still assemble for the celebration of what is termed Rumbald-night; conjectured to have originated in the offering formerly made to the Saint, who was considered the especial patron of fishermen, and their guardian from the perils of the sea. That admirable invention, the temporary rudder, is said to have been first used by Captain Ricketts in steering one of the Folkstone boats; but, without detracting from the merit or ingenuity of the discovery, we should observe, that the Grafton man-of-war, on the termination of hosti- lities, in 17G3, was steered to England by means of a machine successfully substituted for a rudder, which had been lost in a violent storm olVLouisburgh. Another invention of Captain Ricketts may, however, be appropriately mentioned, which, in point of utility, stands unrivalled; and especially as, from its having been first used on board the Clyde frigate off this Port, it has acquired the appel- lation of " The Folkstone Machine." By means of this excellent contrivance, the operation of working the great chain-pumps of a ship was effected without the slightest assistance from any per- son on board ; and its application to common use being extremely simple, it may be justly considered a most valuable nautical improvement. The ascent to the summit of the cliff on which the Church stands is by a circuitous road for carriages, and several flights of stone steps, which form a more immediate communication between the lower parts of the town near the harbour, and those wiiich occupy tiie height westward, called the Bayle. The cliff consists of sand-stone and fine earth, portions having in many places fallen down upon the beach, which lie scattered irregularly in masses at the foot of the precipice. Such acci- dents arc very frequent, and in the Isle of Wight are termed land slips, the ground sinking from its original situation, and descending along an inclined plane towards the beach. The basis of these nil; ( ()l NTY OK KKN r. 79 billit i«a Hlippcry clay or iikiiI, \tliicli lu-coiiift i*v|io^-(l lo vim, iiiid huril«Mii« |;ru(luully b\ iht- frre acctttui (ifun, until it iu<|uirfs (In- coiiMittcnc) tiiiii liriiiiiivtH iifNdlid tloiif ; it t poll- olutf-hlui- coluiir beiiit; fxciiuiiijid fur u (luikcr hue, uiid iiorliuiiit, Miirn niiiuuiIi by ullritioii, tonii the ruckit and bluck |)i-l>bU-s iiliHi:; till- » hole liiK- of (lit- ri>a»l. The- iliffH, ihrn-forf, urr nut iiiidtriuiiifd Us iht- nulfi-, uliicli r\fii ill the liiijlir^t liilci scarcrl> «-\«t rra the case in the vicinity oflhiN place. Fulk>tone has been lun^ kiioMn tu valelul' rocks extends to a irreut distance into the Channel both east and wi-sl ol'lhe toMii. givinf; additional security to the protection alVorded by the batleric>s and lowers on the heightn, so that, in time of war, it posjiesses soim- sidvantai;cs over a more expo-.ed coast : and, in time of peace, (he bold and romantic scenery on the land side, the pleasant and fertile Hurroundini; country, its charming murine |)rospects and nnclouiled atmosphere, bein;; also sheltered from the piercinij cold of the north and iiorth-easl winds, with the facilities it ail'ords of enjoy in;j the sea bree/.e u|)on the bosom of the deep, all these arc stronjf recommendations for those wlio resort to the coai«t in search of health. By persons nfllicted with scrofulous disorders, n residence here has been found essentially benelicial; there are both hot and cold baths, and machines, under proper directors, with suilalile attendants, so that it is probable Folkstoiie mo%, at no distant period, acquire equal celebrity with many other towns and villaffes upon the southern coast, poitsesscd of fewer advBnla:;eti and less convenient accommodations. In one respect this place is at present unrivalled ; there beinj;, within a mile of the sea-side, a chal\lM-ate sprin:;, possessing; slreuirth scarcely exceeded b\ any in the island, and capable, if judi- ciously combined with the use of salt water, of increasin^j the good effects of the latter in ^oine of the disorders for which it is prescribed by physicians. This sprinjc rises in the little hamlet of Foord, north of Folkstone, but out of the jurisdiction and liberty of the Port. A rapid stream, which turns several mills, and throws up a strong column of water in the town of Folkstone, rises about a mile northward of Foord, beinj conducted from its source at a spot called the Cherry Orchard, by mean-i of a subterranean aqueduct, to the na)le or precinct of the nunnery near Folkstone Church, where it finds its level, and ascends into a pind. An agreeable walk throujjh the valley, which in the summer months is truly delightful, lead* to the eminence called Castle Hill, before-mentioin-d, and afford* an opportunity of examininit more minutely the lines of circumyallation with which iLs summit is crowned. These wn«, and hull) by the Saxons or Dane^. A single Tallinn guards the south-east side, which is very sleep, but the ea.l, north, and west, are encl«ii»rd by two deep trenchi-s. A ihird has btcu dacr>l""1 >". trace, are no» perceptible, and the erro- 80 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. neous account seems to have been carelessly copied by one writer from another, without examina- tion of the spot; for it is very evident that no material change has been effected in the appearance of the ground for many centuries ; so that the original mistake must have arisen from not properly distinguishing the interval between the ridges of earth thrown out of the ditches, and the lines themselves. No vestiges of walls or buildings of any kind are to be discovered, nor is there even a loose stone about the neighbouring fields; Castle Hill having more the appearance of one of the summer camps of the Romans, than a more permanent station. To such authorities, however, as Camden and Stukeley, minor antiquarians must, of necessity, bow. There are few spots more romantic than the Cherry Orchard, near the foot of this hill, which occupies an amphitheatrical recess in the bosom of a lofty eminence, covered by a short mossy turf, marked regularly with horizontal lines or belts. A cottage, which serves also as a house of enter- tainment for parties, who frequently resort thither from Folkstone and the neighbouring villages, enlivens the solitude, which, in the wilderness of its accompaniments, and the scenery around, bears a strong resemblance to some of those pictures with which our minds are early impressed, on the perusal of Robinson Crusoe. Indeed, there can scarcely be conceived more rural simplicity, cheered by a more pleasing prospect, than that Mhich here invites the visitors of the coast. PARADE, AND C^SARS TOWER, DOVER. This town, which was regarded, not many years back, as a mere port of embarkation for the Continent, has, within a comparatively short period, owing to its natural and acquired attractions, become equally celebrated as a watering-place. Among the improvements tending to gratify the visitants of Dover, there is not one more attractive than the Parade, which has deservedly become (he resort of all persons making this town their residence for the summer season. The perpetual change of company, originating in the incessant ingress and egress of voyagers of all countries, con- duces to enliven this promenade, where you not unfrequently encounter individuals of the highest ranks of society ; while the diversity of languages spoken, aifords amusement and instruction to any mind prone to reflection. One of the fascinations connected with the Parade, is the distant view of the structure com- monly designated Cssar's Tower, the foundation of which has erroneously been attributed to that celebrated conqueror, whereas rational history does not afford the most distant proof tending to confirm such a conjecture. That the site of this stupendous fabric was in past ages a British hill- fortress, there tan be no doubt ; and the tradition which describes Arviragus, a native prince, as having fortified himself here, when he refused to pay the tribute demanded by Ca'sar, is very pro- bable, since we have the best authority for believing, that the spot was subsequently adopted by the — »-- — - - E S ID S (DA TIL IE KBIT T. bl .At OF W. MAR il\. . coy -■ -laSra-Ted bv Garn THiljlished L829 by Ceo.V\rtue. 36 .Iv;y Lane J-^/ri -J',' :■ (,.3^^rii:;.*j:c-a SOTUTIJ: JEAST 'view ®F §? STF,F)BIF,li>^TS CHtfliCM, IIACKINGTON N' llli; (OLNTY or KIA'J. 81 pvorv Wfi'k, iKiw ralliiii; into iliMisr. Tliosc, liowrvi-r, on tin' tir-t and lliird TiiofiilaN in every inonlli, arc very iiiiin<>ruusly atlcmltMl, lor llnr siile of live hloi'k, which urn hiriuNlied fruiu tlio prulitic Uoiiiiiey inortlifs; (ruoii liali, of various doticriptiuns, arc also to be had ill abuiidaiicu ; vvlieri-fure lliis town is, in ilmt anil other rettpecU, a very deiiirahlc plaiv of renideiice. Li:i:i)> CASTMv AnoLT tliroc miles from the village of Lcnhuin, whii:h is situated between the ijuarry and ciialk hilJH, Ntundii LeedH CiLstle ; a inoiit magnificent strnctiire, built throughout of stone, at different perii>d», and coiise<{uently displaying variej.mted styles of architecture. It is sitnatod in a well-wondcd park, and surrounded by a spacious moat, siipjilii'd with running water, that rises at Lenhaiii, and empties its curri-ut into the river Medway. This stream abiiuuds with (\!<\u more particuliirly the pike, which tlirives remarkably well, as they are freipientlv caught, wi-igliiiig from thirty to fortv pounds. At the principal entrance to this castellated pile are the remains of an ancient gateway, pulled down to within about one yarri of the ground; the ruins of which denote its original strength, the grooves for the portcullis being still apparent. A short distance, in a north-western direction, arc the vestiges of a very ancient structure; in all probability, that portion of the castle where Robert de Creve- i]>ier eitlablisheil three ch:iplains, when it was originally builu The approach to Leeds Castle is over a strong bridge of two arches when you pass under a second gateway, which, with the part already described, appears to have constituted a por- tion of the ancient fortress riiised bv the C'rovetpicrs and not demolished when the residue of the fabric was ra/ed to the ground. Having passed the latter gate, you arrive at a hamlsome i|iuidniiig\dar court-yard ; to the right of which stands a building, apparently of the period of \\'illiam of Wyckham, if we may judge from the style of its architecture ; anil most prol>ably j>art of the pile erected here bv that celebrated ecclesiastic. The portion at the farther side of this quadrangle, fronting the entrance, contJiins the princijial or si.iti^chambers whereto a hnndsome uniform front of rustic stone-work has been added ; and the windows although now sashed, are arched in the gothic style, the parapet being also embattled. Behind the iNJifice in ipiemion, over a bridge composed of two arches but now built upon and inclosed .v» a passage- way, there is a large fabric, constituting the extremity of the castle. It presents a very hand- some pile of excellent workmanship, combining beauty and strengtli, and is apparently of the period of Heiirv the Kightb : in which case it was no doubt raised by Sir Henry Ciiiildford, who acted as constable of this fortr»i<» under that monarch, and beautified this c;istle at the charge of the crown. Tl»e site of this building, from the strength and situation of the plan-, was most probably the area where once stood the ancient keep of the castle. 21. T 82 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. Sir Thomas de Colepeper, descended from Thomas of that name, who flourished under king John, was castellan of Leeds Castle, under the famous lord Badlesmere, in the time of Edward the Second ; in the fifteenth of which reign he was hanged to the chain of the draw- bridge, for having refused admittance to Isabel, queen of that monarch, when in the act of performing a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Thomas k Becket, at Canterbury. Upon the above occasion, this manor and castle were forfeited to the crown, but shortly after restored to the son of sir Thomas de Colepeper • yet, whether by the indulgence of the above prince, or any family entail, does not appear. It has been frequently affirmed, that Richard the Second was imprisoned in this fortress ; but the assertion is altogether erroneous ; as that ill-fated monarch was undoubtedly incai-- cerated at Leeds Castle, in Yorkshire. Under Henry the Fifth, Joan of Navarre, second consort of Henry the Fourth, being accused of having conspired against the life of her son- in-law, was held captive in this castle, and subsequently conveyed, by sir John Pelham, her keeper, to Pevensey; and archbishop Chichely, under Henry the Sixth, presided here, dnring the process instituted against Eleanor, duchess of Gloucester, accused of sorcery and witchcraft. Independent of ancient records connected with this interesting structure, on the third of November, 1779, his late majesty George the Third, and queen Charlotte, after reviewing the grand encampment established on Cocksheath, honoured Leeds Castle by their presence ; and, on the following day, received the congratulations of the nobility, general officers, and leading personages of the county of Kent, with the mayor and corporation of the neighbour- ing town of Maidstone. This famous residence is now in the possession of Wickham, esq. ; though it appears that the venerable line of the Colepepers assert some dormant claim to this beautiful estate and castle. This is said to arise from a female of that family having marrieb the famous parliamentary general, lord Fairfax, who, in her right, enjoyed this estate, which should have reverted back to the male line of the Colepepers, had not the loss of the marriage- settlement thrown an impediment in the way. Sufficient care is not taken for the preser- vation of this beautiful pile, whereto extensive pleasure-grounds are attached ; the surrounding scenery being luxuriant and picturesque in the extreme. CHURCH OF ST. STEPHEN'S, AT HACKINGTON. This building, dedicated to St. Stephen, presents the form of a cross, and consists of a nave and chancel at the eastern extremity, having two aisles on the north and south sides of the nave, and a low spire on the tower at the west end, containing six hells and a clock. This church has been evidently erected at different periods ; the lower portion of the tower of the steeple appears, from two very small circular windows therein, and the door-\-. ay pre- LTMFSaiS CA SIHHU5S.CIHI [EfiT. Dram l)jr Geo . Sb^pluii' 'A y. N T . me, XG.lvyL.'uii' I III; (orNTv or ki:\t. 8g •mitinir a poiiit.-.l ardi, <1 .rali-.l l.y Hvn r..u« ..f .lii-vroii ..riiaini-iiU, to be Ui#» m<»l nnripi.t portion of till- Hirucliin-, and, in iill prolialiilily, i-xi.t.'d in ih.- time of iirfliln»|,o|j IW.Iwin, who is Mud to Imve bepin to rebuild tbin .xlili.c »vitli kIoui-, wbich prcviou«ly cori.i»i»,| ol timber; tin- body bt'iiifj nearly of tlie Hanie anti<|uily. Tin. .M.t rluui.-.-l, »%l,ith U i-bvanr, Wiw next er.'ctcd. and tli.« crosH oiu^ n .onsiderabl.- tint.- afli-rwiirdn. In llu' |,i,r|, tluuu*l tbere arc many ini-nioriais for tlio vicarn of ibis rburdi uiibin tli<- roiU of tin- all.ir, oi well oa batcbinonts of tbc Aylwortbs and tbe StockctU. Near ibe nieps of tbe eoniniunion table in « very lar(,'o stone, havin(,' once bad tbe fipiiro of a female tbereon, willi armoriaJ boirinf,". ; tbe whole have lonjj since disappeared. Airainut tbe north wall \h a eiirioiw painting' of a Mionun.eiii of (|ueen Klizabetb, with her etbyfv at full leni^tli u|>on a toiu!. ; above ubi.b \» a auiopv. nui*- ported by marble pillars, and adorned with numcrouii coaU of arms and inscriptions. On iJie opposite side was another similar, now obliterated, wbirb bad been appiirently delineated to connnouiorate .lames the First. The windows were onee enriched by a i9 church, called, in the time of archbishop Baldwin, CujmI/u dr Jlitrkiiujtnn, coiulilui.d part of tbe ancient possessions of the see of Canteriiury ; and so continued until the primate Langton, a. n. 1227, appropriated it to the archdeaconry, his brother Simon then filling that post. Ilackington was, for a loneration of ibe tidi-« of the M-a, not onlv tJil« once famous port, but also the rluinnel of the river Limene, and the current of ita waier», were subsequenlJy impelled in another direction. The result was, that this harbour, together *t PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. with the channel through which it once flowed, even to its mouth comreunicating with the ocean, has, for many centuries, been terra firma, affording abundant pasturage for the cattle now grazing thereon. That part of this parish now occupied by the castle, chtirch, and village, lies within the hundred of Street ; the south-eastern district is in the hundred of Wroth ; and the remainder, to the north, constitutes part of that of Heane. The lower, or southern district, occupies n portion of the level of Romney Marsh, being within the liberty and jurisdiction of the justices of the same. This famous spot is, by the generality of accredited historians, allowed to have been that station of tlie Romans adverted to, in several copies of the Itinerary of Antoninus, by the name oi Partus Lemanus, a harbour of considerable importance at that remote period. The river Limene, now called the Rother, or a principal branch thereof, once flowed from Appledore hither, by the foot of the hills, the clift's of which still appear to have been washed and worn away by the operation of the waves. The channel wherein the current once flowed is still visible, and the grounds along its course are now lower than in any other contiguous part of the Marsh ; the ditches remain full in the neighbourhood, while those more elevated, about Dimchurch and other parts, are so dry, that no waters are left to assist vegetation. Ou tins stream, at the foot of Liinne Hill, the Romans had the above-named celebrated port, being the only one they possessed ou the southern shore of Kent, to which the sea then flowed up from its mouth, probably situated in the vicinity of Hythe, to the west ; for the defence of which they had erected a very strong fort, midway down the hiU, wherein, during the latter part of the Roman empire in this island, a military detacliment was stationed, called Tttrna- cences, that is to say, of Tournay in Flanders, under their particular command, he being, however, at the general disposition of the count of the Saxon shore in Britain, Independent of the above, on the brow of the steep eminence where the castle of Limne, or the archdeacon's house, now stands, was most probably a pharos, or watch-tower, being one of the five which the Romans, under Theodosius the younger, as we learn from Gildas, built upon the southern shores of Britain, at certain distances, to watch the motions of the invading Saxons, and ascertain the approach of those piratical hordes, whose attacks the fort beneath was of strength sufficient to repel. SALT WOOD CASTLE. A SHORT mile north-west from the town of Hythe, on the summit of the acclivity, stands the castle of Saltwood : the original foundation of which structure is by some writers attri- buted to the Romans. Kilburne conceives it to have been erected by Oesc, the son of Hengist, the Saxon general : while Captain Grose asserts, that every stone identifies the nil (OUNTV Ol- KKNT. gS edifice iwi(in of Hin;o ile Mi)ntliirt. A» lln- rhiirrh ol Ilythe Htniidn reionleil in Doim-Ml.iy Snr\cy, iinil m.t the ciiMtle of Soltwootl, i( uiii.Piir* uro- hahle, that, in the event of 1 )e Miuitlnri liaviu),' luui nuy ihiujf to do uith thi« huildinj;, rt inimt havi> heen as f.inn(itt, (pioted from Matthew Parin, " having', in a li|rht kkirnuxh n(rnini>t the Welsh in I'lintshiie, not oidy rxst away his conra^e, but liiw Mundiird hIm*, wiiH apiMMlvd of hiph treason, (by llobort de Montfort,) and, in a UffiA duel or combat, wu« vau<|nit>heo»«I with re;.'T<'t aniKhame, rontrar-ted from this defeat, Nhroude- r;ith<*- dral at Canterbury. .Vrchbishop C'ourtenay, who was raised to the above see, in the fifth of Kichard llir •Second, spent lar^e sums in erectinij the c;istle, whereto he annexerl a park, makin in- sion his chief place of residenc*'. The arms of the prelate in question iwe still pri- • it the n^rand entrance gikte; namely, on two sliields three torteaux, with a labark» appertaining to Westcnhann-er were abundantly 8tocker name, as appears by the riv>»t'T of ."su Augustine's abbey, was Le Ilangre; yet we find it di'»ignat<« v 't»«W Drawi'bjf Geo-Shepbcrd. KENT. Published try Geo.Virtu.o,2S.IvyX,aiio. Ln^ravi by si. Adiard. ClEnifIK.(£lH S^IRJElgW, S7IPAUIL'S (SIHHUK.CM! & I'lfflB ©lEMIBTEiaY ©AT3E CAVTE!»B0ay. PuMished by Geo.Virnie.26.rvyLane Tlir COUNTY OK KENT. 89 tower, formerly compOKpd of wooe({ui'atLed in will*, pre- served at the I'rurofrative OlVu.', Canlerluiry, liejirin^,' dalen from I V7!» to 1515 ; ui whuh latter period it Beeins to have hecn completed. In the year I51M), thtji churrh mm rutuiuued l)y fire, to the very stones of the linildinf,': which ionlla;,frnlion ha|ipened from llie roDteuta of a },nin beinj,' disiiiar|,'ed at a pif,'eon, tlien perilled upon tin- roof. 'rhi» Imihlin^r rontaina many Miemoriids of the Hrent family; and on the south cross was Hurlei^'h Chantry, destroyed when the uhovo-mentioned Hre took place; but ufu-rvvards repaired by John 1 )arell, exj. of Colv^ bill. In the rei;:n of kinLr Richard the .S'cond, the biurk wberenu Si. Jnhn the liapliit wa» said to have been decapitated, was conveyed to Kn;.'lanil, and preserved in ibis church. 'l"here are monuments to the Belchers, the Nethcrsoles the Derinfrs the Ilonywoods ^c. ; all families that have rendered themselves conspicuous in the county of Kent. 'ITie |h-w» art- composed of oak, richly sculptured with armorial bearinpi and other nriuunents. The church of Charing w;is anciently apjiendant to the manor, bein;,' jwirt of the |)OMM.>»sionii of tlio see of Canterbury, whereto it was approprmted, prior to the eighth year of king Richard tiie Second. It so continued till archbishop Crainner, in the S7th of Ilenrv the Kip of RamO Dogr.a |M.rsonau.- of not.' ill th.. r.-i(ni of Il.niry thr Third ; having' hivii ..lllc i il to tiir ar.hhihhojs and the hwt rt'i-t.ir of thin rhiircli, prrviou* to a virariijjc bt-injr tTcrtod in tlic kjiiiio. Thin church, its well tut otliont in thin rity, formerly under tin- |mtroiu«(.'<- "f thr ahlNtt and ooiivfiit of St, Aupustiiie, poawcMwl no particular rcmetfry ; liie di'ml of tJic |Niri«h lM«inj; inhumed in the common place for inteniieiit, within the precin.t^ of that inonaMerv. 'lliti entrance to the l>uryinn-},Tmind in <|uestion was through the cemetery fate, directly opiMHtitc the end of Church Street, repre8entearticular |inri»h churcht^s havini: no places for interment of their own, anrl con^Miuentlv iwiiit; thi>i lenieterT for the hurial-place of their dead, were those of St. Mary Miif,'dalen, Sl ,\iidrew, and that of St, Paul ahove ailverted to ; but on the suppreiwion of the inon;istery, thiH cemetery being difiufied, and applied to varioiiH other purposes, the parishes in ipiestion were under the neces-sily of iiihuniinp their ortioiiii of land elsewhere for that purpose. In the ancient cemetery, as appears from wills |)re«erTeiliii|; in stucco. In the sUiircase windows ,-»re various hemldic shields, c«dlecti»«-enl. ■tated to conduct as far aa tlie moat, tlie utne being deuomiikated " tlie dungisin." 92 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. The architecture of this fabric is of that species that partakes of the mihtary and domestic character. It was built under the reign of Edward the Third, by William de Hevre, and subsequently became the property of the Boleyn family, which line originated in sir Geoifrey Boleyn, a wealthy mercer, of London, in the time of Henry the Sixth. Anne Boleyn, the ill-fated queen of the tyrannic Henry the Eighth, was great-grand-daughter of that opulent civic knight ; and it was in this castle the despot spent the deceptive period of his courtship with the unfortunate beauty whom he so speedily, and with such barbarity, consigned to the scaffold. It is traditionally affirmed, that when Henry repaired to Hever Castle, with his select attendants, he was accustomed to wind his bugle horn on attaining the summit of the adjacent hill, in order to uotify his approach. The church of Hever stands at the east end of the village, and is a neat building, consisting of a nave and chancel, with an aisle, and a tower and spire at the west end. In this edifice are many monuments, and among them an altar-tomb for sir Thomas Bullen, knight of the order of the Garter, earl of Wiltshire and Ormond, &c., who died a. d. 1538. The effigies of the defunct are in brass, of full dimensions, inlaid in the covering slab of the tomb ; the figure is habited m the robes and collar of the Garter, the head reposing upon a helmer, and the feet on a wyvern. Here are also memorials of the Cobhams, of Sterborough Castle, in Surrey, anciently lords of the manor of Hever. STUDFALL CASTLE. This place is acknowledged by most historians to have been that station of the Normans mentioned in the Geography of Ptolemy by the name of aimhm, and in the Itinerary by that of Partus Lemanis, then a place of considerable importance. The Limene, now called the Rother, once flowed hither from Appledore, at the base of the hills. Tlie channel is still apparent, the grounds along the course being lower than any other adjacent part of the marsh. This structure was one of the five forts, or watch-towers, erected by Theodosius, which, it is asserted, once stood close to the water ; and, indeed, many round holes or grooves are still to be traced, which, it has been conjectured, were made for the cables of vessels, in order that they might be moored close under its walls. This fabric must have been of very great strength, as the thickness of the walls is not less than twelve or thirteen feet, and in some places much more ; while the materials whereof they are composed, consist of hard stones, pebbles, and Roman bricks, so well cemented together, that after sixteen hundred years it is impossible to disunite them. The reader may perhaps smile, when he is informed that the writer of this account passed many hours most laboriously endeavouring to detach a single Roman brick entire from its cement, without being able to accomplish the labour. Studfall Castle was garrisoned by soldiers of the legion Turnacensis ; but it is difficult to Drawn lyG-Sheplierd . Engraved lyR-TOnides. Puhlisied Apnl.lS35, tjG ."Virrae . 25,Iw Lane . Drawn. byTIV.Barttect. Xn^rarpd byBj\dlard- .WAHID) ST®HK F)S.®MI TIDE ■WATJER. I>..V.I.«b...<4 A— .' a rHK COUNTY l)F KKN'I. M lonii nn idea of its ori<;iitiil nrrniii;. nifui. Iliuttml, in hi« limtory uf Kt-iit, ainont; iminv error* Marc4>ly exruMblts iw he vwilini tlii> ii|>iit in imtmhi, «|i*Mriby «l.iiilil»> wall iin thr Lind Hide; n niii.liiUi< probulily (xi-.mioniHi by numo iMirtimu of Uu- (na- nientM haviii|r i>lip|icil torwiird iVoni llicir b.-utii«, whiili liy rcuMin u( (lii< »1. L»y prostruli' at llie tliittjiucc of a few ynnln Ir.iiii tlii-ir wliicli thi-y beli>ii>;iMl. Tlif Itoinnii tili-s arc ri«tnilnrly dispoMHl in ddutilr layers ui iniiTvaU «.f about four or five feot; so that ;» the inn.'«»<'s of tht- walls are nowhere of vi-ry cmiiiiilcr.iblu hei,' ■ '■ •■■ layorn in fjunend, or u( most three cuurHcs of them, o-an he truce, so as to form two ledj;iti upon the surfaie, about three qunrters of an inch in heiirhl- Tiiere arc a few varieties uf form : aouic uf ibemj lilet beiiic near two inehes in ihiekness, and without any ledfre; and frafrinent.H of other* of a paler colour have been picked up, which appeared to have been S4|uare, »vith a number of Muall raiM>>e« about four acr<*<): and, from the various ine(|ualities of the surface, it may be conjecture^l tluit a careful and deliberate examinnlion mi^ht lead tu a discovery of the ori;rinai foundalioiui ; thou).'b it tnav be doubted whc-tber the success of such an attempt, or the information likely tu reaull, Would rompensatc for the trouble and expense of such uu undertakiufr. THE DRAWJJKIDGE, SANDWICH. Tiir, town of Sandwich is very irreijularly built, liavitif; the a|»jH'iir.'»nce of jjrratrr anti- <|uity than .iny other in the county of Kent. 'Ilie streetit and lanc-s generally »|M-Ainp, arc narrow and inconvenient, tbouirb manv improvements resulle«sed in 17S7. Sandwich w;is fonnerly divid«.>d into einht w.iril*, but, from the year 1137. it h.is consisted of twelve wards, or districts, each under the juriwli.ti,,!! .it ., iiir..i. «l>i. nominates a con»t.ible and his dc|>uly. Tlie orijrin of this port was in conse<|uenpe of the decay of tlwi of Kicliboroujth. ll wa» tirst called I,undenwi<-, from iieinir 'be entrance to (he jMirt of I^inilon, for »uch i( w.is on thi sea-coast, which name ii ret.iined until the Ham's snppl.inteii the Sixon* ; when, in con»o- rjnence of its sandy situation, it derived the appelhuion of Swidwic, in old IjtUn. SaMortcwM, (or the sandy town,) and in lajwe of time, by cluiiige of lan|;ua^e, Sajidwich. >\niere the town now stand* ii auppoMd, in the time of llie lloinana, bimI prior to lh«- 21. « u 94 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. decay of the haven, or Forties Bufiipimis, to have been covered b)' that water which con- stituted the bay, being so extensive that it is said to have overflowed beyond this place, on one side, nearly to Ramsgate cliffs, and on the other, five miles in width, over the whole of that flat of land whereon Stonar and Sandwich were subsequently erected, and reaching thence to the estuary, which then flowed up between the Isle of Thanet and the main land of this county. Under the reign of the Saxons, the haven and port of Richborough, the most frequented of any in this part of Britain, began to decay, being entirely abandoned by the sea at this place, yet still leaving suificient water to form a commodious port at Sandwich. This, in process of time, became, in like manner, the resort for shipping, and rose to a flourishing har- bour, in the room of Richborough, from which period the Saxon fleets, as well as those of the Danes, sailed for this port. From that date Richborough is no more spoken of by ancient authorities ; so that we may infer, the port of Sandwich, and the foundation of the town, then took place. Some time after the establishment of the Saxons in Britain, mention is made of this place as a port, and the first time it occui-s is in the life of St. Wilfred, archbishop of York, written by Eddius Stephanus ; wherein it is stated that the primate in question, and his company, prospere in portum Sandwicli, atque suaviter pervenerunt, happily and pleasantly arrived in the harbour of Sandwich ; which occurred about the year 665, or 666, being two hundred years after the first arrival of the Saxons in this island. At the period of the Danish incursions and ravages, many of the leading transactions took place here, the port becoming so much frequented that the biographer of queen Emma styles it the most famous of all the British ports : Sandwich qui est omnium Anglomm portuum famosissimus. From the origin of this town, the property of the same was vested in the successive mo- narchs who reigned over this country, and so continued till Ethelred, in 979, gave it, as the lands of his inheritance, to Christ church in Canterbury, free from all secular service and fiscal tribute, except the repelling of invasions, and the reparations of bridges and castles. On the accession of Canute, that prince completed the building of Sandwich ; when, having the whole realm at his disposal, as possessing the country by conquest, he by charter, under the date 1023, gave this spot, with the profits of the water on either side of the stream, for the support of the above cliurch, and the maintenance of the monks therein. From that time, Sandwich rapidly increased in consequence and population ; and, owing to the utility of its haven, and the service rendered by the shipping thereof, was held in such high repute |is to be made one of the principal Cinque Ports. Under Edward the Confessor, Sandwich contained three hundred and seven houses, and ranked as a hundred within itself; it continued increasing, as appears from Domesday record, anno 1080, where it is entered under the title of lands appertaining to the arehiepiscopal see, as well as in part the possessions of the bishop of Bayeux. Sandwich, in consequence of many privileges, and the advantages derived from the resort of strangers to its harbour, rapidly increased in wealth and population ; and notwithstanding, in the year 1217, being the second of Henry III., great part of this place was burnt by the TMF. COUNTY OF KENT. 95 French, the daina^o apprarh to luivc Ik'cii ri-puirfnr(> of the fjVdur* bf»luwrd upon it by variuiu kiiipi, in ronniilfniliun of nfrvici** rontinualiy ri-niii-riHi to ihr italioii »l larpe, by the Hhippiiifr of this port. Th<- firnt fnvour of ihi- nhovr priiuf wn» in thi* mh-uimI of bin rfiirii, wiuMi h*< not only foutiriii(>il ull pri-\ioii>i cuHtonns \r., hut iuIiIimI ibi> liirlhrr (frnnt of n iiiarki't mikI purl; uikI, two vcarH ut'tcT, lliu t-UHtcmi of l.ikni^ 2k ol wine received into the hiirhour. Such an enviable state of pruNperitv, however, diti not hm); continue; a*, io the reif^n uf Henry \'II., the river Stonr, or, as it \va.s ancieiilly ralbMJ, the W'niitiiiini-, ho rapidly derayi"*! OH to leave on either Khore, at low water, a coniiiilerable i|uantily of kiIk whi<'h proiuptf»ent« .in ancient mean-lookinp structure, which opens tow.irds the water, not far from the bri^l^'e represient-H in the accompanying plate ; it has in the centre a drawbri;c, con»tructels. M \ I I) ST O \ E, rnoM Tin; water. Maidstone is a town of snch importance at the pre»ent day, and n»*ke« m) figure in the map and the road-book, that we need not be over diffuM- in our de^ription. The present view, taken from the river Metlway, combine* a pro^iK-n of the nrer and ys PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. of the ancient church, &c., conveying- a pleasing idea of the peculiar beauty of the situation of Maidstone, standing in the midst of a district the most delightfully verdant that imagination can conceive, with advantages of site and elevation scarcely equalled, having a fine river navi- gable for vessels of sixty tons burthen. The streets are well paved and wide, the parochial church is one of the most capacious in the kingdom, the barracks evince a degree of taste and elegance, both with regard to structure and situation, unexampled : while it is painful to add, that the prison may vie with the Bastile in massive strength, and is, alas ! crowded by wretched tenantry. Many grants were conferred upon this town by king Edward the Sixth, queen Elizabeth, and James the First, while much of its wealth accrues from the navigation of the river Medway. Another source of the prosperity of Maidstone, as observed on a former occasion, is the cultivation of hops, which, with the manufacture of linen thread, introduced by the Walloons, in the reign of queen Elizabeth, gave rise to the following distich: — " Hops, Reformation, Bays, and Beer, Came into England, all in a year." GRAMMAR SCHOOL, TUNBRIDGE. . This town has to boast a very famous free or grammar school, erected and endowed by sir Andrew Judd, a native of Tuubridge, who filled the office of lord mayor of London, in the year 1551. He erected the school-house, with some other buildings belonging to the same, endowing it with land, and entrusted the management to the Skinners 'Company of London. Sir Andrew died in 1558; and in the fourteenth year of the reign of queen Elizabeth, an act of parliament was passed for the assurance of the lands to the above school, the amount whereof was £56 : Os : 4d, being situated in different parishes in the city of London, or near the same. There are several exhibitions appropriated to this school, which are paid in sums of £10 a year, each for seven years, to six poor scholars who are to rejiair to either of the universities. The Skinners' Company, for the time being, are standing trustees of this noble charity ; a duty it has always discharged, with a generosity and care highly creditable to its members. WESTERH AM, This town, frequently written Westram, stands westward of Brasted, being entered m Domesday record under the name of Oistreham, and, in the Textus Boffensis, Westerham, the name being derived from its situation at the western boundary of the county. The accompanying view represents the market-house, a neat structure, and the spire of the KENT. THE COUNTY OF KENT. 9T church in the distancw, iiulfpoiidi-iit of which wo har« liiilc to luUi rtt]M>cUni: (iio town itarlf. Tl>e church, dedicateil to St. Mnry, i» a upaciuiu, hiuiiiMHiiu itructure, i untiuiiiuf; ■ luivc, two itide-aulcis and one cnmH-iiihli-, an lulditioiml ^'ullory iutvin^' hceu iTi'ct4Hi for the kcctnnmod*- tiun of tht> pariHliioncm. Auion{,' till' nionuiiu-nls in thiw fiil)ri«-, over tht« south door, in a pljiin marhio »Lh, commrmo- rstive of the pdlont ptMU«rid Wohc, a native of thi» porinh, born January 8, 17^. ll<- wm mortally wounded in Anu•ril;^ S.|.tiiiilier 13, 176», haviufj, on the eve of lurrrnderini; up hta lireath, iLM-ertaines are so extensive and numerous, that, literally speaking, thev constitute streets of sloro-hou-ies ; the rope-houv for cables is one thousand one hundred and forty feet long, and the smiths' Kho|><« contain upwardt of twenty forges for manufacturing iuichors and oilier iron work, and are so stu|>enduus •• to create a sensation of awe when contemplated. To these must be added, four wet-docks, canals, and ditches, for laving up masts and yards of the largest dimensions, where thry remain simk in the water. Finally, it would be utterly impossible to convey an .viequale idea of the multiplicity of structures, stores, and necetaaries, here set apart fur the different works appertaining to the navy; the whole presenting a well-regulateck keepers, walchmen, and all other offirers, » ith- out doors; with the subordination of ail officers one to another, respectively, accvrdm^ 2o. «c 96 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAl BRITAIN. as their degrees and offices require. The watch is set every night at certain places in the various yards, every one having a bell over his head, which he rings or tolls hourly, giving as many strokes as the hour has attained. In the river there is also a guard-boat, which, like the niaingiiard in a garrison, rows the grand rounds at stated intervals, by every ship in the river, to ascertain that the persons on board are at their posts. If the man, stationed to look out in each ship, does not cry, " Who comes there?" the men of the guard-boat imme- diately board her, to examine into such defect of duty. In 1758, when this country was threatened by an invasion from the French, the extensive fortifications, called the Lines, were commenced, extending from the Medway, above the ordnance wharf, measuring half a mile in width and a mile in breadth, extending beyond the limits of tlie dock-yard, where they again unite with the river. Within this area, besides the naval establishments, are included the Upper and Lower Barracks, the church of Chat- ham, and the hamlet of Brompton, containing about five hundred dwellings. Various important additions have since been made, as in 1782 an act passed for the purchase of lands, for the further security of this great national depot. The hihabitants of this town, for the most part, subsist by being employed in the dock-yard, or such trades as are connected with maritime pursuits. Their number, in 1831, amounted to 17,936, which does not. however, include the military. GRAVESEND. This town is built upon a declivity leading to the Thames, being partly in Milton parish, which adjoins Gravesend on the eastern side. In the tenth of Elizabeth, the parishes of Gravesend and Milton were incorporated; but, in 1632, the principal charter was granted by Charles the First. Prior to that period, the chief officer had been styled the portreve ; but, by the latter instrmnent, he was called the mayor ; the same document gave the hberty of additional markets weekly, and an annual fair, with a full confirmation of the privilege exclusively enjoyed by the inhabitants, of conveying passengers and goods by water to London. The extraordinary influx of visitors by the steam packets from London, has prompted the corporation to erect a new pier, in order to facilitate the landing of the company. Persons not having visited this important spot, can form no idea of the busy scene that presents itself, on the arrival of the packets, during the fine season of the year, which afford a very plentiful harvest to the various innkeepers of the town, as well as the watermen employed to carry the company from and to the vessels, on their arrival in the morning, and return in the evening. From the extraordinary change for the better in Gravesend, and the numerous mansions erecting, in order to accommodate visitants, there is every reason to suppose that ^ TT w m-, p, TT T) ■ r.; IE W IE IL Sd I :M'.>li3heon hint ihi* hn;hc«t credit; neither niuHt the Ubrary and nahion ol Mr. IVnny be |iaii».tabliHhnicnt w iiJi every thinp llul raji in-atif\ *hp lovers u( retioeineut and tiiHtu. TUN B in I) (I !■ W r. ITS. The spot which bears the above desi^ation present* several scattered villn(;es and inaii- sions; bein^; five niilea southward of Tuiiltrid(je town, and xtandit jwrtlv in the p.irisht>« uf Speldhurst and Tunbrid^re, in Kent, and ol' I'rant, in the cotnity of Su*»ex. 'ITie principal objecU in this resort of fiuiiiion are, Mount IMe;u«inl, Mount Sion, Mount Kphraini, and the Wells which were discovered by Dudley Lord North, in lfi()6, while residing at Kridge- house, for the recovery of his health. That jjeiitleinan is stated li' i-^talt* roiiiiiiuul)' rdlftl "|>ro|nT," liJivi- 1(111^ hccu au (lii> ctnilributury Und* above ineiiUuiird. l{(>cbfslor briil(,'e, jm 8i'iMi in llic a('f Irel iii li-njftli, bavin;,' on eitber Hide a Htone |);ira|jrl, »Ironyly (o|M-d, wliiili in i>urinoiiiili-rte«rienrc« a considerable tion for the use of travellers three chaplains being a|>point4'ot. ConliguouH to the little villagi- of Pcgwell. it the elegant marine residence of Sir Willijun Garrow, and betwe«'n the »aine village and Hain*- Tate, is West Cliff, the beautifully situi»tem it wa» nurcha-sed of Ixird Darnley. At this villiige the inhabitants catch very largo shriinpa of the ftne«t flavour, a* well a* lob- sters, soles, mullet.*, and a flelicious Hat-tisli, callwl the prill, which is in rwy gnal r««|UM«. 26. •» im PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. S ANDGATE. This village owes Its origin to a gentleman of the name of Wilson, who, about the year 1773, settled there as a ship-builder, and finding his business prosperous, erected several small tenements for his workmen, and some for sale. The example of IVIr. WUson brought together other shipwrights, who established building yards and docks. During the war, a considerable number of large ships and vessels were built here for the royal navy ; others as privateers, carrying about twenty guns ; besides numerous vessels for trading purposes. About 1794, a large encampment was formed on the adjoining heights, called Shorncliffe ; upon which, barracks were afterwards erected, for infantry and artillery. This place then became one of the most celebrated military stations in the kingdom, from the above year to the close of the war, and was for a long period under the command of the gallant Sir John Moore. Sandgate is situated on the very verge of the sea, which flows up to within a few yards of the houses; and south of the main street, a lofty hill, almost sufficiently abrupt to be termed a.precipice, rises immediately behind the buildings opposite. This street, or rather the two rows of houses on either side of the turnpike road, and a few detached buildings, constitute one of the prettiest villages upon the Kentish coast. The neatness of the dwellings, the lively and cheerful air of the surrounding objects, the wide expanse of sea, the delicious and invigorating breezes, the purity of the waves, and the pleasant rides and walks with which the neighbourhood abounds, concur to render Sandgate a most desirable residence for those who visit the coast during the summer months. The inhabitants have not been inattentive to a union of so many advantages, having ren- dered this little bathing-place in every respect worthy of public patronage and encouragement. With a laudable spirit they have increased the facilities of bathing, by the establishment of machines, and the construction of hot and cold baths ; and if reasonable charges are any recom- mendation, the fame of Sandgate will reward them for their judicious arrangements and com- mendable exertions. Sandgate, being completely sheltered from the north and east winds, affords to those whose condition of health requires it, an opportunity of bathing in the sea earlier in spring, and until a later period in autumn, than can be safely practised in places more exposed, and in a colder atmosphere. Even when fogs hang gloomily upon the hills to the northward, the little slip of land at their foot, which extends from Sandgate to Hythe, along the sea side, is favoured by the genial influence of the sun ; and in the scorching heats of summer is refreshed by the sea breezes. Sandgate is seventy-four miles from London, by the route of Canterbury and Folkstone, and about three miles nearer through Ashford. A constant intercourse between Dover, THK roTvrv or kfat. i^i Btij:hton, and PorUmouth, pive« a coiui(ii>rubl«< Augrets of animation to llir r<.»d thrnugfa tiiia villiitji', by the iiuinbiT of pprgoiu iiuluii-d liy buiiiiicw, or altrarli-il by rurio«itv, to travrl cuiiMtwisf. It aUo iitfordit to lliii oroiuiioiiul viiiitor an opportunilv, ul a tnvLil eti>rn*r, of viewinw what«opviT [» worthy notiio in tliw interoitin); part of tJii. niuntrr, without cxrcjMliii-,', :it any point of tJie roaHS it has lieen considerably reern a round tower in the middle, contiining the governor's apartmenla, anil a deep fiMM*. with \ drawbridge enclosing the whcde. If the above description relates to the old castle, and not to that which w.i« ererted by king Henry the Kightli, it seems to have undergone but little alteration during tlie Uat-mentionrd reign. Tlie mpUiiii, store-keeper, and ginmers, were anciently np|>l«var Uiwn iip|Mur i< • - "..ui till- liiwo of an iinmcii*.' |.r«'ci|.ir.s while a |M.rlion m-ciiu cliii(;inj{ to iu uAe, aiwl i ,,(. inc towar.ln ili,- iiiurniii of the ».il To ihi- rijjlit, •trt'tuhi-a tho rKlorwirc- lv»«l .,t lluuiiM'y Marnh, iiltcriuitfly chtMiii.TcMl hy trurin of v,.nl«ris filut. "f •I.tIK- (.t.iuimI. ' I,.-, of miowy whiU-iicitM, pruiiuci-il by llic iiiuin-n-.e ll.H-k* ol %Ufvy ^^T■MU^( on thi- |<.. .1. Ii, that dirortion, llie horizon is houud.-d hy tliu Summx hilU, biMUlifully (iinlriwt«i,i is trnly pictureiujuc and connnaiidin^;. Near the wi>«tern extremity of the town siaudii a viry li.ioilkouie nugv of bruk buililm({», eri'it«'H by order of M of the place, b«aprA the respectability and commerciid importance of this town. There are nuuiv Iioummi pleaaanlljr situated upon ledj^i's of the cliH" above Ilythe, couuuiuidinfr the nio»l beautiful anil ext4?iMiv« inland and maritime prospects. The lod;.'ings appropriated for tJie aucommiHlalion of *iru)guni during the bathing season are well Htted up ; and the society, which generally «iD«i*t« of lb* families of officers and [)ersons in affluent cireuniKtances, greatly coi)tribut4^ to indiwn ajid improve this .I'.'recalilc ^v.■ltl•^i1l■/-T'l.!l■l•. W ALMI^K C.VSTLE. Tjiis fortress stands about one mile south <«f the towm of Deal, a" ' from the res|M'ctablc village of Walmer, which is wiU-built and bestu . ...i»- tiguoua to the shore of the Dritish cliaiiuel. The celebrity of llus pUcr has bren ac- quired from this fortified structure, which also stands close to the •etvkliorc, cmnntaDding a beautiful view of tiie Downs, and the opposite clitf* of Iranct-. \\ almrr (.'aslU is one of thow strong forls «rccl4»d for the defence of the c«>a»t, by onbr of king Ileory the F.ightli, and is approprtateer»on of his grace the duk.- »( WcUing- 106 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. ton, who has not hitherto, like his predecessor, the earl of Liverpool, been enabled to make this castellated residence his al)ode, for any length of time. In war time, a sloop or l)rig- of war always is stationed otf this castle, during the period when the lord warden thinks fit to make it his residence. The mode of fortification adopted m constructing the Cinque Port castles is somewhat peculiar, as all the works are circular, carried up by arches of masonry from the base of the moat. Level with that are close y wliii li many dwrllinpi in llir r - > ' ' ' ,.f^ overthrown, uiul houu- iniliviiliiaU killtHl. It |i,irtii'(ilitrlv niriH-liMl Sui.' . r, SheorncKK, and I\>rt«inoutli, tut wril lui tlif ninriiinii- ili*trirl* uf liolUiid, Matulri-k, anil Nur- ninncly. On that orcawlon, tlio w.iIIh of Deal (\u tliat tlu> |ioriHinii roiilnii; iu that tort )'k|MH-tMi every moment that tliey Bhonlil he IniritMl henealli tlie ruiuit of tlie f.ilirir. In .M.iri-li, I7UI, a watenpout waa observeii in the dowiui, whicli, in our northern Utiluilr, at kurh a lime of the year, tlic weatlier !)ein(,' also cold and windy, wan deemed of very uii . ' irrrnrr. The I'hannel of the oeean, adjoining; thii Khore, in railed "the do^^ i famou*, an afl'ordinfr a safe and cominudious road for tlie lar);i>st tleeta, and iihip« of the hpavt««t burthen. It extendH about ei^'ht mile« in leiif^th, and nix in widtli, beini; friH{ueullT »o lillml with nicn-(d-war and merchantmen, of our own, iw well x<* other ro.mtrie*, that liie r«- paiiHe «if water appears as if entirely coveres., were lost on the Gooflwiu Sands, with the major part of tlicir crews; a* seventy men only were saved from the Stirliiijj Castle, and one from the Mary, in which latter vp«»>« ' • • . prior to which, this shelf, or s;mds was merely a sluUlow, extending between the 1 _ nd the Flemish co.ists, .iiitl so far .-overed by w.iter .x* never to bee«ime dry, having so hi(|h • MB rolling over their surface an not to endanger ve«»eU pawing over them, »« i» the case in chan- nels elsewhere. However, on the commotion of thu element, tbore ■lloded to, lbo.« flooda 108 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. of the sea between the two shores having flowed beyond their boundaries, and acquired such an additional space over those parts, (as the sea usually decreases in one spot as it augments in another,) this shelf, or these sands, requiring that sufficiency of water whereby they had been previously covered, were left so near the surface as, when the tide was down, to appear partly dry, so as to admit the disembarkation of persons thereon. In regard to the appella- tion given to these dangerous sands, its origin seems buried in complete oblivion, although some who contend that it existed in the time of earl Goodwin, imagine that it originated in part of his shipping having been there wrecked, or the sands discovered by some of them. Be this as it may, the designation serves to distinguish it from the various other sands hereabouts. The Goodwin sand is extensive, and divided into two parts, though the intervening chan- nel is only navigable by small boats. The length of both, from the south sand-head, over against VValmer castle, to the north sand-head, over against the North Foreland, extends about ten miles, being nearly two in breadth. The sand is frequently very hard and firm : so that persons land there, and continue, from pleasurable motives, for hours, in the summer, wandering upon its surface ; but no sooner does the return of the tide begin to cover the sands, than they assume a soft consistency, and gradually float to and fro with the waves, and, on their retiring again, settle in the same manner as before. The red tint, which the Goodwin sands occasion on the water, is plainly perceptible from the town of Deal, and the adjoining slioros. COLLEGE GATEWAY, MAIDSTONE. Having upon a previous occasion detailed the origin of this institution, it would be super-^ fluous to recapitulate the history of the college once existing at Maidstone, which was originallj' founded by the munificent archbishop Boniface, as an hospital, but converted into a college by his successor, the primate Courtenay, who was raised to the archiepiscopal dignity in 1381. The gateway depicted in the accompanying plate is a fine vestige of antiquity, and in excellent preservation ; independent of which, most of the buildings are still in existence on the south side of the church, being at present occupied by a person in the hop trade. CHRIST CHURCH GATE, CANTERBURY. The chief entrance to this magnificent edifice is by the gateway represented in the accom- panying plate, the approach being through a narrow lane, branching off from the main street of Canterbury. It is highly ornamented by niches and statues, and embellished by a profusion Eji,gra\-'ev: ty B W'jnkles ITiaiE BJ1JSH®P'S FA)L,AC1]S At MAn© S T ® N !S. KBNT, ' IS32,t-nu. Zagraved by ^ 'WiEiiiltfj- ^SIIS FIS.YAM.S Alf AYIL.13glF®lK.© KEN T. I HK SEAT OF LORD AVLBS FORD. -.1 183?.. by Geo.'Wrtu*. 2lJ.I\7Laiie. IMK COIM V (Jl KKNT um I.I larvwl work, dliii-lils . tl..- ar. b "HOC OI'l-.S tON.HTniCTlM KNI ANNtI linMIM HILLESIMO ^L'lNC-.F.NTIKIMO DKt IMO hriTIMO." Tlie i'lft'ct« of tiini' huvi- in wmii' iiii-iuiiirf cfl'in-il ibin 1 ml, tbuu(;b it U lo bf trar<<n:ir1(JNE. This town constituted part of the ancient possession* of the »ec of Canterbury, and to con- tinued at the time of tbe Norman Compiest, as it stands recorde*! in tl»e •urvey of I)ofnc«day, inider the title of " lands of the archbishop." It rloes not appear thai the primates of Canterbury were po*Bea*«d of a mansion of any note at this place until the reign of king John, when William do Comhill i* sUled to have given his seat in Maidstone to tlie primate, Stephen I .Kington, as a re«denr« for himwlf »nd hi» uue- ceMors. John I'tlord, who was raise, and appear* to have pulled down the greater p;irt of the ancient structure ; in which "tate of dila- pidation it continued for a short lime, in conse<|uenc6 of the death of that primair, {trior to hi« receiving thi- pall from Rome, or being duly con»eerated. ,\rchbishop Hrxiwardinr, who succeeded, dving very shortly after, nothing was done until the acct^on of .Smon Imlip, in J.'UO, who having caused the ruiney kni^rlifs servic... Thomas Hon of th.- ahov.-, luvinu partiripalwl in th<> rebellion apainst (jueen Mary, aiid beinj,' atuintwl, thin priory, &c. I>ecaiii.' forfeitwl to the crown, and so continut'd, until pranteil hy KliAilieth to John Stxiley, oik|^ of .Southfli-.-i, who resided hero; and, dyiuf; without issue, l>e.|ueathey whose heir, in KJ'.?, the pro|M-rtr wa» alienated to Caleb Hauls esij., of Maidstone, who ecjiwlly with his hou John, re«idr«i hrr«. and was created a baronet iu 1661. On a 8ubRe(|ucnt division of this estate amon<; the feniab- branches, the priory passed, by niarriajje, to Heneage Pinrli, cs<|., serond son to I{ene«(;e, e.-url of Nottingham, lord chancellor of Fn«_'land. Heinj.' bred to the l.iw, and havinp nniuired jjreat reputation, ijueen .Vnne, on llie l.'uli of March, 170:}, cre.Ued Hencaf^e Much, cimj., of the F^ryars, baron of the island of Guernsey, in Soutliampton ; also numinntinfr him a memltrr of her privy council. On the accession of Georcfs the First, he was, in I7H, niteA to the jieeraije, by the title of earl of Aylesford ; and in that line the priorv and cctatc harp Continued. The preater portion of this ancient structure remains entire ; beinp, periui|Mi, the lea»t demo- lished of any conventual edifice tiirouixhnut this |>art of Kent. Tlie princij».d catewsv from the road is perfect, conununicatini; to a laru'e s«|uare court, wherein are tlie iwvcral diwir-wav* tliat conducted to the cells. That side, still presenting lofty buttre«M>ii to the left, within the pate, was the prand hall or refectorv, now partitioned off into diflk>rent afiartmenti. TTi« kitchen occupied the e.i-steni side of the i|uadraiii.'lc. ;is apjHMrs from tho Urpe fire-pLuHi in one anple of the same. The diapel constitutcil that jhirtion of the structure standinp e*rt and west; the north siile fronts the parden, and the south the river. The eaAteni window wa* that part where Is now the dininp-room or p;dlery-door, with the iron halnmT frontinp tlie town. The principal jwvrts of the priory, that is to v^y, the hall, cliajM-l. rli>:-' — v-. were converttvl into stateiv apartments by .Sir Jtdin Rinks luid the cloi«t<'r« •!. 1 paved with white and black marble. There is a lofty slune wall 6unng th« road, which environs the parden; beinp the ».une as when the i-stabli^hment wa« Thr larpe ponds contipuous to the mill above, appertain to the e»lstbii<^_ Draim "by J Russell. Eu&jtvoa Tn' J.EeojKall. Eu&jtvoa Ij,' csrateshh: Fubliatled. 1832,ljy • M^ ..» ,»V .■^' M '. THK COUNTY OF KENT. \\r{ aliovu, with lour other lower eciitices filling up tix! divisions between each range. These contain a library and hook-room for the officers, together with mess and guard-roomti, and a chapel sufficiently capacious to admit a congregation of one thousand individuals. Not far distant from the back of the chapel is a new riding-school, constructed of brick, from a design of sir J. Wyattville, presenting t\ic JiK^adt of an ancient temple, wliioli structure has a very commanding appearance, being about fifty vards in length, by twenty-one in breadth. G R A V E S E N D In another part of this work we have noticed the town of Gravesend, and its improve- ments. The annexed view was taken previous to the erection of the pier, and is a faithfiil representation of the old picturesque buildings which formerly stood on either side of the landing-place. It is a large and populous place, but the houses are mean, the streets narrow, a7id, until within the hist fifty years, were ill-paved and abounding willi filth. Owing to the pleiisant distance of Graveseud from the metropolis, and the convenience of the steam-boats, which leave different wharfs in the neighbourhood of London-bridge every morning, and return the same evening, this town has, during the summer months, a consider- able number of visitors, who come here to enjoy the salubrity of the air and the bathing; tJiere being ou the banks of the river a convenient bathing-house, proviib'd v.illi good machines, and with hot and cold baths. Windmill Hill, just above the town, is also one of its attractions, owing to the tine views of the rivers Thames and Medway, and the pleasant walks in its immediate vicinage. THE QUAY AT RAMSGATE. Hamsgati; Qi ay i>. accounted one of the most convenient in all the southern ports. The inns are very respectable and well conducted, and coaches are constantlv arriving from and starting for the metropolis. 29. 2 O lU PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL. T^is uij^ificent gothic structure may certainly rank as one of the most venerable relics of antiquity England has to boast, while its foundation is of a correspondent character, as connected with the ecclesiastical annals of our country. Although the original church was not completed until after St. Augustine's death, he dedicated the same to our " Saviour, Christ ;" whence it is commonly called Christ's Church. The structure was twice destroyed ; once by the hands of the Danes, and a second time by fire. Canute having mounted the throne, Agelnoth, then archbishop, terminated the re-erection of the Cathedral. Notwith- standing which, when Lanfranc, subsequent to the Norman conquest, was appointed to this see, he found the structure in a ruinous state, having been a third time a prey to the flames. That ecclesiastic, by perseverance, speedily restored the edifice to a state of grandeur, superior to any thing previously displayed in England; and, the whole being in readiness, ho changed the title of the fabric, dedicating the same to the Holy Trinity. On the death of Lanfranc, the building was further embellished by his successor, Anselm, who re-constructed the choir, adding thereto a variety of decorations. Conrad, in whom the see was vested after Ernulph, perfected the choir, and adorned the same with pictures and other costly ornaments ; when, in honour of its builder, it acquired the name of " The Glorious Choir of Conrad." Nothing material happened to the Cathedral until 1 130, when it was again damaged by fire, but speedily repaired ; and the bishops performed the office of its dedication ; that ceremonial being attended by Henry the First and his consort, David king of Scotland, &c. : the original name of Christ Church being then restored. In 1174, a conflagration again took place, when two-thirds of the fabric were reduced to ashes ; after which even the Prior resolved on re- building the Cathedral in a manner calculated to defy the attacks of fire ; and the most skilfid architects France and England coidd produce were employed ; so that the new structure surpassed, in height, extent, and decorations, every thing previously displayed in the choir of Conrad. Although no account is recorded in history of the new dedication of the churcli, it appears to have been from that time denominated the " Church of Saint Thomas the Martyr," and so continued for upwards of three hundred and fifty years. In 1304, the choir underwent repairs, Avhen three new portals were constructed, the chair for preaching raised, and the carved screen of stone-work executed at the western extremity of tlie choir, which still exists. In 1379, archbishop Sudbury removed the old nave erected by Lanfranc, as too insignificant for the rest of the choir. His intention was to have re-built the same at his own charge; but, ere the first stone was laid, the rebels, under Wat Tyler, seized that prelate, whom tliey decapitated on Tower Hill. His successor, archbishop Courtenay, commenced that portion Tiir. corNTV or kv.st. i,^ of till- faliric, c-ontril.ut'mir on.- tlinuH.iii.1 marks wliili. ArumUl, who ranif «A««r him, ^vp tl.r like sum, uiul tlio uriilcrtakiiit; wiw tlii'ii ciimitlplc^l. Ill 1172, William St'lliiif;, ihc Trior, Ite^'iiii to rrlmil.l the ^rnt tower : aiul 'IlKimM (Jolil- Mtoias by »vhom hi- wa» KUtrfwl.'.!, tiiiinluMl ihi' njuni*. Ilit. UtU'r, alto, to pivc dunl.ility to lh«» slnicttiro, niuficil two lar^'iT iiiul four xinallrr »loiip nrrhcn lo I.e raiM-*), nrujrtilni' from pillar to pillar, wliicli Htill remain Holid, as when uri^'iiiallv i-oii»tru('t)-«l. I'roin the above date, only a few omamentd iinprovetneiiU Imve lierii miulp ; none of whicli are of iutlicient coiisf(|ucncc to re<|uire iiolirc. Durin); the civil rommotiniu, ih.. C'iitliiHlnJ un render it tit for the celebralinn of divine Krvirt*. The western front coiuiHtM of a ct-ntre, uith a low rece»seil entrance, and a sparioui window above, between two towers, lliat to the iiorth-weHt in of Noniian coiwtniction, »uppoM«l lo have been part of Lanfranc's edifice, althou;;h partially altered. Over thin tower wa» anrirnllv an Oftiigonal »pire, erccteil by archbishop Arundel; and thence iuimei|uent to a dreiulful temp«-st that occurred in 1703; liurin^f which. th«» damage Rustaine*! was coiisiilerable. The tower on the iMMith-w(>kt in cilliij Chichelev'*, having been commenced by that ccclesListic : its oummit i* embattled, termiiuitinr; with fuar pinnacles at the angles, intersected by others Htill smaller. 'Hie west entrance opens under a pointe the old Kn^'lish architectural taste. Adjunct lo the western transept stands St. Michael's chapel ; and beyond, a portion of the building display* evident remaiiut of the original structure of Lanfranc. To the north, every thing is uniform in character with the southern aspect ; but the riew k gradually impeded bv adjoining ilwellings. The grand tower, risini; from the iiiter*ection of the western transept, with the nave and choir, is one of the most ch.uilely lieaulif- ' -■ -i-n* of pointed architecture to be found in Kngland. Its deration above the roof i< dr. and from the summit is a variegated view of the city and adjacent counlr)'. On entering the Cathedral from the south, the simplicity of the n.ive, .ind i..iui\ i.l" il» vaulted roofing, uniformly enchant the eyes of a stranger, 'lliat division of tin- rsliticr is separated from the aisles by eight columns on either side: the aisle* are nearly uniform with the nave, the windows lofiy, and the whole presents a perfect sfteoinien of architectural la*tp in the fiAeenth centiirv. An area, of thirty-five feet Mjuare, is fornie«l by the oolumn* of the great tower; the four arches whereon it rests are of the most clmste proptirlious while tlu* interior of the turret being open to a considerable height, prixluci-s an rffect truly interesting. From the nave to the choir is a triple tlight of steps, and in front <>( the lalli" > '»••■■. tiMil stone screen, surmounted bv an organ. Within six niches are that number of 1 gv at full length; one bearing in his hand the reM-mblanc« of a Suon church, is, in ail pn>b*- bility, intended to repri>»cni the person of king Kthelbert. 116 PICTURESQUE BEAUTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. At the upper part of the nave are two cross aisles ; that to the north, in consequence of the assassination of Thomas Becket, being styled the Martyrdom ; and in the same wing was formerly au altar, called the altar of the Martyrdom of St. Thomas. The superb painted window in this transept, presented by Edward the Fourth, was, during tlie period of fanaticism, destroyea ; the remains, however, afford sufficient proof of its original beauty. Adjoining the northern side, behind archbishop Warham's tomb, was a chapel, erected by that pious churchman, which at the reformation was pulled down. Contiguous is the dean's chapel, having been the bm'ial-place of many of those dignitaries of Canterbury ; the roof is of curiously carved stone-work, and the structure dedicated to the Virgin. The grand window, at the southern extremity, has been rebuilt, and embellished by stained glass from various parts of the church and neighbourhood ; the whole producing a magnificent effect. On the eastern side of the wing is St. Michael's Chapel, probably rebuUt at the same time as the cross aisles and nave of the church. The aisles were surmounted by two towers, with pointed turrets ; the one dedicated to St. Anselm, and the other to St. Andrew. The audit chamber is at the upper end of the north aisle, and adjoining is an ancient cham- ber, called the treasury, formerly the great armory, to distinguish it from the lesser, under the high altar ; and near the same, the vestry, used by the dean and prebendaries forrobing, &c. The range of windows, in the additional structure annexed to the eastern part of the Cathe- dral in 1174, is in a different st}de from those previously mentioned. The lofty windows in Trinity Chapel and Becket's Crown originally contained representa- tions of the passion of St. Thomas, with the story of his miracles. The grand window over the western entrance into the nave, was constructed towards the close of the reign of Richard the Third ; being gothic, mitred at the top, with numerous compartments, in several stories, divided by stone-work. The principal dimensions of Canterbury Cathedral are as follow : lienotli (Vom east to west ......-.--.. 514 feet BreacUli of the body and aisles ..-----. 74 Heiciit of the south-west tower 130 of nurth.west tower -.---..------.-- 100— — Among the principal monuments may be enumerated those of archbishops Pcckham and Warham, and Walter Reynolds, who died 1327; archbishop Walter, 1193; Cardinal Kemp, 1451-; archbishop Stratford, 1341; archbishop Sudbury, 1381; archbishop Meopham, arch- bishop Chicheley, 1443: and archbishop Bourchier, 1486; king Henry the Fourth, and Joan of Navarre, his queen ; Edward the black prince, 1376 ; archbishop Courtenay, 1396 ; Odo Coliguie, bishop of Beauvais, 1571 ; dean ^^'otton, 1566, and archbishop Pole. THE END K. CLAV, PRIMEB, BREAD-STKEEf-HILL. IIIMMIiilllil D