392 FONT OF CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL. I meet with the grief of parents upon a tomb-stone, my breast melts with compassion. When I see the tombs of parents themselves, I consider the vanity of grieving for those whom we must quickly follow. When I see kings lying by those who deposed them-when I consider rival wits placed side by side, or the holy men, that divided the world with their contests and disputes, I reflect with sorrow and astonishment on the little competitions and debates of mankind. When I read the several dates of the tombs, of some that died yesterday, and some six hundred years ago, I consider that GREAT DAY when we shall all of us be contemporaries, and make our appearance together!" > I had almost forgotten to notice the fine font in this cathedral, given by Dr. Warner, Bishop of Rochester, 1636, and now standing in a small octagon building. It was, in the time of Oliver Cromwell, pulled down by the soldiers, but Mr. Somner bought and reserved the pieces till the restoration: then presenting it to the archbishop he replaced it, and first baptized in it the daughter of the very person who had been the means of its preservation. I feel myself much obliged to an intelligent gentleman belonging to the Society of Friends, for accompanying me through the several parts of the cathedral: and this is not an improper place to confess myself indebted for information to the Companion of the Canterbury Cathedral, and to the Rev. W. Gosling's Walk in and about the City of Canterbury. CANTERBURY DIOCESE. 393 Fixing my eyes on the archiepiscopal chair, I was reminded of the intelligent and amiable John Tillotson, who died 1692, universally lamented.He was the first prelate who was elevated to the Primacy after the revolution, and of course was exposed to the resentment of those persons who were attached to the cause of the abdicated monarch. His conduct, however, was that of the Saviour; when he was reviled, he reviled not again. After his death was found a bundle of anonymous letters that had been sent him, full of abuse and calumny; the only notice he had taken of them, was, tying them together and writing upon themFather forgive them, they know not what they do! His sermons are held in just estimation. King William, upon his decease, was pleased to say, and it was a noble tribute of respect to his memory "I never knew an honester man, and I never had a better friend!" The diocese of Canterbury contains 257 parishes, besides chapels in Kent, and 100 more in other dioceses. These latter are called peculiars, because, wherever the archbishop has manors or advowsons, those places are deemed in the diocese of Canterbury. The see is supposed to produce about 15,000l. per annum. The archbishop is primate of all England, and the first peer of the realm, having precedence of all Dukes not of the blood-royal, and all the officers of state. He is styled his Grace, and writes himself Divina Providentia, by Divine Providence, whereas other bishops style themselves Divina Permissione, by 394 ST. MARTIN'S CHURCH. Divine Permission. At coronations he places the crown on the king's head; and wherever the court may be held, their Majesties are the proper domestic parishioners of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The see has yielded eighteen saints to the church of Rome, and nine cardinals-to the civil state of England, twelve lords chancellor, four lords treasurer, and one lord chief justice, besides nine chancellors to the university of Oxford. Dr. Sutton, is the present respectable Archbishop, and will, no doubt, conduct himself with moderation. In every department of life the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit forms the loveliest decoration of Christianity. We must not close the description of Canterbury without noticing two curiosities, St. Martin's Church, and the ruins of St. Augustine's Abbey. St. Martin's Church is thought to be the most antique piece of architecture in the kingdom; for some suppose that it was built about the year 200; that is, about the middle space of time when the Christians, both Britons and Romans, lived in this island free from all persecution. In the centre of this little church, which I inspected with a more than ordinary degree of veneration, may be seen a very ancient cylindrical font, enriched by means of sculptured ornaments. It is meant for the immersion of the body, which was the mode of administering baptism at the promulgation of Christianity. The ruins of St. Augustine's Abbey are impressive. A detail of its history cannot be here ex ST. AUGUSTINE'S ABBEY. 395 pected. It must have been a structure of uncommon magnificence. When Henry the Eighth seized the religious houses, the gates of this abbey were shut against him, till two pieces of cannon, placed on an adjoining hill, made the affrighted monks give up their keys. Enough, however, remained entire to receive the unfortunate Charles the First at his wedding, where it was kept with every degree of festivity. How little know we of the good and evil which lie before us! His queen, according to some historians, brought on his melancholy destination. Here, also, Charles the Second, on his way from Dover, was entertained with pomp at his restoration. With respect to Canterbury, I shall only add, that it is encompassed with Hop-grounds; for the cultivation of this plant, indeed, Kent has been famed The flow'ry hop, whose tendrils climbing round KENT GUIDE. These poles, in the winter, are circularly placed in the fields, and have a singular appearance; they called up to my mind the huts of the South-Sea islanders; those dreary abodes of uncivilized humanity. But when encircled by the luxuriant hop, in its proper season, they are beautiful; few objects in nature can be said to produce more agreeable sensations. In this plant we admire the graceful ness of its clusters, and the superabundance of its fertility. The rapid growth of this plant is made use of by the poet to indicate the improvement which the fond parent perceives in its offspring : -- The parent deem'd he could perceive the growth HURDIS. Leaving the city of Canterbury, and pursuing the road to Margate, we observe on the left, Barton Mills, at a pleasant distance from the road, the residence of the late Wm K-d, Esq. and on the right we are surprised by a range of barracks, where a number of troops are stationed. The road to Margate passes through Sturry, two miles distant from Canterbury; and the new piece of road cut in a mere direct line to this village, is an improvement. Here, under the roof of a much respected Friend, the Rev. Sn K-d, surrounded by a numerous and pleasing family, I took up my abode. The river Stour running close by the house, has thrown over it a neat bridge of three arches. Opposite the mansion, and across the public road, is a small garden, neatly laid out, with a water-fall, which, while it gratifies the sight with its silvery appearance, soothes the ear with the gentlest sensations. Close by stands a lofty and handsome water-mill for the grinding of corn, which, by the noisy circulation of its wheels, re |