called Queen Elizabeth's pocket pistol! It was a present from the States of Holland to that queenwill carry a twelve pounder seven miles-and has upon it this inscription, in old Dutch O'er hill and dale I throw my ball, Breaker my name of mound and wall! The principal part of the fortifications consists in a large circular work, where stands the old church, supposed to have been built by Lucius, the first Christian king of the Britons. In its original state it must have been a noble structure; for even in its present dilapidated condition there are vestiges of its ancient sublimity. It is impossible to contem-. plate such a heap of ruins without mourning over the decay to which human magnificence is des tined. Large portions have fallen to the ground: thus -The pilgrin oft At dead of night, 'mid his oraisons, hears Rattling around, loud thundering to the moon! DYER. Close to the remains of the church we perceived a burying-ground for soldiers who die in the castle; some of the inscriptions tell us, in homely phrase, that the individual lying beneath had been faithful in the service of his country. Proceeding along the ramparts, we beheld the improvements which have been introduced here of late-but on which immense sums of money must The rock on which the have been expended. castle is built has been perforated, and in these subterranean caverns are a number of soldiers— who did not seem pleased with their habitations. Passing through these excavations, we at last, all at once, came to a kind of gallery, cut in the side of the cliff, where we looked down on the ocean with tremendous sensations. Pursuing our route around the Castle, cannons, mortars, and other horrible instruments of destruction, met the eye, and impressed the heart. We at last came round to the spot whence we first set out, wearied by the circuitous journey. The square building in the centre reminded me of the white tower in the Tower of London-the well near the entrance is of an immense depth, the water being drawn up by horses; and over the gateway by which we entered, are elegant apartments for the Warden of the Cinque Ports, when he chooses to visit them. Here we were shewn the venerable old keys which are put into the Lord Warden's hand upon his initiation into the office. Nor must we forget to mention the brass horn, with which they say the men were called to work when the castle was first erected. The rooms are decorated with portraits, charts, and arms, fancifully arranged. The prospect of the town of Dover, and of the adjacent country, from the windows, is delightful. The sea appears to advantage, and the constant passage of the vessels contributes in no small degree to heighten the scenery. The castle contains a prison for debtors, having only two rooms: no allowance is made them for subsistence; they are BLANCHARD AND JEFFERIES. 429 subjected also to other hardships, which ought to .be removed, for the honour of humanity. Before we quit this spot, it may be proper to remark, that it was hence M. Blanchard, a Frenchman, and Dr. Jefferies, an American, were launched, suspended to a balloon, January 7, 1785, and reached the coast of France in little more than two hours, travelling at the rate of fifteen miles per hour. Being about half way over, they descended rapidly near the surface of the water, to the terror of the spectators; when all at once they were elevated by the casting out of ballast, and borne aloft; they soon alighted near Calais, amidst the acclamations of their countrymen. Balloons were first suggested by the ascent of smoke and clouds in the atmosphere. The invention is ingenious, and surprising feats have been performed by them. But great dangers are incurred, and it is questioned whether they can be converted to purposes of utility: Journeying on high the silken castle glides, O'er towns, and towers, and temples, winds its way, And, flush'd with transport, or benumb'd with fear, Views broader stars, and breathes in purer gales; 480 LANDING OF CHARLES 11. Sees, like a map, in many a waving line, DARWIN. Leaving the castle, we descended into Dover, where the beach caught my attention; the wooden houses, raised for the convenience of bathers who frequent this place in the summer season, pleasantly situated. are Upon the pier King Charles the Second landed, on Saturday the 26th of May, 1660, about one o'clock in the afternoon, attended by the Dukes of York and Gloucester, beside many of the nobility and gentry. He was conducted by the mayor and corporation to a canopy raised upon the Beach, and there presented with a large Bible, having gold clasps, by Mr. John Reading, a minister, who made a suitable address on the occasion. The King, in the same year, made the corporation a present of a handsome mace, now used by them, having this inscription-Carolus hic posuit vestigia prima Secundus, 1660; alluding to his landing here on his memorable restoration. * See the PHILOSOPHICAL MAGAZINE for Nov. 1815.; whose first article is entitled, Experiments tending to prove the possibility of causing balloons to deviate considerably from the general direction of the current of the wind, which carries them along in the atmosphere, by JOHN EVANS, jun, with an engraving to illustrate it. This piece attracted considerable attention at the time of its publication; and was noticed in terms of commendation by Sir George Caley, the late Mr. Edgeworth, and other gentlemen, who had studied the interesting doctrine of aërostation. Christian the Seventh, King of Denmark, landed here in 1768, and on his return embarked here for his own country. The French King Louis XVIII. also embarked here for Calais, 1814, on the downfall of Bonaparte; the Prince Regent accompanied him hither on the memorable occasion. Under the cliff, near the Castle, we were amused by contemplating the cottage belonging to the Father of Sir Sidney Smith, and situated close to the waves of the ocean. The cottage has a singular appearance, having apparently for its roof the inverted hulk of a vessel. Nor must I forget to mention, my young friend, that I gazed at the spot which contains the remains of the poet Churchill-he had been to visit his friend, John Wilkes, Esq. at Boulogne, and died there Nov. 5, 1764. It is supposed that, having made too free with the French wines, his intemperance hastened his dissolution. He was brought over and buried in an old church-yard belonging to the town of Dover, where a small head-stone is seen with this laconic inscription taken from his own works: Life to the last enjoyed, CANDIDATE. In Saint Mary's church, a small tablet has been placed to his memory, by his friend, Mr. Underwood, with these lines, which I copied on the spot: "In memory of that celebrated poet Mr. |