ferent parts of the world, and are very strong presumptions in favour of this hypothesis.

It has been objected, that there is no mention made in history of such an isthmus, or such a rupture in this place; which, being an event so very remarkable, must have been worthy of being reported. Yet this need not be thought strange, when we reflect, that at that time, and perhaps for a length of time afterwards, these parts were little, if at all, inhabited; and when they were, the inhabitants were in so uncivilized and barbarous a state, as afforded them little means of transmitting it to posterity. We have no particular account of the British coast, which might determine this question, earlier than the access of the Romans hither with Julius Cæsar.

All theorists concur however in the belief, that the surface of the globe has undergone many surprising and violent convulsions and changes since it first came from the hands of the Creator. Hills have sunk into plains, and vallies have been exalted to hills. The dry land has been covered with water and seas have been converted to dry land.*

Edwards' History of the West Indies, page 22.

That the whole eastern coast of Kent bears signs of having undergone great changes, is evident, and the correspondency of strata on part of the opposite shores of Britain and France, leaves no room to doubt but that they were once united. No certain cause can be given for the mighty convulsion which tore us from the continent; whether it was rent by an earthquake, or worn through by the continual dashing of the waters. Nothing is more certain, than that by earthquakes, and inroads of the sea, islands have been torn from continents. Whatever might have been the cause, the event was undoubtedly favourable to Great Britain; which might perhaps be continually the scene of war and slaughter, but for the narrow sea which separates it from the continent. Thus bounded on all sides by the ocean and protected by their navy, while harmony reigns at home, Englishmen have little to fear from any nation in the world.

THE CINQUE PORTS.

Dover is one of the Cinque Ports, or five havens, that lie contiguous to France, and were thus named by way of eminence, on account of their superior importance. The Romans, during the latter period of their empire in Britain, were under the necessity of protecting their coasts opposite to the continent, from the attacks of the northern pirates, by the establishment of garrisons of regular troops, in nine different stations. The names of these were Othona, Dubris, Lemanis, Branodonum, Gariononum, Regulbium, Rutupia, Anderida, and Portus Adurni. It has been found difficult to appropriate modern names to some of these places; but no one hesitates to refer Dover to Dubris, Lymne to Lemanis, Burgh Castle to Gariononum, Reculver to Regulbium, and Richborough to Rutupium. All these present to us ruins of Roman fortresses, which were the presidia of convenient harbours.

Former kings have thought the Cinque Ports worthy particular regard; and, the better to secure them against invasion, have granted

them a peculiar form of government. They had a particular jurisdiction granted them by king John, and several other privileges, which have since been confirmed by most of his successors. Their warden, who was first appointed by William the Conqueror, has the authority of high admiral among them, and issues out writs in his own name. The original Cinque Ports are Hastings, Sandwich, Dover, Romney, and Hythe, with their two ancient towns, Rye and Winchelsea, and their members.*

The freemen of the Cinque Ports are called Barons; and it appears, that in former times they enjoyed superior dignity, and had rank among the nobility of the kingdom. The evidences of this are strong, and it may not be difficult to trace the steps by which they arrived at so much eminence. The Cinque Ports were the nearest harbours to the continent, and their

* To Dover belong Feversham, Saint Margaret, Woodchurch, Goresend, Kingsdown, Birchinton, Margate, Ringwould, and Folkstone. To Sandwich---Brightlingsea, Fordwich, Reculver, Sarre, Walmer, Ramsgate, and Deal. To Romney---Promehill, Lydd, Oswarstone, Dangemarsh, and Old Romney. To Hythe---West Hythe. To Hastings -Seaford, Pevensey, Hidney, Beakesbourn, Bulverheath, and Grange.

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inhabitants always on the watch to prevent invasions. Their militia was kept in constant readiness for action, and their vessels were stout and warlike.*

- All historians agree in the great respectability and consequence in which the Cinque Ports were held in the early part of our history. Much matter might be extracted from ancient authors in proof of this; but it is not the intention or design of this little Sketch to enter minutely on the subject. An extraordinary act of French insolence, however, gave rise to the bloody war which broke out in the 21st year of Edward the First; and as the Cinque-port seamen appear to have borne a principal part in the maritime actions of those days, we shall insert it, as stated by Mr. Campbell, in his "Lives of the British Admirals," from the relation given of it by Walter of Hemingford.

*It seems that the Cinque Ports were at no period of time more calculated for naval defence, than in the auspicious reign of the First Edward, the munificent promoter of their strength and commerce; when they alone equipped a formidable fleet, and gave such a blow to the maritime power of France, as to scour the channel of these restless and insidious invaders.