pier is 1500 feet long, and has a lighthouse at its extremity. The harbour admits vessels of 500 tons burden, and is divided into two parts by a wall, fitted with sluices, and forming an inner and an outer harbour. The voyage between Ramsgate and London by steamboat occupies from seven to eight hours. Population in 1851, 11,838. On the east side of Ramsgate is East Cliff Lodge, the seat of Sir Moses Montefiore, Bart.; and a short distance to the southwest of the town is Pegwell Bay, famous for its shrimps. Pegwell Bay possesses also an interest of another kind, since it was here that, according to tradition, Hengist and Horsa landed, about the year 446 A. D. A road also leads from Canterbury to Sandwich and Deal. At the distance of 3 miles it passes Littlebourne, near which, on the right, is Lee Priory, Sir F. S. H. Brydges, Bart. Three miles farther on is Wingham, and near it, on the right, is Dane Court, E. R. Rice, Esq. A little farther in the same direction is Goodneston, Sir B. W. Bridges, Bart. Three miles and a quarter from Wingham is Ash; and three miles farther, the town of Sandwich. This was formerly a place of some importance, but its harbour has long been choked up with sand. It is a Cinque Port, and contained in 1851, 2966 inhabitants. About 5 miles from Sandwich is Deal, also one of the Cinque Ports, and situated near the Downs, which extend about 8 miles in length and 6 in breadth, between this place and the Goodwin Sands. Deal was, before the general rise of steam tugs, the general rendezvous of the East India and other fleets. Here was also an establishment of pilots, for the more safe conveyance of shipping into and out of the Downs, and up the rivers Thames and Medway. Deal is defended by a castle, and along the coast are several martello towers. Between this place and Sandwich is Sandown Castle, built by Henry VIII; and about a mile from the town, on the other side, is Walmer Castle, held till his decease by the Duke of Wellington, as Warden of the Cinque Ports. Deal has of late years become frequented as a watering-place, and its appearance been in consequence greatly improved. The inhabitants are chiefly engaged in boat-building, sailmaking, and other pursuits of a nautical character; and the Deal boatmen have a deservedly high repute for their skill and intrepidity in affording assistance to vessels in distress. For Parliamentary purposes Deal is included in the borough of Sandwich, which, conjointly with it, returns two members to Parliament. Population, 1851, 7067. Six miles distant from Deal is the S. Foreland Lighthouse; and three miles beyond, Dover. Margate, Ramsgate, and Deal are all connected with the metropolis by railways, for which see Chapters IV, and V. Dover is situated in a deep valley, formed by an opening in the chalk hills, which surround it in the form of an amphitheatre. On one of these, situated to the eastward of the town, and rising abruptly to a height of 320 feet above the sea, is situated the ancient Castle. The walls of Dover Castle embrace an area of nearly 35 acres of ground, within which space are contained towers and other buildings of various ages, from Roman to recent times. The appearance of the whole, from the commanding elevation which it occupies, is very imposing. Other portions of the heights adjacent to the town are also fortified The harbour, which is formed artificially by piers and jetties, has recently been deepened and much improved, at vast expense. The town has been greatly extended of late years, and is now a fashionable and much-frequented wateringplace, with every accommodation for the convenience of visitors. It is situated at the point of our island which makes the nearest approach to the coast of France, which is distant only 21 miles, and which is distinctly visible in clear weather. By means of the submarine electric telegraph, Dover now keeps up a constant communication with France, and through her, with a great portion of the continent. It was formerly the principal place of embarkation for the continent, but has been partially superseded in that respect by Folkstone. Dover is one of the Cinque Ports, and returns two members to Parliament. Population in 1851, 22,244. The hotels and inns are numerous. About half a mile to the south-west of Dover is Shakespere's Cliff, a bold prominence of chalk, now tunnelled through by the railway, and the name of which is derived from the well-known description in the fourth act of" King Lear," which it is supposed to have suggested. But portions of the summit have fallen at various times, so that it now retires inland, and no longer "looks fearfully in the confined deep,"-though still affording a magnificent and "dizzy" prospect. 66 CHATHAM, BY RAILWAY, 31 Miles. The Railway passes through the centre of Woolwich, which is distant 8 m. from London by road, and about 9 m. by water. Here is a Government dockyard, established in the reign of Henry VIIL, consisting of a narrow strip of land, which extends for more than half a m. along the banks of the river. But the chief object of interest is the R. Arsenal, which covers more than 100 acres, and forms the grand depot of artillery for the use of the army and navy. It seldom contains fewer than 24,000 pieces of ordnance, besides smaller arms innumerable. Here are foundries for cannon, and every other description of warlike stores. On the adjacent common are extensive barracks, a Royal Military Academy for the educa tion of young gentlemen designed for the military profession, and a Military Repos 27 itory, containing weapons of destruction of almost every 26 age and nation. There is a large convict establishment here employed in the Government Dockyard and the Arsenal. On the opposite side of the Thames a new town is 23 springing up, called North1851), 19,387 Pop. of Parish 22 32,367. Plumstead. Ingress Abbey-The Hive. At Northfleet some snipbuilding is carried on. Limel 8 LONDON TO WOOLWICH, GRAVESEND, &c., BY RAILWAY-Continued. III. LONDON TO FOLKSTONE AND DOVER, BY RAILWAY, 88 Miles. |