402 ISLE OF THANET. I have eaten of them at the house of my friend, who amuses himself often by catching them with a net, and have found them delicious. What they live upon in fresh water is still a mystery. I have been present at the opening of them, but, upon inspecting the stomach, no vestige of food could be discerned. The river flows down from Sturry to Fordwich, with great gentleness and transparency. I and my friend glided along its bosom one summer's evening-it was like the stream of human life-we were insensibly borne along and surprised at its unexpected termination. Yet, how pleasing thus to trace a resemblance between natural and moral subjects; it conduces to improvement. At Sarr (a poor village), another member of the port of Sandwich, we enter the Isle of Thanet, containing 41 square miles, and 27,000 acres of land, It produces a great quantity of corn, and is in a high state of cultivation. The name Thanet, signifying fire, was given it by the Saxons, because it formerly abounded with beacons for the purpose of watching the enemy. It is said that the blessings of arts, of science, and of divine knowledge, first visited this part of our island. The state of the natives before this period must have been wretched, for what is life without the comforts of civilization. And what the comforts of civilization without the amiable spirit, just precepts, and the exalted hopes of the CHRISTIAN RELI GION MARGATE. But see! what sudden glories from the sky And all the gloomy prospect cheer! What awful form approaches nigh! Awful, yet mild, as is the southern wind, That gently bids the forest nod: Hark! thunder breaks the air, and angels speak: 403 Behold the SAVIOUR of the world! Behold the LAMB of God! Ye sons of men, behold his aspect meek, The tear of pity on his cheek! See! in his train appear Humility and Patience sweet; Repentance, prostrate at his sacred feet, Bedews with tears, and wipes them with his flowing hair! No more repine, my coward ɛoul, The sorrows of mankind to share, Which He who could the world controul Did not disdain-to bear ! Check not the flow of sweet fraternal love, By HEAV'N's high King in bounty giv❜n, And gradual raise to love divine, CARTER. MARGATE, at the northern extremity of the Isle of Thanet, and sixteen miles from Canterbury, is subject to the mayor of Dover, of which port it is a member. It proper name is said to be Meregate, derived from an opening or gate, through which there was a small mere, or stream, running into the sea. It used to be of little importance till the year 1724, when an act of parliament was obtained to rebuild the pier with stone; and the town itself underwent improvement. Of late years it has been frequented by the citizens of London, who flock hither in the summer season. Packets convey these visitors to Margate in a few hours, though sometimes the voyage lasts for two or three days. Into these vehicles they crowd persons of all descriptions; and Dr. Walcot (under the assumed name of Peter Pindar) has thus played off his wit upon their peculiarities with his usual freedom: Go beauteous hoy, in safety every inch― That storms should wreck thee, gracious Heav'n forbid ! Or equally tremendous Captain Kid! Go with thy cargo!-Margate town amuse, All Margate will be out I trow- The citizens, however, are entitled to a large portion of recreation after their application to business in the close and heated recesses of an overgrown metropolis. Entertainments of various kinds are here provided for their gratification, particularly a theatre, a library, an assembly-room, &c. The bathing is excellent, the shore being level, and covered with sand. The number of subscribers often amount to one thousand in a season. Diligences run every day to Canterbury to meet the coaches which come from London, and return with passengers to Margate the same evening. Dandelion, in the vicinity of this place (called after a family of that name), is a famous tea-house, with small gardens, which are much frequented. The gathering up of shells, pebbles, sea-weeds, &c. along the shore, often amuses the company. The late Dr. Lettsom, in 1792, laid the foundation of a useful institution here under the name of a General Sea bathing Infirmary. Cecil-square, Hawley-square, and Union Crescent, are modern piles of building, which recommend themselves to visitants by the elegance of their structure and the airiness of their situation. The good effects of sea-bathing, in certain cases, have been well ascertained; it is also an agreeable exercise to those who have a partiality for the water, especially in the summer season :— Oh! recreation exquisite to feel, The wholesome waters trickle from the head To feel the lick the hand, and lave the foot HURDIS. There are many pleasant walks around Margate; but the pier, where the packets are, in the season, almost continually landing their motley contents, is a favourite promenade with the company. Morning and evening it is crowded with multitudes. The York East Indiaman, driven by a violent storm against the back of this pier, some years ago, landed its crew and passengers in safety, A small stone is erected on the spot by way of grateful commemoration. This pier, with the bathing-houses, and a good part of High-street, suffered prodigiously in the winter of 1807, from a storm which threatened the destruction of the place. It threw the inhabitants into a general consternation. The pier is still in a very dilapidated condition, and some thousands must be expended to restore it to its former neatness and stability. Mr. Hasted, in his History of Kent, remarks, that, "the town and harbour of Margate are situated so directly opposite to the Northern ocean, that a vessel taking her departure thence, and steering her course north half east, would hit no land till she came on the coast of Greenland, in the latitude of 75 deg. north, after having run 1380 miles!" Certain it is, that its situation is exposed to the ocean; and, on a fair day, the ships passing along with a gentle breeze, some at the utmost verge of the horizon, entertain the eye and gratify the imagination. Kingsgate, on this coast, being a pleasant ride from Margate, derives its name from the landing of Charles the Second here, in his way from Dover to London. Here was the seat of the late Lord Holland, resembling an Italian villa; particularly that of Cicero's, near the bay of Baiæ, in the Augustan age, when the polite arts were in their glory. The building, alas! is partly taken down, and converted into a range of lodging-houses. |
